While Okonkwo certainly may not seem to be the archetypal tragic hero based on outward apperances, he does fit all of the parameters set down in literature: he is a man of nobility, possesses a tragic flaw, makes an error in judgment, experiences a downfall, and ultimately suffers to the end. Above and beyond the archetype of the tragic hero, Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart offers you a peek into a world you might not otherwise ever encounter. You learned about the complexities of the Ibo language, rituals and traditions, religion, and legal system. You also gained a deeper understanding of the British colonization of the Ibo in Nigeria. Finally, you made intertextual connections between two pieces of literature that are different yet share common themes.