Many events and actions led to Okonkwo’s downfall which made him a tragic hero. In the beginning of Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo’s father, Unoka is mentioned as “ lazy and improvident and was quite incapable of thinking about tomorrow”(pg.4).
Also, it is possible to find that he was a failure, a poor, and a loafer. “You, Unoka, are known in all the clan for the weakness of your machete and your hoe”(pg.18). On the other hand, Okonkwo is mentioned as “. . . tall and huge . . . pounce on people quite often . . . had no patience with unsuccessful men. He had had no patience with his father”(pg.3-4) which shows that he is very different from his father and that he disliked him a lot. Unoka’s failure, sloth, and negligence would have made Okonkwo to have wounded mind and revengeful thought which led him to be wrathful and belligerent. This shows Okonkwo’s tragic flaws which are rashness, anger, and violence.
Ikemefuna’s death is another incident that shows that Okonkwo is a tragic hero.
Ikemefuna is a boy who is given to Umouofia by neighboring village to avoid war and lives with Okonkwo’s. He calls Okonkwo “father” and Okonkwo also feels attached to Ikemefuna. However, when Ikemefuna calls Okonkwo and asks him for protection when he is about to be killed, Okonkwo strikes the boy down because of fear of being thought weak. “Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak ” (pg61). Through this incident, Okonkwo shows his gruffness and being unable to express his feelings.
The coming of the white people including missionaries would be significant cause of making Okonkwo a tragic hero. The white missionaries tried to convert the people into Christianity, built their own government churches, schools, and a trading post. While Okonkwo was in Mbanta for the punishment his violence during the week of peace, Umouofia started to change. Some people were converted into Christianity, started learning how to read and write, and were in close relationship with Mr. Brown who was one of the white missionaries. When Okonkwo returns, he sees the big change in Umouofia and realizes that he is not very welcomed. Realizing the crisis of falling apart of Umouofia, he strives to maintain the tradition, culture, and custom. However, he soon finds himself unable to adapt to changing society and that he became a relic; his values were no more considered important. After all, realizing his tragic flaws, he chooses to die.
It is clear that the main character, Okonkwo, is a tragic hero in Things Fall Apart. He had tragic flaws: rashness, anger, and violence. Okonkwo was not able to express his feelings and afraid of being shown weak. Also, he was hubristic in traditions and finally realized his flaws and dies.
