Study support Things Fall Apart

Consider the question prompts below – answer and locate quotes/refs that you might use in the exam

CHAPTER 1 & 2
What is the impact of the Kola nut tradition?
The impact of the kola nut tradition is that it shows a part of the Igbo culture, and how they show
respect towards each other: letting them break the kola. In addition Achebe also uses the tradition to
bring down Unoka, who accepts the honour of breaking the kola nut but is unable to pay back his
debts and makes no effort to.
‘Among the Igbo the art of conversation… words are eaten’ (p6) – What does this reveal?
This line shows the importance of tradition with the Igbo culture and how their culture is passed down
orally. It shows the reader that oral traditions are extremely valuable and taken care of to make sure
they don't disappear. (even though they do after the missionaries divide and colonise the village)
What kind of place is Umuofia? P9
Umuofia is presented as the kind of place often in conflict as when an emergency meeting is called
Okonkwo is quick to assume a war has been declared with such normalcy it can only be assumed to
be a regular occurrence.
The villages surrounding and Umuofia often trade lives when one is taken, as custom. This in the eyes
of a western audience may seem unjustified as those traded had nothing to do with crime and instead
of the individual their child is punished.
What is a ‘just war’? p10
A just war is one declared with permission from the Oracle of the Hills and Caves, or one seen as just
through other means for example a member of another village killed someone in your village.
What is the tone at the end of chapter 2?
The tone at the end of chapter 2 starts off prideful and respecting with Okonkwo's wife being fearful
of him and Achebe showing the audience his status within the village and how he cares that people
know about it so he cannot be compared to his father. The chapter also ends with a more serious and
mournful tone as Ikemefuna doesn't understand why or what is going to happen to him, he only knows
what he has lost.
CHAPTER 3
How is Okonkwo present in the opening para of chapter3?
In the beginning of chapter 3 Okonkwo is presented to be very self-built, coming from nothing in
regards of family and materials, but as we know he is a very successful man and therefore the
audience infers that Okonkwo is very determined.
What is Agbala? What’s its significance?
Agbala is an Oracle that the people of Umuofia believe is able to communicate with spirits and tell
them of their futures. This is a reference to the culture of the Igbo and how it is in many ways parallel
to ours; asking God if the future looks well.
What is Achebe’s purpose for inclusing the visit by Unoka to the oracle?
Achebe includes the visit of Unoka to the oracle is to further emphasise the weakness and laziness of
Unoka’s character and further separate him and Okonkwo as opposites. It also shows the authority the
Oracle has: cutting off and screaming about how weak is and that he needs to 'work like a man'
Consider how the Igbo culture is presented on p15 – 19
Culture
⁃ wealth shown by number of wives, therefore children, therefore barns
⁃ Shows how there is a hierarchy within age
⁃ Women not allowed to say after having their portion of wine
⁃ That wives can be burdens
⁃ Community willing to help each other if they have respect for then and believe it will be used
wisely
⁃ men always come before women

Look at the proverb on p19 – what does it mean and what does it show about Okonkwo’s thoughts
and feeling
It means that pride is very important within the Igbo and that as long as you have pride or a perceived
to have it you will not fail. it shows that within the community mental prowess can also determine
physical wellbeing. It shows that Okonkwo is still known well by his father and that they have similar
thoughts about Okonkwo- that he will not fall into despair no matter how many issues trying to bring
him down.
CHAPTER 4
What does the anecdote at the opening of the paragraph show about Okonkwo?
That he values titles greatly and the hierarchy of men within the village is something he respects and
wishes to be at the top of. he has no issue disregarding those below him regardless of the fact he was
in a similar or worse position at some point in his life. He is shown as aggressive and unnecessarily
ruthless.
What do the other village men think of him?
The other men in village, while respect is determined attitude and success do think that he needs to be
humble and benevolent like the spirits who 'gave him success'.
What does the narrator mean ‘but it was not really true that Okonkwo’s palm kernels...’
it shows how Okonkwo doesn't want credit taken from him as he was the one and only person
responsible for his success and not the gods
How is Ikemefuna characterized?

Ikemefuna is portrayed as a new integral part of Okonkwo’s household as he is very useful in

practical knowledge and inspires Okonkwo’s children to be as 'useful' as him. Okonkwo even begins
to like him and see him as one of his own kids

What explanation does the narrator offer for how Okonkwo treats his family?

