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Many critics have interpreted the novel as a modern re-telling of a Greek tragedy. If this is the case, what specifically would you consider Okonkwo's tragic flaw(s) which lead(s) to his downfall?

When I think of Okonkwo's character defects in Things Fall Apart, a couple of quotes come to mind, "pride before destruction" and "you can run but you can't hide." Okonkwo's use of escapism led him to his demise. He was fleeing from any signs of weakness and failure, and how ironic, everything he did to avoid becoming like his father made him weaker than his father.

To begin with, Okonkwo was ashamed of his father, he hated all that his father treasured. He thought his father was weak because he was "lazy and improvident and was quite incapable of thinking about tomorrow, if any money came his way and it seldom did, he immediately bought gourds of palm-wine, called round his neighbor's and made merry." Okonkwo was ashamed of "Unoka the grown up was a failure. He was poor and his wife and children had barely enough to eat." His father owed money to everyone; he viewed his father as being a lazy, failure with no titles, in which Okonkwo "had no patience for unsuccessful men."

Okonkwo's went through great lengths to distinguish himself from his father. Okonkwo was known and admired for being a respected leader, but Achea implied in Things Fall Apart, that Okonkwo may have been a feared warrior because whenever "he was angry and could not get his words out quick enough he would use his fist." He was a hard-working farmer and a great provider for his multifaceted family. All these attributes surpassed the life and reputation of his father. We can run and overcompensate in areas in our lives but eventually life will demand you to face your fears, we cannot hide. His dread of being weak and failing, rules his character.

Unfortunately, after he returned to a new Igbo, after being exiled for seven years, his fear of change and too much pride drove him to suicide. Okonkwo's reputation, and rank were destroyed because of his pride. Consequently, his character flaws, pride, fear of failing, fear of becoming like his father, and fear of change were the factors that caused him to take his own life.