Study Questions: Things Fall Apart—Part I (Chapters 1-13)
Chapter 1
1. For what was Okonkwo well known throughout the many villages?
2. Describe Okonkwo's father, Unoka.
3. What is a "market"?
4. Describe the meeting between Unoka and Okoye. What does Unoka's response to Okoye's request reveal about his character?
5. In the Ibo tradition, by what was a man judged?
6. The elders of the tribe say, "If a child washed his hands,he could eat with kings." What does this mean, and how does it apply to Okonkwo?
Chapter 2
7. Describe the effects darkness has on the people of Umuofia.
8. What details are given to support Okonkwo's manliness and bravery in times of war?
9. For what reason was Umuofia at odds with the people of Mbaino?
10. For what reasons was Umuofia feared by its neighbors?
11. Describe the negotiations between the Ibo emissary of war and the people of Mbaino.
12. By what "one passion" does Okonkwo seem to be ruled?
13. How does Okonkwo treat his wives and children?
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Chapter 3
14. What is the Oracle of Agbala?
15. What do the people of Umuofia claim they have seen when they came to consult the Oracle?
16. What does the Oracle tell Unoka about his unsuccessful crops?
17. What is "chi"?
18. Describe Unoka's death and burial. Why does this bring such shame to Okonkwo?
19. Who is Nwakibie and why is he such an important person to Okonkwo?
20. Describe the responsibilities of guests/hosts in Ibo society.
21. What honors/rights marked a first wife's position in the Ibo household?
22. How did Okonkwo build his wealth?
23. What was significant about Okonkwo's first year of harvesting yams?
24. What was Okonkwo able to prove to himself that year?
Chapter 4
25. "Looking at a king's mouth," said an old man, "one would think he never sucked at his mother's breast."
What does this reference to Okonkwo suggest?
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26. The old man also says, "...those whose palm kernels were cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble." What does this mean, particularly in reference to Okonkwo?
27. Describe the young lad Ikemefuna. Who was chosen to care for him?
28. Describe the tradition of the Week of Peace. How does Okonkwo break the peace during the Week of
Peace?
29. In what ways do Okonkwo's wives support and protect each other?
30. For what does Ezeani, the priest of the earth goddess, admonish Okonkwo? What is his penance?
31. Why do the villagers criticize Okonkwo following this incident?
32. What happens in neighboring clans if a man died during the Week of Peace?
33. How does Okonkwo justify his harsh treatment of his son, Nwoye?
Chapter 5
34. What is the Feast of the New Yam?
35. Who is Ani?
36. How do Okonkwo's wives prepare for the Feast of the New Yam?
37. For what reason does Okonkwo unleash his suppressed anger before the festival?
38. How did Okonkwo win Ekwefi's heart?
39. What do the interactions between Okonkwo's wives and children illustrate about his family? Give examples.
40. What does Ezinma's conversation with her father Okonkwo suggest about their relationship?
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Chapter 6
41. Who is Chielo? Describe her conversation with Ekwefi.
42. What do Chapters 5 and 6 suggest about Ibo traditions?
Chapter 7
43. How had Ikemefuna's arrival in Okonkwo's household affected Nwoye?
44. Why did this please Okonkwo?
45. What was the difference between the tales Okonkwo told the boys and those Nwoye's mother told to the younger children? Which tales did Nwoye prefer?
46. What were the villagers' reactions when the locusts descended? Why?
47. What does Ogbuefi Ezeudu come to tell Okonkwo?
48. What is Ikemefuna told?
49. Why does Okonkwo ignore Ezeudu's advice?
Chapters 8 and 9
51. How does Okonkwo react to the death of Ikemefuna?
52. For what does Obierika request Okonkwo’s presence?
53. Describe the story of Ndulue and his wife Ozoemena. What does this story illustrate? In what way is this a critical story for the reader to know?
54. Describe the exchange between Obierika and his daughter’s future in-laws.
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55. What do Okonkwo’s and Obierika’s remarks about white men and the customs in other places reveal about their tribe?
56. Describe the relationship between Ekwefi and Ezinma.
57. What is an ogbanji child?
58. What does the medicine man do to Ekwefi’s child that died on the same market day that it was born?
Why?
59. What is Ezinma’s iyi-uwa?
60. Why does the medicine man tell Okonkwo to let him deal with Ezinma?
61. In what ways does Okonkwo attempt to help the ill Ezinma?
Chapter 10
62. For what had the large crowds gathered at the beginning of chapter 10?
63. Who were the egwugwu?
64. What does each of the egwugwu represent?
65. How do the spirits address humans?
66. What is Uzowulu’s complaint he presents to the egwugwu, the fathers of the clan?
67. What is Odukwe’s rendition of the story?
68. What is the law of the land if a wife runs away from her husband?
69. What is the decision of the egwugwu in this case?
Chapter 11
70. Describe the nightly rituals of Okonkwo’s family.
71. For what has the priestess Chielo come to Okonkwo’s compound?
72. What are Chielo’s instructions to Ekwefi and Okonkwo?
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73. Describe Chielo’s journey to the cave of Agbala.
Chapter 12
74. What is the uri the village is preparing for?
74. For what reason were Okonkwo and Ekwefi so exhausted on the morning of the uri?
75. What do Obierika’s in-laws present the women with?
76. What do the menfolk discuss before the arrival of the suitors?
77. Compare and contrast the Ibo marriage ceremony to contemporary wedding ceremonies.
Chapter 13
78. Describe the most dreaded of all egwugwu.
79. What happens at the burial of Ezeudu?
80. What was the crime Okonkwo committed?
81. Where do Okonkwo and his family go?
82. As the day broke, what does a large crowd of Umuofian men do?
85. The elders said, “If one finger brought oil it soiled the others.” What is the significance of this proverb?
How does it relate to the events in the chapter?
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