Chapter
Chapter Summary
Chapter 1
At eighteen years of age, Okonkwo wins public recognition as the
strongest wrestler in nine villages, by defeating ‘Amalinze the Cat’ who
had been unbeaten for the last seven years. Okonkwo's fame
continues to grow over the next decade, he marries several wives and
has children. However, Okonkwo lacks patience and is easily drawn
into aggression, preferring to use his sts instead of words. He grows
ever more impatient with unsuccessful men like his father.
Unoka (Okonkwo’s father), has died ten years earlier, and was known
for his laziness and irresponsible nature, owing all his neighbours
money. Unoka had loved music, typically playing the ute with the
other village musicians after harvest. He had lived a stress-free
existence as a young man, traveling to different markets to play his
music and feast freely. His hedonistic life was not seen favorably by
the community. Unoka had been seen as a failure, with his wife and
children having barely enough food to eat. Even though he had been
regarded untrustworthy, Unoka had succeeded in borrowing more and
more money and piling up his debts.
The narrator recounts a day when Unoka’s neighbor Okoye visited,
bringing a goatskin to sit on. Unoka produced a kola nut for his guest.
Then Unoka and Okoye argued about who should break the nut, and
then talk about health, harvest, and war. The last subject of war
makes Unoka uncomfortable, so he changes the subject to music.
Okoye confesses to the point of his visit: he has come to collect
Unoka's debt of 200 cowries. Okoye approaches the subject in
lengthy proverbs and wordy ways, when Unoka nally comes to
understand, he bursts out laughing. Unoka points to a set of chalk
lines on his wall - a record of all his debts. He tells Okoye that he will
pay his big debts rst. Okoye rolls up his goatskin and leaves.
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When Unoka passed away, he held no titles and was still heavily in
debt. Okonkwo is ashamed of his father’s legacy, but combats this by
winning fame as a champion wrestler in the nine villages, and gains
further regards as a wealthy farmer. He marries three wives, has two
barns full of yams, and two titles. Although still young, Okonkwo is
seen as a great man. As a result, he comes to look after Ikemefuna (a
doomed boy) as his legal guardian.
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Things Fall Apart Chapter Summaries and Analysis
Notable Quote
‘His fame rested on solid
personal achievements.’
‘If any money came his way,
and it seldom did, he
immediately bought gourds
of palm-wine, called round
his neighbors and made
merry.’
‘He was reclining on a mud
bed in his hut playing on the
ute.’
‘Fortunately, among these
people a man was judged
according to his worth and
not according to the worth of
his father.’
Analysis Questions
1. In what ways does
Okonkwo follow the
conventions of
masculinity?
2. What does Okonkwo
believe to be the most
important quality in a man?
What does this illuminate
within his characterisation?
3. In what ways is Okonkwo
contrasted to his father?
What is the writer trying to
illuminate for the
audience?
4. Why does Okonkwo strive
to be the opposite of his
father? Is it possible for a
son to change his father’s
legacy?
5. What does Unoka and
Okoye's meeting
demonstrate about the
traditions of Umuo a
society here?
6. What meaning can we
draw from the ‘breaking of
the nut’ – what could it
symbolise and why?
Chapter
Chapter Summary
Notable Quotes
Analysis Questions
As Okonkwo settles into slumber one night, he hears the ogene (the
town crier), summons all the men of Umuo a to the marketplace the
next morning for a meeting. Okonkwo hears an overtone of tragedy in
the crier's voice and wonders what might be wrong.
The night is quiet and without moonlight. Children avoid making noise
to awaken the evil spirits. Night is a time of dangerous animals, a time
where snakes are not referred to by name in case they hear. Okonkwo
is troubled by the meeting, wondering if a war in on the horizon with a
neighboring clan. He remembers his own prowess in war, being the
rst to bring home a human head - his fth head.
The following morning, the market place is full. Ogbue
Ezeugo shouts, ‘Umuo a kwenu’ four times to gather the clan's
silence. He bellows the words a fth time, and then points in the
direction of Mbaino. Now he recounts how the sons of Mbaino have
dared to murder a daughter of Umuo a - the wife of Ogbue Udo. The
crowd jeer in anger. Together they decide that Mbaino will either
choose war or offer a young man and a virgin as compensation for
their crimes.
Umuo a is feared as a powerful clan, all try to avoid wars with
Umuo a. However, the Umuo a only enter a war when their Oracle
accepts it. Okonkwo arrives at Mbaino as an emissary of war, he is
treated with respect and dignity. He returns two days later with a 15year-old boy and a virgin. The boy's name is Ikemefuna, and his story
is still told in Umuo a today.
The elders (ndichie), decide that the girl should be gifted to Ogbue
Udo, replacing his murdered wife. And the boy? The clan decide that
Okonkwo will be his guardian until the elders decide his fate later. For
the next three years, Ikemefuna lives in Okonkwo's household.
Okonkwo rules a strict unforgiving home. He has a short temper and
an easily willingness to physically abuse members of his family,
instilling fear in his wives and children. The narrator comments that
Okonkwo may act in a cruel way from time to time, but that didn’t
make him a cruel man. Okonkwo’s strict rules are driven by the fear of
failure and of weakness, like the rest of his life. Okonkwo remembers
a time when he’d been told that his father was agbala, and Okonkwo
came to know that agbala was not only another name for a woman,
but also the name for a man with no titles. After this, Okonkwo vowed
to despise everything that his father Unoka had loved, including
gentleness and idleness.
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During the planting season, Okonkwo works long days on the farm
denying himself the luxury of fatigue. His wives and young children
suffer the family workload, but are too afraid to complain openly.
Okonkwo's rst son, Nwoye, is twelve years old and already
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Chapter 2
‘Then the crier gave his
message, and at the end of it
beat his instrument again.
And this was the message.’
‘Okonkwo on his bamboo
bed tried to gure out the
nature of the emergency-war
with a neighboring clan?
That seemed the most likely
reason, and he was not afraid
of war. He was a man of
action, a man of war.’
‘Then there was perfect
silence. Ogbue Ezeugo was
a powerful orator and was
always chosen to speak on
such occasions.’
‘As for the boy, he belonged
to the clan as a whole, and
there was no hurry to decide
his fate. Okonkwo was,
therefore, asked on behalf of
the clan to look after him in
the interim.’
‘It was the fear of himself,
lest he should be found to
resemble his father.’
‘During the planting season
Okonkwo worked daily on his
farms from cock-crow until
the chickens went to roost.
He was a very strong man
and rarely felt fatigue. But his
wives and young children
How does the presence of a town
crier illuminate the importance of
speech in Umuo a society?
The Ogene summons all the ‘men’
to the marketplace the following
morning – What does the absence
of a female summons tell us about
Umuo a society?
Why does the narrator describe the
traditions and superstitions of
Umuo a society?
How does Okonkwo display his
erce and warlike nature at
important occasions in the village?
What meaning can we draw from
these public displays?
How is the importance of language
emphasized by the clan belief one
can summon a snake just by
speaking its name?
How would you describe the
system of law and justice in the
village? It what ways is it fair and in
what ways is it awed?
How does Ogbue get everyone’s
attention? What comment is the
writer making about the importance
of language within the clan?
What do Mabaino children given to
Umuo a symbolise and why? Why
are these children destined to
come to a tragic end?
How and why is the ‘Oracle’ so
important to Umuo a society? Who
or what does the ‘Oracle’
represent?
Chapter
Chapter Summary
Chapter 3
Okonkwo had not inherited a barn from his father because Unoka had
no barn to pass on to anyone. In Umuo a there is a story of how
Unoka had consulted the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves to
understand why he’d always turned miserable harvests. As Unoka had
begun to describe his disappointment, the priestess interrupted to
inform him that Unoka he had not offended the gods or his fathers,
was nothing more than lazy and weak. The priestess ordered him to
‘Go home and work like a man’.
‘Sometimes a man came to
consult the spirit of his dead
father or relative. It was said
that when such a spirit
appeared, the man saw it
vaguely in the darkness, but
never heard its voice.’
Unoka is described as an ill-fated man with bad personal gods. He
died of an acute swelling in his stomach and limbs, which was
interpreted by the villagers as an abomination to the earth goddess.
This judgement from the community denied him a proper burial.
Unoka was instead carried to the Evil Forest and left to perish. As the
small village gathering carried him away, he brought his ute with him.
‘When a man was af icted with
swelling in the stomach and the
limbs he was not allowed to die
in the house. He was carried to
the Evil Forest and left there to
die.’
Despite lacking any inheritance or legacy, Okonkwo was determined
to sow the seeds for a successful future. He threw himself into work,
out of fear of his father's pitiful life and shameful death.
Okonkwo works hard to earn his rst seed-yams with Nwakibie (a
wealthy man from the village). Okonkwo brings him a kola nut and
then waits for the right time after dinner to ask for some yams of his
own to sow. Nwakibie grants him 800 yams, a more generous offer
than expected and Okonkwo is happy. With his meager harvest, he
hopes to provide food for his mother, two sisters, and father.