That it’s just 'how he is' and that he treats everyone this way not just him family and therefore it is
okay. The narrator also tries to justify his violence and anger by making it seem like others
purposefully provoke him or putting the blame on them when his actions I return are clearly extreme.
Why does Nwoye’s mother lie to Okonkwo? What does her title in the book reveal about her? -
‘Nwoye’s mother’
Nwoye's mother lies to Okonkwo in order to attempt to limit the punishment Ojiugo would
reciprocate as she knows it will be bad as Okonkwo is to be assumed as violent often.
And Nwoye's mother going unnamed shows that in the Igbo culture her only use or thing she has done
well is give birth to Okonkwo’s eldest son.
How does the priest react to the beating of Ojiugo. What does this tell you about the theme of the
individual and the community
The priest does not think it is acceptable under any circumstances for Okonkwo to beat his wife in the
week of peace. This shows that both at an individual and community level the issue is not with the
beating of women, but the disrespect Okonkwo shows towards the gods, spirits, and ancestors
What do we learn about Okonkwo from the beating and the resulting action?
We learn that Okonkwo is a violent person who results to violence when something goes wrong as
that is accepted. Although we discover further that Okonkwo has little respect and regard towards the
spirits that a valued so highly within the clan. This could be because he never received help from them
and had to work himself up to his position.
Consider the character of Ikemefuna – how is he used to show diversity within the Igbo
It shows that the tales and some words used are different between villages and that it adds variety and
diversity to the Igbo who have had the same stories for generations and have never heard some of
Ikemefuna’s tales.
How far does chapter four support the idea that the novel is sexist?

CHAPTER 5
What is the new yam festival. How is Okonkwo feeling about this and what does this reveal about
him?
New yam festival is an occasion to thank Ani the earth goddess for all fertility. She is important to the
Igbo as she is the ultimate judge and in close contact with all ancestors buried in the earth. Anecdote
(man couldn’t see guests over tower of yams) to show wealth within their culture. The more food and
guests – as this means you can afford to buy yams and have a successful harvest, and more guests due
to more wives which are bought.
Okonkwo does not like this festival as much as others as he felt uncomfortable sitting and doing
nothing while waiting for the feast, which is the centre part of the festival. This reveals his impatience
and strong will to not be like his father, Unoka, at all. This means that waiting and being as he would
view it ‘lazy’ is being like his father.
Consider his abrupt change of mood – what does this lead the reader to consider?
His abrupt change in mood for no good reason shows the reader the amount of stress Okonkwo is
under (has put himself under) in the time of the festival.
Firstly he is stressed due to him not being able to do anything he usually does, working on the farm
perchance, and not enjoying the traditions of the New Yam Festival.
Secondly, he is stressed due to immense pressure to show his wealth as he cares a lot about how
perceive him and how he wants them to see him (not like his father). This leads to him taking it out on
his wife as custom.

Explore the wife’s reaction - ‘guns never shot...’ and Okonkwo’s reaction and actions
The wife clearly does not like him and wants to get back at him. The wives and children reaction to
her being beaten and shot at is nothing because it’s their culture (and ours at the time its set 1890s)
beating your wife when you’re stressed is acceptable and one of their purposes.

Okonkwo has such an extreme reaction to being called ‘weak’ because his façade of being this strong
masculine leader is being threatened and he does not like it at all. It is in his characters eyes a
comparison to his father which is why he tries to shoot her – in order to prove her wrong and regain
power in the situation. Him missing shows how his character is a façade.
What is the significance of Okonkwo being linked to fire?
Fire is uncontrollable, powerful, dangerous, threatening, helpful – everything Okonkwo wants to be,
and his façade shows him as (He wants to show dominance is every aspect of his life; against his
wives, over wealth, wrestling). But fire can be easily put out alike his façade which is very thin and
will break.
How does Okonkwo feel about Enzinma?
He is fond of her, thinks she is beautiful and more useful than his eldest son, Nwoye. He wishes she
were a boy as she would be better at it than Nwoye and bring more pride to him and his family in the
eyes of the village. However despite this fondness he rarely shows it.

Relate the above explorations to masculinity and the culture of the Igbos

CHAPTER 6

‘Men, women and children’ linguistically infers a hierarchy of the men (men first) and separates
women and children as one single entity.
‘Young men’ seen as weaker (e.g., the young ones are ‘not real wrestlers’ they are just the warmup)
the older they are the more respect they have.

How is the mood created in the opening of the chapter?

Due to the content of chapter one we know wrestling is very important to them, so the reader has
raised expectations of drama in this chapter. ‘feverish’ ‘frenzy’ ‘intoxicating’ create a semantic field
of high emotion. ‘Ordinary day’ it is not an ordinary day / reducing spirits to something ordinary /
making wrestling more important than Gods.

Why tell the reader that Okonkwo ‘sits down quickly’? page 35

Author attempting to convey just how much enjoyment Okonkwo gets from wrestling and how much
he focuses and engages with it. He is very passionate. He also has a seat, so we know he has power
and status in the village, we see that his natural behavior is to be in the frenzied excitement, but he
must retain status by setting an example. This is more proof that he is putting on a persona for the
clan. He is known for not showing emotion other than anger, so he must hide this excited passionate
side. He sees those emotions as weak. WHAT WE SEE IS NOT THE TRUE OKONKWO BUT A
MASK.

What does the line ‘many people looked around, perhaps for the first time...’ imply?

Everyone is so involved and engrossed that they don’t even notice the people around them / using
sensory language for imagery, they are all so immersed in violence the adrenaline makes them forget
they are there. People would be reading this and seeing it as violent and animalistic and judge them
for being enthusiastic about bare knuckle fighting, which is violent, and they would have banned in
the 1950s.

What is child life expectancy like in the communities?

