Podcast
Questions and Answers
Under what circumstances will the people of Umuofia consult Agbala, the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves?
Under what circumstances will the people of Umuofia consult Agbala, the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves?
When missteps come their way, dispute with neighbors, or to consult the spirits of their departed fathers.
Where does the powerful Oracle of the Hills, Agbala live?
Where does the powerful Oracle of the Hills, Agbala live?
In a cave.
What reply did the Oracle give to Unoka about why his crops always fail?
What reply did the Oracle give to Unoka about why his crops always fail?
He was a weak farmer, doesn't work hard enough, work like a man.
What is the shameful death Unoka endures?
What is the shameful death Unoka endures?
Who is the first man Okonkwo works for as a share-cropper?
Who is the first man Okonkwo works for as a share-cropper?
What does Okonkwo bring with him to share with Nwakibie before asking for yam seeds?
What does Okonkwo bring with him to share with Nwakibie before asking for yam seeds?
Where are the titles worn on Anasi, Nwakibie's first wife?
Where are the titles worn on Anasi, Nwakibie's first wife?
Why does Nwakibie trust Okonkwo to farm his yam seeds?
Why does Nwakibie trust Okonkwo to farm his yam seeds?
What is the only way a young man can build a barn of his own if his father has no yams?
What is the only way a young man can build a barn of his own if his father has no yams?
How is the weather during the first growing season that Okonkwo starts share-cropping for Nwakibie?
How is the weather during the first growing season that Okonkwo starts share-cropping for Nwakibie?
What are the crops that are considered women's crops by the people of Umuofia?
What are the crops that are considered women's crops by the people of Umuofia?
How does Okonkwo react to the disastrous growing season?
How does Okonkwo react to the disastrous growing season?
Study Notes
Oracle Consultation
- Umuofia consults Agbala, the Oracle, during disputes, missteps, or to seek advice from ancestors.
- Agbala resides in a cave.
Unoka's Farming Struggles
- Unoka, Okonkwo’s father, sought the Oracle's guidance due to repeated crop failures.
- The Oracle deemed Unoka a weak farmer, advising him to work harder.
Unoka's Death
- Unoka passed away in a manner deemed shameful: swollen and disrespectful to the earth goddess, leading to his abandonment in the Evil Forest.
Okonkwo's Share-Cropping
- Okonkwo’s first employer as a share-cropper is Nwakibie.
- He approached Nwakibie with offerings: palm wine, kola nut, and a cock, seeking yam seeds and share-cropping rights.
Anasi's Role
- Anasi, as Nwakibie's first wife, holds authority over other wives and is designated to wear her husband's title, symbolized by an anklet.
Trust and Farming
- Nwakibie trusts Okonkwo with yam seeds, citing that "you can tell a ripe corn by its look."
Building a Barn
- A young man with no yams from his father can only establish his own barn through share-cropping.
Growing Season Challenges
- Okonkwo's initial share-cropping season is marked by extreme weather conditions: excessively rainy followed by severe drought.
Women’s Crops
- Umuofia designates coco-yams, beans, and cassava as women's crops.
Okonkwo's Resilience
- Following the disastrous season that ruined his and others’ yams, Okonkwo remains determined, asserting that surviving such a season equips him to endure any hardship.
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Description
Test your knowledge on Chapter 3 of 'Things Fall Apart'. This quiz covers key concepts regarding the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves, Agbala, and the cultural practices of the Umuofia people. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding of the text's themes and characters.
