Things Fall Apart Greatness Quotes

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It is almost protocol for a child to develop the idea of who they look up to or whose they aspire their fate to resemble. Many choose rich, heroic and overall great people. It is a complete mystery as to what constitutes greatness. Personally, I had once dreamed fondly of becoming a mermaid until I was ten. So if my idea of being great was embodied by a fantasy of having gills and a tail, it is absolutely resolute that greatness varies. In Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart , there is an intense need to be ‘great’ among the Igbo people. To be seen as the best, even to the point of being seen as a god. Upholding these customs is a man by the name of Okonkwo who strives constantly towards greatness. Though the all-embracing question is, did Okonkwo…show more content…
His father, Unoka was “a loafer” and “a failure”(5). Owing money to almost everyone in the Igbo society and not making an attempt to pay the massive debt. In fact, when Unoka died, it is written “he had taken no title”(8) which was a big deal in the Igbo tribe, the higher the standing means the more respect. Not to mention, social standing of an elder means the beginning social standing of their offspring. “he was heavily in debt.”(8) leaving Okonkwo known as the son of the ‘loafer’. Despite this struggle, Okonkwo made himself known as a highly respected man “His fame rested on solid personal achievements.”(1) Okonkwo was the first born of Unoka, which meant the Igbo expected nothing more than failure from him. He was determined to create a better image for himself in the eyes of society. “With a father like Unoka, Okonkwo did not have the start in life which many young men had.”(18) in spite of this, he is able to become a great influence in his tribe. To the point of even having legends created about him. The ability to overcome this makes Okonkwo not only great, but strong…show more content…
Even though he was considered great by the Igbo people, he was still seen as an abomination. “It is an abomination for a man to take his own life. It is an offense against the Earth, and a man who commits it will not be buried by his clansmen. His body is evil”(207) Okonkwo strived for greatness only to end his life as being nothing more than “buried like a dog”. All according to Igbo custom, even if he did amazing things in life, once he committed suicide, it was all in vain, for nothing at all. He lived a hero yet it was ruined by the taking of his own life. The fault in whom is to blame for this is unknown but, the fact of the matter is… Okonkwo was a great man in life because of his

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