Kurtz and Okonkwo as Tragic Heroes
Tragedy deals with characters greater than us. A "tragic hero" is an individual who possesses some sort of great authority while at the same time being infected with a tragic flaw, which eventually leads to his inevitable downfall in the end. There are two characters specifically, that define the term "tragic hero", in the same post-colonial setting but each with a different, unique style. In fact, these two characters not only define the said term, they take the term to the next level through their self-centered, desirous actions. Both of these characters, Okonkwo from Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, and Kurtz from Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, are tragic heroes to a great extent. Although the path of doom each one takes is different, Okonkwo and Kurtz also present a few characteristics or qualities that are very much alike. Both these men are leaders of a similar tribe and have something great about them. Moreover, the number of contrasting characteristics these two men possess are so great in number, their similarities are thus rendered irrelevant in compa
Consequently, Okonkwo attempts to make up for his constant stammering by applying aggression to his manner of conduct. From this point on, his faulty decisions lead to nothing but disaster, and there seems to be no stop in the chain of events to follow after Okonkwo's horrific act. The same condition causes him to cross the line between upright and immoral. This crime is the turning point in Okonkwo's life. The ideal European citizen, Kurtz, sets out with his noble ideas to shed light, but finds himself persuaded into darkness, and thus the epitome of darkness. Kurtz, who also happens to be Marlow's exact opposite example of humanity, represents what every man could become if left to his own desires without any restraints to hold him back. Kurtz's sin reveals his weakness; he succumbs where Marlow did not (since Marlow is obviously confronted with much of the same darkness). Again, this is due to his incredibly flexible way of thinking. One is highly accepting of others' perspective while the other's brain is hard as a nut to crack. Meanwhile, in the other hand lies Kurtz, the so-called 'emissary of light'. The killing of Ikemefuna may have been legally correct but it was, without a doubt, morally wrong. He's like a Pandora's Box with nothing inside. Unlike Okonkwo, Kurtz much happens to be an open-minded individual, which is his unfortunate weakness that results in his rebellious actions. It is clear now that the reason behind the downfall of these two men are bizarrely quite the opposite of each other.
Common topics in this essay:
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Okonkwo Kurtz,
Consequently Okonkwo,
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Secret Sharer,
Pandora's Box,
Marlow Marlow,
Heart Darkness,
fall apart,
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tragic heroes,
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okonkwo kurtz,
chain events,
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kurtz happens,
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Acceptance Essays
