Things Fall Apart Response Questions
Only complete sentences will be accepted. Begin each answer by referring directly to the question being
asked. Then, I do not accept fragmented sentences or sentences without clear subjects. Always use a noun
before using a pronoun so I know exactly what the pronoun refers to. In other words, do not begin a
sentence with “he” or “she” or “it.” Use the noun first (i.e. Okonkwo, the Ibo people, the Kola nut
ceremony, etc). Only then can you refer back to the noun with he, she, or it. Likewise, for each new
person or thing you refer to in your answer you must use the original noun before using the pronoun.
Finally, always explain your answers. Without an explanation your answer will make no sense and
will therefore be wrong. Follow these rules in every paper throughout the rest of the year.
Chapter 1 RQS
1. How is Okonkwo seen as a brave, fierce, and heroic young man as chapter 1 opens?
2. Twenty years later, is Okonkwo still seen in the same way? Describe him, using evidence from the text.
3. How is Unoka, Okonkwo’s father, different than his son? Describe the father’s positive and negative traits.
4. What seems to be the purpose of the Kola nut ceremony? Why might it be an honor to be the first to break
it?
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. What does it mean, Okonkwo “clearly washed his hands”? Metaphorically speaking, what or
whom has he washed his hands of?
8. How is Okonkwo different than his father? Cite his positive and negative qualities.
Chapter 2 RQS
1. Refer to the glossary at the back of the book, then describe what an ogene is.
2. How does the Ibo tribe show itself to be superstitious? Cite two examples from chapter 2 that reveal their
superstitions.
3. 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?
4. 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?
5. 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.
6. What “medicine” makes the Umuofia powerful? Why is the medicine more powerful than guns or bombs?
How does it actually work? Explain it.
7. 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?
8. 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.