Okonkwo: A Tragic Hero?

What is a Tragic Hero? A tragic hero is a man of noble stature. He is not an ordinary man, but a man with outstanding quality and greatness about him. His own destruction is for a greater cause or principle.

According to Aristotle (a Greek philosopher and scientist, basically a really smart guy) Tragic Heroes have these qualities: Is Noble, of high status Possesses good and bad qualities Hamartia, possesses a fatal flaw Participates in a journey Suffers, A LOT! Flaw causes reversal of fortune a.k.a Peripeteia Self-Realization (becomes aware of certain mistakes)

Possesses a Fatal Flaw Also called the Hamartia Traditional fatal flaw is hubris, or excessive pride Flaw ultimately leads to hero’s downfall, often death

Fate is controlled by flaw First enjoys privileged life (remember noble birth!) Flaw causes a reversal of fortune called the Peripeteia Ultimate fate is a downfall, often death Downfall seems more impressive due to fall from noble position

Bears no responsibility for flaw, only for actions influenced by flaw Actions result in an increase of self-awareness and self-knowledge Fate is discovered by his own actions, not things happening to him Downfall is a result of free choice

Is Okonkwo a Tragic Hero? Aristotle’s Definition Okonkwo 1. Noble Status “Fame rested on solid personal achievements” (3) “Okonkwo’s fame had grown like a bushfire (4) Famous wrestler, strong warrior, had titles 2. Good and Bad in personality Cares for Ikemefuna, loves Ezinma, hard working Short tempered, abusive, intolerant “He had no patience for unsuccessful men (4) 3. Hamartia or Fatal Flaw Constantly worried about looking weak Wants to always appear strong “his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and weakness” (13) 4. Journey or Quest Exiled to motherland “It was a crime against the earth goddess, and a man who committed it must flee from the land…he could return to the clan after 7 years (124) 5. Peripeteia, Suffering Lazy father and son, Ikemefuna, Sickly Ezinma, Exile, Culture Collision 6. Self- realization He realizes he can’t change anything, his clan becomes weak. “Things Fall Apart”

Is Okonkwo a Tragic Hero? Aristotle’s Definition Okonkwo Noble Status Okonkwo was respected “Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and beyond” (3) “he had achieved fame as the greatest wrestler in the land” (27) 2. Good and Bad in personality Strong, Manly, Took care of Ikemefuna, Hard Working Loves Ezinma Abusive, aggressive “Okonkwo knew how to kill a man’s spirit” (26) 3. Hamartia or Fatal Flaw “He was afraid of being thought weak” (61) “his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and weakness” (13) 4. Journey or Quest Exile “The course open for Okonkwo was to flee from the clan” (124) 5. Peripeteia, Suffering Shame of father, Poverty, Weak son, killed Ikemefuna, exile, loses status, clan changing, culture changing, jail, killed the messenger 6. Self- realization No one was going to war (205) Okonkwo’s chi was not as strong as he thought it was (131)