Things Fall Apart

How does the case brought before the egwugwu parallel to Okonkwo's life?

Okonkwo also beats his wives almost to death.

Unoka

Okonkwo's father

Who is responsible for the major preporations for the feast for the feast of the new yam? What does this tell the reader about Ibo culture?

The women are responsible, which tells the reader that they are the ones who cook, clean, and do all the other household chores (housewives)

Why does Achebe end this chapter by relating the relationship between Ikemfuna and Nwoye?

To show that Ikemefuna and Nwoye are very close

What has Okonkwo done that is admirable? What has he done that is not admirable?

Admirable -Several titles depite father's failure -Defeated Amalize the Cat -3 wives -Large crop of yams -Takes care of family financially Non-admirable -Beats wife during week of peace -Killed at least 5 people -Bad temper

What "medicine" makes the Umuofia powerful? Why is the medicine more powerful than guns or bombs? How does it actually work? Explain it.

Agadi-nway. It was more powerful than guns or bombs since it was as old as the clan. "The active principle in that medicine had been the old woman with one leg."

Explain this proverb: Let the kite perch and let the eagle perch too. If one says no to the other let his wing break.

Allow the kite and eagle to rest. If one does the same or tries to hold the other back, they can suffer. Okonkwo is afraid that if he remains a failure like his father, he will suffer the same fate.

What does Nwakibie mean when he says, "You will have what is good for you and I will have what is good for me. Let the kite perch and let the eagle perch too. If one says no to the other, let his wing break"?

Nwakibie means that he and Okonkwo are both entitled to live well. If he denies Okonkwo's attempt of prosperity, he should suffer.

What does Obierka believe about Okonkwo's decision to help carry out Ikemefuna's death? What might this foreshadow?

Obierka believes Okonkwo made a bad decision to help carry out Ikemefuna's death and that he should have stayed home. He also says that the Earth godess wipes out familes for doing what Okonkwo did. It foreshadows that Okonkwo and his whole famiy will be punished.

How is Okonkwo different than his father? Cite his positive and negative qualities.

Okonkwo is wealthy, has accomplishments, and is aggressive. Unoka was in debt, unsuccessful, and a coward. He enjoyed music but could not look at blood. "[Okonkwo] had no patience with his father."

Why does Nwakibie agree to let Okonkwo use his yams for sharecropping?

Okonkwo proved that he was going to use the seeds wisely, and he admired Okonkwo's hard-working nature. "But I can trust you. I know it as I look at you," (Achebe 22).

Why does Okonkwo resent having to take care of his mother and sisters?

Okonkwo resents having to take care of his mothers and sisters because it means that he will be taking care of his father. "And supporting his mother also meant supporting his father," (Achebe 22).

Ikemefuna

Okonkwo's adopted son, raised by his first wife

Obierika

Okonkwo's best friend

Obiajeli

Okonkwo's daughter by his first wife

Comment on Okonkwo's decision to participate in the sacrifice (execution?) of Ikemefuna. What kind of man has Okonkwo, driven by a profound fear of weakness, become?

Okonkwo's decision to participate in the sacrifice of Ikemefuna shows that he will do anything to appear masculine and strong. He has become selfish and insecure.

When Okonkwo's father visits the oracle, what does he learn?

Okonkwo's father learns that his bad harvests have nothing to do with angering the gods but because he is weak and lazy. "And when a man is at peace with the gods and his ancestors, his harvest will be good or bad according to the strength of his arm," (Achebe 17).

Mbanta

Okonkwo's motherland

Ekwiefi

Okonkwo's second wife, mother of Ezinma (her only daughter)

Nwoye

Okonkwo's son by his first wife

Enoch

Christian convert

Ezinma

Ekwefi's only daughter

Women are lower in status in Ibo culture. WHat traits or possession would depict a prominent Ibo wife?

-Beauty -Family wife -First wife has more power than other wife -Number of children -Only one husband -Expacted to farm crops, cook for husbands, and be hard working

What is a chi? How is it important in the story?

A chi is a personal god. It is important because evil fortune followed Unoka to the grave. "Unoka was a ill-fated man," (Achebe 18).

What is an ogbanje and how does it relate to Ezinma's illness?

