The themes of the text 'Things Fall Apart' are developed by the author through the use of his characters. Okonkwo, the protagonist, is a prime example. Achebe himself articulates that Okonkwo was a tool of developing the themes of the text.
One of the themes that Achebe is able to develop through the character of Okonkwo is the idea of change, or the struggle between change and tradition. Most, who are loyal to their culture, would not have the desire to drastically change their cultural and religious values. Okonkwo, for example, rejects the opportunity for change. Joining another religious group, or conforming to a new political system, was, for Okonkwo, not a manly act. Doing so would be against his values, as he all but looked down upon the ways of his father, and thus swore to never follow in his footsteps. He resisted change in fear of becoming his father. This struggle between change and tradition, and the resistance of change is seen clearly through the character of Okonkwo in the text.
Destiny is another theme that could connect with the resistance of change. The destiny, or fate, of a character can be determined by the flexibility of their nature, or any willingness of change. In this regard, Okonkwo was of a completely inflexible nature. With the arrival of the Europeans, and all the cultural values that they brought with, it is inevitable that Okonkwo's destiny with be cursed with negativity. Fate was to bring his own self destruction, thus he is considered a tragic hero, with a tragic flaw. The theme of destiny is an obvious reflection of Okonkwo's character. Achebe successfully uses him for the purpose of developing his main themes.
There may have been a purpose supporting Achebe's decision to choose a tragic hero as his main character. It connects to one tradition proverb. "Wherever something stands, something else will stand beside it." Achebe's own interpretation of this proverb is the idea that the Igbo people do not believe in an absolute. There is no one side of any situation. For any good, there will be bad. Such is the case for Okonkwo. As a tragic hero, he achieves greatness, yet also brings about his own self destruction, all through the motivation of not being a coward like his father. This does support the proverb and could suggest the purpose of choosing Okonkwo to be a tragic hero.
One of the themes that Achebe is able to develop through the character of Okonkwo is the idea of change, or the struggle between change and tradition. Most, who are loyal to their culture, would not have the desire to drastically change their cultural and religious values. Okonkwo, for example, rejects the opportunity for change. Joining another religious group, or conforming to a new political system, was, for Okonkwo, not a manly act. Doing so would be against his values, as he all but looked down upon the ways of his father, and thus swore to never follow in his footsteps. He resisted change in fear of becoming his father. This struggle between change and tradition, and the resistance of change is seen clearly through the character of Okonkwo in the text.
Destiny is another theme that could connect with the resistance of change. The destiny, or fate, of a character can be determined by the flexibility of their nature, or any willingness of change. In this regard, Okonkwo was of a completely inflexible nature. With the arrival of the Europeans, and all the cultural values that they brought with, it is inevitable that Okonkwo's destiny with be cursed with negativity. Fate was to bring his own self destruction, thus he is considered a tragic hero, with a tragic flaw. The theme of destiny is an obvious reflection of Okonkwo's character. Achebe successfully uses him for the purpose of developing his main themes.
There may have been a purpose supporting Achebe's decision to choose a tragic hero as his main character. It connects to one tradition proverb. "Wherever something stands, something else will stand beside it." Achebe's own interpretation of this proverb is the idea that the Igbo people do not believe in an absolute. There is no one side of any situation. For any good, there will be bad. Such is the case for Okonkwo. As a tragic hero, he achieves greatness, yet also brings about his own self destruction, all through the motivation of not being a coward like his father. This does support the proverb and could suggest the purpose of choosing Okonkwo to be a tragic hero.
I enjoyed reading your blog post, Keenan. You mentioned the characteristics of a tragic hero and Okonkwo's labeling as such. Could you elaborate on the idea of Okonkwo and destiny?
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