Things Fall Apart
Part III Study Guide
Chapter 20
1. How does Okonkwo feel about the prospect of returning to his homeland?
2. What are his hopes for his daughters Ezinma and Obiageli?
3. What systems of justice have been set up by the District Commissioner?
4. Obierika says “He (the white man) has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have
fallen apart.” Why does Obierika feel so pessimistic abou the ability of the clansmen to defeat the
white man?
Chapter 21
5. Why is Mr. Brown, the head of the Christian church, respected by the clan?
6. What do you learn about the beliefs of the Ibo religion from Akunna’s conversations with Mr.
Brown?
7. What role does education play within the community?
8. How do you explain Okonkwo’s feelings of grief at the end of the chapter?
Chapter 22
9. What action does Enoch commit during the annual worship of the Earth Goddess?
10. What are repercussions of his actions for the Christian church?
11. How is Reverend Smith different from Mr. Brown?
Chapter 23
12. How do the tribal leaders of Umofia end up in prison?
13. What is your view of the “justice” administered by the white man?
Chapter 24
14. What happens to the court messenger who interrupts the of the clan?
15. Is Okonkwo justified?
16. Why do you think Okonkwo reacts with such violence to the arrival of the court messengers?
Chapter 25
17. Why does Okonkwo kill himself?
18. What is your assessment of Okonkwo’s character at the end of the novel?
19. What do you think of the shift to the District Commissioner’s point of view?
20. What message does Achebe leave us with at the end of the novel about the influence of the white
man in this part of Nigeria?