Okonkwo: A Tragic Hero

Why would Achebe, taking into account the cultural context, choose to characterize Okonkwo using the tragic hero archetype?

Many African cultures including the Igbo, have faith in the principle that life prolongs from ancestral grounds and chains through the current community to the yet unborn; this insinuates the strong belief in communal rituals of life with their descendants. Thus African literature revolves around the destruction of these traditional, cultural, and economic systems through external forces, in which is disputed by the protagonist who adheres to the old traditions despite the benefits of the new modification. Consequently, this leads to their overthrow and the birth of a "tragic hero": a virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy who is destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe exhibits a tragic hero by the name of Okonkwo. Okonkwo withheld a high position within Umuofia due to his outstanding victory against Amalinze the cat at 18 years old. Suitably, he was idolized and equally classified as a hero. Then over the gradual years, he gained the trust of the Igbo people and became relied on in times of troubles. Therefore the occurrence accidental shooting, in which lead to his exile, spoiled his name within Umuofia and all his accomplishments that he built, block by block; this was the start of his downfall. As quoted by Achebe: "His life had been ruled by a great passion to become one of the lords of the clan…Then everything had been broken. He had been cast out of his clan like a fish onto the dry, sandy beach, panting". This reversal of events is traceable to Okonkwo's character traits and personal flaws that include fear of failure and femininity, rooted by his shame towards his father. Furthermore, since Okonkwo witnessed the conversion of the Igbo people to Christianity during return to his motherland, after British colonization, this lead to his sanity and his eventual death. 

Achebe strategically implements the tragic hero archetype to characterize Okonkwo, a community-oriented hero, who is strongly attached to the ancient Igbo ways. But as a result of the hero's strict adherence to Igbo traditions and religion, personal and moral flaws, and the external forces of the British, some reversible actions lead to the construction of the tragedies and Okonkwo's downfall in Things Fall Apart. This however deeply rooted emotions within the novel that as a result taught the readers about the Nigerian colonization of the British and its effect on the members of the community.

Igbo Background Assignment

Persuasive Speech to the Royal Colonial Institute:

Good morning,

I am Rob Smith, speaking on behalf of the Igbo people, an ethnic group situated in Nigeria. It is unfortunate to say that this vulnerable group of people are soon to be victims of colonialism due to the ignorance of the European and British; yes, it is indeed people like me and you that are disrupting the harmony and synchronization of such a distinct and unique community.

Despite having a positive mindset for colonialism in regards to supporting the Igbo people economically and socially by ending the enigma of twinship, women abuse, and supplying with European resources, there are more superior factors such as religion, traditional customs, and culture that are more potent in their lifestyle; it is easy to say that their life hinges on it. As a result, through colonizing their territories and the Igbo themselves, this is tearing apart their society bit by bit, consequently leading to the loss of their identity. Therefore it is necessary for us to consider and evaluate the consequences of colonialism on the Igbo, whom retain their own distinct religion, social and political structure, associations, and way of life; as opposed to neglectfully seizing such possessions of theirs and converting them to ours, let us learn more about them and their standard of living.

Firstly, a major product of colonialism that needs to be mentioned is the loss of diversity, specifically cultural diversity, to this planet. The adoption of European culture is a threat to the Igbo culture, as it leads to its extinction. Secondly, an additional product of colonialism is the destruction of religious backgrounds by attempting to convert the Igbo people to Christianity; this shift in religion is destructive to their sanity, as their entire lifetime they grew up believing that their god is Chukwu. This sudden change in belief may result in dangerous confusion and a change in many of their religious and cultural practices, that all in all will have a detrimental impact on the close-minded people. Moreover, the social and political structure is destroyed since it is the foundation of relationships between families, tribes, the elderly, and chiefs; specifically it could result to loss of value and authority of the elderly and chiefs, which the Igbo community is greatly built upon. Furthermore, associations such as the Igbo women association, in which have been previously built and evolved are fully disordered. Why rupture such strong attachment to the well-built Igbo culture? I would simply like for everyone to take a moment to rethink their standpoint on colonialism. Do u accept for the Igbo culture to turn to ashes as a result of setting the wild fire of colonialism?

Chinua Achebe Interview Shared Inquiry Discussion

Through the presentation of factual, interpretative, and evaluative questions within the in-class discussion, much about the cultural and literary context of Achebe's work was studied. In summary, African literature reveals a variety of perspectives of a story, as opposed to focusing on one, while linking to a world-wide issue of oppression; consequently a mutual global chain is formed to tie the author, the characters, and the international readers all together. Furthermore, Achebe clearly outlines his position on the exporting of American culture that is highly concentrated within literature. He believes that excess exporting of American culture initiates imbalance of stories, as one side of the story is highlighted through the excessive focus on America's culture, ideas, and behavior. Moreover he considers it to be toxic as people are limiting themselves to one side of the world.

In reference to the interviewer's excerpt of a quote said by Nadine Gordimer in an Atlantic Unbound interview this past winter: "English is used by my fellow writers, blacks, who have been the most extreme victims of colonialism. They use it even though they have African languages to choose from. I think that once you've mastered a language it's your own. It can be used against you, but you can free yourself and use it as black writers do -- you can claim it and use it."

