Summary:
Ancient and modern societies alike often idealize people who have exceptional qualities. The hero is but one example of this idealization as his noble qualities and courage lead him to great achievements. Okonkwo, Things Fall Apart, is a very controversial character due to his selfish ambition and lack of ethics.
Ancient and modern societies alike often idealize people who have exceptional qualities. The hero is but one example of this idealization as his noble qualities and courage lead him to great achievements. Okonkwo, Things Fall Apart, is a very controversial character due to his selfish ambition and lack of ethics. However, when examined more deeply, it is evident that he is a very compassionate man who is placed in disadvantageous situations. In consideration of his background, and the circumstances of his upbringing, one is able to have a greater appreciation for Okonkwo. Although, Okonkwo did act wit extremes at times, his noble qualities and courage led to great achievements which determine his heroic status.
The perseverance and loyalty of Okonkwo are noble qualities which are important to his character and that of a hero. His perseverance is by far his greatest quality, as he endured great trials of which many could not survive. Okonkwo endured his father's shame during his childhood, as well as later failures as an adult. Although he had trouble with his first patches of yams, his perseverance led him to become very wealthy, as he became very skilled in this area. Okonkwos loyalty is another quality which is very admirable. He showed great loyalty to his superiors, nature, and the laws of the land. On several occasions he was faced with situations in which he could have easily succumbed to his emotions and disobeyed the law, but as a good citizen under the law he followed wholeheartedly. For example at the death of Ikemefuna, Okonkwo could have easily protected the boy, who was like a son to him, and helped him avoid death but instead he obeys the oracle and carries out the murder himself. Not only does he show no weakness he is able to give the people of the tribe a great example to follow.
Oknkwo displays great courage many times throughout the text. Okonkwo demonstrates courage in the wrestling match against the undefeated wrestler of another tribe, as well as in battle (in which he won several honorable positions). Most importantly, he shows courage at the end of the act as he tries to defend his tribe from foreigners who threaten his family and discovers that his tribe does not have equal courage and are not willing to stand up for their society and culture. Knowing this he ends his life for his cause, due to the lack of camaraderie and the lack of hope that the tribe showed.
Okonkwos achievements despite his disadvantageous circumstances are incredible. His father was a man with great debt because of his laziness, left Okonkwo with nothing but shame to his name. Not only did Okonkwo rid himself of this shame, he became an ideal leader in the village. Okonkwo also defeated, in wrestling match, an undefeated wrestler of a neighboring village. This shows his great strength, and brought great honor to Umuofia. Young Okonkwo also became a very wealthy farmer of the sacred crop, yams, and he supported three wives a sign of great wealth in the tribe. Also, Okonkwo holds two honorable titles, despite the fact that his father died with none.
Unfortunately Okonkwo was placed in a series of unfortunate events of which he could not remove himself. Destiny had already determined his fate and he was simply following through. Had his father not squandered his life, thus hurting his children, perhaps Okonkwo would not be as strict and as insensitive as he was. This story parallels Oedipus Rex, for no matter how noble Oedipus acted, it all returned. Although, Oedipus committed the horrible sin as killing his father in order to marry his mother, many see him as a hero for how he handled the situation. In the same way, Okonkwo was faced with troubles and problems which few faced and when faced with them he handled them the best way he knew how. Odysseus not only was unfaithful to his wife, ultimately led to the death of his crew. Odysseus too many is one of the greatest epic hero of all time. All heroes have flaws, and they must be recognized for how they overcome their situations. Okonkwo simply wanted what was best for his family and ultimately his tribe, which he in the end paid the ultimate price for. Each deed was not one of selfish motivation or ambition but of concern for the tribe and to look at Okonkwo any different would be an injustice to him but also to all epic heroes.
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