Podcast
Questions and Answers
What accomplishments have helped to make Okonkwo a great man of the village?
What accomplishments have helped to make Okonkwo a great man of the village?
Throwing Amalize the Cat (greatest wrestler in the village)
Compare and contrast Okonkwo with his father, Unoka. Why do you think Okonkwo feels as he does toward his father?
Compare and contrast Okonkwo with his father, Unoka. Why do you think Okonkwo feels as he does toward his father?
Okonkwo works hard and is well respected, while his father was lazy and had lots of debts.
What are the signs of Okonkwo's wealth?
What are the signs of Okonkwo's wealth?
A barn full of yams, 3 wives, and two titles.
How do the men of Umofia decide what to do about the murder of a woman from their clan? What role do the women of Umofia have in the decision?
How do the men of Umofia decide what to do about the murder of a woman from their clan? What role do the women of Umofia have in the decision?
According to Achebe, what emotion dominates Okonkwo's life? What is the source of this emotion?
According to Achebe, what emotion dominates Okonkwo's life? What is the source of this emotion?
How do you interpret the proverb, 'Among the Ibo...proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten.'?
How do you interpret the proverb, 'Among the Ibo...proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten.'?
Why does Unoka consult the Oracle? What does the Oracle tell him?
Why does Unoka consult the Oracle? What does the Oracle tell him?
What is the Week of Peace? What does Okonkwo do to break it and what action does the clan take?
What is the Week of Peace? What does Okonkwo do to break it and what action does the clan take?
Who is Nwoye and how does Okonkwo treat him? Describe the relationship between Nwoye and Ikemefuna.
Who is Nwoye and how does Okonkwo treat him? Describe the relationship between Nwoye and Ikemefuna.
How is Okonkwo's first year as a farmer difficult due to his family history and nature?
How is Okonkwo's first year as a farmer difficult due to his family history and nature?
In a sentence or two, explain the concept of chi.
In a sentence or two, explain the concept of chi.
When is the Festival of the New Yam held? Explain Okonkwo's reaction to the festival.
When is the Festival of the New Yam held? Explain Okonkwo's reaction to the festival.
What causes Okonkwo to shoot at Ekwefi? What does this say about Okonkwo?
What causes Okonkwo to shoot at Ekwefi? What does this say about Okonkwo?
What is an ilo? How is it used during the Festival?
What is an ilo? How is it used during the Festival?
How do the Ibo treat the winner of the final wrestling match? Why are the winners so revered?
How do the Ibo treat the winner of the final wrestling match? Why are the winners so revered?
When Obiageli broke the pot, how did Okonkwo react, and how did you expect him to react?
When Obiageli broke the pot, how did Okonkwo react, and how did you expect him to react?
How long has Ikemefuna been with the family? Who decides his fate? What does Ezeudu tell Okonkwo about this decision?
How long has Ikemefuna been with the family? Who decides his fate? What does Ezeudu tell Okonkwo about this decision?
In your opinion, did Ikemefuna know what was about to happen? What do Okonkwo's actions reveal about him?
In your opinion, did Ikemefuna know what was about to happen? What do Okonkwo's actions reveal about him?
How does Okonkwo feel about his daughter Ezinma? Why?
How does Okonkwo feel about his daughter Ezinma? Why?
Describe the scene between Okonkwo and Obierika. List two things you learn about Ibo culture from this scene and two things about the characters.
Describe the scene between Okonkwo and Obierika. List two things you learn about Ibo culture from this scene and two things about the characters.
Analyze Okonkwo's idea of masculinity. Are his ideas typical of Ibo society, or are they extreme?
Analyze Okonkwo's idea of masculinity. Are his ideas typical of Ibo society, or are they extreme?
What major historical event is foreshadowed by the discussion among Okonkwo and his friends?
What major historical event is foreshadowed by the discussion among Okonkwo and his friends?
Why does Ekwefi have a bitter attitude about life? Describe her relationship with Ezinma.
