Podcast
Questions and Answers
How does Okonkwo act for two days after Ikemefuna's death?
How does Okonkwo act for two days after Ikemefuna's death?
He doesn't eat and breaks out in shivers.
Why does Okonkwo worry about his son, Nwoye?
Why does Okonkwo worry about his son, Nwoye?
He has too much of his mother in him; he can't fend for himself already.
What is the strange event that takes place in the village of Ire?
What is the strange event that takes place in the village of Ire?
The eldest couple in the village had died, one right after the other.
What is a man who holds the ozo title forbidden to do?
What is a man who holds the ozo title forbidden to do?
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How do Akueke's suitor and his relatives determine if she is ripe for marriage?
How do Akueke's suitor and his relatives determine if she is ripe for marriage?
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What is the agreed-upon bride-price for Akueke?
What is the agreed-upon bride-price for Akueke?
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What is Ekwefi anxious to tell Okonkwo early in the morning?
What is Ekwefi anxious to tell Okonkwo early in the morning?
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What do all children of the clan except Ezinma call their mothers?
What do all children of the clan except Ezinma call their mothers?
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What explanation does the diviner give for the deaths of Ekwefi's children?
What explanation does the diviner give for the deaths of Ekwefi's children?
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What does Okagbue dig up from under the orange tree concerning Ezinma's fate?
What does Okagbue dig up from under the orange tree concerning Ezinma's fate?
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What does Okonkwo bring back from the bush while Ezinma is sick?
What does Okonkwo bring back from the bush while Ezinma is sick?
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How does Ekwefi make the medicine she hopes would cure Ezinma?
How does Ekwefi make the medicine she hopes would cure Ezinma?
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Study Notes
Okonkwo's Grief and Concerns
- After Ikemefuna's death, Okonkwo shows signs of deep distress by not eating and experiencing shivers.
- Okonkwo is worried about his son Nwoye, perceiving that he has inherited too much of his mother’s traits, indicating a lack of toughness or resilience.
Village Events and Traditions
- A strange occurrence in the village of Ire involves an elderly couple dying in quick succession, first the husband, then the wife.
- Men holding the ozo title are restricted from tapping tall palm trees for wine, instead only allowed to tap smaller trees.
Marriage Customs
- Akueke, Obierika's sixteen-year-old daughter, is of an appropriate age for marriage; her suitor and his family observe and negotiate her readiness, discussing the number of cowrie shells as bride-price.
- The agreed-upon bride-price for Akueke is set at 20 bags of cowries.
Family and Mortality
- Ekwefi hastily informs Okonkwo that their daughter Ezinma is dying, highlighting the family's stress over children's health.
- In the clan, children refer to their mothers as “Nne,” establishing a cultural norm.
Supernatural Beliefs and Medicine
- Ekwefi has experienced the loss of nine out of ten children in infancy; a diviner explains the reoccurrence is due to their child being an ogbanje, who dies and returns to the womb multiple times.
- The medicine man, Okagbue, discovers Ezinma's iyi-uwa, a mystical stone believed to ensure her survival into adulthood.
Healing Efforts
- Okonkwo forages in the bush, collecting a variety of medicinal plants while Ezinma is sick in her mother’s hut.
- Ekwefi prepares medicine for Ezinma by selecting the best ingredients from Okonkwo's collection, mixing them with water, and heating the mixture to create a remedy.
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Description
Test your knowledge on Chapters 8 and 9 of 'Things Fall Apart'. This quiz explores Okonkwo's emotional turmoil after Ikemefuna's death and his concerns about his son Nwoye. Dive into the key events and themes of these chapters to see how well you understand this classic novel.
