Things Fall Apart
Study Guide Questions
Chapter 1
1) Use three traits by which to compare and contrast Okonkwo and his father. How are they alike?
Different?
2) On page 8, it says,”among these people a man was judged according to his worth and not
according to the worth of his father." Why is this important?
Chapter 2
3) Summarize what happened that has called all 10,000 men together from the nine villages.
4) Okonkwo is "ruled by one passion--to hate everything that his father Unoka had loved. One of
those things was gentleness and another was idleness" Comment on this quote.
Chapter 3
5) What side of Okonkwo do we see here in the face of drought and loss of crops?
6) Why don't Unoka's words at the end of the chapter help Okonkwo?
Chapter 4
7) "When a man says yes, his chi says yes also". Comment on this quotation.
8) Why does Okonkwo believe that "to show affection" is "a sign of weakness"?
9) Why does Okonkwo treat the boys so harshly when they are preparing the seed yams?
Chapter 5
10) Why does Okonkwo beat his second wife and then try to shoot her?
11) What were the circumstances surrounding Okonkwo's marriage to Ekwefi, his second wife?
Chapter 6
12) What is the purpose of the wrestling match?
13) What is the significance of Ekwefi's comment about Ezinma, "Perhaps she has come to stay"?
Chapter 7
14) How does Okonkwo feel toward Nwoye? How does this compare to his feelings toward
Ikemefuna?
15) Why does Okonkwo accompany the group, despite Ezeudu's advice?
16) Why does Okonkwo strike the fatal blow?
Chapter 8
17) In what ways does Unoka still influence Okonkwo's life?
18) What is the purpose of the broomsticks and the bargaining that involves them?
Chapter 9
19) How would you describe the relationship between Ezinma and Ekwefi?
20) Why would the idea of ogbanje be necessary in a society?
21) At the end of the chapter, list five superstitions you have found so far n the novel.
Chapter 10
22) What do the egwugwu represent?
23) What does it say about a society that it holds it ancestors in such high regard?
Chapter 11
24) How does Ekwefi feel as Ezinma leaves with Chielo?
25) Why does Okonkwo say, "Don't be foolish" and why is Ekwefi glad to see him?
Chapter 12
30) Okonkwo worries about Ezinma. Comment on the side of his personality shown by this reaction.
Chapter 13
31) Why does Okonkwo have a cold shiver when he hears that it is Ezeudu who has died?
32) Summarize the funeral rituals described in this chapter.
33) If the killing is an accident, why must Okonkwo leave for seven years?
Chapter 14
34) The description of the weather is given in great detail. What is the tone of this description?
35) What advice does Uchendu give Okonkwo?
Chapter 15
36) What comment does Uchendu make about the old days in the clan?
37) Why do the villagers kill the man?
Chapter 16
38) How do the villagers react to the coming of the missionaries?
39) Why does Nwoye say about Okonkwo, "He is not my father" ?
Chapter 17
40) Why do the tribesman give the Evil Forest to the missionaries?
41) What is the significance of the name, the "Roaring Flame" ?
42) Comment on the significance of the statement, "Living fire begets cold, impotent ash". How does
this describe Okonkwo and Nwoye?
Chapter 18
43) Why doesn't the tribe unite and revolt against the outsiders?
44) How does Mr. Kiaga save his church in the face of criticism about the osu?
Chapter 19
45) What comments are made about the "bond of kinship?”
Chapter 20
46) What is Okonkwo expecting upon his return to Umuofia? What does he find?
47) How has Umuofia changed during Okonkwo's exile?
48) What has fallen apart so far in the novel? List at least five things
Chapter 21
49) Why is Mr. Brown respected by the village?
50) What benefits has the white man brought the tribe?
Chapter 22
51) Compare the approaches used by Mr. Brown and Mr. Smith. Why is Mr. Brown a better person
to work with the tribe?
52) Why is it such a violation to unmask the egwugwu?
Chapter 23
53) How are Okonkwo and the others treated in jail?
Chapter 24
54) Why does Okonkwo plan his own revenge?
Chapter 25
55) Comment on the District Commissioner's statement: "One of the most infuriating habits of the
people was their love of superfluous words."
56) How does the tribe regard suicide, and what are they required to do?
57) In what ways is the D.C.'s title for his book ironic or satirical. Please explain.