Review Questions
Part I
Things Fall Apart
1. In what year does the story begin? 1890
2. In wgat country? Nigeria
3. Why did the author write the novel? To show that a more powerful, wealthier
country does not always have a better system. Be proud of your heritage.
4. Describe the author’s religious background. Devout christian
5. What tragic event occurred in 1990? A car accident which left him paralyzed
6. After 1990, what was his profession? College professor
7. What is ironic about the fact that he never returned to Nigeria? The country was
taken over and turned corrupt
8. What is a social novelist? A writer who speaks out for a particular cause through
his writing.
9. Name a social novelist. Orwell, Dickens, Stowe
10. Who is the oracle? Agbala
11. Name one of the priestesses. Chika
12. Who is the ownwer of the land? Ani
13. Who gave Okonkwo the yams to start his farm? Nwakibie
14. How many yams was he given?800
15. Why are the superstitions important to the people? They offer them security and
protection.
16. Where did Ikemefuna come from? Mbaino
17. Why? He was part of a bargain with the people offering a virgin and a lad
18. Describe the belief in drinking the dregs of the wine. They believed this helped
with fertility
19. How did Ikemefuna affect Okonkwo’s family? He bonded with Okonkwo and
improved the relationship between Okonkwo and Nyowe.
20. Who had a negative impact on Okonkwo from a very young age? Unoka
21. Why? He was lazy, unmotivated, and had lots of debt.
22. How did Okonkwo break the week of peace? He violated it by beating his wife.
23. Describe the relationship between Ekwefi and Ezinma? They were like equals.
24. Why is Ezinma so special to her parents? They lost so many children.
25. How many children did Ekwefi lose? 9
26. What are the egugwu? They are ancestral spirits that administer justice.
27. Who do the people think is part of the egugwu? Okonkwo
28. What issue was resolved in the trial? Domestic abuse
29. How is this ironic? Because husbands were allowed to beat their wives
30. What is the bride-price? The price the groom’s family pays the bride’s family
31. Why is the tortoise shell not smooth? It fell from the sky.
32. Which characters wait outside Agbala’s cave while Ezinma is with
him?Okonkwo/Ekwefi
33. What musical instrument is used to signify something significant? Ekwe
34. Who died in chapter 13? Ezudu
35. How many titles does he have? 3