Lexical choice of ‘stay’ illudes to the spirit behind the child. They don’t say I hope she lives; they say
they hope she stays, which illudes to the spirit behind the child and how they believe it is their choice
to stay or go and they can’t control (they tell themselves this when they are realistically just dying
because of living conditions). It is talked about casually which shows how common it is in their
community.
What does the reader learn about Chielo?

She is of high status and is incredibly knowledgeable. She is used by Achebe to represent and display
the Igbo belief and culture.

Consider the women’s conversation at the wrestling ceremony in terms of life in Umuofia.

Shows the intimacy between the friends ‘my daughter’ and represents the closeness of the community
and the maternal figure Chielo is to her. In male hierarchy they do not respect the ones below them
they live by rigid rules and are only polite with each other, but the women are more maternal in their
way of caring for each other.

CHAPTER 7

What role does Ikemefuna play in the household – is this surprising?

One of Okonkwo’s son- an older brother figure to Nwoye. Someone who shows Nwoye how to do
masculine acts; wood chopping etc. He is not looked down upon within the family and the fact is he is
a literal blood sacrifice to the village does not seem to matter (minor surprise).

Consider Nwoye's relationship with Okonkwo and Ikemefuna

Okonkwo: Nwoye’s relationship with his father his mainly ‘fake’, Nwoye tries to please his father by
doing masculine activities regardless of his personal preference mainly because he is afraid of what
Okonkwo would do otherwise and he knows its ‘right’.
Ikemefuna: Nwoye views him as an older brother, someone who taught him how to please his father
and a friend to him.

What is the significance of the locusts and what do they symbolise/foreshadow?

The locusts are seen as a gift from the Gods for the Igbo; they bring joy and food to the village. They
also show the difference in culture compared to the west; the west often view locusts as a plague
something that takes (In the Bible they are sent as a punishment from God) which is the opposite to
how the Igbo view locusts.

The boy calls you father – do not bear a hand in his death... - discuss significance.

Ikemefuna calling Okonkwo father shows the emotional connection between them, something rare for
Okonkwo. This is significant as it’s a break in the façade. Okonkwo not ‘killing’ Ikemefuna shows
that the village respect his place in the family and don’t wish to force him into that situation – may
also be village custom not to harm family members which contrasts with them killing him for very
little reason.

Why is Ikemefuna’s internal dialogue ironic?

It shows him unaware of the fact he is going to be killed. He fantasises about going home and seeing
his family not knowing or unwilling to accept the possibility that he is going to be killed before ever
seeing them again. This shows his innocence making his death impact the reader further. His internal
dialogue however is ironic because he is ‘gambling’ with his mother’s fate unaware that it’s his fate
‘up in the air’. (if she is dead then he is going to see her anyway)
Why does Okonkwo kill Ikemefuna?

Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna because he doesn’t know any other outlet for his emotions except violence
and anger; so when Ikemefuna is calling out to him in distress Okonkwo is scared: he cares for this
boy and is sad that he is dying. Instead of being upset however Okonkwo kills him in order for him to
stop talking and evoking ‘weakness’ inside Okonkwo. He does not want to be seen as weak or like his
father so when he shows any emotion (not anger) his response is to get rid of the thing making him
feel it.
Could also be that he doesn’t want to be seen as weak by the village.

Explore the impact of the death on Nwoye.

The impact of Ikemefuna’s death is not that Nwoye is upset it’s that we see his rejection of the Igbo
traditions for the first time; foreshadowing his future complete rejection from the village and joining
of the missionaries.

CHAPTER 8

How is Okonkwo dealing with Ikemefuna’s death?

Okonkwo cannot cope with what he has done; so he gets drunk for two days. He is internally weak
and deals with that by just telling himself that he is ‘acting like women’ and needs to get himself
together.

Who does Okonkwo wish was not a girl and why?

Ezinma, as she has the ‘spirit’ he wants a son to have. She orders him about and shows respect for the
cultures traditions. Unlike Nwoye who shows compassion and displays his grief. She does not display
weak emotions and is determined.

How is Okonkwo’s tragic flaw developed in this chapter?

Tragic flaw is that Okonkwo is weak and his desperate need to reject that and be seen as strong is his
downfall. He is a sheep but wants to be seen as a strong leader. He overcompensates his masculinity
and traditional values in order to impress the elders and be seen as far as possible from his father; his
friend calls him out as weak for killing Ikemefuna for no reason other than seemingly to be seen as
strong.

What are Okonkwo’s true feelings for his sons?

He believes that Nwoye is too weak, and although his other sons are ‘promising’ he sees them all as
weak or not as strong as him. He strongly wishes Ezinma was a boy and she is the only child he
actually likes and seems to have strength.

What evidence is provided that Okonkwo rejects change and prefers the traditions of his people?

He looks down on those who do not follow the Igbo culture vigorously, Ogbuefi who was a strong
war leader is looked down on by Okonkwo as he viewed his wife as an equal. He also disvalues other
villages changes in traditions as he views this as weak.
Consider the bride negotiations – why has it been included? What is the mood at this juncture?

Bride prices, cultural difference now. She is seen as valued hence them paying for her. Dowery in
England similar. She is seen as a commodity. The mood is happy because it is seen as a joyful
occasion within the culture.

What is the feeling toward white people at the end of this chapter?

