Things Fall Apart Chapter 9 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What was Okonkwo's child story about a mosquito and the ear?

Mosquito asked ear to marry him and ear laughed at the proposition. And mosquito was humiliated.

Who woke up Okonkwo in the middle of the night and why?

Ekwefi because Ezinma is dying.

What is iba?

Fever

What did Ezinma have which was the reason she was dying?

Fever (iba) Signup and view all the answers

What is the word for mother?

Nne Signup and view all the answers

How many of Ekwefi's children died in infancy?

Nine Signup and view all the answers

What did Ekwefi name her child that meant 'Death I implore you'?

Onwumbiko Signup and view all the answers

What did Ekwefi name her daughter that meant 'May it not happen again'?

Ozoemena Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of Ekwefi's child whose name meant 'Death may please himself'?

Onwuma Signup and view all the answers

What is an ogbanje?

A child who repeatedly dies and returns to its mother's womb to be reborn. Signup and view all the answers

Who did Okonkwo go to consult on Ekwefi's miscarriages?

Diviner of the Afa Oracle Signup and view all the answers

What did the Diviner of the Afa Oracle recommend for Ekwefi?

When she becomes pregnant again, to stay with her people to break the cycle of birth and death. Signup and view all the answers

When Ekwefi stayed at her family's house, what did she name her child?

Onwumbiko Signup and view all the answers

Who was the next person Okonkwo went to consult for Ekwefi's death of children?

Okagbue Uyanwa Signup and view all the answers

On what day did Onwumbiko die?

Oye (fourth market day) Signup and view all the answers

What was the custom for having children born?

Slaughter a goat Signup and view all the answers

What did the medicine man dig up for Ezinma?

Iyi-uwa Signup and view all the answers

What is a iyi-uwa?

A special kind of stone which forms a link between an ogbanje and the spirit world. Signup and view all the answers

According to Ezinma, where was her iyi-uwa?

Buried in the place where they bury children. Signup and view all the answers

Where was the stone located exactly?

Near the orange tree. Signup and view all the answers

What was the story of the snake lizard who killed his mother?

They were seven baskets given to cooks and ended up three and he killed his mother and himself. Signup and view all the answers

What age did Ekwefi's child Onwumbiko die?

15th month Signup and view all the answers

What age did Ekwefi's child Ozoemena die?

11th month Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ezinma's Illness and Family Background

Ezinma is suffering from a fever known as 'iba', causing concern for her mother, Ekwefi.
Ekwefi experienced the tragic loss of nine children during infancy, highlighting the family's struggle with mortality.
Names of Ekwefi's deceased children often reflect sorrowful themes:
- Onwumbiko translates to "Death I implore you."
- Ozoemena means "May it not happen again."
- Onwuma signifies "Death may please himself."

Cultural Beliefs and Practices

The concept of 'ogbanje' describes children who die and return to their mother's womb, signifying a cycle of grief.
A ritual practice involves slaughtering a goat when a child is being born, indicating cultural customs surrounding childbirth.
Ezinma has an important connection with a special object known as 'iyi-uwa', which is a stone that links an ogbanje child to the spirit world. Its presence is crucial for the child's survival.

Consultations for Guidance

Okonkwo seeks counsel from the Diviner of the Afa Oracle regarding Ekwefi's miscarriages, who advises her to stay with her family during future pregnancies to break the cycle of loss.
He later consults Okagbue Uyanwa for further insights into the deaths of Ekwefi's children.

Significant Events

Onwumbiko, Ekwefi's child, dies at the age of 15 months, which marks a profound moment for the family.
The illness and subsequent challenges faced reflect broader themes of despair and resilience within Okonkwo's family dynamic.

Discovery of Iyi-uwa

Ezinma believes her iyi-uwa is buried in a children's burial site, specifically near an orange tree, demonstrating deep-seated connections between life, death, and cultural rituals.
The discovery and breaking of the iyi-uwa stone is vital for the survival of an ogbanje child, highlighting critical beliefs surrounding life cycles in their culture.

Narrative Elements

The fable of the snake lizard indicates themes of consequence and tragedy, reflecting broader cultural values and storytelling traditions.
The discussion of Ezinma’s precarious health underscores the dire circumstances of parental fears and the fragility of life.

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Test your knowledge of Chapter 9 in 'Things Fall Apart' with these flashcards. Explore key events and characters, including Okonkwo's family and their struggles. This quiz highlights important themes and vocabulary from the chapter.