The rst year Okonkwo farms turns out to be the worst harvest in
living memory. Despite Okonkwo’s best efforts, ooding and drought
destroy most of the crop. One villager hangs himself with the
desperate loss of food for his family. Okonkwo later states that after
surviving that tragic year, he’d be able to survive anything.
Notable Quotes
‘But in spite of these
disadvantages, he had begun
even in his father's lifetime to
lay the foundations of a
prosperous future. It was slow
and painful. But he threw
himself into it like one
possessed.’
‘He broke the nut saying: "We
shall all live. We pray for life,
children, a good harvest and
happiness. You will have what is
good for you and I will have
what is good for me.’
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‘But the year had gone mad.
Rain fell as it had never fallen
before. For days and nights
together it poured down in
violent torrents, and washed
away the yam heaps.’
Analysis Questions
How is a good reputation gained within
Okonkwo’s community? Is this
different to gaining a good reputation
in the post-modern world?
What drives Unoka’s failures? Do we
judge Unoka’s failures the same way in
post-modern society?
As Unoka is carried off to die, he
carries his ute with him - What does
Unoka’s ute symbolise and why?
What inferences can we make from the
community’s belief that Unoka had
been an ‘ill-fated’ man with ‘bad
personal gods’?
What does Okonkwo seem to fear the
most and why?
How is inheritance a parent’s way of
paying tribute to their children?
Why is Nwakibie considered a
successful man in Igbo society? On
what achievements and standards is
his success measured?
Nwakibie 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.”
(p. 14) What is the meaning of
Nwakibie’s words?
Give two examples of how Okonkwo
tries to save his yams during the
drought.
Why is the poor harvest like a sad
funeral for the Igbo people? What does
Okonkwo learn through the drought
and poor harvest?
Chapter
Chapter Summary
Notable Quotes
Analysis Questions
with less successful men. An old man describes Okonkwo by
way of a local proverb, ‘Looking at a king's mouth, one would
think he never sucked at his mother's breast’. At a meeting, a
man with no titles disagrees with Okonkwo, with Okonkwo
responding that the meeting had been for men only. Seeing the
harshness of his response, the other members took sides with
the other man, forcing Okonkwo to apologize before the
meeting continued on.
Okonkwo had struggled with poverty and misfortune, but never
lost heart, earning success at an early age as the greatest
wrestler in the land. This wasn’t luck, the narrator asserts that it
was Okonkwo's personal god and chi – ‘when a man says yes
his chi says yes also’. The clan chooses Okonkwo to carry a
message of war to the Mbaino: they give up a young man and
a virgin to make up for the murder of Udo's wife … or else.
The virgin is given to Udo as a replacement wife, and
Ikemefuna is placed in Okonkwo's care, until the clan decide
what to do with him. When Ikemefuna joins Okonkwo’s
household he is rightfully afraid at rst, but Nwoye's
mother treats him kindly. Okonkwo learns that Ikemefuna is
refusing to eat, so he stands over him threateningly with a big
stick while he eats. Ikemefuna becomes sick for three weeks,
but when he recovers, he's no longer afraid or sad.
Ikemefuna settles in very well and becomes popular within the
household, growing very close with Nwoye in particular.
Okonkwo grows fond of him too, although he refuses to show it
openly, believing that public shows of affection are a sign of
weakness. However, Okonkwo lets Ikemefuna accompany him
to the village meetings and ancestral feasts. Soon after,
Ikemefuna starts to call him father.
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Ikemefuna had joined the household a few days before the
‘Week of Peace’: during this week no work is done and no
violence is tolerated, all in anticipation of the planting season.
During this week, Okonkwo is angered when his youngest wife
fails to cook the afternoon meal on time after venturing out to
meet a friend. When she returns Okonkwo beats her heavily,
thus breaking the peace of the sacred week. Hearing of his
blasphemy, the clan priest berates his conduct and orders him
to bring sacri ces to Ani's shrine to repent. Okonkwo complies
and feels apologetic but he doesn’t disclose this to his
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Chapter 4 People are uneasy with the rough way that Okonkwo deals
‘Everybody at the kindred meeting
took sides with Osugo when
Okonkwo called him a woman. The
oldest man present said sternly
that those whose palm-kernels
were cracked for them by a
benevolent spirit should not forget
to be humble’
‘Anyone who knew his grim
struggle against poverty and
misfortune could not say he had
been lucky. If ever a man deserved
his success, that man was
Okonkwo’
‘And such was the deep fear that
their enemies had for Umuo a that
they treated Okonkwo like a king
and brought him a virgin who was
given to Udo as wife, and the lad
Ikernefuna’
‘He was by nature a very lively boy
and he gradually became popular
in Okonkwo's household,
especially with the children.’
‘In his anger be had forgotten that
it was the Week of Peace, His rst
two wives ran out in great alarm
pleading with him that it was the
sacred week.’
‘At such times, in each of the
countless thatched huts of
Umuo a, children sat around their
mother's cooking re telling
stories, or with their father in his
obi warming themselves from a log
re…’
‘The rain fell in thin, slanting
showers through sunshine and
quiet breeze. Children no longer
An old man refers to Okonkwo,
saying, ‘Looking at a king’s mouth,
one would think he never sucked at
his mother’s breast’ - What
meaning do the audience gain from
this de nition?
What inferences can we make
towards Okonkwo’s verbal attack
upon a less successful man? What
does this act reveal within his
characterisation?
‘When a man says yes his chi says
yes also’ – What meaning does the
audience gain from this African
proverb? How is this African
proverb similar to the Western
proverb which states, ‘fate favors
the bold’?
Why does virginity for a female
hold value, but virginity for a male
hold no value?
When Udo’s wife is simply replaced
with a virgin, what inferences can
we make about the value of women
in this society?
Why is Okonkwo so irritated by
Ikemefuna’s lack of appetite?
How does Okonkwo demonstrate
his fondness for Ikemefuna? What
inner con icts has Okonkwo be
able to overcome?
How do we know that Okonkwo has
fully accepted Ikemefuna as his
foster son? What does Okonkwo
like speci cally about Ikemefuna?
Why does Okonkwo make learning
such a harsh experience for his
sons? Does learning have to be
Chapter
Chapter Summary
Notable Quotes
Analysis Questions
goddess Enter Ani. The whole clan looks forward to the
festival, since it represents a time of great plenty …
except Okonkwo – who is uncomfortable celebrating and
prefers to work on his farm. However, his wives and
children remain excited with the preparations, cleaning
and decorating the home and community. Ikemefuna is
particularly excited to experience the feast for the rst
time.
Antagonized, Okonkwo displaces his anger upon his
second wife, accusing her of killing the banana tree.
Okonkwo beats her, leaving both her and her daughter
weeping. Okonkwo then departs, going hunting with a
rusty gun, despite never being able to kill anything with
his gun. His second wife murmurs about guns that never
shoot. Okonkwo hears her de ance and shoots the
loaded weapon at her, she scurries away in disbelief and
fear.
The Yam Festival is celebrated with elation. On the rst
day, relatives visit from other villages and feast for a day.
The second day hosts a wrestling match between
Okonkwo’s village and its neighbors. Ekwe (Okonkwo’s
second wife) is most excited: many years ago Okonkwo
had won her heart by throwing the Cat. She married
someone else because Okonkwo had been too poor to
pay her bride-price, however, later on she’d run away to
live with Okonkwo.
could drink one or two fairly big
gourds of palm-wine. But he
was always uncomfortable
sitting around for days waiting
for a feast or getting over it. He
would be very much happier
working on his farm.’
‘And then the storm burst.
Okonkwo, who had been
walking about aimlessly in his
compound in suppressed anger,
suddenly found an outlet.’
‘But a few years later she ran
away from her husband and
came to live with Okonkwo. All
this happened many years ago.
Now Ekwe was a woman of
forty- ve who had suffered a
great deal in her time.’
"Ekwe ," she said, "is it true
that when people are grown up,
re does not burn them?"
Ezinma, unlike most children,
called her mother by her name.
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"Sit like a woman!" Okonkwo
Morning, on the second day of the festival: Ekwe and
shouted at her. Ezinma brought
Ezinma (her only daughter) prepare a fowl to eat. Ezinma her two legs together and
is inquisitive and asks lots of questions. Among other
stretched them in front of her.’
things, she wants to know why the pot doesn't burn
Ekwe even though she handles it with bare
hands. Nwoye's mother enters and asks Ezinma to bring
live coals to her. The drums outside sound, signaling the
start of a wrestling match. As Ekwe prepares food, she
hears Nwoye's sister crying. Ikemefuna and some of the
other children enter with dinner pots, but Nwoye's sister
arrives empty-handed. In a t of play with the other
children she had broken her pot. To try and save herself
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Chapter 5 The Feast of the New Yam: Umuo a celebrates the earth ‘He was a good eater and he
What is Ani’s relationship with
the ancestors? Why are new
yams offered to Ani and the
ancestors at the festival?
