Things Fall Apart - Chapter 23

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Questions and Answers

What is Okonkwo's mood in Chapter 23?

He is pleased about the destruction of the church and feels that daily life is beginning to seem normal again.

What do the villagers do after the burning of the church?

They arm themselves with guns and machetes.

Who is the District Commissioner?

He is a white European who takes over the justice system for Umuofia.

What does the District Commissioner do when he returns?

He requests a meeting with the six leaders of the village, including Okonkwo. Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the palaver with the District Commissioner?

The leaders are surprised and arrested by soldiers after being treated condescendingly. Signup and view all the answers

The leaders have a chance to get out of jail after their arrest.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is decided in an emergency village meeting regarding bail?

They decide to collect the cowries necessary to pay the fine. Signup and view all the answers

How are Enoch and Okonkwo considered doubles?

Both rebel against their father's legacies and feel superior to others in their tradition. Signup and view all the answers

How does the language barrier create misunderstandings between the colonists and the villagers?

The commissioner misinterprets the villagers' actions due to a lack of effective communication. Signup and view all the answers

What does the misinterpretation between Smith and the villagers remind us of?

It reminds us of Parrot's trickiness in Ekwefi's story about Tortoise. Signup and view all the answers

What does the District Commissioner remind the leaders?

He reminds them that his government promotes peace and happiness. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the leaders' hair in jail?

The guards shave the men's heads, which is a huge no-no in Igbo culture. Signup and view all the answers

What does Okonkwo tell the leaders they should have done?

They should have killed the white man when they had the chance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'kotma'?

Court messenger. Signup and view all the answers

How do the missionaries justify how they treat the villagers?

They justify their actions in the name of Queen Victoria. Signup and view all the answers

How do the British divide the villagers?

They employ other Africans to help them carry out their occupation. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'palaver' mean?

To talk. Signup and view all the answers

What does Enzima do when she finds out Okonkwo has been put in jail?

She breaks her visit to her husband's family to see her father. Signup and view all the answers

How many men did Reverend Smith bring with him to his talk with the leaders?

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What will happen if the villagers don't come up with the bail?

Six men will be taken to Umuru and hanged. Signup and view all the answers

What is decided when the entire village gathers at the center?

They decide to do nothing with the missionaries and the church. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mood of Okonkwo

Okonkwo feels pleased about the church's destruction and the return to a semblance of normalcy.
He appreciated the clan's unity in arming themselves, even though they didn't act as he wished.

Reactions to Church Burning

After the church is burned, villagers and Okonkwo arm themselves with guns and machetes for protection over the next two days.

District Commissioner

Represents European colonialism and the decline of African society.
Takes control of the justice system in Umuofia.

Encounter with District Commissioner

The Commissioner summons village leaders, including Okonkwo, to discuss the church burning.
Leaders attend with machetes but not firearms, seeking to avoid conflict.

Palaver Meeting Consequences

In a condescending manner, the Commissioner addresses the leaders, immediately setting up a trap for them.
After placing their weapons down, soldiers arrest and imprison the leaders, subjecting them to abuse.
They are informed they must pay a fine of two hundred bags of cowries.

Bail for Leaders

A bail of two hundred bags of cowries is established for the leaders' release.
Court messengers demand an increased bail of two hundred and fifty bags, profiting from this extortion.

Emergency Village Meeting

Villagers agree to collect cowries to pay the imposed fine to secure their leaders' release.

Enoch and Okonkwo’s Parallels

Both characters share a defiance against familial traditions and display a sense of superiority.
Enoch's adherence to Christianity parallels Okonkwo's tendencies toward violence.

Language Barrier Misunderstandings

The language gap creates crucial misinterpretations between colonists and villagers.
Smith misjudges the villagers’ actions, seeing the church burning as a direct challenge to authority.

Cultural Significance of Miscommunication

The misunderstanding reflects themes of deception similar to the story of Tortoise told by Ekwefi.

Commissioner’s Justifications

The Commissioner promotes peace, coercively reminding leaders of their legal obligations under British authority.

Treatment of Leaders in Jail

Guards shave the men's heads, violating Igbo customs, leading to their suffering in silence due to neglect.

Okonkwo’s Advice

Okonkwo chastises the leaders for not killing the white man when they had the opportunity, angering the guards.

Kotma Definition

"Kotma" is the term used for court messengers serving colonial interests.

Missionaries’ Justification

Missionaries rationalize their oppressive actions in the name of Queen Victoria, portraying her as an imperial authority.

Division of Villagers by British

The British utilize other Africans to enforce colonial control, revealing the exploitative dynamics in their governance.

Additional Vocabulary

"Palaver" refers to a discussion or conversation.

Enzima’s Reaction

Enzima disrupts her visit to her husband's family upon hearing of Okonkwo's imprisonment.

Reverend Smith’s Accompaniment

Reverend Smith arrives with a total of twelve men for the discussion with Umuofia’s leaders.

Consequences of Unpaid Bail

Failure to gather the bail money risks the hanging of six village leaders by white authorities.

Village Assembly Decision

The entire village ultimately resolves to abstain from any actions regarding the missionaries and their church.

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Description

Explore the key themes and events from Chapter 23 of 'Things Fall Apart'. This quiz will test your understanding of Okonkwo's mood and the villagers' reactions following the church's destruction. Dive deep into the nuances of the characters' motivations and actions.