Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who is the daughter of Ojiugo, Okonkwo's third wife?
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?
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?
Okonkwo tells Ezinma who had more sense than her?
Obiageli
What is the best of the drum compared to?
What is the best of the drum compared to?
The drums throbbed in the air, in the sunshine, and filled the village with what?
The drums throbbed in the air, in the sunshine, and filled the village with what?
When Ezinma entered Okonkwo's obi, who was already in there?
When Ezinma entered Okonkwo's obi, who was already in there?
What was Obiageli waiting for in Okonkwo's obi?
What was Obiageli waiting for in Okonkwo's obi?
How is the nannygoat described?
How is the nannygoat described?
Who was crying outside of the compound?
Who was crying outside of the compound?
Why was Obiageli crying?
Why was Obiageli crying?
What did Obiageli do when her mother asked what happened?
What did Obiageli do when her mother asked what happened?
Who almost told Obiageli's mother the true story of how her pot broke?
Who almost told Obiageli's mother the true story of how her pot broke?
Who discouraged Obiageli's younger brothers from snitching on Obiageli?
Who discouraged Obiageli's younger brothers from snitching on Obiageli?
What did Obiageli hold in her hand after she broke her pot?
What did Obiageli hold in her hand after she broke her pot?
How many yams did Ezinma bring her mother from the dwarf wall?
How many yams did Ezinma bring her mother from the dwarf wall?
When do the drums begin on the day of the wrestling match?
When do the drums begin on the day of the wrestling match?
When does the wrestling match begin?
When does the wrestling match begin?
The drums have what effect on Okonkwo?
The drums have what effect on Okonkwo?
Okonkwo's desire to conquer and subdue is compared to what?
Okonkwo's desire to conquer and subdue is compared to what?
Where is Nwoye's mother's fan stored?
Where is Nwoye's mother's fan stored?
Why does Nwoye's mother tell Ezinma not to blow the fire with her mouth?
Why does Nwoye's mother tell Ezinma not to blow the fire with her mouth?
What is unusual about Ezinma?
What is unusual about Ezinma?
What does it mean if one's bottom eyelid twitches?
What does it mean if one's bottom eyelid twitches?
What does it mean if one's upper eyelid twitches?
What does it mean if one's upper eyelid twitches?
What does Ezinma conclude her twitching eye indicates she will see?
What does Ezinma conclude her twitching eye indicates she will see?
What does Ezigbo mean?
What does Ezigbo mean?
Who called Ezinma Ezigbo?
Who called Ezinma Ezigbo?
What does Ezinma ask Ekwefi when she lifts the pot from the fire?
What does Ezinma ask Ekwefi when she lifts the pot from the fire?
Who does Ezinma say dropped and broke a pot of hot soup the other day?
Who does Ezinma say dropped and broke a pot of hot soup the other day?
How old is Ekwefi?
How old is Ekwefi?
Which wife was beaten and nearly shot?
Which wife was beaten and nearly shot?
Which wife ran away from her husband from Okonkwo after seeing him throw the Cat?
Which wife ran away from her husband from Okonkwo after seeing him throw the Cat?
How many years ago did Ekwefi leave her husband for Okonkwo?
How many years ago did Ekwefi leave her husband for Okonkwo?
Who was once the Village beauty?
Who was once the Village beauty?
What did each party of in-laws bring with them to the Feast of the New Yam?
What did each party of in-laws bring with them to the Feast of the New Yam?
What did Okonkwo sacrifice to his ancestors when praying for protection?
What did Okonkwo sacrifice to his ancestors when praying for protection?
What did Ekwefi murmur that caused him to shoot at her?
What did Ekwefi murmur that caused him to shoot at her?
Why did Okonkwo think the banana tree was dead?
Why did Okonkwo think the banana tree was dead?
How is Okonkwo described as he walks around the hut at the beginning of the chapter?
How is Okonkwo described as he walks around the hut at the beginning of the chapter?
The Igbo people say that every man whose arm was strong was expected to...
The Igbo people say that every man whose arm was strong was expected to...
What story was told of the Feast of the New Yam?
What story was told of the Feast of the New Yam?
The New Yam Festival was an occasion for what in Umuofia?
The New Yam Festival was an occasion for what in Umuofia?
Okonkwo would be much happier doing what than sitting around for days preparing for a feast or getting over it?
Okonkwo would be much happier doing what than sitting around for days preparing for a feast or getting over it?
Who is the source of all fertility?
Who is the source of all fertility?
Describe Ani.
Describe Ani.
New yam could not be eaten until what?
New yam could not be eaten until what?
How are new yams described?
How are new yams described?
How are old yams described?
How are old yams described?
What was washed especially well?
What was washed especially well?
Why did the people always answer calls from outside with 'Is that me?'?
Why did the people always answer calls from outside with 'Is that me?'?
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.