What does Okonkwo's
uneasiness towards feasting
illuminate within his
characterisation?
Why is Okonkwo so easily
antagonised? What common
things appear to trigger his
anger and frustration? What
does Okonkwo’s anger
illuminate within his
characterisation?
Does Ekwe , Okonkwo’s
second wife, really kill the
banana tree? What is the real
root of Okonkwo’s anger?
What does Ekwe 's story reveal
about her own strong will?
What has drawn Ekwe to
Okonkwo? What wider
comment is the writer making
about masculinity?
What skills does tribal wrestling
celebrate? What does this tell
us about how men are viewed in
tribal society?
What inferences can we make
about Ezinma’s questions? Is
there a common idea or concept
that links all of her questions
together?
Why is Obiageli, Nwoye’s sister,
Chapter
Chapter Summary
Chapter 6 The whole village attends the wrestling match. The rst bouts
start with the younger boys (15 to 16 year olds). Obierika's
son Maduka wins recognition by nishing his match extremely
quick. During an intermission, Ekwe speaks with Chielo, the
priestess of the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves. Chielo refers
to Ezinma as, ‘my daughter’, and asks after the girl's health.
She informs Ekwe that she feels that Ezinma will stay, or live,
since children don’t typically die after the age of six.
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The drumming restarts after the break, and two wrestling
teams face off. The last match is between the leaders of each
teams, last year the evenly match bout had resulted in a draw.
As the two leaders, Ikezue and Okafu, struggle with each other
Ikezue grows desperate and makes a mistake, with Okafu
winning the bout. Everyone carries him off, singing a song
celebrating the strength and ghting prowess of Okafu.
Notable Quotes
‘The wrestlers were not there yet
and the drummers held the eld.
They too sat just in front of the
huge circle of spectators, facing
the elders’
‘Ikezue strove to dig in his right
heel behind Okafo so as to pitch
him backwards in the clever ege
style. But the one knew what the
other was thinking.’
Analysis Questions
How does Chielo and Ekwe ’s
discussion about Ezinma show
the clan’s belief in fate?
How does the sport of wrestling
connect to the concept of
masculinity?
What role do the drums play in
the wrestling match, what do
they symbolise and why?
Why is strength held in such
high esteem by the clan? What
further inferences can we make
about the culture of their tribe?
years. He is close to Nwoye, who now performs more
masculine tasks around the house due to Ikemefuna’s
in uence, pleasing his father. Okonkwo encourages the boys to
sit with him in his obi as he recounts war stories. Nwoye
secretly prefers his mother's folktales, but he pretends to
dislike women's stories in order to please Okonkwo.
Locusts arrive in Umuo a. They typically come but once in a
generation, so their arrival is celebrated as a new source of
food. They arrived in the cold season after the harvests had
nished, as Okonkwo and the boys were working on the walls
of the compound. They arrived in a small swarm at rst, but
then descended in mass on all the outer surfaces of the
buildings. Okonkwo and the boys enjoy this new feast as
Ogbue Ezeudu arrives to speak with him. Okonkwo is
informed that the clan has decided to kill Ikemefuna. Ezeudu
advises him not to participate in the killing, since Ikemefuna
calls him father.
Early the next morning, a group of village elders arrive to
discuss Ikemefuna’s fate. After they have gone, Okonkwo
informs Ikemefuna that he'll be taken home the next day.
Nwoye bursts into tears and Okonkwo beats him heavily. The
rest of the household intuits the truth, and even Ikemefuna
feels that he will not really be going home.
The following day, the party sets out with Ikemefuna and
Okonkwo (who has ignored Ezeudu's advice). Ironically,
Ikemefuna is reassured by Okonkwo's presence (seeing him
as his father). Ikemefuna imagines the joy of seeing his mother
and sister again. As he daydreams, he hears a man behind him
who growls at him to keep walking and face forward. The
stranger then slices Ikemefuna with his machete. Ikemefuna
cries for Okonkwo, running towards him, and Okonkwo strikes
the killing blow, afraid that other will nd him weak.
When Okonkwo walks into the house at night, Nwoye knows
that Ikemefuna has been killed, and he feels something give
way inside him—the same way he felt when he came across a
set of twins left to die in the forest during the last harvest
season.
‘He was like an elder brother
to Nwoye, and from the very
rst seemed to have kindled
a new re in the younger boy’
How has Ikemefuna become
something more than just a
lodger? How has he started to
heal the rift between Okonkwo
and Nwoye?
‘And then quite suddenly a
How can we contrast Ikemefuna
shadow fell on the world, and
and Nwoye?
the sun seemed hidden
behind a thick cloud.’
What inner con ict does
‘He still missed his mother
and his sister and would be
very glad to see them. But
somehow he knew he was
not going to see them’
Okonkwo face in allowing the
execution of Ikemefuna?
How does Ikemefuna’s use of
the word ‘father’ make his fate
ever more tragic?
Does Okonkwo have the power
to disagree with the village
elders? Does Okonkwo openly
express any reservations
towards Ikemefuna’s decided
fate?
In light of the tragic
circumstances, why does
‘As soon as his father walked Okonkwo beat Nwoye?
‘As the man who had cleared
his throat drew up and raised
his machete, Okonkwo
looked away. He heard the
blow. The pot fell and broke
in the sand.’
in, that night, Nwoye knew
that Ikernefuna had been
killed, and something
seemed to give way inside
him, like the snapping of a
tightened bow’
How does Okonkwo’s murder of
Ikemefuna change the
relationship and regard that the
audience has for him?
Ikemefuna's fate is nally
carried out by Okonkwo, who
deals the killing blow – Why
does Okonkwo feel it critical
that he’s involved in
Ikemefuna’s murder?
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Why does Nwoye start to detach
himself from the traditions of
the tribe? What aspects of tribal
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Chapter 7 Ikemefuna have lived within Okonkwo’s household for three
Chapter
Chapter Summary
Notable Quotes
Analysis Questions
Chapter 8 After the murder, Okonkwo doesn't eat for two days,
drinking excessive amounts of palm-wine. He
asks Nwoye to sit with him in his obi, but Nwoye is
afraid and escapes whenever Okonkwo snoozes.
Okonkwo night sleep is acutely disturbed. On the
third day, he asks Ekwe to roast plantains for him.
Ezinma delivers the food, telling him to nish it
because he hasn't eaten in two days. Okonkwo eats
and thinks repeatedly that Ezinma should have been
a boy.
In this season of rest between the harvest and the
planting, Okonkwo prays for the distraction of work.
Inwardly he chastises himself, seeing himself as a
weak woman in his reaction to killing Ikemefuna, and
decides to visit his friend Obierika. Okonkwo talks
with Obierika about how he worries for his children.
Eventually, Obierika mentions that Okonkwo should
not have participated in the murder of killing
Ikemefuna. He believes that such an act has the
ability to curse a whole family.
Enter Ofoedu, informing them of the simultaneous
passing of Ogbue Ndulue—the oldest man in a
neighboring village, and his rst wife too. They
recount how close Ndulue and his wife had been in
their youth, but Okonkwo regards this as a sign of
weakness, despite Obierika and Ofoedu discusing
how strong Ndulue was, leading Umuo a to war as a
young man.
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Feeling a little better, Okonkwo leaves to tap his
palm trees - only men without title are allowed to
climb the trees to tap them. Obierika wishes he had
not taken the ozo title, since it frustrates him to see
young men kill the trees with their inexperience.
Okonkwo defends this as the law of the land,
however, and says it is good that their clan holds
the ozo title in high esteem.
‘He drank palm wine from
morning till night, and his
eyes were red and erce like
the eyes of a rat when it was
caught by the tail and dashed
against the oor’
"When did you become a
shivering old woman,"
Okonkwo asked himself,
"you, who are known in all
the nine villages for your
valour in war?’
‘When the youngest wife
went to call her again to be
present at the washing of the
body, she found her lying on
the mat, dead.’
After the murder of Ikemefuna,
why does Okonkwo reach out to
his son Nwoye?
How do we know that Okonkwo
respects Ezinma? How does his
gender bias stop him from
accepting her as she is?
What does Okonkwo mean
when he says a bowl of
pounded yams can throw
Nwoye in a wrestling match?
What does Okonkwo mean
when he says, “Where are the
young suckers that will grow
when the old banana tree dies?”
(p. 46)
How does Okonkwo justify his
murder of Ikemefuna? What
does it illuminate within his
characterisation?
‘Okonkwo was beginning to
feel like his old self again. All
that he required was
Why does Okonkwo see being
something to occupy his
emotional as being weak?
mind.’
"We had not thought to go
below thirty. But as the dog
said, 'If I fall down for you
and you fall down for me, it is
play'.’
Okonkwo springs to his feet to
visit his friend Obierika. What
does this image reveal about
Okonkwo? What is the meaning
of the proverb “A child’s ngers
are not scalded by a piece of
hot yam which its mother puts
into its palm”?
