Things Fall Apart Chapter 10 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Describe the village public trial: how is it set up?

Gathering on the large village green (ilo); The elders sit waiting on their stools while the other men crowd behind them; The women stand around the outside, looking on; Two small clusters of people, the people who are having the dispute, face the elders; Nine stools are set up for the egwugwu.

What is an egwugwu?

Group of 9 men dressed in masks & costumes; They represent the spirits of their ancestors; Each egwugwu at the trial represents each of the villages in the Umuofian community; Together, they form a tribunal to judge disputes.

What is odd about one of the egwugwu?

The second egwugwu walks with 'the springy step of Okonkwo' (and Okonkwo is not seated among the elders).

Who notices that this egwugwu is odd?

Okonkwo's wives. Signup and view all the answers

How are the egwugwu dressed?

They are masked and costumed. Signup and view all the answers

What is the case of Uzowulu about? Summarize.

Uzowulu, the husband, claims that his in-laws took his wife Mgbafo from his house, and therefore, they should return her bride-price to him. The wife has run away from her husband because he beats her, and her family refuses the return of the bride price. The wife's brother claims they took Mgbafo to rescue her from daily brutal beatings by Uzowulu. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the egwugwu's leader?

Evil Forest. Signup and view all the answers

What signifies the start of the trial?

A gong. Signup and view all the answers

What type of language do the egwugwu speak?

They use a formal language that is difficult for the Umuofians to understand. Signup and view all the answers

What is the verdict of the trial?

Uzowulu is ordered to take wine to his in-laws and beg his wife to come back home with him. Evil Forest reminds him that fighting with a woman is not brave. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the egwugwu actually made up of?

The elders of the clan. Signup and view all the answers

Why do the egwugwu say that the husband's reason his wife miscarried couldn't have happened?

Because a lover wouldn't sleep with someone who was pregnant. Signup and view all the answers

Who are called as witnesses for the wife?

The neighbors, who agree that the husband had been beating his wife. Signup and view all the answers

What do the wife's brothers threaten the husband with?

If their brother-in-law 'ever beats her again we shall cut off his genitals for him.' Signup and view all the answers

Why did the people think this wasn't a worthwhile case to bring to trial?

They think it is a minor, domestic dispute. A husband beating his wife wouldn't really be out of the ordinary. Signup and view all the answers

Why is this insignificant case brought to trial in front of the egwugwu?

The husband, Uzowulu, is the kind of person who would not accept any decision unless given to him by the egwugwu. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Village Public Trial

The trial takes place on the village green (ilo) where the community gathers.
Elders sit on stools at the center, while other men crowd behind them, and women observe from the periphery.
Disputants face the elders, and nine stools are arranged for the egwugwu representatives.

Egwugwu Representation

Egwugwu consist of nine men adorned in masks and costumes symbolizing ancestral spirits.
Each egwugwu represents a different village within the Umuofian community, forming a tribunal to resolve disputes.

Unusual Egwugwu

One egwugwu displays odd behavior, walking with the distinctive springy step of Okonkwo, who is not seated among the elders.

Recognition of Oddity

Okonkwo's wives are the first to notice the peculiarity of the egwugwu's demeanor.

Trial Attire

Egwugwu are characterized by their elaborate masks and costumes during the trial proceedings.

Case of Uzowulu

Uzowulu claims his in-laws took his wife, Mgbafo, demanding the return of her bride-price due to her departure from their home.
Mgbafo fled due to physical abuse, with her family asserting they rescued her from Uzowulu's mistreatment.

Leadership and Proceedings

The egwugwu's leader is known as Evil Forest, who guides the proceedings.
A gong signals the initiation of the trial.

Language and Communication

Egwugwu employ a formal, complex language that is not easily comprehended by ordinary Umuofians.

Verdict and Instructions

Uzowulu is directed to appease his in-laws with wine and seek Mgbafo's return, with Evil Forest emphasizing the wrongness of domestic violence.
Odukwe, the wife's brother, is instructed to allow Mgbafo to return home.

Composition of Egwugwu

In reality, the egwugwu are composed of clan elders who oversee the judicial process.

Miscarriage Defense

The egwugwu dismiss Uzowulu's claim of his wife's miscarriage being due to infidelity, citing a lover wouldn't be involved with a pregnant woman.

Witness Testimonies

Neighbors testify as witnesses, corroborating the abuse experienced by Mgbafo at the hands of her husband.

Threats from the Wife's Family

Mgbafo's brothers threaten significant consequences, including castration, if Uzowulu ever abuses her again.

Perception of the Case

The community considers this case trivial, viewing domestic violence as a normal occurrence, thus questioning its worthiness for trial.

Motivation for Trial

The case is escalated to the egwugwu because Uzowulu is known to disregard decisions not formally rendered by the tribunal.

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Description

Test your knowledge of Chapter 10 from 'Things Fall Apart' with these flashcards. Learn about the village public trial, the role of elders, and the concept of egwugwu. Perfect for reviewing key concepts and details from this chapter.