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Chinua Achebe (1930-2013) Things Fall Apart (1958) - Written during "2nd" Period of African Lit, period of protest
over colonial social order (717). A very plain
pdf version of the novel
Things to Consider:
Gods/Theology: Christianity vs. Native Religion
Gods' interaction in humans' lives
Folk tales: purpose and use
"Manhood" and Treatment of Women
Colonialists and Missionaries
Rituals and Customs
The Kola Nut
** Homework Questions ** (See Q's for Parts 2 & 3 ) 8:
What is the nature of the conflict between the Umuofia
and Mbaino people? How is it resolved?
19-20:
What is the purpose of the week of peace?
How does Onkonkwo violate it? What is his
punishment?
25:
Explain Okonkwo's wife's comment about "guns that never
shoot" (25).
33:
What are the differences in stories told by men and those
told by women? What is their purpose?
38:
Why is Ikemefuna killed? Why does Okonkwo
participate?
47:
What is an ogbanje? Is Ezinma one?
What evidence is there?
55:
Why have the ancestral spirits been summoned?
74:
How does Ezeudu's son die?
Why is Okonkwo's a "female" crime? What is his
punishment?
Other Discussion Questions: 3:
Who is Okonkwo? What is his claim to fame?
4:
Who is Unoka? What kind of person is he?
9:
What is the role of Agbala, the Oracle of the Hills and
the Caves?
Who is Ikemefuna?
11:
What is an agbala? How is it different from
the name of the Oracle? (See also 17.)
12:
What is a chi?
Why is Unoka not buried?
22:
What are women's crops? What is the men's crop?
What's the difference?
23:
Who is Ani?
24:
Why is Okonkwo not as enthusiastic as the others about
the New Yam festival?
26:
Who is Ekwefi? Why does she answer "Is that me?" when she
is called?
30:
Who is Chielo?
33:
Which stories does Nwoye prefer? Why?
34:
Why are the people glad when the locusts arrive?
35:
Who is Ogbuefi Ezeudu?
44:
Why do they use a bundle of broomsticks to decide the
marriage price?
58-60:
What is the purpose of the tortoise tale?
61:
Why does Agbala want Ezinma?
65:
Why does Chielo carry Ezinma so far before taking her to
the sacred cave?
66:
Who is Ojiugo?
70:
Why is it "manly" to bring so much wine?
Homework Questions for
Parts Two and Three: 76:
Why does Okonkwo no longer enjoy work?
77:
How is the mother "supreme"?
80:
To what are the white men compared?
82:
Explain the discussion of giving thanks. (See also
96.)
95:
Why does Okonkwo have a feast before leaving the Mbanta
village?
98:
Why does Okonkwo call Nwoye a "woman" for converting to
Christianity?
100:
Why do "things fall apart"?
101:
How different are the Christian and native
religions?
116:
Why does Okonkwo kill the head messenger?
117:
Why does he kill himself?
Other Discussion Questions: 75:
Who is Uchendu?
76:
What is an isa-ifi ceremony?
80:
How is the Abame clan wiped out?
85:
What aspect of Christianity appeals to Nwoye?
86:
Why do the villagers of Mbanta give the missionaries land
in the Evil Forest?
90:
What is an osu? What is the significance of their
being accepted into the Christian community?