What would Okonkwo have to
sacri ce to truly experience
love?
In permitting himself to feel
emotion, what would Okonkwo
Chapter
Chapter Summary
Notable Quotes
Chapter 9 After three more nights, Okonkwo is able to sleep soundly once "Ezinma is dying," came her
more. However, panicked banging on his door sounds in the
voice, and all the tragedy and
morning, waking him up abruptly. It is Ekwe , she tells him
sorrow of her life were
that Ezinma is dying, Okonkwo rushes to her hut. Okonkwo
packed in those words.’
prepares a medicine while Ekwe kneels beside Ezinma,
measuring her fever.
Ekwe had lost nine previous children in infancy. A medicine
man had stated that each child had in fact been the
same ogbanje, a cursed child who’d died and re-entered a
mothers' womb to be born once again. When Ezinma lived past
the age of six, Ekwe had felt a little safer and become
determined to raise up her child into being a healthy adult. A
year ago, a medicine man had also dug up Ezinma's iyi-uwa, a
smooth pebble that held her connection to the world
of ogbanje, giving Ekwe further hope. However, with this new
fever, Ekwe faith begins to waver.
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Okonkwo returns with ingredients, and with Ekwe they
prepare a medicine. When the medicine is prepared, he forces
Ezinma to sit under a blanket with the steaming pot. Ezinma
struggles and has to be restrained, but when the blanket is
removed, she falls asleep on a dry mat.
‘Ekwe had suffered a good
deal in her life. She had
borne ten children and nine
of them had died in infancy,
usually before the age of
three.’
Analysis Questions
How does Ekwe and Ezinma’s
close relationship encompass a
companionship of equals?
Describe the story Okonkwo’s
mother used to tell him that
explained why mosquitoes buzz in
people’s ears.
What inferences and meaning can
we draw from the Umuo a beliefs
connected to childbirth and death?
Why did Ekwe stay with her
people during her third pregnancy?
How was Ekwe ’s despair re ected
in the names she gave her
children?
How is Okonkwo able to only show
love through actions and not
words?
Chapter
10
As soon as the heat from the sun starts to dampen the
community gather around the ilo (the village playground). This
ceremony is for the men, but women are permitted to observe
from the edges of the crowd. This ceremony turns out to be a
trial between one group, consisting of a woman, Mgbafo, and
her brothers, and another group made up of Mgbafo's
husband, Uzowulu, and his family.
A ceremonial gong sounds and the nine egwugwu exit the
house hurridley. The nine egwugwu represent the nine villages
of Umuo a, and their leader is called Evil Forest. The narrator
notes out that one of the egwugwu has the ‘springy’ walk of
Okonkwo, but if anybody noticed, they wouldn’t dare say
anything.
The trial begins with Evil Forest questioning Uzowulu. He
states that Mgbafo is his wife. His in-laws had broken into his
house, beat him up and kidnapped his wife and children.
Odukwe (Mgbafo's brother), explains that he took his wife and
children away because Uzowulu brutally beat her every day,
causing a miscarriage and almost killing her once. Under
questioning, Uzowulu's neighbors agree that he beat his wife.
The egwugwu decide that Uzowulu should bring an offering of
palm-wine to his in-laws and beg for his wife’s return, and that
the in-laws should let Mgbafo go if Uzowulu brings the wine,
ending this case.
‘The titled men and elders sat
on their stools waiting for the
trials to begin. In front of
them was a row of stools on
which nobody sat.’
‘Then came the voices of the
egwuguiu, guttural and
awesome. The wave struck
the women and children and
there was a backward
stampede.’
What observations and inferences
can we make about the village
justice system? In what ways is the
law system shown to be gender
biased?
Why does Evil Forest address
Uzowulu saying, “Uzowulu’s body, I
salute you”? (p. 64) Why does Evil
Forest say, “Uzowulu’s body, do
you know me?” (p. 64)
What is the law of Umuo a
concerning the bride-price of a
woman who runs away from her
husband? How does Evil Forest
keep order when the crowd roars
with laughter during the trial?
‘That woman standing there
is my wife, Mgbafo. I married
her with my money and my
How is the justice system of
yams. I do not owe my inlaws Umuo a shown to be
sophisticated? What wider
anything.’
comment is the writer making
here?
Do the egwugwu hold any power
within the court, or are they merely
symbols of something else?
Why isn’t Mgbafo allowed to speak
for herself at the trial? What
inferences can we make about
gender inequality in Umuo a?
Is this justice system more merciful
towards men than women?
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Why is it her brother and not her
mother or sister that defends her?
Chapter
Chapter Summary
Notable Quotes
Analysis Questions
On a dark night, Ezinma and Ekwe sit together in their hut telling
stories. Ekwe tells the story of a clever tortoise who tricks the birds
into helping him reach a feast in the sky. His persuasive use of
pronouns ‘us’ and ‘we’ and ‘all of you’ tricks the birds into surrendering
their food to him. In anger at being tricked, the birds drop the tortoise
from the sky and breaking his shell and shattering his appearance.
Ezinma complains that there is no song present in her mother’s story,
and she begins the turn to tell her own story. Suddenly, a high-pitched
voice sounds, halting their storytelling. Enter Chielo, telling them that
the god Agbala wants to see Ezinma in his house in the hills and the
caves. Ekwe says that she will accompany her, but Chielo
commands her not to go. A very afraid Ezinma is told to climb of
Chielo’s back, and together they exit. Chielo tells Ezinma, who is very
afraid, to climb on her back. Together, they depart. Ekwe decides to
follow on behind them in a covert manner, and Okonkwo doesn't stop
her.
The night is very dark, Ekwe has to run to keep up with Chielo. In the
darkness, she becomes afraid, wondering what she should do when
they reach the cave. Chielo realizes that she is being followed and
screams for Agbala to curse the presence. Ekwe grows more afraid,
and now continues to follow at a greater distance. The journey is long,
and late in the night they nally approach their destination in the
caves. Chielo chants continuously.
Ekwe begins to doubt herself and her abilities in this situation.
However, when Chielo and Ezinma enter the cave mouth, Ekwe
pledges to intervene should she hear Ezinma cry. Ekwe sits and
waits for a long time and then spins around when she hears noise
behind her. It’s Okonkwo.
"Once upon a time," she began,
"all the birds were invited to a
feast in the sky. They were very
happy and began to prepare
themselves for the great day.’
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How does Ekwe and Ezinma’s
traditional storytelling emphasize
the importance of names in their
clan and wider community?
It seems that once religion
commands that something is done,
‘Once in a while Chielo was
it becomes fated – how does this
possessed by the spirit of her
illustrate and de ne the clan’s
god and she began to prophesy. relationship with religion?
But tonight she was addressing
her prophecy and greetings to
Okonkwo, and so everyone in
his family listened.’
"I am following Chielo," she
replied and disappeared in the
darkness. Okonkwo cleared his
throat, and brought out his
snuff-bottle from the goatskin
bag by his side.’
In a previous chapter, Okonkwo
gave in to the rule of the clan
leaders and killed Ikemefuna –
What is different in Okonkwo’s
personal choices this time? What
does it illuminate within his
characterisation?
What language does the writer use
to suggest that Chielo seems to
have a supernatural strength?
"Go home and sleep," said
What inferences and meaning can
Okonkwo. "I shall wait here." "I we draw from Ekwe ’s decision to
shall wait too. It is almost dawn.
ght fate and follow on against
Chielo’s wishes?
The rst cock has crowed."
‘Even in those days he was not
Together they sit and wait, Ekwe recounts their younger days
a man of many words. He just
together, when she’d run away to be with him. She had knocked at his carried her into his bed and in
door on the way to fetch water, and he carried her into his bed,
the darkness began to feel
untying her cloth.
around her waist for the loose
end of her cloth.’
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Chapter
11
Notable Quotes
What wider statement is the writer
making about motherhood through
Ekwe ’s bravery?
As they wait, Okonkwo and Ekwe
tell stories—a story of her
attraction to Okonkwo's
masculinity – does her attraction to
Okonkwo’s masculinity still exist?
Analysis Questions
How do the women and children
work together to nish the
preparations? What does it show the
audience about this society?
‘Obierika's compound was as
busy as an anthill. Temporary
Okonkwo feels very tired, his worry for Ezinma has deprived
cooking tripods were erected
him of all sleep. Obierika’s household is busy with the
preparations for the uri, cooking yams and cassava, preparing on every available space by
goats for the soup. Things work well until a cow gets loose, the bringing together three
women go out and chase it back to its owner, who now pays a blocks of sun-dried earth and
heavy ne.
making a re in their midst.’
Why does Okonkwo once again hide
his worry? What leading theme in the
text is this connected to and why?
In the early afternoon, two pots of palm-wine from Obierika’s
in-laws arrive, these are presented to the women. Friends and
relatives now arrive and are quick to discuss how many pots of
wine the in-laws might bring. They gossip over the
questionable generosity of the in-laws, but in the end a total of
fty pots are presented … when Okonkwo had only predicted
thirty.
