And so Okonkwo was ruled by one passion – to hate everything that his father Unoka had loved. One of those things was gentleness and another was idleness (Chapter 2 Pg 3).” This quote shows the truth of how Oknonkwo was not really this cruel, tyrannical man. He lives his life in constant fear of being a failure the same as his dad. Who was very weak and considered lazy by his tribe. Even his father’s death has brought shame to Okonkwo.
Okonkwo and Macbeth are both heavily influenced by other characters, fuelled by the expectations of their societies, and driven to act based on their tragic flaw. The reason behind all the actions Okonkwo takes can be traced back to one person; his father. Okonkwo grew up hating Unoka’s laziness and he “was ruled by one passion- to hate everything that his father Unoka had loved” (Achebe 13). This led him to rule “his household with a heavy hand” (Achebe 13), and treat his family poorly. He is afraid to show affection, as seen with Ezinma and Ikemefuna.
The sermon explains in detail of the wrath God has and what Hell has in store for the non-believers. It is very clear from this document religion was a very important part of people’s lives during colonial times. “The Great Awakening” was a spiritual movement in the 18th century for the English colonies. The Great Awakening was caused because of the growing number of disbelievers of Christianity, and from a political point of view, it was weakening the colonies government’s steadiness. In order for political power to not decrease, since religion and government went together, the colonists started The Great Awakening.
The Crucible Courage is defined by one s fearlessness, probity and adamant behavior. According to The American Heritage Dictionary courage is “The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.” In Arthur Millers play “The Crucible”, he captures the bravery of a man who struggles and dies for his family, reputation, and identify. Arthur Miller paints a clear picture of courage through John Proctors thoughts and actions. John Proctor s thoughts and beliefs are valorous. For example, Proctor admits his sin.
If he lets himself get out of control so much that he hates someone, then his inner self and soul breaks down or degrades. This means that overall everyone’s opinion does matter and mean a lot, but how you approach it is what matters most. Quote 2: Success is not really success if you haven’t succeeded past any obstacles to get to that sussessful life. “I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” Booker T. Washington was telling his readers how he felt through the voice of this quote. This says to me a lot to myself and teach me a lesson.
7) The Bible is a “living, breathing document”, but it is not like the US constitution. As our nation constantly changes and evolves, the constitution represents the limits our nation abides by. Although new issues, such as healthcare and gay marriage, are dragged to the forefront of our legislation, the constitution is simply a set of guidelines our government must abide by to avoid complete anarchy. The Bible is different. As we all know, it’s the most influential book in our occidental society.
This then develops into a complicated battle between McMurphy and Nurse Ratched; McMurphy fighting for individual freedom, and the nurse fighting for confinement. Randal P. McMurphy unmistakably develops into the hero of the story and even abides by the heroic archetype. A hero is considered to be any man noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose; especially, one who has risked or sacrificed his life. At the beginning of the story, McMurphy clearly is out of place. At first, McMurphy's rebellion against authority is just a selfish attempt to make his life on the ward more comfortable.
No one wants to be seen as weak or a failure and be taken advantage of, that’s why people have their guards up. Things Fall Apart tells a story of a stubborn man (Okonkwo) responding to change. In Chinua Achebe’s book Things Fall Apart, he reveals Okonkwo’s fear of failure and of weakness. Okonkwo, with a deep insecurity of being like his father, known to be a poor, unsuccessful man and a failure in his society, gives his best to be successful and nothing else. Okonkwo passionately works hard to be at the top as a respected man (which he achieves) and the complete opposite of his disappointing father.
Okonkwo is characterized as being selfish because he only strives to be the opposite of his own “cowardly” father, Unoka. Okonkwo would do anything to be not seen as a weak, fearful or powerless. Achebe shows Okonkwo’s fear of being weak in the quote, “Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down (Ikemefuna). He was afraid of being thought weak.” (Achebe 61). Okonkwo is characterized in this quote as being the type of person who will do anything so that others will not think of him as weak.
Although his father was looked upon as a failure in society, in the eyes of the tribe, and by his own son, he contained something that Okonkwo never had: humility and happiness in the smallest things. He thought that those were the reasons that made his father a failure. His son, Nwoye, was more like Okonkwo’s father and this leads them to drift off in different directions. Okonkwo had grown up to reject anything that resembled his father, humility or happiness, and this leads him to live his life dominated by fear. Okonkwo's tragic flaw is that he fears looking weak and letting emotions get the best of him is what lead him to his ultimate downfall.