2. WHAT IS AN Aristotelian
Tragedy?!
Im glad you asked
Aristotellan tragedy(air-ist-oh-tea-lian):is
Aristotle”s idea of a tragedy which
includes a plot, character whom should
have certain characteristics, a thought,
diction of a certain demeanor, song, and
a katharsis.
3. The Plot
The plot should have a beginning, middle,
and end.
There should be a climax in the middle
and a resolution at the end.
In the end Okonkwo dies and his culture
continues to become less prominent.
4. Character
The main character should be realistic ,
true to themselves at all times, true to
type, must be logical, and idealized.
Okonkwo fits the realistic and true to type
characeristic because he is seen as a
“hard” . He is very stern. He is also
consistent with his mindset.
Okonkwo isn’t logical, he reacts before
he thinks.
5. Thought
Thought is where something is proved to
be or not to be.
In Things Fall Apart, the district
commisioner realized that changing the
tribe WAS wrong.
6. Diction
Diction should express the meaning in
words which are appropriate to the plot.
There should be metaphors.
In the book there are tons of metaphors.
The diction used in narration helps to show
how poetic the tribe’s words are.
7. Song or Melody
Aristotle argues that the Chorus should be
fully integrated into the play like an actor;
choral odes should not be “mere
interludes,” but should contribute to the
unity of the plot.
There aren’t any melodys in Things Fall
Apart.
8. A Katharsis
A Katharsis is a cleansing.
In Things Fall Apart, the district
commisioner’s mind was cleansed. He
realized that changing the tribe was
wrong.
