Things Fall Apart Chapter 21

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Questions and Answers

How is the reaction of the white missionaries' influence in the village?

Not Unhappy - as the missionaries have set up trading posts, and money is flowing into the village bringing wealth to the village as they begin to export palm-oil and palm nut kernels.

What does Mr. Brown do so that the missionaries don't overwhelm the villagers?

Restrains his flock from antagonizing the clan

Who does Mr. Brown meet with to debate and discuss their respective religious views, and why do they meet?

Akunna, one of the clan's leaders

How does Akunna explain the clan's religion?

He explains that the clan also has just one god, Chukwu, who created the world and the other gods. Signup and view all the answers

How does Mr. Brown explain his religion?

He explains there are no other gods. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mr. Brown point out regarding the clan's god and a carving?

Ikenga - a carved wooden figure kept by every man in his shrine to symbolize the strength of a man's right hand. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mr. Brown have built?

A hospital and a school. Signup and view all the answers

Is the hospital well received?

True Signup and view all the answers

What has fallen apart according to Obierika when Okonkwo returns home?

The old way of life and the unity of the clan. Signup and view all the answers

When Okonkwo returns home, who comes to visit him and what happens?

Mr. Brown goes to tell him that Nwoye is in a training college for teachers; Okonkwo chases him away with threats of violence. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Mr. Brown?

Mr. Brown's crusade gains power for the whites and for the church, but his diligence takes its toll on his health. He falls ill and has to leave his church. Signup and view all the answers

How is Okonkwo and his family received by the clan when he returns?

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the ozo initiation ceremony?

Taking 'ozo' title is an honor among the Igbos, enjoys great respect, and is the highest honor in the land. Signup and view all the answers

How is Ezinma regarded by Okonkwo?

She remains a comfort to him throughout his troubles, understanding the importance of her marriage to his position. Signup and view all the answers

What does Okonkwo lecture his sons about?

His continued refusal to accept that aggressiveness and pensiveness are not gender-defined, mutually exclusive traits. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Mr. Brown urge the kids to go to the new school that the missionaries built?

He knows that the colonial government will rob the Igbo of self-government if they do not know the language. Signup and view all the answers

How is colonialism different than handling government through the egwugwu?

The colonial government punishes individuals according to European cultural and religious values. Signup and view all the answers

What are Achebe's purposes in writing Things Fall Apart?

The book serves not only to remind the West that Africa has language and culture but also to provide an understanding of Igbo culture through language. Signup and view all the answers

When 'things fall apart', what becomes clear?

It becomes clear that what the colonialists have unraveled is the complex Igbo culture. Signup and view all the answers

What is Nwoye's Christian name?

Isaac Signup and view all the answers

What makes Okonkwo sad about his clan when he comes back?

The dissolution of the old way of life saddens him as he sees the once fierce Umuofians becoming more and more 'soft like women.' Signup and view all the answers

What is the third institution brought on by the missionaries?

Trade with the outside world. Signup and view all the answers

What does trade and the help from the missionaries start to cause?

It is undermining the clan and its self-sufficiency. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first institution brought on by the missionaries?

Religion. Signup and view all the answers

What is the second institution brought on by the missionaries?

Government. Signup and view all the answers

What is the new dispensation?

The new system; the new organization of society under British influence. Signup and view all the answers

Do Okonkwo's daughters have many suitors?

True Signup and view all the answers

Does the Igbo clan blindly believe in wooden structures and masked figures as their gods?

False Signup and view all the answers

How has the written language been viewed rather than the oral language of the clan?

The ability to be literate becomes a mark of power and wealth in the clan. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Missionary Influence in the Village

White missionaries set up trading posts, benefiting the village economically by introducing the export of palm oil and palm nut kernels.
This influx of money leads to increased wealth in the community, creating a complex relationship with the new religion.

Mr. Brown's Approach

Mr. Brown, a missionary, avoids conflict with the clan by moderating his congregation's behavior and persuading them to respect Umuofia's traditions.
Engages in discussions with Akunna, a clan leader, aiming for mutual understanding rather than conversion.

Religious Engagement

Akunna articulates the clan's monotheistic view, identifying Chukwu as the creator of both the world and lesser gods.
Mr. Brown asserts the exclusivity of his faith, claiming there are no other gods besides the Christian God.

Cultural Symbolism and Understanding

Mr. Brown debates the significance of Ikenga, a wooden figure representing strength, clarifying its role as a symbolic object rather than an idol.
Akunna acknowledges it as a creation of Chukwu, illustrating respect for the clan's beliefs.

Educational and Health Initiatives

Mr. Brown establishes a hospital and school, advocating for education to prevent exploitation by those who are literate.
The hospital receives community praise for its effective treatments, highlighting the benefits of cross-cultural interactions.

Okonkwo's Return and Perspective

Upon returning, Okonkwo feels alienated as his clan shows indifference to his presence, symbolizing the cultural schism created by colonialism.
Obierika expresses despair over the changes, suggesting the community's cohesion has irrevocably deteriorated.

Family and Gender Dynamics

Okonkwo's relationship with his daughter Ezinma highlights his struggle with traditional masculinity; she influences familial decisions.
Okonkwo's lectures to his sons reflect his inability to adapt to changing notions of gender and strength.

Responses to Colonialism

Mr. Brown encourages the youth to embrace education to maintain autonomy from the colonial government's oppressive impact.
European legal systems clash with Igbo customs, exemplified in the punishment of certain cultural practices without understanding.

Achebe's Intentions

"Things Fall Apart" serves to educate the West about African culture, showcasing the richness of Igbo language and customs.
The narrative emphasizes the disintegration of a sophisticated culture due to outside influence, capturing the essence of colonial impact.

Cultural Transformation

Nwoye, formerly Okonkwo's son, adopts a Christian identity, reflecting personal and collective cultural shifts within the clan.
Okonkwo mourns the transformation of his clan from fierce warriors to a perceived softer existence, underscoring a profound cultural loss.

Institutions Brought by Missionaries

The missionaries introduce three significant institutions: religion, government, and trade, altering the social landscape of Igbo society.
The new economic relationships threaten the clan’s self-sufficiency and cultural identity.

Views on Language and Power

The status of written language rises, conveying power and status, contrasting with the oral traditions historically valued in Igbo culture.
The community's engagement with literacy marks a shift in social dynamics, further entrenching colonial influence.

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Explore the influence of white missionaries in Chapter 21 of 'Things Fall Apart'. This quiz addresses key events and characters, focusing on how the villagers react to the newfound wealth and the role of Mr. Brown in maintaining peace. Test your knowledge with these flashcards!