Compare the way three characters attempt to claim their own lives - Essay Example

Character Comparison: Esperanza, Oedipus, Okonkwo and their Claims over their Lives A. Introduction: Brief about the three characters B. Clear Goals Esperanza has clear goals from the beginning: to escape from her neighbourhood and to get established in her own house. Oedipus too has a clear goal, to save his people from a terrible plague and prove worthy of his high position as king.Okonkwo seeks to disapprove the society of the claim of his laziness.C. Self-definitionEsperanza struggles with the problem of self-definition in a multicultural society.

She eventually chooses a second name for herself, Zeze. “I would like to baptize myself under a new name, a name more like the real me, the one nobody sees. Esperanza as Lisandra or Maritza or Zeze the X. Yes. Something like Zeze the X will do” (Cisneros 6)Oedipus lives a fast paced life and seeks to solve numerous problems to maintain envy “[Oedipus] knew the famous riddles. He was a mighty king, he was the envy of everyone who say how lucky hed been. Now hes struck a wave of terrible ruin.

While youre alive, you must keep looking to your final day, and dont be happy till you pass lifes boundary without suffering grief." (Sophocles Line 1524)Okonkwo is a lazy man, a plunderer. He is dreads being likened to his father who is womanly (weak). “When did you become a shivering old woman, Okonkwo asked himself, you, who are known in all the nine villages for your valor in war? How can a man who has killed five men in battle fall to pieces because he has added a boy to their number? Okonkwo, you have become a woman indeed.

” (Achebe chapter 8)He is driven to act the way he does for fear of being judged by the society as weakD. Choices and AspirationsAfter several encounters with boys from the neighbourhood Esperanza chooses to concentrate on writing rather than on the boys. Her best chance to escape is by preferring autonomy over sexuality. Esperanza struggles to free herself of a future trapped by a husband; she understands that sitting by the window as common practice ought not be a norm in her world. Oedipus seeks especially to end the plague afflicting his people by expelling Laius’ murderer.

Oedipus realises that he could have been the murderer.He sends for the shepherded, a man who must have survived his attack as he murdered Laius. Oedipus inquires the truth from the shepherd threatening him with torture. Oedipus chooses to go on exile and prefers to end his life by committing suicideBecause of this main fear, Okonkwo acts rashly and maintains a high temper. Okonkwo works hard and achieves great prowess in the battlefield. Against advice, he murders his adopted son to prove his worth to his village matesE.

Conclusion:The different characters take claim of their lives differently and are affected by cultural norms and society.Works CitedChinua Achebe. Things Fall Apart. Heinemann. 1996. Print.Cisneros Sandra. The House on Mango Street. Bloomsbury Publishing. 2004. Print.Sophocles. Oedipus the King. University of Chicago. 2010. Print.