Things Fall Apart Character Sketch

the tribe, several people find him to be a dominating and a serious figure. Achebe tends to describe him as "tall and huge" with "bushy eyebrows and [a] wide nose [that gives] him a very severe look." When Okonkwo walks, his heels barely touch the ground, like he walks on springs, "as if he [is] going to pounce on somebody." Okonkwo "stammers slightly" and his breathing is heavy. He is quick to retaliate against men who are weak and lazy, this is witnessed at several times when he beats his son particularly. Okonkwo who cannot stand his father’s flaws of idleness and weakness is the instigating factor. This hatred unfortunately manifests itself into physical violence amongst the family members. “Okonkwo ruled his hand with a heavy hand. His wives especially his youngest lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper, and so did his children.” When his father tried to help by offering words, he felt ashamed and his actions reflects that.  Okonkwo does not like womanly traits and for this reason, even when he feels inward affection at times does not show it. Instead, he isolates himself by exhibiting anger through aggressive, obstinate and unreasonable behavior. “Okonkwo never showed any emotions openly, unless it be the emotion of anger.”  For instance, Okonkwo demands that his family work long hours despite their age and limited physical stamina. Also he nags and beats his wives and son, Nwoye, who Okonkwo feels posses the womanly and weak traits of his father.  He can also be considered a tragic hero. A tragic hero is one who is dominant and dignified but possesses a tragic flaw, which in turn leads to their downfall. The tragic flaw that leads to the end of Okonkwo is his fear of weakness. Achebe uses the literary tool of foreshadowing to hint at this event to come several time. One such instance is when during the peace weak, he breaks the law of beating his wife which leads to resentment and anger from the clan. This event foreshadows how his head-strong personality will cause more problems that will eventually lead to his huge downfall. Throughout the characters life, he has tried to be different from his father however it is ironical that despite this he dies in a disgraced manner just as his father did.  Word Count: 480 Brief Explanation of two Proverbs: “Okonkwo was as slippery as a fish in water.” This proverb comments and suggests that Okonkwo was an extremely agile person and also an intelligent one. “Let the Kite perch and let the eagle perch too. If one says, no to the other, let his wings break.” This proverb suggests that the character of Okonkwo was afraid of the misfortunes faced           by his father and his insubstantial existence and death.