Cultures are very different, they are ignorant. Joke made about how they are lepers because neither
have ever seen a white person. Irony. Don’t see them as a threat and they end up being one.

What does the reader better understand about Okonkwo through Achebe's use of Obierika as a
foil for him?
Describe using evidence from the text.

CHAPTER 9
How does Okonkwo react to Ezinma’s illness? What does this reveal about him?
He instantly gets up and runs towards her. He then, in a rare and uncharacteristic turn, leaves to gather
ingredients for a medicine. This reveals that Okonkwo can feel emotions other than anger and can
show compassion towards people, when he is not going to be judged or potentially seen as weak
(reenforcing the amount he cares about his façade), Achebe shows him changing character to not only
let us see behind his façade but to demonstrate his favouritism towards Ezinma’s.
What do we learn about Ekwefi from the flashbacks included on p. 56-62? About the role of women
and the importance of children in women’s lives?
That nine of her ten children died, and it affected her greatly leading to a bitterness between herself
and others. It also led to her thinking she is a failure because she cannot provide children for
Okonkwo- which shows women’s role is society and what their purpose is.
How is Ekwefi and Ezinma’s relationship unique? How does the author communicate this?
She does not call Ekwefi mother instead she calls her by her name. Her mother obviously values her
highly as she is her only surviving child; this is shown by her secretly giving Ezinma eggs.
What is ogbanje? How has it impacted Ekwefi?
A wicked child that is reborn into the mother’s womb after death to be born again. It impacted Ekwefi
as she had to live in another village away from Okonkwo and after her next child she was not allowed
to mourn or burry it. Instead it had to be mutilated by the doctor.
What is the significance of the lengthy flashback to the iyi-uwa? How does it deepen the idea
expressed in chapter 6 ‘come to stay’?
The flashback provides the reader with insight into the cultural practices of the Igbo. It shows us the
importance of ritual traditions as well as the respect they have for ancestral spirits. Her iyi-uwa shows
her choice to be an ogbanje and when she digs it up her choice to not be one and ‘stay’. This deepens
the belief that it is the child’s choice to stay and not to die.
Find examples of the importance of children to the lives of women in the Igbo culture.
Having children is seen as the women’s’ sole purpose and their reason of value. Having children,
especially a son, is seen as a duty for them in order to please their husbands; therefore when they can’t
fulfil this they feel like a failure.

CHAPTER 10

How does Achebe show women’s subordination to men on p65

When gathering for the trial the women stood on the ‘fringe like outsiders’ and then they are not
allowed inside/near the egwugwu house, with some women even running from it. Furthermore they
have never ‘asked questions’ about why this is a rule showing their subordination.

How is this idea developed on p66

During the trial the woman it is regarding is not permitted inside the egwugwu and is therefore spoken
for by her brother – the defect man who owns her after her husband.

What is the egwugwu house?

Nine people in masks, representing the nine villages, who represent the legal system.
A metaphorical house

What is the significance of the sentences beginning ‘Okonkwo’s wives through to ‘within themselves?
Top page 66

It reveals the fact that the spirits are just elders of the tribe or men with titles and that the Igbo know
this and choose to ignore it in respect of the traditions or because they are afraid of what will happen
if they speak out against the traditional norms.

Summarise the conflict in the first trial

Husband is angry that his wife was taken from him by the family
Brother of wife justifies this by saying that he beat her too much to the point she miscarried
This is seen as unacceptable; brother will allow her to return but if he beats her too much he is to be
castrated
Everyone laughs- trial over

How is the egwugwu similar to a western judge in a court?

Both serve as judges/authority over conflicts/disputes.

Both have a ‘costume’ element- shows that it is a ‘ceremony’
Both are meant to represent an impartial judge
Both keep ‘peace’
How does the following help to develop the author’s message about women in Umuofian society? ‘i
don’t know why such a trifle should come before egwugwu’ p68

They have no value apart from ‘producing’ children and even when in danger it is not seen as a
serious matter. For example the trial, it is not seen as something distressing enough to have a trial and
is instead something the men of her family and her husband should decide between themselves.
Further developing women’s subordination as they have no say and go along with without
questioning.

