The Hero Of Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe - 2190 Words

What is a hero? From Batman to Wonder Woman; from Mother Theresa to Ghandi; from Malala Yousafzai to Nick Vujicic; even the protagonist of Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo, is portrayed by Chinua Achebe as a hero in his own right. For centuries and across many civilisations, we have revered people dead, alive and fictional alike. Yet if we were to compare every definition of a hero, few would explicitly match. To define – or even simply list – every archetype within the genre of a hero is an almost impossible task as the extensive interpretations and variations span across time and culture. Despite this variation, Okonkwo from Things Fall Apart depicts the traits of hero. From a literary perspective, he is explicitly tragic hero, particularly as defined by Aristotle. A tragic hero can be defined as a [great] man who is not eminently good and just, whose misfortune is brought about not by vice or depravity, but by some error or frailty. This further consists of five major trai ts: hamartia (a tragic flaw); peripeteia (a reversal of fate); anagnorisis (enlightenment from ignorance); catharsis (purification or purging); and pathos. Overall, Okonkwo characterises a classic tragic hero, and Achebe achieves this through three major aspects of his characterisation: father-son relationship, an imbalanced character and structured downfall. A primary motive behind Okonkwo’s actions was his father. In the first chapter, Achebe utilises descriptive labels to present Unoka in a negativeShow MoreRelatedOkonkwo as Tragic Hero in Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe1140 Words   |  5 PagesOne of the most commonly asked questions about the novel Things Fall Apart is: why did Achebe choose a tragic hero, Okonkwo, as the main character in the story. According to Nnoromele, â€Å"A hero, in the Igbo cultural belief system, is one with great courage and strength to work against destabilizing forces of his community, someone who affects, in a special way, the destin ies of others by pursuing his own. He is a man noted for special achievements. His life is defined by ambivalence, because his actionsRead MoreAn Alternative Hero : Chinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart948 Words   |  4 PagesJeremy Pilz Mrs. Cloud Things Fall Apart Essay 27 March 2017 An Alternative Hero An archetype in literature expresses â€Å"a realm of human experience in many myths and fantasy stories† that can go deeper than â€Å"any rational or intellectual thinking† (Gillespie). The archetype of the monomyth, or â€Å"The Hero’s Journey† first originated from a mythological researcher named Joseph Campbell. The monomyth consists of â€Å"several basic stages that almost every hero-quest goes through, no matter what culture theRead MoreThe Tragic Hero Of Chinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1522 Words   |  7 Pagestragic hero â€Å"as a person of noble or high status who displays a tragic flaw hamartia, and experiences a dramatic reversal peripateia. In addition, his downfall is often preceded by self-realization†. In Things Fall Apart, the author uses Okonkwo, to illustrate the downfall of pre-colonial Ibo society. In the beginning, Okonkwo was destined for greatness. He was strong, economically stable, and had a huge influence over the v illage’s affairs. One may say that he was the perfect man to be the hero ofRead MoreThe Tragic Hero Of Chinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1375 Words   |  6 Pages A tragic hero is a character that is both protagonist and antagonist, throughout the action they make as a person. According to Aristotle s definition of tragic hero, he explains a tragic hero as a character that has noble stature and greatness. The character must have high status position, but also have nobility and virtue. In Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo the fierce warrior who is well known in his tribe Umuofia, connects to a tragic hero. Even though Okonkwo does notRead MoreThe Tragic Hero Of Chinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1453 Words   |  6 PagesIs a tragic hero really that tragic? A tragic hero is a person who is a character that makes the wrong decisions which cause the character destruction. The definition of a tragic hero is terrible because of how a hero ends up being in a downfall. According to Aristotle, a tragic hero is a character of noble stature and has greatness. The character must have high status position, but must also have nobilit y and virtue. In the book, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo, the great warrior whoRead MoreA Study on the Author, Chinua Achebe 1467 Words   |  6 Pages A STUDY OF THE AUTHOR, CHINUA ACHEBE Chinua Achebe was born unto a Nigerian parents in Nigeria on November 16, 1930. He was from a family that born six kids; he being the fifth among them. Chinua Achebe’s parents were Isaiah Okafor Achebe and Janet Achebe. He begin an English at eight in Ogidi, Nigeria. Encouraged by his father, he was excited to learned English quickly. His father Isaiah Achebe was one of the first that converted from their religion to Christianity and he also foundedRead MoreThe Tale of Two Limit Exceeding Men Who Fell Short of Personal Goals1000 Words   |  4 Pagessubject. In the beginning of the hero cycle, reverent tone is used many times, however, as the character progresses through the book, they begin to show their flaw, which, many times is revealed by the changing tones the author uses. In the conclusion of the story, they accept defeat with honor after discovering their flaw. Changing tones used by both Chinua Achebe in his book, Things Fall Apart, and William Shakespeare in his playwright, Othello, progress the tragic hero cycle of Okonkwo and OthelloRead MoreAnalysis of Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart1579 Words   |  6 PagesChinua Achebes 1958 novel Things Fall Apart marked a significant turning point not only