A Fallen Hero

A detailed Summary of A Fallen Hero

The tragic hero demonstrates great dedication and sacrifice; as well as

standing as a symbol of goodness and justice. His acts of courage and

strength are however no match for his tragic flaw, which eventually lead to

his downfall. In Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo the

main character of the story plays the role of a tragic hero. Okonkwo's

greatest fear of becoming a failure like his father, Unoka, is the fuel of his

success as well as the cause of his tragic downfall.

Okonkwo's resentment towards his father motivates his great rise to

prosperity. For example, Okonkwo is so ashamed of his father as a young

boy that when he grows older, "[He] [is] ruled by one passion- to hate

everything that his father, Unoka has loved. One of those things [is]

gentleness and the other [is] idleness" (pg. 13). Okonkwo detests Unoka for

allowing his weaknesses rule his life. He is so shamed of having such an

unavailing and indolent man as a father, that he vows to never become like

him. He is so driven by this determination to distance himself from any

possible similarities between him and his father, that he immediately strives

to be his extreme opposite. As a result, where Unoka lacks Okonkwo

gods and as a result receives punishment as well. In addition, when

the ground. To be able to use a negative aspect of your life as your

escape from his father's dominance. Furthermore, when Ikemefuna ran

Umuofia. He is confounded of how such a strongly unified and culturally

likeness was all for nothing. Seeing his people slowly abandon their way of

wall and hit [Nwoye] two or three savage blows. [When Okonkwo finally]

voices asking: 'Why did he do it?"' ( pg. 205). Okonkwo feels helpless and

respected man he once was but as a crazed man blinded by his belief that

the greatest men of his time" (pg. 8). Okonkwo strives to be the best in

Approximate Word count = 1124
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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