Okonkwo in the novel Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, is a tragic figure burdened with a fatal flaw that eventually leads to the ultimate destruction of himself and the destruction of those influenced by him. Okonkwo is a character that achieves the status of a tragic figure; although he is a superior being, his tragic flaw brings about his downfall. The setting of this story takes place in the 1850s-1900s, a time when the Christian missionaries and colonial rule forced the Igbo community to adapt to the changing time. Yet Okonkwo struggles to maintain personal success in his fading old world. Thus his hamartia is a combination of his rashness, arrogance, violence, anger and inability to adapt, brings about his ironic death. His suppression of emotions proves to not only affect him, but also those closest to him.

The protagonist, Okonkwo, inherits several stereotypical personality traits...