Hubris In Things Fall Apart

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Recommended: Okonkwo's character analysis

Okonkwo is a very special character in the novel, Things Fall Apart. He brings about his downfall through his own actions. Okonkwo is constantly driven by his fear of being seen as weak. He would do anything to not become his father, Unoka. This character perfectly fits the definition of a tragic hero according to Aristotle. Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart is a great example of a tragic hero, because he has a tragic end and has an excessive amount of hubris.
One of Okonkwo’s tragic flaws is that he has excessive hubris, or too much pride. His hubris causes him to rarely show compassion. Okonkwo is so afraid of being seen as a failure and being weak. He absolutely does not want to turn out disgraced like his father, Unoka. The novel states repeatedly states that Okonkwo despises his own father, “ Any wonder then that his son was ashamed of him?” (Achebe 5). Okonkwo, being ashamed of his father, leads to him being cold-hearted and dispassionate. His hubris causes his son, Nwoye, to develop a hatred towards him. When Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna, Okonkwo’s “son”, Nwoye starts to feel trapped and suffocated by his father. Okonkwo’s hubris is what causes him to lose his sense of family and relationships. This is proved when Nwoye says, “I don’t …show more content…

Some may say that Okonkwo is an epic hero, because he has positive and negative qualities as well as possessing human weaknesses. What this claim fails to consider is that Okonkwo does not go on a quest, encountering divine spirits. It also fails to consider that Okonkwo does not triumph, instead he dies. Some may say that Okonkwo is a modern hero, because he has strong leadership skills and has outspokenness. This claim also fails to address that Okonkwo does not have the courage to show compassion. Okonkwo cannot show his compassion in fear of being weak. This explains why Okonkwo is best described as a tragic

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