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.
W. B. Yeats, 1919
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?
“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:
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Okonkwo vs. Unoka
Conflicts
Generational:
•
•
Okonkwo vs. Unoka
Okonkwo vs. Nwoye
Conflicts
Generational:
•
•
Okonkwo vs. Unoka
Okonkwo vs. Nwoye
Cultural:
Conflicts
Generational:
Cultural:
•
•
•
Okonkwo vs. Unoka
Okonkwo vs. Nwoye
Igbo vs. Colonizers
Conflicts
Generational:
Cultural:
•
•
•
•
Okonkwo vs. Unoka
Okonkwo vs. Nwoye
Igbo vs. Colonizers
Tradition vs. Christianity
Conflicts
Generational:
Cultural:
•
•
•
•
•
Okonkwo vs. Unoka
Okonkwo vs. Nwoye
Igbo vs. Colonizers
Tradition vs. Christianity
Assimilation vs. resistance
Conflicts
Generational:
Cultural:
•
•
•
•
•
Okonkwo vs. Unoka
Okonkwo vs. Nwoye
Gender:
Igbo vs. Colonizers
Tradition vs. Christianity
Assimilation vs. resistance
Conflicts
Generational:
Cultural:
•
•
•
•
•
Okonkwo vs. Unoka
Okonkwo vs. Nwoye
Gender:
•
Okonkwo vs. his wives
Igbo vs. Colonizers
Tradition vs. Christianity
Assimilation vs. resistance
The Tragic Hero
The Tragic Hero
1. Enjoys an exalted position in society either by birth or due to
extraordinary achievements.
The Tragic Hero
1. 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 Hero
1. 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 Hero
1. 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
•
The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.
1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?
Tragic Flaw
•
The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.
1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?
uncontrollable anger
Tragic Flaw
•
The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.
1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?
uncontrollable anger
inflexibility
Tragic Flaw
•
The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.
1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?
uncontrollable anger
inflexibility
intolerant of others
Tragic Flaw
•
The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.
1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?
uncontrollable anger
inflexibility
intolerant of others
dissatisfied with his son
Tragic Flaw
•
The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.
1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?
uncontrollable anger
inflexibility
intolerant of others
dissatisfied with his son
impetuous, careless
Tragic Flaw
•
The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.
1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?
uncontrollable anger
inflexibility
intolerant of others
dissatisfied with his son
impetuous, careless
afraid to show feelings
Tragic Flaw
•
The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.
1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?
impetuous, careless
uncontrollable anger
afraid to show feelings
inflexibility
will not admit to being
wrong
intolerant of others
dissatisfied with his son
Tragic Flaw
•
The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.
1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?
impetuous, careless
uncontrollable anger
afraid to show feelings
inflexibility
will not admit to being
wrong
intolerant of others
dissatisfied with his son
afraid of being perceived
as weak
Tragic Flaw
•
The quality that ultimately defeats a noble hero.
1. What are Okonkwo’s flaws?
uncontrollable anger
afraid to show feelings
inflexibility
will not admit to being
wrong
intolerant of others
dissatisfied with his son
•
impetuous, careless
Does Okonkwo possess a tragic flaw?
afraid of being perceived
as weak
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)