A child who repediately dies and returns to its mother to be reborn. Ezinma is an ogbanje, so she is constantly at risk of death.

Mr. Smith

A hard-hearted Christian missionary

Mr. Brown

A kind Christian missionary

Define ogene.

A musical instrument, a type of gong

Reread the first part of this chapter and the last paragraph before the break. Why does Achebe begin and end this section with the same information? What is he repeating?

Achebe begins and ends this section stating that Okonkwo "did not have the start in life which many young had." He repeats this the show that he is capable of changing his chi even if Unoka chose not to do so. "But in spite of these disadvantages, he had begun even in his father's lifetime to lay the foundations of a prosperous future," (Achebe 18).

What type of imagery does Achebe use to describe Ekwefi's reaction to hearing her daughter's name? Find similar language in the chapter that parallels this.

Achebe uses the simile, "Ekwefi jerked her head sharply like an animal that had sniffed death in the air." Similar language to this is, "her voice was as clear as metal."

Explain the disconnect between the chapters. Why would Achebe choose to do this?

Achebe waits a chapter before letting the reader know if Ezinma is dead or alive. He chose to do this to bring suspense.

What suggestions is there that Okonkwo will evolve into a tragic hero?

As Okonkwo gains success, he becomes less humble

Describe Ikemefuna. How does he fit into the family structure?

At his arrival, he is distraught but eventually becomes part of the family. One of Okonkwo's wives calls his son, he gets along with Nwoye, and Okonkwo likes him.

How is Okonkwo different from his father in matters of war? How fierce is Okonkwo? Some would say he is "savage." How so? What shocking things has he done?

His father doesn't like violence, but he does. "Unlike his father, he could stand the look of blood." He was fierce and known as a "savage" because "he was a man of action, a man of war." He's brought back 5 heads from was and drinks wine from them.

What bodies are allowed to be buried in the groud? Why would someone need to be put in the forest instead?

Buried -Natural Causes Evil Forest -Abdominating death -Dishonorable

What effect does Achebe achieve with his repetition of the phrase "they came" in the second paragraph?

By repeating the phrase "they came" in the second paragraph, Achebe generates the effect that the people often came to the Oracles to solve many of their issues. "People came from far and near to consult it," (Achebe 16).

Express your opinion as to why children are so easily sacrificed in Ibo culture. Consider the twins, Ikemefuna, etc. What larger forces are being satisfied with their killing?

Children are so easily sacrificed because are more naive and valued less than adults. The gods are the larger forces being satisfied with their killing.

What is significant about Okonkwo breaking the peace during the Week of Peace? WHat does this action indicate about Okonkwo?

During the week of peace Okonkwo beats his thrid wife. This indicate that Okonkwo had a quick temper.

How is Nwoye seen by his father earlier in the novel? How has he changed since Ikemefuna came into his life, and how has that changed the relationship Nwoye has with his father?

Earlier in the novel, Nwoye is seen by his father as a feminine boy who would rather spend time with his mother. He has become more grown-up since Ikemefuna arrived, and his father stopped beating him and started treating him like a man. "...they no longer spent the evenings in his mother's hut while she cooked, but now sat with Okonkwo in his obi, or watched him as he tapped his palm tree for the evening wine. Nothing pleased Nwoye now more than to be sent for by his mother or another of his father's wives to do one of those difficult and masculine tasks in the home, like splitting wood, or pounding food," (Achebe 52).

Why is the old man's rebuke significant?

Even though the old man told Okonkwo to remain humble, he continued to believe that his success did not come from the gods and that being humble shows weakness.

Achebe begins chapter 5 by describing the feast of the new yam. What does the reader learn about Umuofian culture through this description

Even though the women are lower in society than men, they still play an important role in its religion. In addition, yams are important since they are the tribe's main crop.

What seems to be the purpose of the Kola nut ceremony? Why might it be an honor to be the first to break it?

For social events. It is an honor to be the first to break it since it is a symbol of respect. "He who brings the Kola brings life."

What must a man do to show that he is indeed a man?

In order to indeed be a man, a man must grumble at women. "No matter how prosperous a man was, if he was unable to rule his women and children (and especially his women) he was not really a man," (Achebe 53).

