Character Analysis

Okonkwo is an African character who is the protagonist in the book, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. Okonkwo is an influential leader that fears insignificance. His character, Okonkwo's strive for power was inspired by his father, Unoka. Instead of looking at his father as a role model or setting him as an idol that Okonkwo would like to be, he sets his father as an example of what not to become, due to his father's wrongful and unreasonable upbringings. Okonkwo's character is portrayed as great and powerful, throughout the book.

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

The theme of a tragic hero is portrayed through Okonkwo in the story as his fate vs. free will and culture vs. tradition come into play. Throughout most of the book Okonkwo is portrayed as powerful and filled with achievements, yet as the story progresses his fate becomes more evident and he starts to blame it for the events that occur. Inevitably, his fate takes over his free will and he murders Ikemefuna and blames the oracle. He is then exiled from the village, only to return and kill others, along with himself. This shows how the restraint of his power throughout the story is shown and how Okonkwo’s fate over-rides his free will. 

Why does Achebe choose a tragic hero for his protagonist in his colonial counter narrative?

Achebe made it obvious that Okonkwo was the main focus of the story, by doing so, this give readers a central focus point to follow as the story progresses. He may have chosen to use a tragic hero, such as Okonkwo for the protagonist of the story to show just how a character could have been demolished or ruined in a situation similar to that of having your home invaded, just as Okonkwo did.

What is the purpose of function of Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart?

The purpose of function Okonkwo plays within the novel of Things Fall Apart is to show the readers and audience what had occurred and to give them a prospective of the event that happened during this time period. Achebe uses Okonkwo to portray the themes in the story and show the culture of not only the Igbo tribe but also many others with similar stories or events that had occurred. 

Political Speech Analysis

Barack Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention (2004)

Link to transcript (The Washington Post): Obama DNC Speech 2004 Transcript

Highlights: YouTube

This political speech, is redeemed as one of the most important and influencing speeches in American history. This speech, led the majority of American citizens to vote for Barack Hussein Obama, as their president. Upon doing so, Obama has positively boosted the country, both economically and morally. To name a few, here are some of the benefits upon electing Barack Obama as president:

•   Unemployment is at 5.5%

•   Deficits have been reducing for years

•   2 wars have ended

•   The great recession ended 

•   For the first time since the 60's, health care inflation is decreasing

•   Millions of Americans who used to not be able to, can now afford healthcare.

These facts alone can arguable back up the fact that Obama is very efficient as the new President. This proves how influential the 2004 speech was. The use of various rhetorical devices, is persistent and persuasive. There is also a moderate use of ethos, pathos and logos.

The targeted audience of this text, are briefly, the citizens of America, although, Obama uses a type of marketing technique when targeting and addressing the audience. Immediately upon addressing the present country and the current citizens of the United States, Obama also shares his ideal view of America by stating, “In an ideal America…” and listing benefits such as, no discrimination and equality. This, combined with the idea that Obama is going to lead America to that perfect world, reassures the audience and makes them trust Obama. 

Obama introduces the political candidate that he is trying to convince the audience to vote for him. He then goes on to discuss the vital values and believes that John Kerry has shared, as a presidential candidate. At the end of the speech the author urges the audience to vote for John Kerry in the presidential elections. The main idea of this speech is that the people of America should vote for John Kerry because he is a patriotic man who knows what is best for his country and will also do whatever he can to help the people of America. This is seen when the author states "I have no doubt that...the people will rise up...and John Kerry will be sworn in as President." and also in the lines "this country will reclaim its promise, and out of this long political darkness a brighter day will come.”. 

The vibe or tone of the speech is authoritative, hopeful and filled with resolution. Obama uses many stories and instances to inform the audience of the reasons why they should vote for John Kerry and also the problems facing America. The tone is slightly instructional when he tells the audience that they should go and vote for Kerry and Edwards. However, his tone is also hopeful as he expresses his hope that the people of America will answer this call to action. Obama creates a mood of unification in the speech. He removes any barriers such a race or political party in order to unify the audience and address them together as one people. This is clearly seen when he states "There is not a liberal America and a conservative America -- there is the United States of America. There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America -- there’s the United States of America.". In these two sentences he creates a potent mood of unification among the audience and the people of America. This nonjudgmental approach to discrimination, ignites hope within the audience.

Obama utilizes many rhetorical devices in order to make the political speech persuasive and authoritative. Pathos is used to help him connect with the audience on an emotional level. Obama does this by telling stories of people, whom he had come across. He states "the father that I met who was losing his job and choking back the tears, wondering how he would pay 4500 dollars a month for the drugs his son needs without the health benefits that he counted on". This statement and others like it appeal to the emotions of the audience. Obama also uses ethos when he discusses the core American beliefs, values, ideals and attempts to establish John Kerry as the embodiment of these beliefs. There are also many examples of anaphora within the text such as the repetition of "John Kerry believes in”. Obama's use of symploce in order to connect and identify with the audience is seen when he says " if you feel the same energy that I do, if you feel the same urgency that I do, if you feel the same passion that I do, if you feel the same hopefulness that I do". Metaphor is used to effectively sum up the author's hope for America when he says  "out of this long political darkness a brighter day will come". This extensive use of rhetorical devices helps create emphasis on certain key ideas within the speech and also works to further persuade the audience of what he is saying.

In conclusion, Obama revolves around this prominent aura of authority, which proves effective when influencing and conniving people, of his strongest ideas and beliefs. This political speech reflects on this and shows how rhetorical devices can be used in a powerful way to influence a group of individuals. The text can be verified as a political speech, stereotypically due its heavy use of rhetorical devices and the fact that it's trying to persuade the audience to do or believe something. This target audience of this speech are, American citizens who are willing to vote.