Questions and Answers
According to Chika, the priestess of Agbala, why does Unoka always have a miserable harvest?
Unoka doesn't work like a man and does not put effort into his farm.
Where, how and why did Unoka die?
Unoka was taken to the Evil Forest to die outside because he was sick with an illness considered an abomination to the Earth.
Who is Nwakibie? What does he agree to do for Okonkwo?
Nwakibie is a wealthy man with the highest title in Okonkwo's village who agrees to give Okonkwo 800 yams to start his own farm.
What is sharecropping?
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What troubles did Okonkwo face in his first year of sharecropping?
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During that first, bad year of farming, Okonkwo looks back on it as a learning experience because he realizes what?
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What do you think Unoka means when he says, 'it is more difficult and more bitter when a man fails alone'? What does this foreshadow?
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Study Notes
Unoka's Character and Fate
- Unoka is portrayed as lacking the work ethic expected of a man, described as having "weak" farming tools and not putting effort into his harvest.
- Unoka's miserable harvest is attributed to his laziness and inability to cultivate his land properly.
- He succumbs to a severe illness described as swelling of the stomach and limbs, deemed an abomination, leading to his abandonment in the Evil Forest to die alone.
Nwakibie's Role
- Nwakibie is a wealthy individual in Okonkwo's community, recognized for holding the highest title.
- He agrees to lend Okonkwo 800 yams to help him establish his own farming venture, providing crucial support for Okonkwo's future.
Sharecropping Explained
- Sharecropping involves a landowner permitting a tenant to use land, with the arrangement that the tenant will share a portion of the crops produced with the landowner.
Okonkwo's Challenges
- Okonkwo faces significant difficulties in his first year of sharecropping, which include the strain of supporting his family on just one-third of the crops and adverse weather conditions like drought.
- The harsh climatic conditions, including insufficient rain and extreme heat, severely affect the growth of his crops.
Learning from Adversity
- Through the struggles of his first farming year, Okonkwo gains resilience, believing that surviving the experience equips him to handle any future challenges.
- He reflects on a proverb shared by Unoka, emphasizing that a proud heart can endure failures without damaging its pride.
Accountability and Foreshadowing
- Unoka's statement about the bitterness of failing alone highlights the burden of solitary failure, suggesting that one faces all consequences without shared responsibility.
- This notion foreshadows Okonkwo's eventual downfall, indicating that his failures will be the result of his own decisions and actions rather than external factors.
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Description
Test your understanding of Chapter 3 of 'Things Fall Apart' with these study questions. Explore key themes, character actions, and significant events related to Unoka and his farming struggles. Perfect for students seeking to deepen their comprehension of Chinua Achebe's classic novel.
