The document discusses Aristotelian tragedy and its key elements according to Aristotle. It defines the six elements as plot, character, thought, diction, melody, and spectacle. It then analyzes how the plot, character, thought, and diction elements are present in Things Fall Apart based on Aristotle's definition of tragedy. The plot follows Aristotle's criteria of having a beginning, middle, and end. The character of Okonkwo remains consistent throughout. His speeches reveal his thoughts and character. His and other characters' diction is fitting for their personalities.

1. Aristotelian Tragedy
Ashley R.
Savannah
Meg
Aubrey
Ashley U.

2. What is Aristotelian Tragedy?
• This is Aristotle's point of view on tragedy’s
structure.
• Aristotelian Tragedy must have six parts; Plot,
Characters, Thought, Diction, Melody,
Spectacle.
• The tragedy shows, rather than tells.

3. Plot
• The most important aspect of the tragedy's structure.
• It’s not the telling of the story, it’s how the incidents are presented during
the story.
• Must have beginning (incentive movement), middle (climax), and end
(resolution).
• Must be complete, and structurally self-contained.
• Should have a good amount of quantity, along with quality.
• Shouldn’t be brief, the more incidents, unity will be better in the end.
• Complex or Simple.
• Complex: Reversal of intention, and recognition, coming together with
catastrophe

4. Character
• Character supports plot.
• Protagonist: change from good to bad.
• Must have these qualities;
- ‘Good or Fine’: Having good moral quality, along with
maintaining a position in the upper class.
- ‘Fitness of Character’: Must be true to how their portrayed.
- ‘True to Life’: Realistic
- ‘Consistency’: The personality during the beginning should be
the same in the end.
- ‘True to Life and yet more beautiful’: Idealized

5. Thought
• How speeches reveal the character
• Similar to ‘themes’
• ‘To be or not to be’

6. Diction
• Expression of the meaning in words.
• Fitting to the character
• Good metaphors

7. Melody
• Should be as active as the characters in the
play.
• Contributes to unity of the play

8. Spectacle
• Relies on inner structure
• Depends more on the art of the stage rather
than the poet.

9. Things Fall Apart: Plot
• Part 1 is very informative. It tells mostly about
culture and rituals. It does not follow the criteria
of Aristotelian Tragedy.
• However, Part 2 and 3’s plot follow Aristotelian
Tragedy perfectly.
• At the end of Part 1, he shot that young boy
which really kicked off the story. The climax of the
story is when he tried to overturn the
missionaries. And the end of the story is when
Okonkwo kills himself.
• The plot of Part 2 and 3 is also serious.

10. Things Fall Apart: Character
• Okonkwo supports the plot of Things Fall
Apart.
• His personality stays consistence through out
the story, he is worried about his image in the
town.

11. Things Fall Apart: Thought
• In the earlier parts of Things Fall Apart
Okonkwo didn’t tell everyone what he was
feeling or what he was thinking. You learned
how he was through his actions and what
other people say about him.
• In the later parts Okonkwo gave in depth
speeches about what he wanted and what he
was thinking. Which revealed his feelings and
thoughts.

12. Things Fall Apart: Diction
• Chinua Achebe structures his characters in a
very straight forward way.
• When Okonkwo speaks to his fellow people,
he gets straight to the point about his feelings.

13. Things Fall Apart: Melody
• There is no melody in the story Things Fall
Apart.

14. Things Fall Apart: Spectacle
• The author of the play used a lot of details,
and showed the readers the culture extremely
well.
• Throughout the play you learn something
about Okonkwo’s culture and their rituals.