Okonkwo as a tragic hero: what is the hamartia explored by Achebe?

[Ms. Shields]

[isabeli...@ywcpa.org]

I'd say when Okonkwo let his emotions get the best of him such as his emotions in weakness and failure. Humans have emotions which cause us to think for our actions.

[Paigee Moore]

Okonkwo was definitely a tragic hero because he let his pride take over him. A prime example would be when he killed Ikefuma when he knew it was wrong. His downfall reached a climax when he committed suicide toward the end of the book.

[darie...@ywcpa.org]

With the quote and Okonkwo's tragic flaws, I think it has to do with what needs to be done to make change. "The sun shines on those who kneel behind those who stand in front," has to do with the fact that you get the benefits of those who came before you. It might not be in the same quantity but you eventually get yours based on those who came before. Okonkwo made this discovery and that is what lead to his demise, his flaw was what he believed would help his family and community in the long run.

[Favour Igboneme]

okonkwo, the protagonist in Things fall apart had a fatal flaw that led to his impending fall one of it being his pride.the hamartia explored by Achebe depicts how pride could take over oneself through the life of okonkwo, For example, okonkwo didnt want to be like his father Unoka whom the people saw as a failure to the clan and due to that caused okonkwo to be confused about what life really was, he didnt want to be percieved to be a weakling just like his father, so he went ahead in order to make a name for himself, but his pride took the best of him.

[ashaj...@ywcpa.org]

Okonkwo was not only a tragic hero but displayed many tragic flaws. Okonkwo was very ardent when speaking about his greatest passion to to hate everything his father has loved. This is what I believe created a continuance of fatal flaws displayed by him. By being one of the top wrestlers in his village, the hamartia displayed by Achebe shows how one can let his pride and ego get the best of him.