What are we told about Ikemefuna's character?

He brings the art of story telling to the people

How does Okonkwo respond to his son? WHat verb does Achebe use to suggest that Okonkwo's perception of his so is not necessarily accurate?

He calls him lazy. He uses the word thought to suggest his inaccurate perception. THought might mean that others do not believe Nwoye is lazy.

How does Okonkwo's helplessness manifest itself?

He could not handle watching Okagbue dig to find the iyi-uwa without doing anything, so he decided to help him.

By the end of chapter 1, how do we see that Okonkwo has not only become more powerful than Okoye, he had also become "one of the greatest men of his time"? List his achievements.

He has more yams with the same amount of wives. "He was a wealthy farmer and had two barns full of yams, and had just married his third wife."

Twenty years later, is Okonkwo still seen in the same way? Describe him, using evidence from the text.

He is seen the same way. "Okonkwo's fame had grown like a bush-fire in the harmattan."

How is Okonkwo seen as a brave, fierce, and heroic young man as chapter 1 opens?

He is very well known and has personal achievements. "As a young man of eighteen had brought honor to his village by throwing Amalinze the Cat."

What does it mean, Okonkwo "clearly washed his hands"? Metaphorically speaking, what or whom has he washed his hands of?

He is washing his hands from failure (and from his father). Even though he is young, he is wise and equal to an elder because of his accomplishments. "Okonkwo had clearly washed his hands and so he ate with kings and elders."

Though powerful, how is Okonkwo a very insecure, fearful man, and in what way does he try to hide or make up for those fears and insecurities? Who is most affected?

He was afraid of being like his father. "But his whole life was now dominated by fear, the fear of failure and weakness." He hid these qualities by being violent and cruel. His family, especially his son, Nwoye, was most affected.

How is Unoka, Okonkwo's father, different than his son? Describe the father's positive and negative traits.

He was unsuccessful. "In his day he was lazy and improvident and was quite imcapable of thinking about tomorrow."

Explain this proverb: "If a child washes his hands he could eat with kings"

If you get rid of your troubles and negative past/baggage, you will have the potential to be equal to a king or higher class people.

Who is Ikemefuna and what has his father done? What does Ikemefuna's fate (as well as the actions of his father) tell us about the importance of children in Ibo culture? Explain.

Ikemefuna is the young man taken from the Mbaino clan. His father murdered a daughter of Umuofia. Children are not valued of importance in the Ibo culture, for Ikemefuna's fate was out of his control. "He had been taken out and handed to a stranger."

Mbiano

Ikenefuna's home village

Why might it be unusual that a woman is the one who serves and can see Agbala?

It is unusual that a woman is the one who serves and can see Agbala since women are usually considered below men in society.

What is the village of Mbaino being accused of and what, instead of war, are they being asked to provide in return? In other words, explain what the offering of a young man and a virgin actually means. Is it a fair tradeoff? Explain your opinion.

Killing a daughter of Umuofia. The offering of the young man was to go to the clan, and the virgin was to "go to Ogbuefi Udo to replace his murdered wife."

Abame

Local village that is destroyed

Who is Nwakibie? How does the reader know that he is successful?

Nwakibie is the man Okonkwo goes to in order to get seed yams. The reader knows he is successful since he has many barns, wives, children, and accomplishments.

Okonkwo

Main character, husband of 3 wives, father of 8 children

Explain this proverb: "Our elders say that the sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel under them"

More respected adults say that oppurtunity will come to those who work hard and not beggers. (Unoka will not get the titles and oppurtunities because he did not pay his debts)

What stories does Okonkwo tell the boys in order to teach them what it means to be a man? Contrast the father's stories with the mothers. How are they different and how do they serve different purposes?

Okonkwo's stories show masculinity and violence. However, Nwoye's mother tells stories that discourage greed and deception. Both of their stories teach the appropriate and acceptable ways to behave in their society. Nwoye misses his mother's stories while listening to his father's stories in his hut.

Ojiugo

Okonkwo's third wife

Uchendu

Okonkwo's uncle on his mother's side

Umuofia

Okonkwo's village

What does it mean that on moonlit nights "those not so young would be playing in pairs in less open places" (10)? Then explain the proverb about a moonlit night. What are the multiple meanings?