for literature, but the world, because the novel is an attempt to blend the conflicting identities and ideologies of Africa in the wake of colonization. The novel depicts the destructive tension that arises between the traditions of the Igbo people and white colonizers, but, perhaps contrary to the readers expectation, it does not present either side as holding the ethical high ground. Rather, the novel suggestsRead MoreChinua Achebe : The Invention And Mastery Of Modern African Literature1695 Words   |  7 Pages In her essay Chinua Achebe: The Invention and Mastery of Modern African Literature Emeka Aniagolu labels Chinua Achebe as â€Å"the single most important literary figure in modern African literature† (1). Aniagolu goes on to praise Achebe as â€Å"perhaps the most well-known, most widely read, most translated, and most widely respected modern African writer, novelist and polemical essayist†, especially considering he as been crowned as the inventor of modern African literature (1). The praise he has receivedRead MoreWork1068 Words   |  5 Pages2013 Things Fall Apart: Character Analysis Research Paper In the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the main character Okonkwo has only one tragic flaw; he has raised himself so that looking weak or effeminate is the worst thing to him that he could do. Okonkwo is a model clansman based on his success. However, he is more alienated from his culture based on his lack of respect for it. In this research paper, I’ll walk through a character analysis of Okonkwo. The protagonist of Things Fall

Statement of Purpose Essay - 657 Words

Ever since I could remember there has always been an inclination towards science. The desire to understand how things worked has always intrigued me. Set on the inclination I always explored the basic application of science i.e. building a lemon battery to designing a simple pulley lift at science fairs at school. Thus making Production Engineering a good option. It provides a strong engineering foundation and also educates on the management of an industry. This is the very reason I was able to decide that I wanted a career in this field. With my mother being a teacher the values of education have been inculcated into me from a very young age. I was always given a freedom to choose my career. With the existing inclination towards†¦show more content†¦I am also a member of I.S.M.E (Indian Society for Mechanical Engineers) which organized various technical seminars on latest developments of technology in the manufacturing world. The society also caters to facilitating experien ced personnel from the industry sharing their insight of the industry. I am currently working at Karamtara Engineering Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai. I am working with the Supply chain and Sales department which handle management of clients and materials of the ongoing projects. I have been actively working in the logistics and sales for different clients and transportation sectors of the department. I have undergone six month in-plant training at Larsen and Toubro (LT) Ltd. at Powai, Mumbai. I worked on the Shop floor in the Electrical and Automation Integrated Group which manufacture Air Circuit Breakers. An internship in a company of this scale has given me an understanding on how the industry works and that every detail contributes to ensure that the company works like a well oiled machine. As my project, I worked on increasing First Time Yield of the shop floor by utilizing Six Sigma methodology. I succeeded in reducing defects from a considerable amount of 10.6% to 0.7% resulting in consid erable savings. I also worked on Value engineering of Air Circuit Breaker and made alterations in the process of manufacturing with projected savings of 28%. I would to be a part of the Husky culture and take thisShow MoreRelatedStatement of Purpose1126 Words   |  5 PagesStatement of Purpose Many professors, department websites, applications, and current graduate students will tell you that the statement of purpose is the most important part of the application. While the statement of purpose is the best way for the admissions committee to gauge your writing skills, it is quite different from the college admissions essay, or the law school personal statement. Admissions committees will not be looking for the most well-written essay with the catchiest introductionRead MoreThe Field Of Journalism And Education1320 Words   |  6 Pagesare minimal. The differences are noted in The School of Journalism and Media Studies, PAO Program Admissions section. The differences include: SDSU requires applicants to submit statement regarding what the individual’s research interest and goals are, and that applicants must also include a general statement of purpose, which details why the applicant wishes to attend the graduate program at SDSU (Weiss). An additional difference is t hat SDSU requires a minimal score of a 150 on the Graduate RecordRead MoreThe Core Elements Of My Research Topic, African American Males On Higher Education1436 Words   |  6 Pagesmy first memo, I focused on the core elements of my research topic, African-American males in higher education. Since our last meeting, I have taken time to reflect on your suggestions, and think about how to revamp my research questions and purpose statement. Most important, I have taken time to do self-reflection. Self-Reflection ï » ¿In a somewhat different approach to my first memo, I started this memo with my reflective thoughts. I took this approach because it lends to the process of discoveryRead MoreStatement of Purpose1069 Words   |  5 PagesSTATEMENT OF PURPOSE â€Å"A dream acted upon by confidence becomes an ambition and that when followed with determination defines the purpose of existence in its entirety† It is with a sincere sense of gratitude towards the opportunity given to me, I pen down this statement. Education not only expands the horizons of one s knowledge but also simultaneously implants an insatiable desire to acquire more and more knowledge. Knowledge is that which can enhance the strength of mind and therebyRead MoreStatement of Purpose996 Words   |  4 PagesSTATEMENT OF PURPOSE The unprecedented explosion of corporations and financial services industry has brought about immense opportunities to utilize newer principles, methodologies, tools and practices in the field of finance. It is this challenging field in which I would like to gain expertise. ACADEMIC BACKGROUND Since school days, I have always been regarded as an academically brilliant, having been awarded scholar badge and merit certificate throughout my school and university education.Read MoreStatement of Purpose804 Words   |  4 PagesStatement of purpose â€Å"Everything comes to us that belongs to us if we create the capacity to receive it.