Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who takes over when Mr. Brown leaves?
Who takes over when Mr. Brown leaves?
Reverend James Smith
What kind of man is Reverend James Smith?
What kind of man is Reverend James Smith?
He is a strict and intolerant man.
What do the more zealous converts feel about Mr. Brown's departure and the new Reverend James Smith?
What do the more zealous converts feel about Mr. Brown's departure and the new Reverend James Smith?
They feel relieved to be free of Mr. Brown's policy of restraint.
What does Enoch dare to do?
What does Enoch dare to do?
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What does Okonkwo's name mean?
What does Okonkwo's name mean?
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What do the egwugwu say to Reverend Smith and his fellow Christians?
What do the egwugwu say to Reverend Smith and his fellow Christians?
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How does Reverend Smith respond to the egwugwu?
How does Reverend Smith respond to the egwugwu?
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How does Reverend Smith feel about Mr. Brown and how he ran the mission?
How does Reverend Smith feel about Mr. Brown and how he ran the mission?
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How do we know that Reverend Smith is intolerant of the clan's ways?
How do we know that Reverend Smith is intolerant of the clan's ways?
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What ceremony does the clan celebrate each year?
What ceremony does the clan celebrate each year?
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What does Enoch do to provoke the rage of the clan?
What does Enoch do to provoke the rage of the clan?
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What does Enoch dare the egwugwu to do?
What does Enoch dare the egwugwu to do?
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What happens if you unmask an egwugwu?
What happens if you unmask an egwugwu?
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What do the egwugwu do in retaliation for their mask being taken off?
What do the egwugwu do in retaliation for their mask being taken off?
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What does Enoch do when his compound has been destroyed?
What does Enoch do when his compound has been destroyed?
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What happens between the egwugwu and Reverend Smith?
What happens between the egwugwu and Reverend Smith?
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What does Reverend Smith think of the Igbo religion?
What does Reverend Smith think of the Igbo religion?
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Describe the reason the egwugwu wear masks.
Describe the reason the egwugwu wear masks.
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What is the meaning of 'Things Falling Apart'?
What is the meaning of 'Things Falling Apart'?
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What does the Mother of the Spirits do?
What does the Mother of the Spirits do?
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What did Enoch hope to achieve when he unmasked the egwugwu?
What did Enoch hope to achieve when he unmasked the egwugwu?
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How are Mr. Brown and Reverend Smith different?
How are Mr. Brown and Reverend Smith different?
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Why do the egwugwu feel that burning down the church is justified?
Why do the egwugwu feel that burning down the church is justified?
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Who is Okeke?
Who is Okeke?
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Study Notes
Reverend James Smith
- Takes over the mission after Mr. Brown's departure.
- Represents a strict and intolerant approach to Christianity, demanding rigid adherence to the Bible.
- Disapproves of Mr. Brown's more tolerant and adaptable policies.
Enoch's Provocation
- Enoch unmasking an egwugwu is a grave offense, equivalent to killing an ancestral spirit, symbolizing a direct challenge to traditional customs.
- His actions provoke violent reactions from the clan, resulting in retaliation against him.
Clan's Response
- The egwugwu accuse Reverend Smith and the Christians of causing chaos in their community.
- They ignore Smith's orders and proceed to burn down the church as an act of cleansing following Enoch's offense.
Reverend Smith’s Attitude
- Holds a deep disdain for Mr. Brown’s lenient methods, viewing them as ineffective in establishing true Christian converts.
- Believes in the superiority of his faith, condemning Igbo traditions as devilish and corrupt.
Cultural Significance of the Egwugwu
- The egwugwu serve as representatives of ancestral spirits in Igbo tradition, wearing masks that signify the absence of their human identities.
- Unmasking an egwugwu is a severe act that leads to chaos within the community and marks a significant cultural violation.
Consequences of Enoch’s Actions
- After unmasking an egwugwu, Enoch’s compound faces destruction by the egwugwu, reflecting their anger and the seriousness of his actions.
- The egwugwu see the burning of the church as justified because it represents a necessary retribution for the cultural offense committed by Enoch.
Theme of Conflict
- The contrasting approaches of Mr. Brown and Reverend Smith highlight a central theme of cultural conflict and the clash of values between Igbo traditions and Christian beliefs.
- Reverend Smith's arrival heightens tensions, leading to an escalation in hostilities between the Christians and the traditionalists.
Symbol of Decline
- The character of the unmasked egwugwu, referred to as the "Mother of the Spirits," mourning the death of her son symbolizes the mourning of the clan's traditional values and foreshadows the collapse of their society.
Enoch's Motivation
- Enoch's intention in challenging the egwugwu was to provoke a holy war, introducing a radical element to the religious conflict in Umuofia.
Cultural Understanding
- Okeke, Reverend Smith’s interpreter, represents a bridge between conflicting worlds, while also reflecting the complexities of cultural exchange and miscommunication.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore key concepts from Chapter 22 of 'Things Fall Apart' with these flashcards. Learn about Reverend James Smith and his impact on the community as Mr. Brown leaves. This quiz will help reinforce your understanding of the characters and their motivations in this pivotal chapter.