Old people play to remember their youth. The proverb means that it is safer when the moon is out. Even the old people would be comfortable going outdoors.

Why does Okonkwo become angry before the new yam fastival? Was his anger directed in the right place? Why or why not?

One of his wives used a part of the banana tree so he beat her. The anger was not directed in the right place since he is actually angry because he cannot work.

Why must people crawl when visiting Agbala?

People must crawl when visiting Agbala because they had to go through a hole. "Worshippers and those who came to seek knowledge from the god crawled on their belly through the hole..." (Achebe 16).

Chielo

Priestess of Agbala

Explain this proverb: "Proverbs are the palm/oil with which words are eaten"

Proverbs like palm oil are important when in the Ibo society. Palm oit is used for cooking as well as for fuel. Similary, proverbs serve to inform and import wisdom

Why does Chielo visit Okonkwo and Ekwefi?

She wanted to see Ezinma

Looking at Okoye for your answer, what is the measure of success and power in Ibo society? Describe several qualities about him that tell us he is important and respected.

The amount of yams, wives, and accomplishments you have. "[Okoye] had a large barn full of yams and three wives."

How does this chapter establish that things are challenging within the village?

The chapter established that things are changing when Okonkwo states that be does not think he can trust the new generation.

How does the story of the tortoise and the birds relate to colonism?

The colonists did not think of the people they were affecting like how the tortoise did not think of the birds when he was eating all of their food.

Read the following lines: "It was clear from the way the crowd stood or sat that the ceremony was for men. There were many women, but they looked on from the fringe like outsiders." What does this excerpt suggest about the role of women? What is significant about the placement of this passage relative to what has come immediately before, and what will come immediately after?

The excerpt suggests that women do not have a voice. The significance of its placement is that it involves men protecting a women but is between two chapters involving strong women.

Explain the irony of the trial in this chapter. Is justice served in the egwugwu's judgement?

The irony of the trial is that Uzowulu acuses his brothers-in-law even though he is the one found guilty. Justice is not served because Mgbafo (his wife) will still be returned to Uzowulu

Explain this proverb: "When the moon is shining, the cripple becomes hungry for a walk"

The moon is magical. The impossible becomes possible with the moon.

The text mentions the chi again as it relates to Okonkwo's success. How strong of a determiner is the chi assumed to be?

The text mentions that when a man says yes, his chi says yes also. Okonkwo says yes strongly, so his chi says yes strongly too.

How does the Ibo tribe show itself to be superstitious? Cite two examples from chapter 2 that reveal their superstitions.

The text states, "children were warned not to whistle at night for fear of evil spirits," and "a snake was never called by its name at night, because it would hear."

What theme is advanced by the following passage? "When did you become a shivering old woman," Okonkwo asked himself, "you, who are known in all nine villages for your valor in war? How can a man who has killed five men in battle fall to pieces because he has added a boy to their number? Okonkwo, you have become a woman indeed."

The theme advanced is Okonkwo's inappropriate pride and fear of weakness.

Achebe spends some time developing the story of Ozoemena and Ndulue. What is the purpose of this story? What does it illustrate about the differences in the way of thinking between Okonkwo and Obierka, but also about the village as a whole?

The purpose of the story is to show that the tribes have different customs. It illustrates that Obierka believed Ozoemena and Ndulue's relationship was positive but Okonkwo thinks he was weak since he relied on his wife. Additionally, the village does not believe the same things as Okonkwo.

How does the reader know that Okonkwo is worried, not only about the future of his family, but also the future of his village?

The reader knows Okonkwo is worried that he does not have a son strong enough to take over. Also the next generation is not strong enough.

In this chapter, what does the reader determine about the customs of the Ibo and the neighboring clans? How might this be important in the story?

The reader learned that the Ibo and other clans have different customs. This may foreshadow difficulties between the clans in the future.

What does the reader learn about Okonkwo from the following: "Okonkwo did not taste any food for two days after the death of Ikemefuna. He drank palm wine from morning till night, and his eyes were red and fierce like the eyes of a rat when it was caught by the tail and dashed against the floor."