CHAPTER 11
Describe the setting p70 and mood at the beginning of the chapter
Pathetic fallacy is used to foreshadow the fact that something bad is about to happen. This is done by
describing a dark night- neg connotations.
The oral tradition is an important part of Igbo culture. Track the significance of storytelling and
stories in the first half of Chapter 11.
Significance is shown through how the book is written in an ORAL NARRATIVE.
The Igbo have oral traditions in order to rationalise things they don’t understand or tell their children
morals/ ways to live their lives.
This is similar to the Bible, but for many Gods and many stories.
“A man who makes trouble for others is also making it for himself” p71. How does it relate to
Okonkwo? To the theme?”
It relates to Okonkwo as he has had trouble made for him by others; his father who tarnished his name
and left Okonkwo to fend for himself and make himself into the ‘man he is today’. (Unoka died alone)
It also relates to Okonkwo as he makes the trouble for others which then comes back to him. When he
beats his youngest wife during the week of peace it makes trouble for the wife, and then himself as the
Gods are seen to be angry with him.
In regard to the theme it shows the subordination of women within the Igbo community they don’t
make trouble for themselves or others- they follow the stories/traditions without question
What is the message of the story about the tortoise?
The story’s message is to educate the children in the village not to lie/take advantage of others as it
will come back to them. It shows that actions of consequences.
Describe the change in mood on p73. What causes the mood to shift?
The mood changes from this sense of innocence and comfort to fear and the unknown. This is because
Chielo starts to receive a prophecy and enters Okonkwo’s hut to demand she takes Ezinma to the
sacred caves in order to speak with the God Agbala.
What is the significance of Chielo’s warning to Okonkwo? How does it develop the theme?
Okonkwo being warned by Chielo is another foreshadowing of the bad things coming for Okonkwo,
his exile. The will of the Gods turning against him because he dared to challenge them.
It also develops the theme that cracks are appearing within the culture because of how willing
Okonkwo and Ekwefi are to disobey the Gods- do they really believe that they are real- in order to
save their daughter from what I interpret they believe to be an unjustified ‘kidnapping?’.
What motivates Okonkwo to try and bargain with Chielo? How does Chielo respond to Ekwefi’s offer
to accompany her?
The thing that motivates both Okonkwo and Ekwefi to attempt and bargain with Chielo is the parental
love they have for Ezinma and the instinctual need they both feel to try and protect her from whatever
is going to happen in the caves.
Chielo does not respond well, and she curses out at Ekwefi. Ekwefi is seen by Chielo and other
characters assumingly as unworthy to be in a Gods presence without permission.  Hierarchy of
titles and Gods/spirits within the Igbo community.
What is the possible significance of Chielo referring to Ezinma as “my daughter?”
It shows her possessiveness over Ezinma and makes her seen more demanding/powerful when
commanding Ekwefi to bring out Ezinma.
It also in some way makes her seem more caring towards Ezinma and show the side of her that isn’t
‘possessed’ or a priestess.
What decision does Ekwefi make at the bottom of p75. What is the significance of this decision?
It is an act of complete disobedience towards the Gods that shows how little the members of the
villages potentially believe in the Gods/Spirits and see the traditions as ‘correct’. It presents a crack in
the culture which will then be exploited by the white missionaries.
How does the author continue to develop the mood in these pages?
The mood is developed continuously through the use of negative lexis/ lexis with negative
connotations in order to keep up the creepy foreboding atmosphere.
Does Ekwefi heed Chielo’s warning on p Why or why not?
No she does not. She continues to follow Chielo until they reach the furthest village from the clan
(Umuachi). This is because of her love for Ezinma is so strong- most likely due to the fact she is her
only surviving child.
How does Ekwefi’s decisions in this chapter develop the theme of community?
Ekwefi’s decision to stay with Ezinma and potentially risk her life in order to save her daughter shows
community and the love they have for their own children.
Also her differing view of Chielo as a priestess and a friend shows insight into how the Igbo view
their traditions.
What does Okonkwo’s appearance convey about his character? Consider both what it means for him
as a father and as a member of the community who should follow the wishes of the Oracle.
As a father it shows what he values and is willing to protect. For example his favouritism of Ezinma
due to what he views as her ‘masculine’ attributes. This conveys in some ways the selfishness of his
character and how his is so focused on what others think of him and been seen to be different than his
father.
It also shows his care as a husband for Ekwefi and through him waiting in her place and letting her
sleep. Actual COMPASSION.
As a higher member in the community him not necessarily following the beliefs/traditions/orders of
the village is going to get him a certain reputation and potential lose trust within the community.
Cracks.
What does his presence stir up in Ekwefi? Why?
It stirs up gratitude because Okonkwo is strong and him caring about Ezinma is very important to her.
The fact he is there reminds her of how the choice to marry him was a good one.

CHAPTER 12
When we see the events of the night before (Ezinma’s kidnapping) from Ekwefi’s perspective we see
Okonkwo in a softer light- someone who cares and is compassionate.
From Okonkwo’s perspective we see how worried he is- hasn’t slept at all.
Mood at end of chapter 11 in comparison to the mood at chapter 12. Why might the author choose to
create such contrast?
At the end of 11 the mood is romantic, reflective, and positive (overall calm). However the start of
chapter 12 is very exciting and festive due to the ‘uri’ of Obierika’s daughter.
How does this chapter add to the message about the rich culture and traditions of the Igbo?
The women together cook and serve the community, that shows parts of the Igbo tradition/culture;
just the fact that they are having a massive celebration for a single wedding lets the reader see part of
their culture and what they view as important. Achebe shows the reader this tradition in contrast to
the egwugwu house in order to show positive traditions.
Through Achebe’s oral narrative is used to show insight/illuminate the Igbo culture- the random side-
tracking within other plots.
Everyday life makes it seem ordinary even though to the western readers its seems ‘backwards’

CHAPTER 13

What is the ekwe?

