Is Okonkwo a Tragic Hero?

Activity
3.17 Is Okonkwo a Tragic Hero?
In your opinion, what makes someone a hero? Write your response
below.
Keep in mind that a hero is not always a tragic hero. Read Aristotle’s
classical definition of a tragic hero in the chart below. Now think about
Okonkwo. Is he a hero? Is he a tragic hero? Complete the chart by
providing examples from Okonkwo’s life as well as the lives of other
characters from literature or film.
Aristotle’s Definition of a
Tragic Hero
A person of noble or high status
who has a mixture of good and
bad in his personality.
He has a fatal flaw, or hamartia,
which leads to his downfall.
He usually goes on a journey or
participates in a quest.
He has a large capacity for
suffering.
His downfall is often preceded
by self-realization.
SUGGESTED LEARNING STRATEGIES: Quickwrite, Graphic Organizer,
Drafting
174 SpringBoard® English Textual Power Level 5
Examples of Okonkwo’s
Heroic Behavior
Examples of Heroic Behavior
from Books and Film
© 2010 College Board. All rights reserved.

© 2010 College Board. All rights reserved.
Consider what you have discussed regarding a tragic hero. Respond to
the following timed prompt:
To what degree does Okonkwo fit Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero?
What flaw leads to his downfall?
In the space provided below, write a brief essay that responds to the
prompt. Be sure to include a clear thesis statement and textual support
from the novel.
Activity 3.17
continued
AcADemic vOcABuLAry
A tragic hero is the central
or main character of a
tragic story that is usually
of high or noble birth and
demonstrates a “fatal
flaw”—a characteristic that
prompts him or her to take
an action or make a decision
that ultimately leads to his
or her downfall or death.
Literary terms
Hamartia is a tragic hero’s
fatal flaw; an ingrained
character trait that causes
the hero to make decisions
leading to death or downfall.
unit 3 • Community 175