Okonkwo is the protagonist, or was chosen to be the protagonist of the story, by the author because he has the most ground to cover in order to become what he wants to be, or achieve. He is almost a tragic hero in the sense that he has risen to great esteem among those in his village, but when that is taken, it sets him on a course that ultimately ends in his own self destruction. His tragic flaw is his anger and how quickly it gets out of control.
