Is Okonkwo a tragic hero deserving of our sympathy or a violent, inflexible bully?

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Is Okonkwo a tragic hero deserving of our sympathy or a violent, inflexible bully?

Tragic heroes exemplify a number of qualities including courage and some type of personal sacrifice.  The character Okonkwo in the novel Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, demonstrates many of the characteristics of a tragic hero.  However, he also exhibits many qualities not representatives of a tragic hero.

There are many ways to define a tragic hero but there are few marks that all of these figures must possess.  First they must fit the typical classification of a hero: not only does a hero display bravery, but he also is willing to act on his intentions.  Basically, a hero does what ordinary citizens will not or cannot do.  In addition to exhibiting these characteristics, a tragic hero must sacrifice something of his own.  This sacrifice can be anything from the loss of one’s pride to the loss of one’s life. 

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Although Okonkwo’s journey was tragic, he does not fit the tragic hero stereotype. Okonkwo lived his entire life trying to outgrow his father’s shadow. All his motives behind every action were somehow related to his obsession to take a different path than his father (When Unoka died he had taken no title at all and he was heavily in debt. Any wonder then that his son Okonkwo was ashamed of him?.pg 7). He appeared strong whenever possible and did his best to lead his fellow tribesmen and women.  Okonkwo’s most respectable trait was the way he stayed true to his beliefs ...

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