Things Fall Apart: The Proverbs and Tragic Hero

Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart is heavily reliant on proverbs to convey the essence of Igbo culture and worldview. Okonkwo’s character, in turn, is a classic example of an Aristotelian tragic hero, whose personal flaws and the changing world around him lead to his downfall.

The Significance of Proverbs

Achebe famously states that “proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten.” This powerful metaphor highlights their significance in Igbo society as a form of cultural shorthand and an art of communication. They are not merely quaint sayings but a vital part of the social fabric.

• Proverbs as a Reflection of Culture: They encapsulate the collective wisdom, values, and philosophy of the Igbo people. They are used to teach moral lessons, advise, warn, and explain complex truths. A person’s skillful use of proverbs is a sign of his eloquence and wisdom.
• Characterization: The way characters use proverbs reveals their personality and social standing. The elders and titled men, who are masters of conversation, use them frequently and appropriately. Okonkwo, who prefers action over words, uses them less frequently and sometimes inappropriately, reflecting his impatience and lack of tact.

Examples of Proverbs and Their Meanings:

• “If a child washes his hands he can eat with kings.” This proverb speaks to the Igbo belief in meritocracy. It means that a person, regardless of their background, can achieve greatness and social status through hard work and personal achievement. Okonkwo’s entire life is a testament to this principle, as he rose from the son of a lazy, unsuccessful man to a respected leader.
• “A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness.” This proverb underscores the importance of respect and ambition. By honoring those who have achieved success, a person demonstrates their own aspirations and sets themselves on a similar path. Okonkwo lives by this motto, aspiring to and revering the achievements of the great men in his community.
• “Living fire begets cold, impotent ash.” This metaphorical proverb is used to describe Okonkwo’s disappointment in his son, Nwoye. The “living fire” is Okonkwo himself—fierce, driven, and powerful—while the “cold, impotent ash” is Nwoye, whom he perceives as weak and effeminate. The proverb illustrates how a powerful force can produce something that appears to have no strength or purpose.
• “A toad does not run in the daytime for nothing.” This is a proverb of cause and effect and a warning. It suggests that there is always a reason behind an unusual or unexpected event. This proverb is particularly relevant when the missionaries arrive, as the Igbo initially underestimate them, failing to recognize the deeper consequences of their presence.

Okonkwo as a Tragic Hero

Okonkwo fits the criteria of an Aristotelian tragic hero. A tragic hero is a character of noble standing who, despite having heroic qualities, is undone by a combination of their own fatal flaw (hamartia) and external forces, leading to a profound downfall and eliciting pity and fear in the audience (catharsis).

• Noble Stature: Okonkwo is a man of high social standing. He is a respected clan leader, a successful farmer, a formidable wrestler, and a man with many titles and wives. His fame is not inherited but earned through his own strength and hard work.
• Tragic Flaw (Hamartia): Okonkwo’s fatal flaw is his overwhelming fear of weakness and failure, which stems from the shame he feels for his lazy father, Unoka. This fear makes him rigid, emotionally repressed, and excessively violent. It causes him to make a series of rash and ultimately self-destructive decisions, such as killing Ikemefuna and disowning Nwoye.
• Reversal of Fortune (Peripeteia): His prosperity and high status are reversed. The tragic arc begins with the accidental killing of a boy at a funeral, which leads to his exile for seven years. Upon his return, he finds that the world he once knew has been irrevocably changed by the white men.
• Downfall: Okonkwo’s downfall is both personal and societal. He is unable to rally his people against the colonizers because the clan has lost its unity and resolve. The ultimate tragedy is his isolation and despair. When he kills a colonial messenger, his own people do not support his act, and he realizes he stands alone. This final act of defiance, which he hoped would ignite a war, leads him to commit suicide, a final act of abomination that denies him a proper burial and further shames his legacy.
• Catharsis: Okonkwo’s tragic end evokes feelings of pity and fear. We pity him because he is a victim of his own fatal flaw and the overwhelming force of colonialism. We fear for ourselves, recognizing how the forces of change and a person’s inner demons can lead to utter destruction. His fate serves as a powerful commentary on the destructive impact of colonialism on both a society and the individual.