Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, features a stern and arrogant main character named Okonkwo. Being the tribe's domineering figure, Okonkwo faces many hardships and deciding decisions throughout the novel. A combination of noble stature, hubris, hamartia, as well as a few others, define Aristotle's view of a tragedy. The status of Okonkwo as a tragic hero is under much debate and controversy. Okonkwo, by Aristotle's definition of tragedy, is not a tragic hero.
             Okonkwo possesses noble stature, hubris, and hamartia, but lacks other defining tragic elements. Achebe introduces Okonkwo by saying, "Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond" (Achebe 3). Okonkwo is highly regarded as a strong individual in his tribe. His reputation was based on his personal achievements and the strength he upheld as a warrior. Okonkwo's tolerance is expressed when Achebe says, "He had a slight stammer and whenever he was angry and could not get his words out quickly enough, he would use his fists" (Achebe 4). Okonkwo's patience for unsuccessful men is not of a high amount. He is a prodigy for others to look up to and he has no tolerance for the weak. The excesses of Okonkwo's passion and pride are shown when Achebe claims, "He trembled with the desire to conquer and subdue" (Achebe 37). Okonkwo's ruling passion is abundant and drives him to undertake in certain ideas. His fear of ending up like his father is always looming and Okonkwo's expectations will never be met. The greatness of Okonkwo's stature, passion, and pride are evident and notable as reasons for his downfall.
             Both excessive punishment and an extent of gained self-knowledge are present in Okonkwo at the conclusion of the novel. The severity of Okonkwo's punishment is expressed, "Okonkwo had committed the female, because it had been inadvertent. He could return to...