Chinua Achebe (1930-2013)
Things Fall Apart (1958)
- Written during "2nd" Period of African Lit, period of protest
over colonial social order (717).
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 , 4, and 5 )
(Page #s in parentheses refer to the pdf version of the novel)
11 (8):
- What is the nature of the conflict between the Umuofia
and Mbaino people? How is it resolved?
12 (9-10):
- What is the role of Agbala, the Oracle of the Hills and
the Caves? (See also 16 (13)).
13 (11):
- What is an agbala? How is it different from
the name of the Oracle?
18 (14):
23 (19):
- What are women's crops? What is the men's crop?
What's the difference?
27 (23):
30 (26):
- What is the purpose of the week of peace?
- How does Onkonkwo violate it? What is his
punishment?
37 (32):
- Why is Okonkwo not as enthusiastic as the others about
the New Yam festival?
38-39 (33):
- Explain Ekwefi's comment about guns that don't shoot. Why
does Okonkwo get so bothered by it?
Other Discussion Questions:
3 (1):
- Who is Okonkwo? What is his claim to fame?
4 (2):
- Who is Unoka? What kind of person is he?
12 (10):
36 (31):
41 (35):
- Who is Ekwefi? Why does she answer "Is that me?" when she
is called?
Part Two:
48 (42):
53 (46):
- What is the differences in stories told by men and
women? What is the purpose of them?
- Which stories does Nwoye prefer? Why?
56 (48):
- Why are the people glad when the locusts arrive?
57 (49)
61 (53):
- Why is Ikemefuna killed? Why does Okonkwo
participate?
- Would Ikemefuna have been killed if he was native to the
village? Explain.
72 (63):
- Why do they use a bundle of broomsticks to decide the
marriage price?
77 (67):
- What is an ogbanje? Is Ezinma one?
What evidence is there?
Part Three:
89 (78):
- Who is the egwugwu (ancestral spirit) with the
springy step? Explain.
90-91 (79):
- Why have the ancestral spirits been summoned?
96-99 (84-87):
- What is the purpose of the tortoise tale?
100 (88):
- Why does Agbala want Ezinma?
105-8 (92-94):
- Why does Chielo carry Ezinma so far before taking her to
the sacred cave?
110 (96):
116 (102):
- Why is it "manly" to bring so much wine?
124 (108-9):
- How does Ezeudu's son die?
- Why is Okonkwo's a "female" crime? What is his
punishment?
Part Four:
129 (112):
131 (113-14):
- Why does Okonkwo no longer enjoy work?
- What is an isa-ifi ceremony?
133 (116):
- How is the mother "supreme"?
138-39 (119-21):
- How has the Abame clan been wiped out?
142 (124):
- Why does Obierika tell Okonkwo to kill himself?
147 (129):
- What aspect of Christianity appeals to Nwoye?
148 (130-31):
- Why do the villagers of Mbanta give the missionaries land
in the Evil Forest?
166 (146):
- Why does Okonkwo have a feast before leaving the Mbanta
village?
167 (147):
- Why does the old member of the clan fear for the younger
generation?
Other Discussion Questions:
139 (120):
- To what are the white men compared?
160 (142):
- Who is Okoli? Why does he die?
Part Five:
172 (150):
- Why does Okonkwo call Nwoye a "woman" for converting to
Christianity?
176 (154):
- Why do "things fall apart"?
179-80 (156-57):
- Who is Chukwu?
- How different are the Christian and native
religions?
183 (159):
- Why does Okonkwo mourn for the clan?
184 (160):
- How does the Rev. Smith differ from Mr. Brown?
191 (166):
- Why do the villagers burn down the church?
193 (168):
- How do the missionaries respond?
204- (178):
- Why does Okonkwo kill the head messenger?
207 (180):
- Why does he kill himself?
Other Discussion Question:
182 (159):
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