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.