Okwonko Analysis

How does Okwonko develop themes in the text as a tragic hero?

Okwonko, the protagonist of Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart, has been introduced by Achebe, as a leading character who doesn’t tolerate weakness, during the early stages of the post-colonial novel. Various assumptions are made by the readers about Okwonko as a result of direct and indirect characterizations made by Achebe, who describes Okwonko as “tall and huge”, and who implements, the idea of fearing weakness and failure in the protagonist. As the novel progresses, we are introduced to the theme of fate vs. free will, which was clearly represented when Okwonko kills Ikemefuna (Okwonko’s adopted son who he loved, but feared of showing sympathy towards, fearing that others would think of him as weak as his father) after being advised to not interfere. However he killed Ikemefuna in order to show enhance his manly-hood in the eyes of the Igbo people. His fate then later on takes over his free will, since he takes his own life by hanging himself, which is considered to be a shameful and disgraceful death like his father's. This opposes his views regarding being masculine and the achievements that he accomplished as he wished to become a more dominant leader. This all leads to Okwonko being a tragic hero. Although he was a superior character, however his tragic flaw brings upon him his own self-destruction, which was lead by violence, anger and masculinity.

What is the purpose and function of Okwonko in Things Fall Apart?

Okwonko represents the African community going through the struggles of colonialism of the Western nations. The characteristics of Okwonko show how some people refused to joined and give in to the colonialism, and instead stood their grounds and held on to their traditions and morales. Okwonko did not find support from the Igbo people, which represents the very few Africans that refused to accept the white culture as their own. The way Okwonko died describes the conditions that the Igbo people faced along with various African communities, showing that opposing the white culture results in death.

Most Meaningful Takeaway

The previous class discussion was based on Chinua Achebe’s interview and how he felt about the international success of his book. What I found interesting was the fact that even though english was the language that oppressed the Africans, they still learned it and used it to communicate and educate themselves. Chinua thinks that the english language can be used as a way to resist the forces of racism and the sense of superiority over them by knowing a language that they don’t. Also the fact that they were shown as a nation of problems and conflict that is dependent on the western nation to come and save them was pretty interesting, since I realized how biased the media has been for quite some time now. We discussed the reasons as to why the western nation would feel the need to portray the Africans that way and many of us agreed that it was done so in order to give a moral explanation to slavery. Overall the entire discussion had interesting ideas that widened my understanding of the racism and slavery that took place, and how the Africans dealt with it; through Chinua Achebe’s book.

Paper 1 Practice

Inaugural Address
John F. Kennedy

The chosen text that I will be analyzing is conveyed and published in the form of a political speech by John F. Kennedy. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address was held on Friday, January 20, 1961. An Inaugural Address is a form of speech that is delivered by a leader who aims to share his or her intentions as a dominant figure with the audience. This speech takes place during an inauguration, which is a formal ceremony held to mark the very first steps of a public leader. Knowing that the text was an Inaugural Address and delivered by one of the most memorable American leaders, allows us to determine, recognize and identify the text as a speech. Speeches given by leading American presidents generally console the commonalities of their citizens by referring to the American history, significance of the occasion and most importantly to hope for a thriving future.

Kennedy’s speech aimed to reassure Americans of what their nation is capable of, “United there is little we cannot do”. The “we” in the previous quote resembles unity and sympathy shared by the leader with his supporters. Simultaneously projecting a sense of security in the eyes and hearts of his fellow supporters, who showed their support by embracing the young leader’s vision. Kennedy then moves on to educate and inspire the American society to serve their homeland and the world, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man”. By referring to the world in contrast to America, further enhances the ideologies portrayed to the audience, as it views the United States of America as a vicious side that the world is in need of.

John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address is considered to be the finest and most eloquent speech to be given by a president in the American history. Kennedy’s speech marked the 44th presidential inauguration, while at the same time the cold war was taking place, as he starts off by saying "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to insure the survival and the success of liberty”. These previous lines indicate the situation that Kennedy and his nation were in. The hardships that the Americans lived with were all shifted away as Kennedy gave his speech, giving Americans hope and a mission to further build their uprising nation.

The tone was that the speech was set on and the way the speech was conveyed tells us a lot about Kennedy’s character. The tone allows the speech teller to feel more empowered and project this power to the audience. Kennedy used formal and sophisticated vocabulary, showing his eloquence and intelligence. For example, “Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans”, the previous lines further portray Kennedy as an intellect leader, his usage of antiquated words resemble his care for the nation’s history while thriving for a superior future.

Literary devices give authors the opportunity to express what they want, as a result Kennedy took an advantage of that as he used detailed and impacting key literary devices allowing him to portray his ideas more efficiently. Ethos, Pathos and Logos were present in this text. Ethos for example, “For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago”. The previous quote is an example of Ethos, as Kennedy’s political background provided him with tools to take on the audience from all around the world in his speech, including the Soviet Union. Pathos was also relevant in the context where Kennedy said, “let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own”. That shows Pathos since Kennedy assures that there is a common god and a mutual belief in him, the usage of both “we” and “us” signify equality although Kennedy is considered to be the president of the most powerful nation in the world. Last but not least, Logos was evident as Kennedy said, “United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures”. In the previous quote Kennedy states the fact that working together allows their nation to succeed as a whole better.

Rhetoric devices were also frequently plotted in the text, such as Antithesis, Repetition and Metaphor.
Antithesis is when there is contrast of ideas in parallel structures or words, it was evident when JFK said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”. Repetition however, is a word or phrase used two or more times in close proximity, such as, “For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life”. Metaphors are the most commonly used form of rhetoric devices, where there is an implied comparison through a figurative use of words, for example as Kennedy referred to poverty as chains that need to be broken by working together, “the chains of poverty”.

Over all JFK's speech was constructed and delivered in a superior manner. Rhetorical devices being implemented in his speech further built up his leading character in the eyes of his supporting audience. His Inaugural Address was one of the most successful speeches in US history, and all the factors contributing in the previous statement were thoroughly discussed in the previous analysis.

IOC practice

http://vocaroo.com/i/s0Z0PxikUGAJ