Looking back at my previous essay on the topic of "Is Okonkwo a Hero," I stated that he would not be a modern day hero but rather a perfect middle ages hero. After reading the book I was proven wrong by Okonkwo himself because of one action and one action only - he killed himself. No self-respecting hero from the past would've gone out like that. They would have died in a blaze of glory, boldly attacking the enemy stronghold, outnumbered one thousand to one, while managing to take down hundreds of opponents before being killed by a barrage from long ranged weapons. You may think that my image of a hero is too old fashioned but that's just my definition of a hero. When I hear the word "hero" I do not think of people like superman and batman, but rather characters such as Odysseus, Beowulf or King Leonidas from 300 come to mind.
I defended Okonkwo's actions as a father. Okay, so he intimidated his wives and harassed his children because they were not manly enough. Past heroes were not good fathers either, but they all did one thing similarly, they ruled with an iron fist. Whether it be a family or an army, past heroes demanded total control and discipline. Because of this action, people tend to see this kind of heroes as cruel and abusive, but in the past, this was how one got into power. Without this disciplinarian mentality one could not get into positions such as general or king, so Okonkwo's treatment to his family did not change my views of his heroism.
In fact, all of his actions leading up to the end I viewed as heroism. What completely changed my views was that last chapter when he killed himself. It was illogical, disappointing and certainly numeric. During the chapter when Okonkwo killed the messenger I felt like the novel was reaching it's climax. Okonkwo had lost all hope that the Igbo would be free from the white men, and he certainly had nothing more to lose. I'm positive that he was enraged at the fact that he was captured by the white men and was treated like swine. Also, his firstborn son, his supposed heir, betrayed him to join the missionaries; a man like Okonkwo surely would not let this go by. All of these reasons lead me to believe that Okonkwo was ready for a final stand against the white men; one last battle that would hopefully inspire his fellow warriors into doing the same, and if he dies, well he would take many white men with him.
I expected no less of a man of Okonkwo's prestige. But what happened was beyond disappointing and quite anti-climatic. For the next day, Okonkwo simply killed himself and I do not and will not understand why. Why kill yourself when you could have made such an excellent example of valour by taking a stand? Why kill yourself when the action will be seen as a disgrace to one's fatherland? Why die like a pathetic weakling when one can go out like a true hero in a blaze of glory? Why make your friends and comrades pity you when you can inspire them to fight for their freedom? I fear these questions of mine will never be answered, like how Okonkwo will never be seen by me as a hero. Because of this action he will forever be a disgrace to his fatherland and a coward who took the easy way out. He could have made his death a statement to the white men, but instead, his death meant nothing, quite simply it was the coward's way out.
Keep in mind that these are just my views of heroism. Others may have their own reasons of why or why not Okonkwo is a hero. But it is in my view that Okonkwo is not a hero, but rather a coward who ended up failing when he had the opportunity to make a difference. It was that one action the made me change my views. It was because of that suicide that I say Okonkwo is not and will never be a hero.
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