Perfect Character A Delusion or Reality

Week 4

In the novel Animal Farm, the hope for a better world remains unattainable. Even with the change of governance, the animals are eventually mistreated. How is it possible that the longing for good can turn awry when the person is in power for long?

In the case of Okonkwo, he is not painted as someone who is without fault. In fact, he is in many ways a tragic hero. Neither is he a person who is evil despite his part in killing Ikemefuna. Based on your understanding of him in the novel, reflect on the following questions:

OKONKWO : A TRAGIC HERO

These are the reasons why he is seen as an inspiration and a disappointment of his clan. First, he holds a position of power and prestige in his clan. Okonkwo is a well-known wrestler and a respected leader among his Igbo people. About twenty years ago, Okonkwo distinguished himself and brought honor to his village when he wrestled and threw to the ground Amalinze the Cat, a man who had not been defeated for seven years.

“Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond. His fame rested on solid personal achievements. As a young man of eighteen he had brought honour to his village by throwing Amalinze the Cat. Amalinze was the great wrestler who for seven years was unbeaten, from Umuofia to Mbaino. He was called the Cat because his back would never touch the earth. It was this man that Okonkwo threw in a fight which the old men agreed was one of the fiercest since the founder of their town engaged a spirit of the wild for seven days and seven nights.”

 (Chapter 1: Paragraph 1)

As he defeated Amalinze The Cat at a young age, his victory is a great achievement. Since then, Okonkwo's reputation as a wrestler has grown throughout the nine villages of Umuofia. He is not only known for his strength but also known to be quickly angered, especially when dealing with unsuccessful men like his father, who died ten years ago deeply in debt.

As a figure of disappointment is his fear of weakness and failure as he does not want to be like his own father, who is very weak. Okonkwo is impulsive; he acts before he thinks. He disappoint his clan as Okonkwo should not do something that he already knows prohibited. Consequently, Okonkwo offends the Igbo people and their traditions as well as the gods of his clan. Okonkwo is advised not to participate in the murder of Ikefemuna, but he actually kills Ikefemuna because he is "afraid of being thought weak." He also beats his wife during the sacred week,The Week of Peace. When the white man brings Christianity to Umuofia, Okonkwo is opposed to the new ways. He feels that the changes are destroying the Igbo culture and Okonkwo finds the changes is intolerable. Being a stubborn, determine and proud person he clings to the Igbo traditional beliefs and mourns the loss of the past.

Lastly, Okonkwa kills a messenger from the British district office with his machete. He realizes that none of his clans support him and they back away from him. Okonkwo realizes that he has become a relic, no longer able to function within his changing society or the British colonists.

Okonkwo is a tragic hero in the classical sense: although he is a superior character, his tragic weaknesses-anger, proud, manliness brings about his own destruction by commits suicide, a shameful and disgraceful death like his father's. 

ALYSA JULIA