Impact of the Supernatural on Achebe’s Characters

Abstract

This paper contends that the behaviour of most of the tragic heroes in Achebe’s novels seems to be conditioned by forces beyond their control. A simple threat or a curse or even promise of evil can greatly impact on a character’s thoughts and actions. His overall world view appears to be guided by forces or powers that cannot be explained by the laws of science and seem to involve gods or even magic. And this inclination towards the supernatural is in consonance with the human drive for achievement, autonomy, dominance, order or affiliation. This investigation, therefore, attempts to explain the actions of Okonkwo, Ezeulu and others within a historico-cultural perspective.