Why does Ekwefi have a bitter attitude about life? Describe her relationship with Ezinma.
What is an ogbanje? How can humans defeat an obanje's wickedness?
What is an ogbanje? How can humans defeat an obanje's wickedness?
Who are the judges in the legal case in Chapter 10, and how do they behave?
Who are the judges in the legal case in Chapter 10, and how do they behave?
Do the people of Umuofia know what is behind the egwugwu masks? Provide evidence.
Do the people of Umuofia know what is behind the egwugwu masks? Provide evidence.
Why do you think Achebe included Ekwefi's folktale?
Why do you think Achebe included Ekwefi's folktale?
What announcement does Chielo, the priestess, make? Where does she take Ezinma?
What announcement does Chielo, the priestess, make? Where does she take Ezinma?
How does Okonkwo react when the priestess first makes her announcement?
How does Okonkwo react when the priestess first makes her announcement?
What does the priestess do with Ezinma after emerging from the cave?
What does the priestess do with Ezinma after emerging from the cave?
What joyous ceremony takes place the day after the return from the cave?
What joyous ceremony takes place the day after the return from the cave?
What sorrowful news does the drum announce?
What sorrowful news does the drum announce?
What terrible accident occurs at the funeral and what happens to Okonkwo's family as a result?
What terrible accident occurs at the funeral and what happens to Okonkwo's family as a result?
Why did Achebe choose to end Part One the way he did?
Why did Achebe choose to end Part One the way he did?
According to Achebe, how does Okonkwo feel about his new life?
According to Achebe, how does Okonkwo feel about his new life?
What is the point of Uchendu's story about a kite who takes a duckling and a chick?
What is the point of Uchendu's story about a kite who takes a duckling and a chick?
What does Obierika bring with him on his visit to Okonkwo? Why does he not want Okonkwo to thank him?
What does Obierika bring with him on his visit to Okonkwo? Why does he not want Okonkwo to thank him?
What disaster happens to the Abame clan?
What disaster happens to the Abame clan?
What step does Nwoye take concerning the missionaries?
What step does Nwoye take concerning the missionaries?
What is Uchendu's reason for giving the missionaries part of the Evil Forest, and what is the result?
What is Uchendu's reason for giving the missionaries part of the Evil Forest, and what is the result?
How do you interpret Okonkwo's thought, 'Living fire begets cold, impotent ash.'?
How do you interpret Okonkwo's thought, 'Living fire begets cold, impotent ash.'?
State one way the European missionaries understand Ibo culture and one way the Ibo misunderstand the Europeans.
State one way the European missionaries understand Ibo culture and one way the Ibo misunderstand the Europeans.
What role did outcasts play in bringing Christianity to Ibo land?
What role did outcasts play in bringing Christianity to Ibo land?
On two occasions, converts actively threaten the religious traditions in Mbanta. What are the occasions?
On two occasions, converts actively threaten the religious traditions in Mbanta. What are the occasions?
What unfortunate event happens to the Christians during the week before Easter?
What unfortunate event happens to the Christians during the week before Easter?
Why is there no punishment in Ibo law for killing a python? Why could the clan not kill the converts?
Why is there no punishment in Ibo law for killing a python? Why could the clan not kill the converts?
How has Umofia changed during Okonkwo's exile? Give three specific examples.
How has Umofia changed during Okonkwo's exile? Give three specific examples.
How is Mr. Smith different from Mr. Brown?
How is Mr. Smith different from Mr. Brown?
How does Enoch spark a conflict in Umofia? What does the clan do about it?
How does Enoch spark a conflict in Umofia? What does the clan do about it?
According to Obierika, why does he feel the clan is falling apart?
According to Obierika, why does he feel the clan is falling apart?
How does Okeke, Mr. Smith's interpreter, show wisdom in dealing with the leaders of Umuofia?