What information does the narrator provide about why the ekwe is sounding? What is the impact of
the narrator revealing the information to the reader slowly, in much the same way Okonkwo and the
villagers received it? Why do you think the author made this choice?
What does the phrase “a shiver ran down Okonkwo’s back” communicate about how he is feeling at
the news of Ezeudu’s death? Why is this his reaction?
Compare Ezeudu with Okonkwo’s father. With Okonkwo. How does Ezeudu’s funeral serve to remind
the reader of Okonkwo’s fears?
Why does Okonkwo have to leave his village so suddenly?
What is the significance of the phrase “nothing like this had ever happened”
What happens to Okonkwo’s possessions? Why?
As Obierika thinks to himself he wonders, “Why should a man suffer so grievously for an offense he
had committed inadvertently?” How does he answer this question for himself? What question seem to
remain for him?
How did Achebe foreshadow Okonkwo’s fate at the beginning of the chapter?
What is the significance of the line “if one finger brought oil, it soiled the others”?
Significance of it being a feminine crime
CHAPTER 14&15

How does Achebe show the value Igbo people place on community in p95
Uchendu does not ask questions about why or what he has done to come back to his motherland.
Instead he waits for Okonkwo to tell him; shows dignity and respect for Okonkwo
When Okonkwo does tell him there is no judgement and his family on the mothers side gives him
land and yams.
This sense goes beyond familial relations as in chapter 15 Obierika brings the cowries he earned from
selling Okonkwo’s yams.

What is the significance of the setting as described on p96 What might it represent?
The significance of the setting being the first rain is that is represents a spiritual cleansing and a fresh
start for Okonkwo.
It also shows the spiritual beliefs of the Igbo and their Gods being in nature.

What is Okonkwo’s mood in this chapter? Why? How does this relate to his fear of being
weak/feminine?
His mood is down, he ‘had yielded to despair’.
He has lost his façade and is showing his inner mental weakness. He cannot recover from losing all
the status he built up in Umofia.
He has lost all things that he believes to be masculine about himself and is now in his mind closest to
his idea of being weak/feminine- which he already is because of his mental defeat.

How does Uchendu respond to Okonkwo’s mood?

Tells him to get a grip and be grateful and usefully to his advantage the help and support his mothers
family have given Okonkwo otherwise he is disrespecting the clan.

What does Uchendu want Okonkwo to understand on p97-99? What is his most likely purpose for
having this conversation with his entire family, and not just Okonkwo?
Everyone is there because Uchendu wants everyone to hear this lesson.
Achebe wants to show the importance of oral tradition and how knowledge is passed down in the
Igbo.
Lesson is to accept help when given.

Okonkwo’s self-pity in the chapters represents an affront to the Igbo value of community. Agree or
disagree?
Agree it is seen as disrespectful to not accept or seem grateful for help.

What kind of mood is created when Okonkwo asks his wife to send the children to play on p100?
Who do we know the white men are? What do the characters know about the white men at this point?
(dramatic irony)
A serious atmosphere/suggests that there are some things not for children to know.
Missionaries and soldiers
They know very little and are naïve of the aims of the white men, they at first think they are albinos.
They know very little and are ignorant to what is about to happen.

What happened in Abame according to Obierika?

One white man- he was killed without saying anything they could understand
They tied his bike to a tree and called it an ‘iron horse’
Then more white men appeared and massacred everyone in the market.

What is Okonkwo’s response to this occurrence? What makes his reaction ironic?
He calls the Abame fools and blames them for the massacre, he believes that should have listened to
the Oracle and defended themselves against the white men.
This is ironic because Okonkwo has previously disobeyed an Oracle and is known to resort to
violence in situations where it is not necessary.

What is Uchendu’s reaction based on his story? Compare the two reactions and what they reveal
about Okonkwo?

Uchendu is being1 intelligent and saying that since they killed the first white men, they knew nothing
of what the white men wanted. They became unpredictable and hence they did not know to defend
themselves.
He says they should fear the white men and not underestimate them

What differences do we learn about between Uchendu’s generation and Okonkwo and Obierika’s
generation of Igbo in Chapter 15? Why might Achebe have included this description in the novel?

This shows how change is inevitable and that regardless of whether the white men got involved and
forced change on the Igbo it would have been different. This is shown through the cracks we are
shown in the culture- through Nwoye’s questioning.

CHAPTER 16&17

What have the characters now learned is the white men’s primary purpose for being in the nine Igbo
villages? What are efulefu, and why do the villagers take comfort take comforts that the converts are
efulefu?

Efulefu are empty men that do not hold their spiritual beliefs strongly.
they have learnt that the focus of the white men is to spread the word of their God
The villagers are thankful, they can disregard the threat on their culture if only the ‘scum’ of the
village is converted.

What do we learn about Nwoye? Why is it significant that we learn this soon after learning about the
efulefu?

He has become a convert- and adversely an efulefu

How is the tone towards the missionaries different on p_? What specific diction/examples convey this
shift in tone?

Okonkwo and the rest of the village are laughing at the missionary
They are trying to undermine the message of the missionary
The question about the wife and son of God
Also scared of what has happened previously
The imagery on p_ (“he felt a relief…the panting earth.”) conveys what about Nwoye?

