The Hero Archetype in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart

Yıl 2019, Cilt 3, Sayı 2, 60 - 64, 31.12.2019

Şule İŞLEYEN

Öz

The hero archetype is one of the most recurrent character archetypes in the world literature. There is a universal pattern regarding hero myths even though they were developed by groups or individuals who did not have even the slightest direct cultural contact with each other. Although there are centuries between Hercules and Batman or Artemis and Katniss Everdeen, it is remarkable that heroes and heroines have a lot of characteristics in common. Some of these characteristics might include superhuman strength, determination, exceptional bravery, rapid rise to power and hard-won triumphs. Okonkwo, the protagonist of Things Fall Apart, does not have a lucky start in life as son of Unoka who has spent his whole life in poverty and never participated in tribal wars. However, Okonkwo is so strong-willed that he not only becomes a prosperous man and but also displays incredible prowess in tribal wars.  Thanks to his achievements, he becomes known as one of the greatest men of his time. Therefore, this study aims at highlighting the fact that Okonkwo displays some of the most common characteristics of the hero archetype.

Anahtar Kelimeler

archetypes, heroes, heroines, hero archetype, kahramanlar

The Hero Archetype in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart

Öz

The hero archetype is one of the most recurrent character archetypes in the world literature. There is a universal pattern regarding hero myths even though they were developed by groups or individuals who did not have even the slightest direct cultural contact with each other. Although there are centuries between Hercules and Batman or Artemis and Katniss Everdeen, it is remarkable that heroes and heroines have a lot of characteristics in common. Some of these characteristics might include superhuman strength, determination, exceptional bravery, rapid rise to power and hard-won triumphs. Okonkwo, the protagonist of Things Fall Apart, does not have a lucky start in life as son of Unoka who has spent his whole life in poverty and never participated in tribal wars. However, Okonkwo is so strong-willed that he not only becomes a prosperous man and but also displays incredible prowess in tribal wars.  Thanks to his achievements, he becomes known as one of the greatest men of his time. Therefore, this study aims at highlighting the fact that Okonkwo displays some of the most common characteristics of the hero archetype.

Kaynakça

• Achebe, C. (1959), Things Fall Apart, New York: Anchor Books Press.Campbell, J. (1990), The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Novato (CA): n.p. Print.Campbell, J. Bill, M. Betty S.F. (1988), The Power of Myth. New York: Doubleday, Print.Feist, J. Feist, G. J. (2006), Theories of Personality. Boston: Mass: McGraw-Hill.Frye, N., & Macpherson, J. (2004), Biblical and Classical Myths: The Mythological Framework of Western Culture. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Henderson, J. L. ARAS Vol.1: Archetypal Symbolism. Date of access: 15. 27. 2017, address: https://aras.org/about/what-are-archetypesHenderson, J. L. (2013), Ancient Myths and Modern Man. In Man and His Symbols (pp. 96–156). essay, Bowdon, Cheshire, England: Stellar Classics.Jung, C. G. (2014), The Archetypes and The Collective Unconscious. London: Routledge, Print.Jung, C. G., & Jaffé, A. (2013), Memories, Dreams, Reflections. United States: Stellar Classics.