† Rabindranath Tagore. I’ve always believed that the answer to my destiny lies in creating the results that I desire. Success is never an accident, but is always by design. I believe perseverance, drive, passion and strength of character create the right formula for success. I schooled at one of Asia’s premier institutes, Mayo College Girls School. I was thrilled to discover myself here –Read MoreStatement of Purpose962 Words   |  4 PagesSTATEMENT OF PURPOSE FOR MS APPLIED STATISTICS. Right from childhood, I was fond of mathematics and how it had the ability to convey a lot of information with so little illustrations. This, together with my consistent good performance in mathematics throughout high school, was responsible for the nurturing of a special interest in it. This childhood zeal in the subject gradually crystallized into a more mature form as I stepped into higher studies. The most significant influence on myRead MoreStatement of Purpose1694 Words   |  7 PagesStatement of Purpose Name : Sphoorti Sangamesh Biradar Program Applied : Masters (MS) Major : Sports Management About me: I am very thankful for providing me this opportunity and it is with sincere sense of gratification that I pen down my brief statement of purpose before you. I am Sphoorti Sangamesh Biradar, 21 years old. I am studying B. Computer Science engineering final year in the reputed university Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) at college Sir.M.Visvesvaraya InstituteRead MoreStatement of Purpose588 Words   |  3 PagesSTATEMENT OF PURPOSE NAME : jinson.j.erinjeri Applying for M.S. IN INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Firstly I would like to introduce myself as an undergraduate student of the bachelor of engineering program From the M.S.Ramaiah institute of technology, one of the most prestigious institutions of the Bangalore U university . I have completed my course of engineering in the field of Industrial Engineering’, which was for a period of four years. I graduated in the first class with distinctionRead MoreSTATEMENT OF PURPOSE1611 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿STATEMENT OF PURPOSE â€Å"Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.† As I move towards a point where my undergraduate programme is about to end, and I sit down to define the course of my career, I felt a strong desire to pursue a career that combined IT with management skills. I believe MBA is a platform to cultivate diverse managerial skill sets, generate ideas with structured thoughts and capability of assuming higher

The Decline of the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire Free Essays

The Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire were two of the most powerful entities to rule their respective parts of the world. The Han Dynasty dominated Asia from the Korean peninsula to present day Vietnam for more than four hundred years. The Roman Empire stretched from the present British Isles to present day Iraq, and lasted nearly five hundred years. We will write a custom essay sample on The Decline of the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire or any similar topic only for you Order Now The Eastern Roman Empire went on to last another one thousand years. Both the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire enjoyed times of immense prosperity during their golden years. They both ended in chaos. How were their declines similar?Augustus, the first emperor of the Roman Empire, brought order to the vast lands Rome had conquered and brought an end to over one hundred years of civil war. He disbanded the large armies that had been recruited during the civil war and consolidated his power. The people welcomed the new dictator, and enjoyed peace and prosperity. With peace came increased trade and commerce, and ideas traveled freely along the Roman Empire’s well designed roads. However, the emperors after Augustus were not as politically gifted as Augustus. Four emperors and fifty-four years later, the Roman Empire was once again thrown into a violent civil war.After four coups in a single year, another line of emperors emerged. The line started by Vespasian was also a stable time. The Roman Empire reached its largest size during this time, and many historians consider those years the golden age of Rome. Inevitably, out of such a successful line of emperors, there would eventually emerge a bad apple. The emperor Commodus threw himself into immoral and violent practices, and gave no respect to any of the leaders. He was assassinated in 192 A. D. , bringing an end to one century of stability. This date marked the beginning of the end.The Romans gradually lost power, and barbarian people in the north frequently went on raids against the now disintegrating empire. The Roman Empire became steeped in debt as emperors tried desperately to buy the loyalty of the army, and the moral condition of its subjects continued to spiral downward. Christians were persecuted, and large, bloodthirsty crowds would in arenas to cheer as various people died violent deaths. Rome steadily lost control of the frontiers, and roads and bridges were not maintained, leading to a breakdown in trade and communication.Riots