His spiritual beliefs and how he is being converted as foreshadowed by Achebe through previous
events.
He has doubt for the Igbo faith and relates Christianity

What does the missionaries’ assumption that the Igbo have a ‘king’ convey?

Ignorance to how other cultures work. They assume the ‘tribes’ will have a leader
But the Igbo don’t as they have a set of elders
Makes it harder for them to influence and take control over multiple people instead of just 1 leader.

Why are the villagers astounded at the missionaries’ reaction to the land they are given? What
diction does the author use on p109 to covey the villagers’ view of/tone toward the missionaries?

They are so ingrained/have complete faith in their faith at this point.

They laugh and think the missionaries are so stupid because they are taking the cursed land gratefully
The two sets of beliefs are totally opposed; both adamant in what they think will happen in the forest
Both dismissive of each other’s faith

What diction does the author use to describe the villages’ view of/tone towards the missionaries in
chapter 17?

They think they are stupid and are going to die in the forest

Who is Mr. Kiaga?

He is a preacher of the Christian faith

In charge of the Church in that village

How does Okonkwo’s feeling towards the missionaries change once he hears about Nwoye’s
involvement?

At first, he wants to kill the missionaries

His first reaction is violence (yet again)
He is angry at them

How does this impact his feelings about Nwoye? What particularly diction does the author use to
convey Okonkwo’s thoughts and feelings?

He neutralises his responsibility of Nwoye’s abandonment of the faith

First, he blames the chi and then tries to say that he isn’t his son
Fire makes ash
What was Okonkwo’s nickname? What does Okonkwo see this nickname representing?
How could the symbolism of fire/flame be interpreted differently?
What does this final line (“Living fire begets cold, impotent ash”) reveal that Okonkwo is realising?

‘Roaring Flame’ – metaphor strong at once

But once Okonkwo’s gone nothing will be left (as Nwoye has left)
Legacy has not been carried on ‘impotent ash’
His life is pointless regardless of how he lived his life and undid his fathers mistakes
Fire easily extinguished

What damage have Okonkwo’s “fiery” and hyper masculine characteristic already wrought in his
life? Trace back through this chapter and before.

Breaking traditions/sacred beliefs

Beating his wife in the week of peace
Bad harvest
Ignoring Chielo and the Gods
Exile
Losing Nwoye after pushing him away (final straw after the death of twins and Ikemefuna)

CHAPTER 18&19

Who are the osu and what crisis does their presence cause in the new church? Explain.

The osu are outcasts rejected by the Igbo

The Christians accept them if they shave their heads
Public demonstration of rejection of Igbo culture/traditions
Symbolises how one culture removes another
Through the inside

Describe the conflict between the church and the villagers over the python. What larger conflict does
this incident mirror? How does it help to develop the theme of colonialism ad culture?

Python is sacred
Rumour that one of the osu has killed a python, Okonkwo suggests that they run them out of the
village and kill them
Elders didn’t want to do this and instead ignore them in favour letting the Gods choose.
The preacher goes to negotiate but the man who killed the python dies first
Igbo are now happy as their Gods have sorted it out
Colonialism working its way through as the Igbo make excuses to avoid fighting

How does Okonkwo’s response to the incident differ from that some of the elders of Mbanta? What
does he advocate for? What do they?

Okonkwo’s response is one to resort to violence

He thinks that Mbanta is a ‘female’ village
The elders do not want to be violent as of what happened previously where the soldiers came and
massacred.
Okonkwo has been overruled and his masculinity chipped away
He is becoming ‘impotent ash’
How does this conflict add to Achebe’s development of Okonkwo’s fatal flaw?
What further evidence of Okonkwo’s fatal flaw does Achebe provide on p118?

Hyper masculinity
He cannot get past his physical strength/conquering through violence mindset

Who is Mr. Brown?

Chief missionary

On p118, what convinces the clan that they made the right decision not to attack the Christians?

The osu who kills the python dies

Gods are now happy: problem sorted

What is Achebe’s most likely purpose in including the lengthy descriptions of the preparations and of
the feast?

End of his exile – he did not enjoy living there and thought they were wasteful
Hated on Mbanta and thinks Umofia is full of warriors and violent men
Tension building up to him returning to Umofia
He thinks that if he stayed, he would have risen to the top

What does the proverb “A child cannot pay for it’s mother’s milk” covey in this context

Unconditional love
You can’t ever pay back your mother for all the maternal love given
Always in debt
See the man Okonkwo could have been

What praise does one of the elders offer Okonkwo at the bottom of p_? What fear does he share?

Okonkwo is about to leave

He wants to say thanks, but he also wants to tell them to come together against the Christians
He is praised by an elder for that
The fear is that Christianity will take over as they are not stronger/as one

How do the descriptions at the beginning and end of the chapter work together to develop the theme
of community? Of culture and colonisation?
CHAPTER 20

If section 1 of the novel gave us an initial characterisation of Okonkwo and an introduction to the
rich culture of the Igbo, what did section 2 give us?

