Okonkwo was a tragic hero?Okonkwo was a leader of the Igobo community of Umofia,he was afraid of being weak and and a Failure.A tragic hero holds a position of power and prestiges,chooses his course of action,possesses a tragic flaw,and gains awareness of circumstances that lead to fall.Okonkwo was considered a magic hero because he was successful and respected by Umofia,having a tragic flaw,and discovering his fate soon after after his action.
Okonkwo is one of the most powerful men in the Igobo tribe.”Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine village and even beyond…he had brought honour to his village by throwing the Cat”.This suggests that in his society,power is attained by achieving greatness and fame, either through fighting or wrestling.Okonkwo also works and tends to his crops in a zealous fashion, which drives everyone around him to be as diligent as him, because of this he earns his place as one of Umofia’s most respectable leader.Through he is not always pleased with his children and wives, they bring him a sense of pride and respect sinse having a large family means that the head of the family is able to support all of them. Okonkwo fails to free himself from his major character flaws, which ultimately brings about his tragic damise.

Secondly, as we know Okonkwo was afraid of being thought weak. As the novel expresses Okonkwo tired to be a strong person and decided to kill Ikemefuna and beats his wives, Okonkwo not only weaken his relationship with his wives and Nwoye, but also hurts himself mentally. Most important, his violent and impulsive characteristics lead him to kill a court messenger from the Birtish during the clan meeting which soon after leads Okonkwo to the discovery of his own tragic fate.                                                                                  Okonkwo was a tragic hero because after all his hard work he made bad decisions of killing people and lose all his power and respect

Category: Essays