Comparing Oedipus The King And Things Fall Apart

Comparative Analysis: Oedipus & Okonkwo Okonkwo from a strict African culture and Oedipus from a Grecian society in 400 B.C. are oddly not too different from each other. Through Oedipus and Okonkwo’s downfall both represent the qualities of a tragic hero and the show their process of self-actualization. Things Fall Apart written by Chinua Achebe depicts the life of Okonkwo and the honor he has strived for in his village is quickly falling apart. In Oedipus Rex written by Sophocles is ended by complete tragedy in Oedipus knowing his fate. A tragic hero’s journey is like an ocean wave; the waves become rougher at the end of the day and calms by morning. At the ending of both Things Fall Apart and Oedipus Rex it is clear that both have achieved
For Oedipus fate was inevitable the day he was born. “Then let him go, even if it does lead to my ruin, my death, or my disgrace, driven from Thebes for life.” (Sophocles 290) Okonkwo’s downfall was from the result of his own actions. He accidentally killed someone at a funeral ceremony, which caused the tribe to punish him to be exiled from the tribe for 7 years, which caused the start of Okonkwo’s downfall. “Okonkwo had committed the female, because it had been inadvertent. He could return to the clan after seven years.” (Achebe 124) Even though Okonkwo had killed a man, he had killed him by accident. An accidental crime should not receive such harsh punishments. Which shows another reason why Okonkwo is a tragic hero because his punishment exceeds his crime. “Why should a man suffer so grievously for an offense he had committed inadvertently?” (Achebe 125) On the other hand Oedipus who has found out of his awful doings he decides he never wants to see of his misfortune again, so he gouges his eyes out in disappointment. His crime was brought upon him because he was destined for bad luck. “…He digs them into his sockets of his eyes…” (Sophocles