and revolts became commonplace in Rome itself. The civil war affected the lives of all the citizens. As the government fell deeper into debt, it raised taxes. The armies of different generals seized any supplies they needed from local people. Food became a precious commodity, and for the first time in centuries, large numbers of people went hungry. Ultimately, the emperor Diocletian restored a semblance of order during his reign from 284 to 305. He recognized the fact that one man could not keep all the armies loyal to him, and could not coordinate a defense against the barbarians.This led to the division of the Roman Empire into eastern and western portions. Constantine briefly united the Eastern and Western empires in the 320’s and established new capital Constantinople in present day Turkey, but his son Theodosius I was the last emperor of the united Roman Empire. When he died in 395, he divided the eastern and western portion between his two sons. The western emperors became weaker and weaker, and tribes of barbarians roamed freely. In 476, the Western Roman Empire officially ended. Most of the common people’s lives were unaffected by this. Local governments remained much the same.The Eastern Roman Empire continued to prosper until the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Ottomans. Long before the Roman Empire had been united under one man, an empire in the East was thriving. The Han Dynasty was established by a former policeman. After the collapse of the Qin Dynasty, the first to unite China, a period of anarchy ensued. Liu Bang, the son of peasants, raised an army and conquered his foremost rival in 202 B. C. He continued to war against other rivals and former allies until he consolidated his power. He pacified the nomadic Xiongnu by offering them tribute.He was popular among the peasants, who had been oppressed and overworked under the Qin Dynasty. Lowered taxes, less demands for labor from the state, and his own humble origins made him well-liked. He carefully appointed loyal officials and administrators, making sure that the power remained with him. Harboring a deep distrust of merchants, he put rich landowners in positions of power. At his death in 195 B. C. , he had left a stable and prospering kingdom in the hands of his family. Power struggles occurred in the royal family, but the dynasty produced capable rulers.The reigns of Wendi, Jingdi, and Wudi were marked by peace, prosperity, a better life for peasants, expansion of China’s lands, art, and trade. Confucianism became the official state philosophy. Under Wudi, China conquered many lands, expanding their power and influence. The Han Dynasty now controlled northern Vietnam and the Korean Peninsula, and the Xiongnu were pushed back. Wudi sent explorers toward Central Asia, eventually opening up the famous trade route known as the Silk Road. Buddhism was introduced from India. However, the wars and large armies put an enormous burden on the economy.The land became overpopulated, and thousands were forced into banditry or even selling their children as slaves. Government officials became increasingly corrupt. Confucian moralists decried these events, but little was changed. Toward the end of Wudi’s reign, violence erupted between the empress and Wudi’s concubine over the heir to the throne. Eventually, a compromise ruler was chosen, but the decline of the Han Dynasty had already begun. Later emperors were incompetent, and their reigns were marked by corruption, immorality, and apathy.Some Confucian scholars declared that the Han Dynasty had lost the Mandate of Heaven, a belief that rulers were appointed by Heaven. Wang Mang was a Confucian who was appointed regent of the child emperor Ruzi. The outsider seized power in 9 A. D. , and attempted to implement sweeping reforms that damaged the already feeble economy. Though most Confucians had looked to him as the father of a new dynasty, economic and natural disasters caused a massive food shortage. The peasants rebelled, and Wang Mang’s attempted usurpation died with him in 23 A. D.Millions died in the resulting war for power, but a Han prince named Liu Xui emerged victorious. Though the Han Dynasty had been reestablished, it never reached the heights of its first years. Trade increased to new levels, and the first Nestorian Christians arrived, but corruption continued, and few reforms were made. Gradually, court officials and warlords gained more and more power, and the Taoist religion, which preached equal rights and land redistribution began to take hold among the peasants. The Han Dynasty’s later years were filled with internal conflict, as court officials battled with the emperor and the Taoists.During this time, nomads in the north and near the Korean Peninsula destroyed the Chinese settlements as civil war rocked the Han. In the end, the emperors lost most of their power, and China split into various warring factions that were eventually transformed into three new kingdoms. The Han Dynasty’s glorious reign formally came to an end in 220 A. D. Both the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire were powerful and impressive. They both fell because of weak leaders and power hungry individuals. The Han practice of concubinage led to much violence and strife in the royal family, causing disunity and internal conflict.Regents often attempted to seize power. Love of money led to the precarious situations of Rome’s later emperors, as soldiers demanded gold for loyalty. In both empires, corruption of government contributed to the bitterness of the common people. All of these things arise from the selfishness in the human heart. In James 3:16, we see the unavoidable consequences of selfish gain. â€Å"For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. † Man’s desire for power over himself and over others has led to much suffering. These two empires could not escape the corruption of human nature. How to cite The Decline of the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire, Papers