The reader learns that Okonkwo feels uneasy and feels guilty about killing Ikemefuna. He is drinking his feelings.

Explain the sarcasm in the paragraph about the unearned success of the farmers who delayed planting their yams.

The sarcasm in the paragraph about the unearned success of the farmers is that the Ibo people believe in hard work but the procrastination of the lazy farmers paid off. Even though their delay in planting showed laziness, the success of their crops was pure luck. "That year the harvest was bad...and many farmers wept as they dug up the miserable and rotting yams," (Achebe 24).

This chapter focuses on Ibo folklore. Summarize the story of the tortoise and the birds and explain what it suggests about the custom and traditions. How might this story relate to Okonkwo?

The story is about how the tortoise maniputlates the birds in order to have a meal in heaven. It suggests that the people do not get rewarded by trying to trick others. This relates to Okonkwo because his inability to be humble will lead to his downfall.

What is Ekwefi's favorite part of the festival? Why?

The wrestling match because it is where she first fell in love with Okonkwo.

How could the following statementfunction as foreshadowing in the novel? "Okonkwo was not a man of thought but of action."

This foreshadows that Okonkwo will make a careless action that will have consequences. His temper will be his downfall.

Again Okonkwo mentions that Ezinma should have been a boy. Why is it important that he mentions this at this point in the story?

This is important because it shows that he misses having Ikemefuna as a son. The potential he sees in his kids he sees in Ezinma. She would have been the son he always wanted.

What is the meaning of the following: "...an old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a proverb"? How does this relate to Okonkwo?

This proverb means that when negative aspects of someone mentioned, he or she will feel uncomfortable. This relates to Okonkwo because he is self-conscious of his father's had reputation, so he cannot laugh along when another's father's reputation is brought up. "Everybody laughed heartily except Okonkwo, who laughed uneasy," (Achebe 21).

How was Okonkwo able to achieve such a high rank within the tribe when his father died a pennyless man? How is this different from colonial era European culture?

Through personal achievements He gain his wealth from hard work and not his family

Often, the setting is not just "where the story happens," but a geographical, historical , social, economic, or philosophical setting. Achebe begins chapter 11 with a description of the night. The reader learns earlier in the novel the significance the night has for people. What purpose does the setting serve at the beginning of this chapter?

To display Ekwefi's struggle to follow Chielo through the forest.

Why does the text return to the story of Ikemefuna after spending time discussing the traditions with the harvest?

To display Okonkwo's personality and how he does not show emotion. It provides the reader with the question: how will Okonkwo react to a boy who is not his son?

For what reason does Achebe repeat the word beautiful when describing the way women decorate their bodies and cut their children's hair into patterns?

To display that the Ibo women are not savages.

Okonkwo is a tragic hero and all tragic heros have a tragic flaw. What is a tragic flaw? What is Okonkwo's tragic flaw?

Tragic Flaw- what will lead to someone's death Okonkwo's tragic flaw- masculanity, hatred for father, bad temper

Why is Unoka left to die in the Evil Forest?

Unoka is left to die in the Evil Forest because the swelling in his stomach is a disgrace to the earth goddess. "When a man was afflicted with swelling in the stomach and the limbs he was...carried to the Evil Forest and left there to die," (Achebe 18).

To further highlight the negative symbol of the locust, what terrible decision is made following their arrival?

Upon the locust's arrival, the people do not do anything to get rid of them since the harvest is over, and there is enough crops for the people to eat. They instead decide to eat them.

The locust are an insect that devour and destroy all crops and vegetation, and in most parts of the world they are feared and loathed. In this way the locust can be seen as a symbol as well. At this stage in the story the Europeans have yet to arrive, yet the symbolic appearance of the locust hints that their presence may be near. Based on what we know of the typical behaviors of the locust, what can we expect to see from the European settlers?

We can expect that the European settlers will invade the tribe and colonize them, ruining their lifestyle.

How are the white people introduced in this chapter? What is the tone of chapter at the time they are introduced?

White people are introduced as people they know of but are not found of. The tone is silly because the men are joking and laughing at them.

Define proverb

a breif, simple and popular saying, or a phrase that gives advice and effectively embodies a commonplace truth based on practical experience or common sense.