How is Kurtz described in Heart of Darkness?
Heart of Darkness One of the most enigmatic characters in twentieth-century literature, Kurtz is a petty tyrant, a dying god, an embodiment of Europe, and an assault on European values. Kurtz is a dangerous man because he gives the lie to the Company’s “humanistic” intentions in the Congo.
How does Marlow describe Kurtz?
Marlow calls Kurtz a universal genius because of his take on humanity and his talents in a wide variety of subjects.
Who are the characters in Heart of Darkness?
Heart of Darkness Character List
- Marlow. The protagonist and main narrator of the story, he stumbles into Africa looking to sail a steamboat and finds much more.
- Kurtz. He is in charge of the most productive ivory station in the Congo.
- Manager.
- Brickmaker.
- Russian.
- Natives.
- Chief Accountant.
- Marlow’s aunt.
How is Kurtz a tragic hero?
Kurtz’s downfall can be considered a tragedy both for himself and for the world he tried so hard to destroy. Marlow makes it clear that his contempt is for the imperial enterprise in which Kurtz was, to some extent, a pawn.
What is the moral lesson of things fall apart?
One of the most important moral lessons of Things Fall Apart is the danger of what we would now call toxic masculinity. Okonkwo epitomizes this attitude, even though it damages those around him, including members of his own family.
What is the irony of Okonkwo’s death?
Observing simply that ‘Okonkwo’s suicide is reported off-stage’, 4 he neglects entirely the question of motive, contenting himself with the admitted dramatic irony of Okonkwo having provoked the very kind of shame he fought all his life to avoid.
Why does Okonkwo kill himself?
With a feeling of hopelessness, Okonkwo gives up and hangs himself. He commits suicide because he cannot deal with the changes that the Christian white men are making in his village.
Who is to blame for Okonkwo’s death?
Okonkwo is responsible for his death because he has remained stagnant while his village and family are changing. His entire life was measured against his father so he never established his own sense of identity — he just wanted to be opposite of his father.
What Okonkwo fears most?
Perhaps down in his heart Okonkwo was not a cruel man. But his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and of weakness. It was deeper and more intimate than the fear of evil and capricious gods and of magic, the fear of the forest, and of the forces of nature, malevolent, red in tooth and claw.
Is Okonkwo good or bad?
Okonkwo is a tragic hero in the classical sense: although he is a superior character, his tragic flaw—the equation of manliness with rashness, anger, and violence—brings about his own destruction.
Why is Okonkwo so aggressive?
Although he feels betrayed by everyone in his community, Okonkwo may be his own worst enemy. His inflexible understanding of traditional Igbo masculinity leads him to develop an aggressive and unforgiving personality. On the other hand, they also feel drawn to European medicine, education, and religion.
Did Okonkwo kill ikemefuna?
In achieving success, fame, and power, Okonkwo habitually resorts to and comes to rely on thoughtless violence. Without regard for consequences, Okonkwo acts – beats his son, repudiates his father, kills Ikemefuna, butchers the messenger. He becomes the epitome of violent action and as such ultimately destroys himself.
Why is Okonkwo exiled?
Because the accidental killing of a clansman is a crime against the earth goddess, Okonkwo and his family must be exiled from Umuofia for seven years. The family moves to Okonkwo’s mother’s native village, Mbanta. He gives Okonkwo a plot of land on which to farm and build a compound for his family.
How old is Okonkwo?
We meet Okonkwo at about the age of 38 at the height of his fame. The foundation of this fame — his wrestling feats — are at least twenty years behind him and he had added to them by showing “incredible prowess in two inter-tribal wars.”
How many children does Okonkwo have?
Lesson Summary Okonkwo has three wives. His first wife’s role is to bear children. they have three: two sons and a daughter. The oldest son is Nwoye, who is never strong enough in his father’s eyes.
Who is Okonkwo’s favorite wife?
Ekwefi
Who is nwoye’s mother?
Never named, Nwoye’s mother is Okonkwo’s first wife. She is a generous woman, and she has been fortunate in the number of children she has had..
Who is Nwakibie?
Nwakibie is a wealthy man in the village of Umuofia where the novel takes place. As you’ll soon see, though Nwakibie is wealthy, he’s also generous to Okonkwo, the novel’s protagonist, and has a strong desire to help the young man make his start.
How does Unoka die?
Unoka was an ill-fated man. He had a bad chi or personal god, and evil fortune followed him to the grave, or rather to his death, for he had no grave. He died of the swelling which was an abomination to the earth goddess. Unoka died from abdominal swelling, which the Igbo interpret as an abomination.
Who are the Egwugwu?
The egwugwu are masked dancers that represent the nine ancestral spirits of Umuofia. These masked ancestral spirits are enigmatic in nature and comprise of nine revered village elders, who ceremonially gather to administer justice.
How is Okonkwo and Unoka similar?
Difference 8: Okonkwo was successful. Similarity 1: Both Okonkwo and Unoka died without titles. Unoka’s happines, the flute. Unoka died with,” no title at all and he was heavily in debt,” the reason being for his lack of motivation to be a prosperous man.