analysing okonkwo - quia · • a tragic hero, like oedipus, is typically a person of consequence...

Analysing Okonkwo

  Turning and turning in the widening gyre

  The falcon cannot hear the falconer;

  Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;

  Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,

  The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere

  The ceremony of innocence is drowned;

  The best lack all conviction, while the worst

  Are full of passionate intensity.

  Surely some revelation is at hand;

  Surely the Second Coming is at hand.

W. B. Yeats, 1919

  Turning and turning in the widening gyre

  The falcon cannot hear the falconer;

  Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;

  Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,

  The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere

  The ceremony of innocence is drowned;

  The best lack all conviction, while the worst

  Are full of passionate intensity.

  Surely some revelation is at hand;

  Surely the Second Coming is at hand.

1. What is the widening gyre?

2. Who is the falcon, who the falconer?

3. What has fallen apart?

4. Does colonial rule = mere anarchy?

5. What is the ceremony of innocence?

6. Why does Okonkwo lack conviction?

7. What revelation is at hand?

8. What is the Second Coming? How

does it apply to Things Fall Apart?

W. B. Yeats, 1919

“Let me first make one general point that is fundamental and essential to

the appreciation of African issues by Americans. Africans are people in the

same way that Americans, Europeans, Asians, and others are people.

Africans are not some strange beings with unpronounceable names and

impenetrable minds. Although the action of Things Fall Apart takes place in

a setting with which most Americans are unfamiliar, the characters are

normal people and their events are real human events.”

Chinua Achebe

Conflicts

Conflicts

Generational:

Conflicts

Generational:

• Okonkwo vs. Unoka

Conflicts

Generational:

• Okonkwo vs. Unoka

• Okonkwo vs. Nwoye

Conflicts

Generational:

• Okonkwo vs. Unoka

• Okonkwo vs. Nwoye

Cultural:

Conflicts

Generational:

• Okonkwo vs. Unoka

• Okonkwo vs. Nwoye

Cultural:

• Igbo vs. Colonizers

Conflicts

Generational:

• Okonkwo vs. Unoka

• Okonkwo vs. Nwoye

Cultural:

• Igbo vs. Colonizers

• Tradition vs. Christianity

Conflicts

Generational:

• Okonkwo vs. Unoka

• Okonkwo vs. Nwoye

Cultural:

• Igbo vs. Colonizers

• Tradition vs. Christianity

• Assimilation vs. resistance

Conflicts

Generational:

• Okonkwo vs. Unoka

• Okonkwo vs. Nwoye

Cultural:

• Igbo vs. Colonizers

• Tradition vs. Christianity

• Assimilation vs. resistanceGender:

Conflicts

Generational:

• Okonkwo vs. Unoka

• Okonkwo vs. Nwoye

Cultural:

• Igbo vs. Colonizers

• Tradition vs. Christianity

• Assimilation vs. resistanceGender:

• Okonkwo vs. his wives

The Tragic Hero

The Tragic Hero1. Enjoys an exalted position in society either by birth or due to

extraordinary achievements.

The Tragic Hero1. Enjoys an exalted position in society either by birth or due to

extraordinary achievements.

2. Demonstrates wisdom, moral or philosophical greatness and (sometimes) physical prowess.

The Tragic Hero1. Enjoys an exalted position in society either by birth or due to

extraordinary achievements.

2. Demonstrates wisdom, moral or philosophical greatness and (sometimes) physical prowess.

3. Adheres to and exemplifies a code of conduct including reverence toward the laws of god and the universe, loyalty to family, and respect for government.

The Tragic Hero1. Enjoys an exalted position in society either by birth or due to

extraordinary achievements.

2. Demonstrates wisdom, moral or philosophical greatness and (sometimes) physical prowess.

3. Adheres to and exemplifies a code of conduct including reverence toward the laws of god and the universe, loyalty to family, and respect for government.

4. Possesses a flaw in personality or psyche that ultimately causes their downfall.

Tragic Flaw

Tragic Flaw• The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.

Tragic Flaw

1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?

• The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.

Tragic Flaw

1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?

uncontrollable anger

• The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.

Tragic Flaw

1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?

uncontrollable anger

inflexibility

• The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.

Tragic Flaw

1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?

uncontrollable anger

inflexibility

intolerant of others

• The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.

Tragic Flaw

1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?

uncontrollable anger

inflexibility

intolerant of others

dissatisfied with his son

• The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.

Tragic Flaw

1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?

uncontrollable anger

inflexibility

intolerant of others

dissatisfied with his son

impetuous, careless

• The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.

Tragic Flaw

1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?

uncontrollable anger

inflexibility

intolerant of others

dissatisfied with his son

impetuous, careless

afraid to show feelings

• The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.

Tragic Flaw

1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?

uncontrollable anger

inflexibility

intolerant of others

dissatisfied with his son

impetuous, careless

afraid to show feelings

will not admit to being wrong

• The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.

Tragic Flaw

1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?

uncontrollable anger

inflexibility

intolerant of others

dissatisfied with his son

impetuous, careless

afraid to show feelings

will not admit to being wrong

afraid of being perceived as weak

• The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.

Tragic Flaw

1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?

uncontrollable anger

inflexibility

intolerant of others

dissatisfied with his son

impetuous, careless

afraid to show feelings

will not admit to being wrong

afraid of being perceived as weak

• The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.

• Does Okonkwo possess a tragic flaw?

Is Okonkwo a Hero?

Is Okonkwo a Hero?

• An epic hero, like Odysseus, is typically set apart from other characters by their capacity to endure many trials and tribulations.

Is Okonkwo a Hero?

• An epic hero, like Odysseus, is typically set apart from other characters by their capacity to endure many trials and tribulations.

• A tragic hero, like Oedipus, is typically a person of consequence brought down by an inner conflict or by his own tragic flaw.

Is Okonkwo a Hero?

• An epic hero, like Odysseus, is typically set apart from other characters by their capacity to endure many trials and tribulations.

• A tragic hero, like Oedipus, is typically a person of consequence brought down by an inner conflict or by his own tragic flaw.

Is Okonkwo a Hero?

• An epic hero, like Odysseus, is typically set apart from other characters by their capacity to endure many trials and tribulations.

• A tragic hero, like Oedipus, is typically a person of consequence brought down by an inner conflict or by his own tragic flaw.

Is Okonkwo an epic hero, a tragic hero, or is he a hero at all?

Is Okonkwo a Hero?

• An epic hero, like Odysseus, is typically set apart from other characters by their capacity to endure many trials and tribulations.

• A tragic hero, like Oedipus, is typically a person of consequence brought down by an inner conflict or by his own tragic flaw.

Is Okonkwo an epic hero, a tragic hero, or is he a hero at all?

Write a detailed response. (600 - 800 words)