Obierika gifts the customary kola nuts to his in-laws, and then
the families formally announce their new alliance. The
gathering feast and dance into the night. The bride enters and
presents the musicians with a rooster. When the guests depart,
they take the bride with them to spend seven market weeks
with her suitor's family. Okonkwo makes them a gift of two
roosters.
Chapter Summary
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‘Okonkwo was also feeling
tired, and sleepy, for
although nobody else knew
it, he had not slept at all last
night. He had felt very
anxious but did not show it.’
The following morning the community celebrates Obierika’s
daughter’s Uri: This is the day where her suitor brings palmwine to the bride’s family. The women and children gather
supplies and help the bride's mother prepare food for the whole
village. Ekwe is exhausted from the previous night’s vigil.
Chielo had reemerged from the shrine with Ezinma sleeping on
her back, and in the morning walked back to the village with
Okonkwo and her trailing behind at a distance. Chielo put
Ezinma to bed and walked away in silence.
Chapter
12
"I hope our in-laws will bring
many pots of wine. Although
they come from a village that
is known for being
close sted, they ought to
know that Akueke is the bride
for a king."
‘All the other dancers made
way for her, She presented
the cock to the musicians
and began to dance.’
Notable Quotes
How do Okonkwo and his wife feel
towards Chielo after the trauma she
put them through?
What minor event at this juncture of
the text, provides another example of
how Umuo a preserves order and
structure within their society?
Why does the author describe and
explain the meaning of the
ceremonies. What is he trying to
show us about this tribal society?
Why does the generosity of the inlaws hold such importance to the
bride’s guests and family?
How do the Igbo traditions of the
bride being obligated to leave her
family, once again reveal gender bias
and discrimination within the
community?
The members of Obierika’s extended
family sit in a half-moon. When his
in-laws arrive, they complete the
circle. What is the signi cance of the
seating arrangement? Describe the
difference in the attire of the married
women and that of the girls who
greet the in-laws.
Analysis Questions
Chapter
13
Ceremonial drums and cannons sound, signaling the death of Ezeudu
- the oldest man in the village. Okonkwo shivers as he recalls the old
man’s last visit, where he’d advised against Okonkwo’s participation in
Ikemefuna’s murder.
The entire community attends the funeral of Ezeudu. As a great
warrior with three titles people are keen to show their respects,
even the egwugwu. The ceremony involves a lot of symbolism: the
beating of drums, ring of guns and the clanging of machetes. After
the last gunshots and cannon re, it's discovered that Ezeudu's
sixteen-year-old son has been killed by a piece of iron from
Okonkwo’s gun.
Okonkwo has accidently killed a fellow clansman. For the crime of this
manslaughter (termed a female crime) he must be exiled for seven
years. He and his family pack up their belongings, and friends help
them store their yams in Obierika’s barn. Just before dawn, they ee
to Okonkwo's motherland, Mbanta.
At day break: A gathering of men from Ezeudu's quarter set light to all
of Okonkwo’s houses and belongings - killing his animals and
destroying his barn. This is seen as justice for the earth goddess and
not personal anger. Obierika joins in but questions the severity of a
punishment for an accidental crime. He recounts an event with his
wife's twin children, where he had been forced to leave them to die in
the forest because of the law of the land.
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‘A cold shiver ran down
Okonkwo's back as he
remembered the last time the
old man had visited him.
"That boy calls you father,"
he had said. "Bear no hand in
his death."
What is the role of the esoteric
language of the ekwe, or the drum?
‘It was a warrior's funeral,
and from morning till night
warriors came and went in
their age groups.’
How does Okonkwo's accident with
the gun represent a signi cant
turning point in the plot? Is it fate
or an accident?
‘Okonkwo's gun had
exploded and a piece of iron
had pierced the boy's heart.’
How do the men express their
anguish at Ezeudu’s death? What
does the one-handed spirit mean
when he asks Ezeudu to come
again the way he came before?
What does having the type of crime
is described in gendered terms
shows how much masculine/
feminine ideals are embedded even
in the language?
‘They set re to his houses,
demolished his red walls,
killed his animals and
destroyed his barn. It was the
justice of the earth goddess,
and they were merely her
messengers.’
What do the elders mean when
they say “If one nger brought oil it
soiled the others”? (p. 88)
Notable Quotes
Analysis Questions
Why does the clan feels a sense of
inevitability when they carry out
traditional punishments? What do
they fear will happen if they don’t
follow the traditions? What wider
comment is the writer making
about religion and beliefs?
Chapter
14
Okonkwo’s family in Mbanta receive him and his family kindly and with
respect. Uchendu (Okonkwo's mother's younger brother), is now the
eldest surviving member of that family. Okonkwo is given a plot of
ground to build a new his compound upon, and three pieces of land to
farm. Uchendu's sons contribute seed-yams for Okonkwo to farm.
After the rainy season, Okonkwo and his family work hard to plant a
new farm, but Okonkwo is somewhat destroyed by his personal
circumstances and no longer takes the same pride in his labors. He
rationalizes his feelings with the rewritten belief, that ‘if a man says
yes to his chi …’ is not a true saying, in his case, his chi said ‘no’
despite his own af rmation.
Uchendu witnesses Okonkwo's despair and pledges to discuss it with
him after the marriage ceremony of his youngest son. The station of
‘confession’ is the last step in the marriage ritual, all the family
daughters gather in a circle with the bride with Uchendu in the center.
The bride must confess whether she has slept with any other men.
She says she has not, and so she is t to marry.
Uchendu summons Okonkwo together with his relatives. He informs
the family gathering why Okonkwo is now living with them. Then asks
whether any of them know why Nneka, or ‘Mother is Supreme’ is a
common name for children, when men are always the head of
families. No one answers. Uchendu then asks another question: why
is a woman is buried with her own kinsmen rather than with her
husband's kinsmen? Again, no one answers. Uchendu advises
Okonkwo to be grateful for the comfort of his motherland. He
continues, a child belongs to his father when things are good, but it's
the mother who is there to protect and comfort family in their times of
need.
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‘Each of Uchendu's ve sons
contributed three hundred
seed-yams to enable their
cousin to plant a farm, for as
soon as the rst rain came
farming would begin.’
‘But it was like beginning life
anew without the vigor and
enthusiasm of youth, like
learning to become left
handed in old age.’
How is ‘family’ shown to be very
important in Umuo a tradition?
What do we typically expect
from family and why?
The proverb about chi is
repeated here, but this time it's
reversed, as Okonkwo has
fallen upon hard times. What
does Okonkwo now come to
believe about ‘fate’?
What has Okonkwo learned
"Remember that if you do not about success? What wider
idea or concept does the writer
answer truthfully you will
want the audience to consider?
suffer or even die at
childbirth," she began. "How
many men have lain with you
since my brother rst
expressed the desire to
marry you?"
‘But when there is sorrow
and bitterness he nds
refuge in his motherland.
Your mother is there to
protect you. She is buried
there.’
Notable Quotes
Why are the same questions not
asked of the groom? How does
this act shape the audience’s
view of tribal society?
Why does virginity in a partner
hold so much value for some
males?
Uchendu is a great talker. Here
he tells Okonkwo to be grateful
for his motherland, and he does
so in a roundabout way that
examines the role of mother and
father - How is Uchenda's view
more balanced than
Okwonko’s?
Analysis Questions
After two years of exile, Obierika comes to visit Okonkwo, bringing two
heavy bags of cowries. Okonkwo and his family are happy to receive
Obierika. Okonkwo introduces him to Uchendu, who speaks of his
father and the old ways when people would visit distant clans.
Uchendu mentions the clan of Abame, and Obierika informs them that
this clan has been wiped out.
Obierika recounts the story of how the white man visited Abame
during the last planting season. Their village Oracle declared that this
white man would destroy their clan, so the Abame murdered him and
tied his iron horse (bicycle) to a tree. Shortly after, three other white
men visited the clan, they saw the bicycle and left quickly. For weeks,
there was no more contact. However, on a big market day, the white
men returned in number and surrounded the whole market. They
began to shoot and everybody was killed, except for those who had
not been in the market that day.
Uchendu declares the foolishness of killing the rst white man in
Abame. ‘Never kill a man who says nothing’, he says.
Okonkwo agrees that they were fools and should have armed
themselves in preparation.
"You must take him to salute
our father," said one of the
cousins. "Yes," replied
Okonkwo. "We are going
directly."
‘They were locusts, it said,
and that rst man was their
harbinger sent to explore the
terrain. And so they killed
him."
‘Okonkwo's rst wife soon
nished her cooking and set
before their guests a big
meal of pounded yams and
bitter-leaf soup. Okonkwo's
son, Nwoye, brought in a pot
of sweet wine tapped from
the raf a palm.’
Okonkwo shows a strong desire
to maintain traditions – why are
traditions so important to him?
