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Things Fall Apart: the characters
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Okonkwo is a tragic hero: a great man brought down by a flaw within himself and by forces beyond his control.
Okonkwo
Strong, hard-working and ambitious, he rose from nothing to become one of Umuofia's leading men.
His tragic flaw is his fear of weakness, which makes him violent, rigid and unable to show love.
He cannot adapt when his world changes.
His tragic flaw is his fear of weakness, which makes him violent, rigid and unable to show love.
He cannot adapt when his world changes.
Family
Unoka: Okonkwo's father, a gentle musician who died in debt.
Nwoye: Okonkwo's sensitive son, who turns to Christianity.
Ezinma: Okonkwo's favourite daughter, clever and spirited; he often wishes she had been a boy.
Ekwefi: Ezinma's mother.
Nwoye: Okonkwo's sensitive son, who turns to Christianity.
Ezinma: Okonkwo's favourite daughter, clever and spirited; he often wishes she had been a boy.
Ekwefi: Ezinma's mother.
Others
Obierika: Okonkwo's thoughtful friend, who questions some traditions.
Mr Brown: a missionary who respects local beliefs.
Reverend Smith: a strict missionary who does not.
The District Commissioner: represents colonial power and its arrogance.
Mr Brown: a missionary who respects local beliefs.
Reverend Smith: a strict missionary who does not.
The District Commissioner: represents colonial power and its arrogance.
Why is Okonkwo a tragic hero?
- He is a great man with real strengths.
- His fear of weakness leads him to violence and rigidity.
- When his society changes, he cannot adapt, and he is destroyed.
Answer: He is admirable but brought down by his own fear of weakness and by colonial change he cannot accept.
Okonkwo: strong, ambitious, flawed by fear of weakness. Unoka: gentle debtor. Nwoye: sensitive convert. Ezinma: favourite daughter. Obierika: thoughtful friend. Mr Brown and Rev. Smith: contrasting missionaries. The Commissioner: colonial arrogance.
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