The pride of the despot a B.E.P. on Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart

Essay by woodyhw152High School, 10th gradeA-, May 2005

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The most despicable character in Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart is

Okonkwo, because he allows his pride to dictate his actions. Okonkwo is portrayed as a

man whose wealth and ambition is surpassed only by his pride in himself and his

Achievements. "'I will not have a son who cannot hold up his head in the gathering of the

clan. I would sooner strangle him with my own hands (33).'" This relates to the topic

because Okonkwo is so proud that he cannot bear to have a son who is lazy. Okonkwo's

pride and fear of being thought of as weak force him to kill a boy who thought of him as

a father. "'Dazed with fear Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was

afraid of being thought of as weak(61).'" This proves that Okonkwo will do anything to

keep his image as a great warrior.

Okonkwo is ashamed of his father because he was

lazy, poor and heavily in debt. "Any wonder then that his son Okonkwo was ashamed of

him(8)?" This shows that Okonkwo is embarrassed and ashamed to be related to his

father. In Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart Okonkwo is the most despicable

character because he lets his pride get in the way of his actions.