After getting back and looking over my essay on whether Okonkwo is a hero, I realized my opinion hasn't changed at all. Finishing the novel just gives me more evidence to support why I feel he is not a hero. Just for fun, I searched the definition of a hero and all the results were similar to the definition below:
A person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for brave deeds and noble qualities.
Even though Okonkwo does possess some of the qualities listed above, he uses tactics such as fear and violence in exchange for respect and power. A real hero would not demand and crave power like Okonkwo does, but instead earns it. Since Okonkwo was young, he fears becoming a failure like his father. To prevent this from happening, Okonkwo strives to be the best and control those below him. His wives are perfect examples of this because he beats them when they don't do as he pleases and they live in constant fear. Heroes should not strike fear to those who look up to them.
Courage is another trait I feel Okonkwo lacks. When the Christians started to push into the lives of the people of Umuofia, Okonkwo expresses many of the opinions others share with him, however, he never steps up and does anything about it. Even when he did decide to step up, he resorts to the only thing he knows which unfortunately is violence. I'm sure we were all told as children that violence does not solve anything. Okonkwo clearly never learned that. Slicing off a missionary's head, running away from the crime, and then taking the easy way out by killing yourself instead of dealing with the problem, does not make one heroic at all. I think it makes Okonkwo rather cowardly and selfish. He has only made the situation worse for those in his village and by killing himself, he runs away from the consequences... something a real hero would never do.
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ReplyDeleteThat was a very deep post Maranda..
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely. Not only does Okonkwo show a lack of beneficial action, the most prominent deed he performs towards the end of the novel leads to a cowardly suicide. Okonkwo curses and despises his village men for betraying their clan to join the Christians yet this is what he does himself; he betrays not only his village but also his gods by committing suicide.
But as for the thirst for power, we cannot blame Okonkwo. His society is based on power, hence the various titles men are expected to obtain. Violence towards a man's own "belongings" (wives and children) was also perfectly acceptable and even encouraged as women "needed to know their place". This sexist and power hungry atmosphere was what Okonkwo grew up around and learned to admire. To him, violence to achieve order is what is necessary to produce the deepest respect.
Maranda, I like that you looked up the definitions of hero and used that to compare your opinion. This tactic compliments your writing and persuades the reader in a great way! You also add emphasis in your paragraphs and restate your points to close them, well done. I agree with your statement that real heroes should not use fear, intimidation or control in order to gain power. You also highlighted a point that I missed when reading the novel myself, how Okonkwo lacks courage because he doesn't take action, I completely agree. I enjoyed reading your post, you had a strong ending as well. Great job!
ReplyDeleteMaranda,
ReplyDeleteI too agree that Okonkwo is no hero, mostly because of your last point of him lacking courage. No hero would ever run away from his problems, instead a hero must face them like a man and not a coward. Though I disagree with the first part of your post about using fear and violence; a hero sometimes must do what is unpopular to do the right thing, and that includes bending the rules a bit. But that is just my opinion and I am someone who believes that the end does justify the means. As always Maranda, good job!