Questions and Answers
What unhappy news does Obierika bring when he visits Mbanta for the second time?
White Christian missionaries have arrived in Umuofia and built a Christian church.
Why do the elders of the clan agree to give the missionaries land?
Nwoye feels attracted to Christianity and wants to attend church services.
True
What happens to Nwoye when Okonkwo finds out he has been going to church?
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What does Okonkwo fear will happen to his younger sons?
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The osu outcasts are initially accepted by the Christian church.
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What action do the clan men take against the converts after they declare the traditional gods dead?
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What does Okonkwo do to prepare for his family's return to Umuofia?
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How has Okonkwo's view of his exile affected him upon his return?
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What significant change occurs in Umuofia during Okonkwo's absence?
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Study Notes
Chapter 16 Summary
- Obierika visits Mbanta after two years, bringing news of Christian missionaries in Umuofia who are recruiting converts.
- Clan leaders dismiss converts as efulefu, asserting they lack titles and are not honorable members of society.
- Nwoye, Okonkwo's son, declares allegiance to the missionaries, stating "he is not my father" when asked about Okonkwo.
- A white missionary speaks of a new god who promises eternal life, challenging the villagers' traditional beliefs.
- Nwoye, disturbed by customs like the killing of twins, is influenced by the compassion of the new religion.
Chapter 17 Summary
- Missionaries secure land from the clan to build a church in the Evil Forest, contradicting villagers' beliefs about cursed land.
- The church survives longer than expected, altering villagers' perception of the missionaries' power.
- Nwoye secretly desires to convert and attend church but fears his father's wrath; Okonkwo's violent response prompts Nwoye to leave home for Umuofia.
- Okonkwo feels his son is foolish and worries about the future of his family without the ancestors' guidance.
Chapter 18 Summary
- Initially, Christians and clan members coexist but are segregated, with villagers expecting the Christians to fail.
- Following a violent clash over traditional gods, discord arises regarding the osu, outcasts seeking acceptance in the church.
- Mr. Kiaga, the missionary interpreter, supports osu attendance at church, causing internal conflict among converts.
- Okoli, a convert, allegedly kills the sacred python, raising tensions; the clan chooses non-violent exclusion from clan life for Christians.
Chapter 19 Summary
- Okonkwo feels his exile years have been squandered and prepares for his return to Umuofia.
- He organizes a feast for his mother’s relatives as a gesture of gratitude for their support during his exile.
- The gathering reflects on the erosion of familial bonds due to rising Christian influence, raising concerns about the clan’s future.
Chapter 20 Summary
- Okonkwo plans an ambitious return, intending to rebuild a larger compound and take multiple wives.
- Nwoye's conversion to Christianity initially demoralizes Okonkwo, but he still holds hope for his other sons.
- Upon returning to Umuofia, Okonkwo discovers significant changes: increased conversion to Christianity, a new government court, and the establishment of penal practices.
- Okonkwo's frustration grows over cowardice among clansmen; Obierika warns that violence could mirror the fate of Abame, a village destroyed by white settlers.
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Description
This quiz covers the key events and themes from chapters 16 to 20 of 'Things Fall Apart'. Focus is given to the arrival of missionaries in Umuofia and its impact on the community. Test your understanding of the text and its characters through these flashcards.