The quote stated above clears the air for black writers, in regards to their extensive use of the English language, as opposed to African languages, within their writing. I most definitely agree with Nadine Gordimer that the African's lack of administrative power lead to the colonization of many African countries. As a result English, in which is the universal language, was spread throughout, claimed by them, and used in order to strengthen their success within the writing industry to be reached to a larger and global audience; and through the use of English arises internal liberty within the black authors, which is positively demonstrated within their pieces of writing.

Paper 1: "Pleasure of Books" by William Lion Phelps

            As William Lion Phelps articulated in his "The Pleasure of Books" speech: "Books are for use, not for show". Since this extracted phrase and entire political speech is voiced through a radio, it is addressed to human beings of all age and circumstances, particularly those who are unable to access media as well as young teenagers. Considering that this speech was delivered in the old-time radio era, specifically in 1933, radios were greatly used by families, especially during the mornings while eating breakfast. Through this strategic means of communication, Phelps persuades the listeners to pursue the hobby of reading and to own books as opposed to only collecting or borrowing them. In reference to the title, the main theme explored is the essence of pleasure that books deliver when reading them, as the author is specifically appealing to the sense of gratifications that human beings desire, which is a method of persuasion to initiate this spark of interest. In order for Phelps to voice this message, he uses a range of literary devices, primarily similes, diction, as well as the inclusion of a variety of structural and literary features.

          Through the strategic implementation of analogies in the means of similes, the author is able to invigorate the image of a borrowed book as well as the impact of owning books as against to borrowing them. William Phelps powerfully begins his speech with a striking introduction to immediately connect with the audience as a whole: "The habit of reading is one of the greatest resources of mankind". This is enhanced with the use of a simile, comparing a borrowed book to "a guest in the house" to enliven the negative portrayal of a borrowed book and appeal to the sense of ownership as one can never have enough freedom to use it to their liking and that a formal barrier will be present to confine any sense of ease and casualness. This appeal to the sense of ownership is further developed with the use of an additional simile when comparing the marking of favorite passages in an owned book to "visiting a forest where [one] blazed a trail". This implantation of imagery in conjunction with a simile stimulates an immediate effect on the audience as it attempts to persuade through appealing to pathos and nature. Furthermore, the appeal to pathos is applied to passionately persuade the listeners that owning a book will trigger a personal emotional connection to occur that will forever be embedded in one's memory.

            Through pathos, the author implants diction to emotionally persuade and appeal to the audience's sentiments of gaining friends through the reading of books. Phelps states: "But book-friends have this advantage over living friends; you can enjoy the most truly aristocratic society in the world whenever you want it". This statement specifically targets teenagers who are facing discrimination or hatred from society and as a result through Phelps's argument on book-friends being better than living friends, the young listeners would be attracted to the idea of reading books. Moreover, the author includes: "The best of mural decorations is books; they are more varied in color and appearance than any wallpaper, they are more attractive in design, and they have the prime advantage of being separate personalities, so that if you sit alone in the room in the firelight, you are surrounded with intimate friends". By targeting young listeners, through the application of imagery and diction, Phelps is able to design a clear image in their minds of a colorful bookshelf with a fireplace that when one sits to read the books, are surrounded by friends. Phelps's selection of words combined have an immediate effect on the young teenagers to envision a perfect quiet space, away from the disruptions of society and the world.

            In addition to the author's inclusion of similes, diction, and imagery, the enclosure of particular structural and literary features is filtered through. This initially includes the author's construction of an experienced and reliable character, as a professor of English at Yale University, to appeal to ethos, which initiates an instant outcome on the audience to trust the author's words, causing to alter their standpoint on books and persuade them not only collect, but read. Furthermore syntax was embedded in the first paragraph when the author speeches: "You must see that it sustains no damage; it must not suffer while under your roof. You cannot leave it carelessly, you cannot mark it, you cannot turn down the pages, you cannot use it familiarly". The formation of short, abrupt sentences leads to the presence of pauses while articulating the speech that adds drama or suspense in the point of view of the listeners, instigating their attention. Moreover, the author's constant repetition of "you" indicates the use of second person singular to speak directly to the listeners and revolve the speech around them. This once again is successfully in acquiring their devotion. Moreover the repetition of "must" in the first sentence and "cannot" in the second sentence put emphasis on the concept of having to be overprotective if using a borrowed book, as it requires much maintenance. As a result, Phelps convinces that one should own books in order to break the barrier of formality that is faced while using a borrowed book. Lastly dialogue is planted in the third paragraph through the author when he speaks: "Most of my indoor life is spent in a room containing six thousand books; and I have a stock answer to the invariable question that comes from strangers. "Have you read all of these books?" "Some of them twice." This reply is both true and unexpected." Once again, the author firms his position as an experienced literary author through the use of dialogue between him and a stranger by implementing a question to answer their doubts of owning many books. Consequently, in the standpoint of the listeners, this is a source of encouragement that could possibly trigger their curiosity and passion for books.

           To conclude, William Lion Phelps's presentation of his political speech, "The Pleasure of Books", was aimed to impact all human beings, mainly young teenagers, to plant a seed of love for books. With the purpose of persuading through the use of the appeal of pathos and a range of literary and structural devices, his writing and wording style placed an ardent, encouraging, affirming, and intense tone, thus situating the audience with an inspired, optimistic, and curious mood. His message however was not spread to everyone, including the Nazi Germany, and lead to the burning of books that withheld any "ungerman" ideas.