English Analysis Essay Example

novel, the people of Umuofia decide to kill Okonkwo's adopted son, Ikemefuma. During a lunch meeting, Ezeudu asks Okonkwo to spare Ikemefuma's life because he considers Okonkwo as his father figure. Ezeudu reminds Okonkwo that even though Ikemefuma may not be his biological son, he holds him in high regard and treats him like a father figure.

Despite being seen as a father figure and respected by him, Okonkwo decided to take the life of Ikemefuma. The following day, Okonkwo accompanied the men on their journey to Ikemefuma's residence as part of a calculated plan to end his life. Disregarding Ezeudu's cautionary words, Okonkwo unsheathed his machete and executed him. This was driven by Okonkwo's fear of appearing weak and his desire to uphold his reputation as an unwavering individual. In prioritizing his pride over love for his son, this action serves as a testament to Okonkwo's capacity for enduring immense suffering.

Okonkwo displayed the ability to overcome the grief caused by the death of his "son," Ikemefuma. Initially, he experienced a rough period where he refrained from eating for two days and consumed palm wine excessively. His eyes became red and fierce, resembling a rat's eyes when caught and dashed against the floor. However, to alleviate his suffering, Okonkwo decided to occupy himself with something else. He believed that if he had killed Ikemefuma during the planting or harvesting season, it would have been less difficult for him because his mind would have been focused on his work. This indicates that Okonkwo is capable of enduring hardship when his mind is occupied or distracted by other matters.

According to Aristotle, a

tragic hero in Achebe's novel experiences self-realization before their downfall. In this instance, the main character becomes aware of his mistake after murdering a clansman and is compelled to escape to his homeland. The act of killing a clansman is deemed as an offense against the earth goddess, resulting in the individual being banished from his own land. This realization prompts him to question why he must endure such harsh consequences for an unintentional transgression.

In "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo realizes that he has made mistakes and begins to feel regret for them. This regret stems from an incident where he killed a fellow clansman and chose to run away instead of facing the consequences. By chapter 18, Okonkwo can be seen as a tragic hero who embodies Aristotle's four elements of tragedy. He holds a high status but also possesses both good and bad qualities. His fatal flaw is his fear of appearing weak, which drives his actions. Furthermore, he experiences intense suffering and is constantly preoccupied with it.

Realizing that his past actions had been incorrect, resulting in the accidental killing of a clansman, led to his downfall. Now, he must face the consequences by returning to his homeland.

Gabriela Alvarado's quote, "Work like you don't need the grade, love like your heart has never been broken, and dance like no one is watching," resonates with me daily. I live by its message as it inspires me to embrace confidence every morning. It reminds me that I can be my authentic self without fear or doubt in any action I take.

When I

changed schools, my main worry was fitting in. Being a ballet dancer had made me stand out because of my well-toned body. As a result, it was difficult for me to connect with classmates and I felt isolated. However, during lunchtime, a friendly girl approached me and invited me to join her group of friends. They started asking about where I came from and what my name was. Eventually, they even asked if I had been popular at my old school.

I replied that I didn't conform to cliques and followed my own set of rules. They inquired about what that meant, and I clarified that I didn't limit myself to one social group but instead explored various ones. My response surprised them, so I changed the topic and asked about the school. They provided me with the basic details, and over time, people discovered my talent as a ballerina and my intelligence. They accepted my intellect because they had never encountered someone who was both smart and cool. One of my strongest qualities is bravery, as there have been multiple instances in my life where courage was required. A notable example was when my parents divorced, leading me to accept that my mom would have full custody. Despite being close to my father, I understood that the relationship was unhealthy from my mom's perspective. Thus, I displayed bravery by supporting her decision to move on.

From the beginning of my life, I have always had a fearless nature. This quality was apparent even before I was born, as my mother remembers having no fears during her pregnancy with me despite already being

a mother to three children. As I transitioned from middle school to high school, this fearlessness continued. Despite being fully aware of the challenges that awaited me, I remained undeterred and committed to putting in the required effort. My previous experience helping my sister with her studies had sufficiently prepared me for the intellectual hurdles that high school would present.

Upon entering high school, I arrived with a readiness to confront any obstacles that crossed my path and wholeheartedly embraced my uniqueness. Assisting others is an integral aspect of who I am, as it grants me the same gratification as effortlessly achieving an A in a demanding course. Providing happiness and ease to someone's day through acts of kindness brings me immense delight. This past summer, I had the chance to devote an entire week to volunteering and serving those in need.

On the hottest day, I had the opportunity to farm for elderly individuals who preferred organic produce. They needed fruits and vegetables for their meals, so we worked diligently under the scorching sun for seven hours to eliminate weeds from the ground. It was a challenging experience, as all we desired was to find comfort indoors and escape the heat. However, our responsibility compelled us to remove the weeds, which made me realize and appreciate the difficulties they face daily. Fortunately, after completing our arduous task, they permitted us to cool off in their pool, turning it into an overall enjoyable experience.