How does Obierika express the
depth of his friendship for
Okonkwo? What role does this
friendship play in Okonkwo’s
life?
In what ways have the Oracle’s
orders (Religion) destroyed
certain individuals, and now the
tribe as a whole? What wider
comment is the writer making
about religion?
Do Uchendu and Okonkwo
share the same view, or do they
have different ideas around how
the white man should have been
dealt with? (Explain your ideas
in detail)
Okonkwo's rst wife cooks
supper, Nwoye brings wine.
After dinner, Obierika mentions
that the money in the bags is for
Okonkwo’s yams. Obierika says
that he will continue to sell
them in Umuo a every year
until Okonkwo's return.
Okonkwo thanks him.
What does Obierika gain from
his friendship with Okonkwo?
Chapter Summary
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15
Notable Quotes
Analysis Questions
Two years later, Obierika travels to Mbanta to visit
Okonkwo once again. This time he reports the news that
white missionaries have arrived in Umuo a. Continuing
on, he reports that Okonkwo's eldest son (Nwoye), is
among them, which is what has driven Obierika’s visit to
Okonkwo. Okonkwo refuses to discuss Nwoye, so it is
only from Nwoye's mother that Obierika hears what
happened.
‘The missionaries had come
to Umuo a. They had built
their church there, won a
handful of converts and were
already sending evangelists
to the surrounding towns and
villages.’
How does Nwoye represent
the changing world around
Okonkwo? How would
Nwoye’s new intrigue
towards Christianity
represent an act of betrayal
in Okonkwo’s eyes?
When the missionaries arrived in Mbanta, it caused quite
a stir. Everyone in the community came to witness the
white man, but most of the clan didn’t regard the threat of
his presence seriously. The villagers laughed at the
translator, whose dialect of Igbo made him sound foolish.
However, Nwoye was captivated by their hymns that
recounted the brothers who’d sat in the darkness and the
fear. It’d reminded him of the twins crying in the bush and
of the demise of Ikemefuna.
‘And so everybody came to
see the white man. It was the
time of the year when
everybody was at home. The
harvest was over.’
Why did the Mbanta fail to
see the white men as a
threat?
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Chapter
16
What attracts Nwoye to the
white man’s religion?
Chapter
17
The missionaries ask the community for a small plot of
land to build their church. Uchendu gives gives them a
plot in Mbanta's Evil Forest. The following day, the
missionaries start to clear the woodland for the church,
with the Mbanta community expecting them all to be
dead within four days. When none of them die, they win
their rst three converts.
Nwoye keeps his attraction to the new faith a secret, not
wishing to anger his father, but he strays near the church
and listens to the singing on Sundays.
The Mbanta believe that their gods within a typical
twenty-eight day period, never permitting a man to defy
them longer than that. However, as this time period
passes and all the missionaries are still alive, they
become uncomfortable and a few more of the clan are
converted to Christianity. Among them is a woman
named Nneka, who has had four previous sets of twins,
all of which had immediately been thrown away after
being born.
One day, Amikwu (Okonkwo’s cousin), passes by the
church and sees Nwoye among the Christians. He
informs Okonkwo, and when Nwoye returns to the
compound, Okonkwo attacks him. Uchendu stops
Okonkwo, he lets go of Nwoye, and Nwoye walks out to
never return. He decides to join the Christians in
Umuo a.
Brooding, Okonkwo sits in his hut, wondering why he has
been cursed with a son, so lacking in integrity. He
remembers his own nickname, ‘Roaring Flame’, and
questions how someone so strong could give life to a
child so weak. Then, as he gazes into the re, he realizes
that ‘living re begets cold, impotent ash’
‘Every clan and village had
its "evil forest." In it were
buried all those who died of
the really evil diseases, like
leprosy and smallpox.’
‘Although Nwoye had been
attracted to the new faith
from the very rst day, he
kept it secret. He dared not
go too near the missionaries
for fear of his father.’
‘In challenging the tribe’s
beliefs how do the
missionaries win converts?’
‘What does the survival of
the missionaries represent
for the community? What
wider comment is the writer
making here?’
The music draws Nwoye to
the Christian church on
Sundays – Why would
‘But even in such cases they Okonkwo disapprove of
set their limit at seven market Nwoye’s actions?
Weeks or twenty-eight days.
Beyond that limit no man
In the eyes of the clan, how is
was' suffered to go.’
Christianity seen as a more
powerful religion than the
‘He was greatly surprised,
gods that they traditionally
and when he got home he
worship?
went straight to Okonkwo's
hut and told him what he had How does the slow
seen. The women began to
conversions of the clan make
talk excitedly, but Okonkwo
the old traditional members
sat unmoved.’
of the community feel?
"Leave that boy at once!"
said a voice in the outer
compound. It was Okonkwo!s
uncle, Uchendu. "Are you
mad?" Okonkwo did not
answer. But he left hold of
Nwoye, who walked away
and never returned.’
Nwoye seems to be attracted
to the Christians because
they offer a less violent
option than his own religion.
Why is Okonkwo's physically
violent reaction to seeing
Nwoye among the Christians
the wrong thing for him to
do?
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Chapter
Chapter Summary
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Analysis Questions
Chapter
18
At rst, the Mbanta are unconcerned about the church sat in the Evil
Forest. The clan share little interaction with the missionaries, until they
overstep their bounds. Three converts from the clan brag that the
gods of Mbanta are dead, and pledge to burn their shrines. This
pledge enrages the community, who beat the converts savagely. Then
all is quiet for a short while.
The clan are now uneasy. There are rumors that the white men are
bringing their government as well as their religion, to pass judgement
on the community. In Mbanta, these rumors are dif cult to believe,
since Mr. Kiaga (the interpreter) seems harmless. As for the converts,
they're still considered clan members, so killing one of them would
result in exile.
In attempt to grow its congregation, the church starts to accept
outcasts from the clans, which causes a stir among the converts, who
believe that the heathens will ridicule them for accepting osu into their
church. Mr. Kiaga displays Christian virtues by reminding them that
they are all children before God. In this manner, he loses one of the
converts, but gains some very strong converts in the former outcasts.
However, one of the outcasts, drags the church into a con ict with the
clan when he kills a royal python, the most revered animal in Mbanta.
The clan decides to punish the Christians, prohibiting them from using
the stream. When Mr. Kiaga demands an explanation, they explain
that they believe Okoli, one of the converts, killed the royal python.
Okoli suddenly falls ill and dies. This is interpreted by the clan
members as their gods ghting back. In this, they decide to pursue no
further actions against the Christians.
‘Three converts had gone
into the village and boasted
openly that all the gods were
dead and impotent and that
they were prepared to defy
them by burning all their
shrines.’
Why are the new converts to
Christianity the most
aggressive? How could this
aggression potentially
foreshadow future events?
How does the new religion
start to clash with the clan's
traditions? How does this
create con ict?
‘Although such stories were
now often told they looked
like fairy-tales in Mbanta and
did not as yet affect the
How do the rumors that the
relationship between the new church and government are
church and the clan.’
entwined foreshadow the
white man's eventual
‘These outcasts, or osu,
takeover?
seeing that the new religion
welcomed twins and such
How is the white man's
abominations, thought that it religion beginning to overturn
was possible that they would the clan's hierarchy? What
also be received.’
wider comment is the writer
making about the concept and
‘The royal python was the
power of religion?
most revered animal in
Mbanta and all the
Why do the converts wish to
surrounding clans. It was
punish those who still hold to
addressed as "Our Father,"
the traditions that once
and was allowed to go
oppressed them? What new
wherever it chose, even into power have the converts
people's beds.’
gained and why?
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What inferences and meaning
do the clan draw from Okoli’s
death? What long-term
outcomes are the clan hoping
for and why?
Chapter
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Analysis Questions
Chapter
19
After seven years, Okonkwo reaches the end of his time
in Mbanta, and he remains bitter over the lost
opportunities to climb to the top of the clan in Umuo a.
He sends money to Obierika to build two huts for him in
his old compound so that his family can live there until he
can build some more.
‘It was going to be
Okonkwo's last harvest in
Mbanta. The seven wasted
and weary years were at last
dragging to a close.’
Who or what does Okonkwo
believe is responsible for his
seven year exile?
As the nal wet months of his seven year exile come to a
close, Okonkwo throws a feast for his extended family to
demonstrate his gratitude. Ekwe harvests her cassava,
and Okonkwo slaughters three goats and a number of
fowl.
‘Okonkwo, called his three
wives and told them to get
things together for a great
feast. "I must thank my
mother's kinsmen before I
go," he said.’
Uchendu (the oldest family member), is given the honour
of breaking the kola nut and leading the prayers to their
ancestors for health and welfare of the family children.
The feast begins. Towards the end of the meal, an old
cousin stands to thank Okonkwo and to also warn the
younger generation to never forget about the bonds of
kinship. He reiterates that he fears for the clan before
again thanking Okonkwo for the feast.