How does Okeke, Mr. Smith's interpreter, show wisdom in dealing with the leaders of Umuofia?
Why do you think the guards and messengers treat the men of Umuofia so badly?
Why do you think the guards and messengers treat the men of Umuofia so badly?
In what way do the court messengers take money dishonestly from Umuofia?
In what way do the court messengers take money dishonestly from Umuofia?
What kind of person do you think the District Commissioner is?
What kind of person do you think the District Commissioner is?
At the end of Chapter 24, what are Okonkwo's clansmen referring to when they ask, 'Why did he do it?'
At the end of Chapter 24, what are Okonkwo's clansmen referring to when they ask, 'Why did he do it?'
In the last paragraph of the novel, whose point of view is shown?
In the last paragraph of the novel, whose point of view is shown?
Study Notes
Key Characters and Relationships
- Okonkwo: Respected village leader, known for his wrestling achievement, specifically beating the great wrestler Amalize the Cat.
- Unoka: Okonkwo's father, characterized as lazy and indebted, contrasting sharply with Okonkwo's hard-working nature.
- Nwoye: Okonkwo's son, suffers from a lack of paternal affection, developing a close friendship with Ikemefuna.
- Ikemefuna: A boy taken in by Okonkwo’s family after a murder, unaware of his impending fate.
Cultural Practices and Beliefs
- Week of Peace: A period of harmony before harvest when violence is forbidden; Okonkwo's violation leads to clan repercussions.
- Proverbs: Highly valued in Igbo culture; serve as a method of communication to convey wisdom and important truths.
- Chi: Represents a personal spirit or god, linking individual effort with success; the proverb indicates that personal will aligns with divine endorsement.
- Ogbanje: Belief in a changeling child that dies and returns, indicating deeper cultural beliefs about life and death in Igbo society.
Social Structure and Gender Roles
- Roles of Women: Female characters, like Ekwefi and Ezinma, portray varied dynamics, often being equal yet subordinate to men like Okonkwo; Okonkwo’s strict views lead to emotional distance from his children.
- Masculinity: Okonkwo’s extreme views on masculinity emphasize strength, stoicism, and a rejection of emotions, displaying societal expectations.
Clashes and Changes
- Impact of Colonialism: The arrival of missionaries leads to fractures in traditional culture; outcasts find acceptance in Christianity, shifting social dynamics.
- Cultural Misunderstanding: Both Igbo and Europeans misinterpret each other's customs and beliefs, leading to conflict.
- Abame Clan Tragedy: A violent response to the arrival of white settlers that highlights colonial consequences.
Major Themes
- Fear and its Consequences: Okonkwo's life is dominated by a fear of weakness, prompting destructive actions that alienate him from his family and community.
- Tradition vs. Change: Changing societal norms and external influences challenge traditional Igbo lifestyles, causing significant transformations in Umuofia.
Significant Events
- Festival of New Yam: An important celebration and community event marked by cultural traditions where Okonkwo feels disconnected.
- Funeral Accident: An explosion during a funeral stems from a blend of traditional practices and introduced technology, resulting in Okonkwo’s exile.
- Final Conflict: Okonkwo’s drastic reaction to the colonial authority leads to his tragic end; his actions reflect the dissolution of cultural identity.
Reflections on Society
- Restoration of Authority: Leaders in Umuofia grapple with the consequences of colonial influence and seek to balance traditional cultural values with new realities.
- Literary Tone: Achebe's narrative approach starts to shift the perspective towards the European view at the end, underscoring their misunderstanding and condescension towards Africans.
Conclusion
- Cultural Misrepresentation: The novel highlights the complexities of Igbo society while critiquing European perceptions; it remains a powerful representation of colonial impact and cultural identity.
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Description
Dive deep into Chinua Achebe's 'Things Fall Apart' with this reading guide quiz. Explore key themes, character comparisons, and pivotal accomplishments that shape Okonkwo’s journey. Test your understanding of the narrative and its cultural significance.
