Q1. Describe Okonkwo, the protagonist of Things Fall Apart. Think of him as an Igbo hero: how does he achieve greatness and is he defined by his culture? How does he differ from the Western heroes you know? What are Okwonko's strengths and weaknesses? Okonkwo embodies all the ideal and heroic traits of Igbo culture. He is strong, authoritative, hardworking and successful. The first sentence specifies that “Okonkwo was well known in the nine villages and even beyond” (3). Okonkwo is great and famous because of his “strong personal achievements” (3). Okonkwo first became famous and recognized when he became the village wrestling champion. At eighteen, he had “brought honor to his village” by beating the seven-year-old champion. By winning the wrestling match, Okonkwo demonstrates to his village his great strength and skill as a warrior. From then on, his fame spread “like a bushfire in the harmattan” (3). Okonkwo rules his house with authority. He “ruled his house with a heavy hand” (13). His wives and children lived “in perpetual fear of his ardent character” (13). Okonkwo is a relentless taskmaster. He works on his farm “from the crowing of the cock to the roost of the hens” and forces his family to do the same (13). He does not tolerate the laziness of his sons. He punishes his son, Nwoye, by “constantly harassing and beating him” (14). Okonkwo is the sole and unquestionable authority figure in his house. Okonkwo is a self-made man. He achieves greatness through hard work and determination. Okonkwo began life without the advantages that other young men enjoyed. His father, Unoka, was a lazy man. He had not acquired any honorary title. When Unoka died, Okonkwo did not inherit any barn, title or young wife. He simply acquired his father's debts. Therefore, Okonkwo sets out to make a name for himself and achieve greatness in his community. He diligently plants and harvests his yams, building a farm from scratch. He built a large commune for his family. He marries three women; one of them was the beauty of the village. He acquired two titles. Okonkwo is not a failure, like his father was. In Umuofia, “success was revered” and Okonkwo’s success was immense (8). He was “clearly made for big things” (8). To the Igbo people, Okonkwo embodies greatness and success. Okonkwo is actually very similar to Western heroes, especially Greek tragic heroes. Okonkwo gains status and prestige similar to Greek tragic heroes.