Why does Okonkwo want to
return to Umuo a? What
does this illuminate within
his characterisation?
How does Okonkwo measure
greatness?
It what ways is Okonkwo
‘It is good in these days
emotions linked to the
when the younger generation weather at this juncture of
consider themselves wiser
the narrative? What is this
than their sires to see a man language device called?
doing things in the grand, old
way.’
What does Okonkwo offer to
his guests at the thank-you
feast? What words does
Okonkwo use to thank his
guests?
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What customs does the feast
showcase? How is language
shown to be important at this
feast?
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Chapter
20
Pensively, Okonkwo returns to his clan. He realises
that his seven years in exile have placed clan
leadership out of his reach. He will not be able to
lead his clan against the new religion and claim the
chance to win the highest titles. However, he still
believes he can ourish. Okonkwo plans to rebuild
his compound on a more magni cent scale, with
room for two new wives. He also wants to initiate his
sons into the ozo society. After Nwoye joined the
Christians, he told his other sons that they could
follow in Nwoye’s steps if they wanted to, but that he
would curse them and haunt them after his death.
‘As soon as he left, someone
else rose and lled it. The
clan was like a lizard; if -it
lost its tail it soon grew
another.’
"There are many good and
prosperous people here, but I
shall be happy if you marry in
Umuo a when we return
home."
How does Okonkwo respond
to all the changes that have
occurred in his clan? How do
these changes impact his
chances of regaining social
status and power?
What inferences and
meaning can we draw from
Okonkwo’s treatment of his
sons? Why hasn’t he
changed his tact after
Nwoye’s departure?
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‘The church had come and
Now grown up, Ezinma is considered to be one of
led many astray. Not only the
the most beautiful girls in Mbanta. She is referred to low-born and the outcast but How could Ezinma’s
as, ‘Crystal of Beauty’, just as her mother had been sometimes a worthy man had marriageable beauty help
called in her youth. Ezinma receives many marriage joined it.’
Okonkwo rebuild his position
prospects in Mbanta, but refuses them all because
within the clan?
she knows that her father would like her to marry in ‘Why did they not ght back?
Umuo a. And in an act of support, she persuades
Had they no guns and
How does Ezinma's
Obiagelito (her half-sister) to do the same. Okonkwo machetes? We would be
relationship with Okonkwo
favours Ezinma because she seems to understand
cowards to compare
reveals more about his views
him the best out of all of his children, and he
ourselves with the men of
of masculinity?
continues to wish that she were a boy. Okonkwo
Abame.’
hopes that his daughters will also attract
What tools have the white
considerable attention in Umuo a.
men used to increase their
in uence? Why have the
After seven years of exile, Okonkwo is able to see
tribe permitted the white men
how the church has changed and in uenced the
to gain such signi cant
culture of Umuo a. A growing number of clan
power?
members have converted to Christianity, including
some men of title. The white men have gained
How do the changes that the
power by building a court where a District
white men bring destroy the
Commissioner judges cases, and messengers
sovereignty of Umuo a
called kotma guard the prison. The messengers are
society?
despised for their arrogance and foreign-roots, and
they earn a nickname of ‘Ashy-Buttocks’ in reference
What inferences and
to the ash-colored shorts of their uniform.
meaning can we draw from
the clan’s ridicule of the
Chapter
21
Chapter Summary
Notable Quotes
Analysis Questions
Many of the people in Umuo a are more passive towards the white
men and do not feel as strongly as Okonkwo does. Although the white
men has brought a new strange religion, they have also brought fresh
trade helping new money ow into Umuo a. Driven by the efforts of a
missionary called Mr. Brown, the religion is growing in popularity. Mr.
Brown offers conversion in a respectful way, respecting the clan's own
traditions. He guides members of the congregation away from
provoking the clan, particularly in the case of Enoch, a fanatical
convert whose father was the priest of the snake cult.
‘but he had also built a
trading store and for the rst
time palm-oil and kernel
became things of great price,
and much money owed into
Umuo a.’
How are the invading white men able
to distract the people of Umuo a
away from the threat that they carry
to their traditional way of life?
Mr. Brown builds relationships with some of the great men of the clan.
He gains status and importance when he discusses religion with
Akunna (a great clansman) in one of the neighboring villages. They
gain each other’s respect. Neither one of them succeeding in a
conversion of the other. Akunna points out several similarities between
the clan's religion and Christianity. He compares Mr. Brown's
presence to the clan's wooden carvings: both are representations of
God on earth, among people.
Mr. Brown cleverly uses his understanding of the clan to convert more
people to the church. To gain support and respect from the
community, he builds a school and a hospital and then campaigns for
the families to send their children for an education. Mr. Brown
declares, that leaders of the future will be those who can read and
write, and now these arguments begin to take effect. More people
begin to enroll at the school, and the community are able to tangibly
witness the results, including earning a clerkship or qualifying to
become a teacher. However, Mr. Brown's health begins to decline,
and he is required to leave Umuo a shortly after Okonkwo’s return.
He attempts to greet Okonkwo with news of his son Nwoye, but
Okonkwo drives him out with threats.
Okonkwo’s return is not as memorable as he’d wished for, although
his daughters have aroused interest in a number of suitors.
Okonkwo’s return doesn’t rouse much in the community, Umuo a is
too busy with the changes of new religion and government. Okonkwo
mourns for the men of Umuo a, whom he believes have become “soft
like women.”
‘Mr. Brown preached against
such excess of zeal.
Everything was possible, he
told his energetic ock, but
everything was not
expedient.’
‘But Mr. Brown himself was
breaking down in health. At
rst he ignored the warning
signs. But in the end he had
to leave his ock, sad and
broken.’
‘Umuo a did not appear to
have taken any special notice
of the warrior's return. The
clan had undergone such
profound change during his
exile that it was barely
recognizable.’
What arguments does Akunna use to
convince Mr. Brown that lesser gods
act as messengers to Chukwu? Why
does Mr. Brown disapprove of
Enoch’s behaviour?
How could you describe Mr. Brown’s
tactics to gain power and status in a
foreign community?
How does Mr. Brown establish a
mutual respect with signi cant
members of the clan?
What commonalities do both
religions share? What wider
comment is the writer making about
opposing religions?
Why is the construction of a school
and hospital signi cant to the people
of the clan. How do these institutions
change the conventions of future
leadership within the community?
Why does Mr. Brown visit Okonkwo?
What is Nwoye’s new Christian
name? How does Okonkwo respond
to Mr. Brown’s visit?
Why is Okonkwo’s return
underwhelming? What does this
make him realise?
How could the interest in his
daughters aid Okonkwo?
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Chapter
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Reverend Smith replaces Mr. Brown, and he couldn’t be
more different. There is no policy of compromise, Mr.
Smith encourages extreme acts to provoke the clan. He
is also publicly critical of Mr. Brown’s previous methods,
believing that Mr. Brown achieved nothing but numbers,
and not true Christian believers.
Reverend Smith encourages the over-zealous members
of the congregation to enrage the clan during an annual
religious ceremony. As the egwugwu begin to retire from
the proceedings, Enoch (a clan convert) brags that they
wouldn't dare touch a Christian. When
the egwugwu return to face their aggressor, Enoch tears
the mask off of one of the egwugwu.
That evening, the Mother of the Spirits paces the length
of the clan, weeping. The next day the
masked egwugwu assemble at the marketplace and
head for Enoch’s compound. The Christians protectively
hide Enoch in the parsonage for two days, which
disappoints Enoch who now hopes for a holy war. The
angry egwugwu burn down his compound and move on
next to the church, where Reverend Smith and his
interpreter, Okeke, confront them. Ajo a (the
leading egwugwu of Umuo a), states that the two men
will not be harmed, but that they should not stand in the
way of their retribution. Reverend Smith refuses to move
but is helpless to save his church from being burnt to the
ground.
‘He saw things as black and
white. And black was evil. He
saw the world as a battle eld
in which the children of light
were locked in mortal con ict
with the sons of darkness.’
‘The over-zealous converts
who had smarted under Mr.
Brown's restraining hand
now ourished in full favor.
One of them was Enoch, the
son of the snake-priest who
was believed to have killed
and eaten the sacred python.’
One of the greatest crimes a
man could commit was to
unmask an egwugwu in
public,
How can two individuals like Reverend
Smith and Mr. Brown, follow the same
religion and yet preach it so
differently? What comment is the writer
making about religion here?
Reverend Smith believes that he has
nothing to learn from Umuo a or its
clans – what does this illuminate within
his characterisation?
In Umuo a they say “as a man danced
so the drums were beaten for him.” (p.
131) How does this saying relate to
Reverend Smith?
The two religions nally clash in a
major confrontation. What is the
signi cance of Enoch pulling the mask
off of the egwugwu? How has Enoch
discovered a newfound might?
Why is Reverend Smith lled with
wrath when he hears that a woman in
the congregation allows her husband
to mutilate her dead child? Why do the
villagers call Enoch “The Outsider who
wept louder than the bereaved”? (p.
