Achebe Final Writing

The question on wether or not he is a defiant hero or a victim isn't a simple black and white question in my eyes. In many ways that were stated in the first part of the story it makes me think that he wasn't much of a hero. The fact that he beat his wives numerous times, even during the week of peace. He never showed any emotion on the outside besides anger. He would beat his own sons if he thought they became weak. However, there were also times when it appeared as though he was a hero. He was the toughest man in all of the village and had won more fights than any man. He deep down did care about his wives and children and that was shown when he followed his wife and daughter into the forest that one night. He wanted to be great at everything he did and that is most definitely not a bad thing.

I think that it was sad when he came home after those seven years to find that his village was nothing likel he had left it. The white man had started taking over and by this point was doing a very good job. He was suprised though because most of the village people were willing to change and wanted to adapt to this new way of life. Although this was all sad, sad enough that he killed himself, that doesn't mean he was a victim. He was just in a hard spot and yes I felt bad for him but I do not beleive he was a victim. So in my eyes Okonkwo was a defiant hero and shouldve been remembered as one.