Section 2 is the second stage of his life, and it shows his ‘other side’
We see life in Mbanta as compassionate, the unconditional love, and wedding traditions
Okonkwo is, in the beginning, being reminded that he should not see this exile as bad but a
welcoming to his other home
Towards the middle of section 2 the missionaries come in and we see their perspective of our culture
We are more sympathetic because of what we have read about their culture in section 1
He writes section 1 to make us more aware of what was destroyed by colonialisation

What are Okonkwo's goals for himself when he returns? Why?

He wants to be the leader of the village.

Rebuild his compound bigger, marry two more women, and initiate his sons in the ozo society
He thinks that because he threw the cat and has had success in farming yams he can easily rise up.

At the bottom of p_, Okonkwo repeats his regret that Ezinma is not a boy. What reasons does he give?
Because she is not a boy, what promise does he ask her to make? Why?

He thinks that if Ezinma, and her half-sister, are married off to men in Umofia he will gain more
status. (Manipulative)
They are really beautiful; She agrees because she loves her dad
Ezinma replaces Nwoye in Okonkwo’s eyes/heart
He is doing that though because he has no other option since Nwoye has gone.
This shows Okonkwo’s character as shallow, insecure, selfish, manipulative, and an awful parent

What is the villagers’ tone towards the white men’s court? (mocking, but also ironic) What evidence
establishes this tone?

They don’t agree with the white man’s court as they don’t apply the traditions that they Igbos uphold.
They mock it and think it’s stupid but still comply with it as the white men use violence to uphold it.

What is Achebe's tone in this chapter? Why?

Achebe had two viewpoints as an omniscient narrator:

Okonkwo’s thoughts and what he believes is going to happen once he returns
And then the situation away from Okonkwo’s (characters) pov
This is done to show the reader what is really happening- Dramatic Irony and Okonkwo’s delusion
While Achebe is normally neutral, he sometimes is shown to

How does this tone help convey Achebe’s larger message about colonialism and culture?

He’s telling you it’s inevitable and is making you aware of what happened
Showing how they didn’t deal with the white men well
The book is showing how cultures are eradicated and asking the reader to make their own decision

Obierika says it is too late to drive out the white men. What reasons does he give?

Infiltrated the culture too far; now key people with titles have joined the white men
Too many converts to drive them out, its engrained
CHAPTER 21

In chapter 20, the reader learns about Okonkwo’s grand hopes for his return to Umuofia. As you read
chapter 21, trace how the author depicts his return and compare it with his plans.

AG

How do most villagers seem to feel about Mr. Brown and the missionaries in general? Why?

They seem to respect him because he tells the other missionaries to leave the clan alone.
He also goes and talks to one of the most respected people and talks peacefully and respectfully.
He ‘treads respectfully’ on the Igbo culture.
You could also see him as being manipulative as he is so peaceful.

Why do people start sending their children to Mr. Brown’s school? What are their hopes?

They initially send their slaves and lazy children to school however more follow – because education
brings power and money.
Education brings positives but also radicalization into Christianity.
Those who aren’t accepted by the Igbo move towards Christianity where they are accepted

The words “falling apart” appear on p__. To what is the author referring to here? How does this
allusion to the title/poem help strengthen Achebe’s message?

Their beliefs, culture, traditions, and society are falling apart because of the divide created by
Christianity

CHAPTER 22-24

How does Achebe show the reader that Mr. Brown and Mr. Smith had very different approaches to
being missionaries? Track their differences.

What does the proverb on p135 (“As a man danced so the drums were beaten for him.”) mean? What
does it reveal about Mr. Smith and his relationship with the village?

What is the impact of Mr. Smith’s approach?

Who is Enoch, and what does his character do that propels the plot toward the conflict?

In Chapter 21, it had seemed that many villagers were willing to accept the missionaries. What has
changed? Describe the conflict on p137-139. Many would describe this as the climax of the novel.
Why? What themes do we see developed in this particular conflict?
Why is Okonkwo feeling something “akin to happiness” on p140?

Mr. Smith is a mirror to Okonkwo; they both want to control Umofia through violence
He is happy because Umofia has finally listened to him and respected him for the first time in over 7
years.
Umofia has finally done something about the Christians and Okonkwo is reminiscing from when he
was powerful
Shallow

On p140 Achebe lets the reader know that the villagers did not notice or did not think important some
of the things that white men were doing. What mood do these phrases help to build? Why?

What does the District Commissioner say he is inviting the men to do? What happens instead?

Six leaders invited to a meeting. They come unarmed and are then arrested.
He tells them that now they are under English law and are going to be tried for their crimes against the
Queen (burning the church down)

How does Achebe use the characters of the court messengers to further develop the theme of culture
and colonialism?

They do not show respect for the Elders or the Igbo cultures
They shave their heads, beat them, don’t feed them, and makes them piss where they stand.
Erase their culture/disrespect it.

Explain how Okonkwo’s mood has changed from the beginning of chapter 23 to 24. Why?

Okonkwo is furious that they have bought his freedom instead of fighting for his freedom and not
starting a war.
He thinks they are all cowards and women.
They have a meeting to discuss what they going to do about the white men
This is broken up and declared illegal. Okonkwo chops off the head of the white men.
He then realises that he is done for and that his village is not behind him
He has brought down Umofia as they won’t forgive this murder

Where is Obierika? What is Ezinma’s assumption about where he is?