Things Fall Apart Chapter 5 Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

Who is the daughter of Ojiugo, Okonkwo's third wife?

Nkechi

Who told Okonkwo he should not talk while eating because pepper may go down the wrong way?

Obiageli

Okonkwo tells Ezinma who had more sense than her?

Obiageli

What is the best of the drum compared to?

<p>The persistent, unchanging beating heart of the city</p> Signup and view all the answers

The drums throbbed in the air, in the sunshine, and filled the village with what?

<p>Excitement</p> Signup and view all the answers

When Ezinma entered Okonkwo's obi, who was already in there?

<p>Obiageli</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Obiageli waiting for in Okonkwo's obi?

<p>For him to finish eating from her mother's meal</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the nannygoat described?

<p>Troublesome</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was crying outside of the compound?

<p>Obiageli</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was Obiageli crying?

<p>She had broken her pot</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Obiageli do when her mother asked what happened?

<p>She lied</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who almost told Obiageli's mother the true story of how her pot broke?

<p>Her two younger brothers</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who discouraged Obiageli's younger brothers from snitching on Obiageli?

<p>Ikemefuna</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Obiageli hold in her hand after she broke her pot?

<p>The cloth pad on which the pot should have rested atop her head</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many yams did Ezinma bring her mother from the dwarf wall?

<p>Two yams</p> Signup and view all the answers

When do the drums begin on the day of the wrestling match?

<p>Noon</p> Signup and view all the answers

When does the wrestling match begin?

<p>After the sun begins to sink</p> Signup and view all the answers

The drums have what effect on Okonkwo?

<p>They fill him with fire like it had always done from his youth, and cause him to tremble with desire to conquer and subdue.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Okonkwo's desire to conquer and subdue is compared to what?

<p>Desire for woman</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is Nwoye's mother's fan stored?

<p>In the rafters</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does Nwoye's mother tell Ezinma not to blow the fire with her mouth?

<p>She will blow her eyes out</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is unusual about Ezinma?

<p>She calls her mother by name</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if one's bottom eyelid twitches?

<p>They will cry</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if one's upper eyelid twitches?

<p>They will see something</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Ezinma conclude her twitching eye indicates she will see?

<p>The wrestling match</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Ezigbo mean?

<p>The good one</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who called Ezinma Ezigbo?

<p>Nwoye's mother</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Ezinma ask Ekwefi when she lifts the pot from the fire?

<p>Is it true that when people are grown up, fire does not burn them?</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who does Ezinma say dropped and broke a pot of hot soup the other day?

<p>Nwoye's mother</p> Signup and view all the answers

How old is Ekwefi?

<p>45</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which wife was beaten and nearly shot?

<p>Ekwefi</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which wife ran away from her husband from Okonkwo after seeing him throw the Cat?

<p>Ekwefi</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many years ago did Ekwefi leave her husband for Okonkwo?

<p>30 years ago</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was once the Village beauty?

<p>Ekwefi</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did each party of in-laws bring with them to the Feast of the New Yam?

<p>A pot of palm-wine</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Okonkwo sacrifice to his ancestors when praying for protection?

<p>New yam and palm-oil</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Ekwefi murmur that caused him to shoot at her?

<p>Something about guns that never shot</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did Okonkwo think the banana tree was dead?

<p>Ekwefi cut off leaves to wrap food</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is Okonkwo described as he walks around the hut at the beginning of the chapter?

<p>He walked aimlessly in suppressed anger</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Igbo people say that every man whose arm was strong was expected to...

<p>Invite large numbers of guests from far and wide</p> Signup and view all the answers

What story was told of the Feast of the New Yam?

<p>A wealthy man who set before his guests a mound of Yam foo-foo so high that those who sat on one side could not see what was happening on the other, and it was not until late in the evening that one saw for the first time his in-law who had arrived during the course of the meal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The New Yam Festival was an occasion for what in Umuofia?

<p>Joy</p> Signup and view all the answers

Okonkwo would be much happier doing what than sitting around for days preparing for a feast or getting over it?

<p>Working on his farm</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is the source of all fertility?

<p>Ani</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe Ani.

<p>Earth Goddess in close communion with the departed fathers of the clan whose bodies had been committed to earth; ultimate judge of morality and conduct; played greater part than all other deities in the life of the people.</p> Signup and view all the answers

New yam could not be eaten until what?

<p>Some was offered to Ani and one's ancestors first</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are new yams described?

<p>Tasty, fresh</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are old yams described?

<p>Shriveled, fibrous</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was washed especially well?

<p>The wooden mortar in which Yam was pounded</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did the people always answer calls from outside with 'Is that me?'?

<p>For fear it might be an evil spirit calling</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Characters

  • Nkechi is the daughter of Ojiugo, Okonkwo's third wife.
  • Obiageli advises Okonkwo about the dangers of eating while talking.
  • Ezinma is noted to possess more sense than Obiageli, highlighting her maturity.

Significant Events and Descriptions

  • The drum symbolizes the heart of the city, consistently beating.
  • Drums create excitement throughout the village during festivities.
  • Obiageli waits for her mother’s meal to finish before entering Okonkwo's obi.

Emotional Moments

  • Obiageli cries for breaking her pot, illustrating vulnerability.
  • When asked about the incident by her mother, Obiageli lies, showcasing her desire to avoid punishment.
  • Ikemefuna prevents Obiageli's brothers from revealing the truth about the broken pot.

Cultural Practices and Beliefs

  • Wrestling matches are significant, commencing at noon with drums signaling excitement and emotional resonance among participants like Okonkwo.
  • Ezinma discusses beliefs regarding eye twitching, indicating superstitions about future events.
  • New yam is an important food, treated with reverence, requiring offerings to the earth goddess Ani before consumption.

Relationships and Dynamics

  • Ekwefi, Nwoye's mother, has a complicated past with Okonkwo, having run away from her first husband and provoked violence from Okonkwo.
  • Ezinma's affectionate nickname "Ezigbo" means "the good one," indicating her mother's fond feelings towards her.
  • The Feast of the New Yam is characterized by lavish dinners and joyful gatherings where families bring festive offerings.

Symbolic Elements

  • Ani, the earth goddess, is the source of fertility, judged morality, and is deeply intertwined in the clan's spiritual and daily life.
  • The contrast between new yams (tasty and fresh) and old yams (shriveled and fibrous) emphasizes the importance of freshness in traditional foods.

Cultural Customs

  • Guests at feasts are expected to come in large numbers due to communal expectations of hospitality.
  • The meticulous washing of the wooden mortar illustrates the importance of cleanliness in food preparation before celebrations.
  • Responses to calls from outside reflect cultural fears of malevolent spirits, indicating a protective superstition within the community.

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Description

Test your knowledge on important characters and events from Chapter 5 of 'Things Fall Apart'. This quiz includes key terms related to the characters and their relationships, helping you grasp the nuances of the story. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of the chapter.

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