them. It can be said thatOkonkwo became a successful man because he diligently cultivated the energeticand aggressive qualities which were most admired in Umuofia. (Ravenscroft 9)Since Okonkwo is a tragic hero, he must have a tragic flaw. This flawcomes on two levels. The first of which is his fetish with war, fighting, andconquering. Okonkwo constantly must be engaged in some activity, and like atypical Star Trek "Klingon", this is physical exertion or combat. For Okonkwo,the desire to conquer and subdue is described as being, "...like the desire forwoman'. (Achebe 30) He possessed a one-track mind that was focused on nothing,save success. His second tragic flaw is that he can show no other emotion,except anger. He never shows his fondness for the young hostage, Ikemefuna, whoeventually regards Okonkwo as his father. Inside, Okonkwo wishes that Ikemefunawas his natural son instead of Nwoye. It is also his flaw that causes him tobeat his wife during the weak of peace for, "...killing this banana tree."(Achebe 27) His anger almost causes him to kill his second wife with a gun. Hefeels very sorry for this, but cannot show his true emotions. The tantamountexample of this is when the Oracle of the Hill deems that Ikemefuma must die,but not by Okonkwo's hand, since he calls him father. "As the man who hadcleared his throat drew up and raised his matchet, Okonkwo looked away. Heheard the blow. The pot fell and broke in the sand. He heard Ikemefuna cry, ‘My father, they have killed me!' as he ran towards him. Dazed with fear,Okonkwo drew his matchet and cut him down. He was afraid of being thoughtweak." (Achebe 43) In Okonkwo's mind, he must not be seen by the other villagers as weak. Okonkwo felt love and pity for the boy, he feared that his manliness may bequestioned. (Ravenscroft 12) Okonkwo's ultimate fear is becoming like hisfather, worthless, without honor, and buried above ground without honor andrespect. ...
