Things Fall Apart

Goals are helpful in life to make one work harder at the wanted task; however, too much of anything is not helpful at all and can turn into an obsession. Also, one must realize change is inevitable. Living your entire life based on trying not to be like someone is not beneficial as proven in Chinua Achebe¡¯s, Things Fall Apart and having the fear of change will cause one to live in fear forever. The protagonist, Okonkwo, has strong characteristics that make him successful and earn many honor titles. Unfortunately, he does have major character flaws that lead to his demise.

One of his major character flaws that I noticed was his obsession with trying to be better than his father was. Now, those characteristics are beneficial to have because it allows one to strive harder for specific goals. One of my main motivations in life is to become successful so I will never have to struggle like my parents did.

English: Toni Morrison speaking at "A Tribute to C...

English: Chinua Achebe speaking at Asbury Hall, Bu...

English: Market scene in Ibadan

However, for Okonkwo that characteristic turned into an obsession that stuck with him for life. Thus, he treated his loved ones poorly, but he had earned a successful business with his yam crops, which was more important to him. His father, Unoka, was good-hearted, however, he was extremely lazy. As a result, he died with no honor titles, thus to his son, he died as a nobody. On the other hand, I agree that loved ones are not supposed to believe he¡¯s a nobody because he was a good family man, value wise. With Okonkwo¡¯s selfish act of pride and dignity, he betrays his foster son and loses his other son due to his violent behavior. Okonkwo¡¯s family values suffered, hence, these are first things that start to fall apart in his life. I¡¯d rather die as a good...