131)
How does the clan’s actions mirror the
earlier actions of Enoch?
In what ways are the actions justi ed
and appropriate in the eyes of the
egwugwu?
What is the greatest crime a man can
commit in Umuo a? Why is Enoch
disappointed to be hidden in the
parsonage? Why does Ajo a address
Mr. Smith by saying, “The body of the
white man, do you know me?” (p. 134)
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Okonkwo is pleased with his clans retaliation, believing that it is a
return to form for the warrior men of Umuo a. For two days after the
destruction of the church, nothing happens. Still cautious, the men in
Umuo a remain armed with a gun or machete. When the District
Commissioner returns, Mr. Smith conferences with him, and three
days later the Commissioner requests the attendance of the Umuo an
leaders to meet at his headquarters. This invitation is not surprising,
but they attend the meeting armed with machetes.
At the meeting, the leaders are tricked by the District Commissioner,
who has them handcuffed as Ekwueme recounts the story of Enoch’s
crime. The Commissioner declares that it’s unlawful to burn people's
houses and places of worship down, and they will only be released
after the village pays a ne of two hundred bags of cowries. The clan
leaders do not respond, and the District Commissioner leaves them
with the court messengers, instructing them to treat the men with
respect.
As soon as the Commissioner departs, the court messengers shave
the heads of the leaders. The treatment of the leaders becomes
abusive, with the court messengers not allowing the leaders to leave
and urinate, and starving them of food for three days. On the third
day, Okonkwo angrily announce that they should have killed the white
man, and he's overheard by a court messenger who rushes in to beat
the men with a stick.
The court messengers increase the cowries ne to the villagers by fty
bags so they can take their own cut. This causes great dismay with
the villagers fearing what to do next or what to believe. Panicked with
the news, Ezinma breaks a twenty-eight day trip to her husband's
family after she hears that her father has been imprisoned. After
debate, it's decided that the community will pay the ne, and they
gather together the two hundred and fty bags of cowries.
‘For two days after the
destruction of the church,
nothing happened. Every
man in Umuo a went about
armed with a gun or a
machete. They would not be
caught unawares, like the
men of Abame.’
‘Three days later the District
Commissioner sent hiss
sweet-tongued messenger to
the leaders of Umuo a
asking them to meet him in
his headquarters.’
In what ways do the leader of
Umuo a underestimate the size of
the Commissioner’s threat? Why
are they ill-equipped to deal with
the white authority?
How does the District
Commissioner coax the Igbo
leaders? Why is he trusted by the
leaders of the clan?
What inferences and meaning can
we draw from the white
government completely ignoring
the laws and structures that are
already in place in Umuo a?
What code of law does the District
Commissioner use to judge the six
Igbo leaders? What pretense does
the District Commissioner use to
bring his 12 men into the talks with
the Igbo leaders?
‘There was only a brief
scuf e, too brief even to
allow the drawing of a
sheathed machete. The six
men were handcuffed and led
The District Commissioner tells his
into the guardroom’
men to treat the leaders of Umuo a
He carried a strong stick, and
he hit each man a few blows
on the head and back.
Okonkwo was, choked with
hate.
with respect. Is this a genuine
order?
Despite being given the order to
show respect to the leaders, the
court messengers abuse them –
What drives the court messenger’s
abusive behaviour?
Is the court’s ne of two hundred
and fty bags of cowies unfair? Is
it any different to the ne of a
virgin and Ikemefuna placed upon
the village of Mbaino?
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Chapter
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Okonkwo and the other leaders are freed after the ne is paid,
but they leave in brooding silence, not speaking to any of the
clansmen they pass. Ezinma prepares a meal for her father,
and he eats only to please her, even though he has no
appetite.
‘He ate absent-mindedly. He
had no appetite; he only ate
to please her.’
'The greatest obstacle in
Umuo a," Okonkwo thought
The village crier beats his gong that evening and calls for
another meeting in the morning. Okonkwo sleeps in a broken
bitterly, "is that coward,
way that night, excited by the possibility of war. In his bed,
Egonwanne. His sweet
Okonkwo swears vengeance against the white man's court. As
tongue can change re into
he considers the meeting the next day, he decides the greatest
obstacle in Umuo a is a speaker named Egonwanne. This man cold ash. When he speaks he
moves our men to
was the persuasive force who convinced the clan to be less
aggressive. Okonkwo believes if the clan listens to Egonwanne impotence.
tomorrow, he will plan his own revenge.
As the sun rises the marketplace lls. Obierika and Okonkwo
attend the meeting together. Okonkwo looks for Egonwanne in
the crowd. He spots his position, and prepares to speak
against him if he advises against the decision of war. Okika,
one of the six men who had been imprisoned, begins to speak,
urging the clan to go to war even though it means ghting their
former brothers.
The village meeting is suddenly interrupted by the arrival of ve
court messengers. Their intrusion is not appreciated. When
Okonkwo sees them he is lled with hate, and launches to his
feet to confront the head messenger. The court messenger
announces to the gathering that the white man has ordered a
halt to the proceedings, the meeting is over. In a ash,
Okonkwo draws his machete and strikes the man down.
Okonkwo senses that the tribe will not go to war. He knows this
because he can hear voices from his clan asking: “Why did he
do it?” Okonkwo leaves.
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‘He ground his teeth.
"Tomorrow he will tell them
that our fathers never fought
a 'war of blame! If they listen
to him I shall leave them and
plan my own revenge’
‘In a ash Okonkwo drew his
machete. The messenger
crouched to avoid the blow. It
was useless. Okonkwo's
machete descended twice
and the man's head lay
beside his uniformed body.’
The silence is ominous. What is the
silence really saying?
How and why does Okonkwo
associate Egonwanne's speeches
with the feminine tactics of
persuasion?
Okonkwo wants to take a more
aggressive route and go to war. How
does this reveal part of Okonkwo's
dif culty tting into the tribe?
How does the tradition of gathering
everyone in the marketplace to speak
orally sabotage the clan’s
collaborative discussions?
What does Okonkwo mean when he
says he would show Egonwanne his
back and his head if he talks about a
war of blame?
What does Okika mean when he
says, “Whenever you see a toad
jumping in broad daylight, then know
that something is after its life”?
Okika says Eneke the bird was asked
why he is always ying. He replied
“Men have learnt to shoot without
missing their mark and I have learnt
to y without perching on a twig.”
What is the meaning of the proverb,
and how does it apply to the novel?
Okonkwo has based his entire
existence on being a powerful man
devoted to the traditions of his
society – How does this shape his
violent response?
Is Okonkwo's murder of the court
messenger an act of fate or an act of
free will?
Notable Quotes
Analysis Questions
Chapter
25
The Commissioner visits Okonkwo’s compound with an
armed guard of soldiers and court messengers, here he
demands to see Okonkwo. Obierika declares that
Okonkwo is not there. This makes the Commissioner
extremely angry and he threatens to imprison them all up
unless they produce Okonkwo. The clansmen present at
the compound all share a discussion. Obierika tells the
Commissioner that they will lead him to where Okonkwo
is and then perhaps the Commissioner can help them.
The Commissioner is confused.
Obierika leads the way with the gathering, taking them to
a tree behind Okonkwo’s compound where they nd
Okonkwo's body dangling. Obierika asks if the
Commissioner’s party can help to bring his body down
and bury him. In Umuo an custom it is forbidden for them
to bury a man who has taken his own life. Only strangers
may touch the body of someone who has committed
suicide. The District Commissioner takes interest in this
custom.
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The Commissioner orders his chief messenger to take
down the body, and then orders him to bring all the men
to court. He exits the scene, taking a few soldiers with
him, and here he considers all that he has learned in the
years he's spent in Africa. He thinks about the book he
plans to write on his experiences, and muses that this
suicide would make a good chapter. He's already decided
on a title for the book as well, calling it The Paci cation of
the Primitive Tribes of the Lower Niger.
‘The Commissioner became
angry and red in the face. He
warned the men that unless
they produced Okonkwo
forthwith he would lock them
all up.’
‘Then they came to the tree
from which Okonkwo’s body
was dangling, and they
stopped dead.’
‘The story of this man who
had killed a messenger and
hanged himself would make
interesting reading.’
What lack of understanding does
the Commissioner's thought about
the Igbo people's “love of
super uous words” reveal?
Is Okonkwo’s suicide entirely
unexpected? Why does Obrierika
send strangers from another
village?
How is a lack of verbal
understanding one of the main
sources from which the clan's and
the white man's misunderstandings
stem?
In what ways does the
Commissioner regard the traditions
of the Umuo an people? What
comment is the writer making
about the invading British Empire?
Why do you think Okonkwo hung
himself?
Why does the District
Commissioner think he is bringing
civilisation to the Igbo people?
Explain why the title of the District
Commissioner’s book is ironic?
How does the District
Commissioner trivialise the great
tragedy of Okonkwo?