Note #21
Tragic Hero
A tragic hero is a character that faces adversity, demonstrates courage in the face of impending danger and eventually meets his downfall. The characterization of Okonkwo as a tragic hero is in conjunction with the larger setting of the novel. The choice to potray Okonkwo as a tragic hero archetype was intentional pertaining to the context of the novel. Okonkwo, despite his many shortcomings, was a force to reckon with and was vehemently protective of his values and ideals, both in a personal context and in terms of the Igbo state itself. His eventual downfall is parallel to the colonisation of the Igbo. He was unable to adapt to the transitioning state of his community. Owing to his unyielding and rigid nature, he met his end in rather pitiable circumstances. Despite his many imperfections, it is debatable if it is righteous for a man of such might to meet his end by virtue of foreign forces.
The vapourization of sovereignty and the dereliction of Igbo customs and traditions is mirrored in the novel. In the novel, the Igbo culture is gradually subdued and subject to colonialism. A culture which was thriving by means of its own norms was reduced to a mere subjugated territory. Akin to Okonkwo's hamartia of hubris, the Igbo community has certain characteristics, such as inflexibility, which the British colonialists foresaw as suitable for exploitation. Although many of the aspects of Igbo may be questionable according to a modern perspective, it was the mode of life for millions of people. Throughout the course of the plot, Okonkwo can be considered as a personification of the Igbo community itself. This immense significance of the protagonist with regards to the context of the novel is crucial in the depiction of the Igbo by Chinua Achebe.
Tragic Hero
A tragic hero is a character that faces adversity, demonstrates courage in the face of impending danger and eventually meets his downfall. The characterization of Okonkwo as a tragic hero is in conjunction with the larger setting of the novel. The choice to potray Okonkwo as a tragic hero archetype was intentional pertaining to the context of the novel. Okonkwo, despite his many shortcomings, was a force to reckon with and was vehemently protective of his values and ideals, both in a personal context and in terms of the Igbo state itself. His eventual downfall is parallel to the colonisation of the Igbo. He was unable to adapt to the transitioning state of his community. Owing to his unyielding and rigid nature, he met his end in rather pitiable circumstances. Despite his many imperfections, it is debatable if it is righteous for a man of such might to meet his end by virtue of foreign forces.
The vapourization of sovereignty and the dereliction of Igbo customs and traditions is mirrored in the novel. In the novel, the Igbo culture is gradually subdued and subject to colonialism. A culture which was thriving by means of its own norms was reduced to a mere subjugated territory. Akin to Okonkwo's hamartia of hubris, the Igbo community has certain characteristics, such as inflexibility, which the British colonialists foresaw as suitable for exploitation. Although many of the aspects of Igbo may be questionable according to a modern perspective, it was the mode of life for millions of people. Throughout the course of the plot, Okonkwo can be considered as a personification of the Igbo community itself. This immense significance of the protagonist with regards to the context of the novel is crucial in the depiction of the Igbo by Chinua Achebe.
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