Things Fall Apart: Chapters 20-25 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

How did Okonkwo feel about his return to the clan?

He knew that he had lost a lot of ground, but he was determined to return with a flourish and regain the lost time.

What message did Okonkwo give to his sons and daughters after Nwoye left the family?

He told his sons if they were going to be weak and follow Nwoye, they should do it while he was alive. If they turned against him after he died, he would return and break their necks. He asked his daughters to wait until they returned to Umuofia to marry.

Describe the changes that had come to Umuofia in the seven years that Okonkwo was in exile.

The Christian church had many converts. The white men had brought a government and built a court. The new prison was full of men who had broken the white men's laws.

What did Okonkwo ask Obierika regarding the people's loss of power to fight?

Obierika replied that too many of their people had joined with the white men in their religion and in upholding their laws. Signup and view all the answers

How did many of the other villagers feel about these changes?

They liked the trading store and the resultant money that was coming into Umuofia. They were also starting to think that the religion had some substance. Signup and view all the answers

What was Mr. Brown's conclusion about the religion of the clan and how did he act to gain converts?

He decided a frontal attack would not work. Instead, he built a school and a hospital, and when the people began seeing results, they began converting. Signup and view all the answers

About what was Okonkwo grieving?

He mourned for the clan because it was falling apart and for the men, because he thought they were getting soft, like women. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the conflict started by Enoch.

Enoch publicly unmasked one of the egwugwu, thus killing an ancestral spirit. The rest of the masked egwugwu destroyed Enoch's compound and the church. Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the action taken by the egwugwu?

Okonkwo and five of the leaders were imprisoned by the District Commissioner. The village of Umuofia was fined 200 bags of cowries. Signup and view all the answers

How did Okonkwo feel when he returned from the white man's prison?

He was full of hate and bitterness and wanted revenge. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the men meet in the marketplace?

They met to discuss what their course of action should be. Signup and view all the answers

What event happened in the marketplace?

Five court messengers came to stop the meeting. Okonkwo decapitated one of them. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Okonkwo?

He hanged himself. Signup and view all the answers

What did Obierika tell the Commissioner?

Obierika said the Commissioner had driven Okonkwo to kill himself. Signup and view all the answers

What was the commissioner's reaction to the incident?

He thought about how he could use the incident as material in his book. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Okonkwo's Return and Emotions

Okonkwo returned determined to regain lost status after exile, aware of diminished influence within the clan.

Family Dynamics After Nwoye's Departure

Okonkwo threatened his sons over loyalty issues, indicating he would confront them if they aligned weakly with Nwoye.
Daughters were instructed to postpone marriage until returning to Umuofia, reflecting traditional views.

Changes in Umuofia During Exile

The Christian church gained many converts; the influx of white men introduced new governance and judicial systems.
A new prison was established to detain those violating colonial laws, indicating loss of autonomy and traditional justice.

Obierika's Insights on Clan's Division

Obierika noted that alliance with white men in religion and law caused divisions within clans, weakening resistance.

Villagers' Reactions to Changes

Some villagers welcomed economic opportunities from trade, showing a shift in attitude toward colonial influences.
Growing interest in Christianity reflected a blending of cultures and acceptance of new ideas.

Mr. Brown's Strategy for Conversion

Mr. Brown rejected confrontational tactics; instead, he established a school and a hospital to foster goodwill and gain converts through positive results.

Okonkwo's Grief

He mourned the disintegration of clan strength and perceived softness in the men, viewing it as a failure of masculinity and tradition.

Conflict Initiated by Enoch

Enoch's act of unmasking an egwugwu led to violence, provoking the egwugwu to destroy Enoch's property and the church.

Consequences of the egwugwu's Actions

As a result of the conflict, Okonkwo and five leaders were imprisoned, and Umuofia faced financial penalties, indicating the weight of colonial legal systems.

Okonkwo's State After Imprisonment

Upon release, Okonkwo felt consumed by hatred and sought revenge against colonial powers.

Marketplace Meeting

The men gathered to strategize against colonial challenges, reflecting unity and resistance among the clansmen.

Incident in the Marketplace

A confrontation occurred when court messengers disrupted the meeting, leading Okonkwo to kill one messenger, showcasing desperation and defiance.

Okonkwo's Fate

In a tragic turn, Okonkwo committed suicide, highlighting the despair and hopelessness felt by traditionalists in the face of colonialism.

Obierika's Viewpoint Post-Incident

Obierika attributed Okonkwo’s suicide to the oppressive actions of the District Commissioner, emphasizing the destructive impact of colonial authority.

Commissioner's Indifference

The District Commissioner reflected on the event as a potential narrative for his writings, portraying a lack of empathy for the complexities of the culture he aimed to document.

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Test your knowledge on key themes and events from Chapters 20 to 25 of 'Things Fall Apart.' These flashcards cover Okonkwo's feelings about his return to the clan and the messages he imparts to his family after Nwoye's departure. Perfect for reviewing important character insights and plot developments.