Things Fall Apart as Tragedy

Things Fall Apart as Tragedy Defined by Aristotle

Aristotle believed that for a story to be a real tragedy, it needed to possess certain attributes. It must be realistic enough for the audience to believe in it. The hero of the story must be a character with some esteem; he must be well-liked or well-respected in his community. True tragedies must also instill pity or fear as the audience becomes involved with the characters. In addition, the hero must suffer great pain. This pain is usually the source of the suffering and the hero is generally responsible for this pain in his life. Finally, catharsis is an attribute of a tragedy. Chinua Achebe's novel, Things Fall Apart, fits Aristotle's definition of a tragedy because it contains elements Aristotle believed were necessary for a tragedy to exist. While it may not be a play, this story is a drama containing many elements of real life.

According to Aristotle, a tragedy must reflect real life. For a drama to succeed, it must contain certain elements that capture and engage an audience. The audience must also relate to what is occurring on stage. This connection is essential for the drama to be perceived as a real tragedy. Things Fall Apart fulfills this requirement because the story is realistic. The Igbo tribe honestly represents the tribes living in Africa and the personal story of Okwonko is also something the audience perceives as a realistic representation. The plot revolves around the slow and steady demise of the community. The white man's arrival was a "source of great sorrow to the leaders of the clan" (Achebe 143). From beginning to end, this notion is at the heart of the story. This is the first reason why we believe the novel fits the definition of Aristotle's definition.

In Aristotle's view, the hero of the story must be of great stature. We might not think of Okwonko as a man of great renown but he is within his own tribe. He is "well-known throughout the nine villages and beyond" (3) because he defeated Amaline the Cat when he was 18 years old. We also know he was a great wrestler. When his father died, he left Okwonko in debt and because of his reputation, he is not responsible for his father's debts. With hard work, Okwonko becomes a "wealthy farmer and had two barns full of yams, and had just married a third wife" (9). Okwonko works hard and makes a name for himself among the various tribes. He survives a difficult first harvest, which indicates his strength of character. After he pulls himself through the drought, he realizes he can do anything he wants to do. He does not get excited as most people for things like the Feast of Yams because he "would be much happier working on his farm" (37). Okwonko was respected among his people and he overcame what those around him would consider to be difficult obstacles. For this reason, he is a tragic hero according to Aristotle's definition of the word.

Aristotle believed tragedies must "imitate actions which excite pity and fear" (Aristotle). This involves the hero to suffer a change, which usually means going from good fortune to misfortune through the course of the story. Like real life, all things are not all good or all bad. Aristotle believed "misfortune is brought about not by vice or depravity, but by some error or frailty" (Aristotle XIII). In addition, this change is the result of something the hero does. Aristotle believed it was necessary for the hero to comprehend the gravity of what he has done. This forces him to realize his fatal flaw. A catharsis follows this realization and it heightens the drama of the story. Aristotle believed the best effect results from a surprise. In this way, action drives the plot and keeps the audience guessing. At the end of the story, Okwonko believes that "worthy men are no more" (200) and there is no escaping what is happening. Okwonko's action rouses the audience's pity because they can relate to what he is feeling and they can know there is little he can do to reverse the order of things.

Finally, Things Fall Apart meets Aristotle's definition of a tragedy because Okwonko lives to see the horror of what he has done. When he realizes what the consequences of his actions will be, he decides to take things in his own hands and do what he feels is the only thing to do. He hates the way things have turned out for his tribe and his people and he understands that by killing one of the messengers, he is taking a great risk. After thinking about it all night, he decides death is the only plausible answer. This is the answer with which he can live and because of this, he purges his soul of any more suffering.