TFA chapter summary + themes

Chapter 1

Okonkwo is introduced as a respected leader. He gains fame by defeating Amalinze the cat and tries to distance himself from Unoka’s laziness and failure.

Themes: Masculinity, Reputation/honour, Generational conflict

Chapter 2

Town crier reveals that a woman was killed by Mbaino and they offer a virgin and Ikemefuna as repayment.

Themes: Justice, Community, Tradition

Chapter 3

Okonkwo remembers his father, remembers struggling and shows his perseverance and determination.

Themes: Perseverance, Fate vs Free will, Cultural beliefs

Chapter 4

Ike settles in into his new home and bonds w nwoye. Okonkwo beats his wife during the week of peace and is disliked by the community.

Themes: Tradition vs personal conduct, family dynamics, discipline and authority

Chapter 5

The feast of the New Yam, tension in Okonkwo’s home reveals his inner turmoil and strict demeanour

Themes: Culture, Gender roles, inner conflict

Chapter 6

Wrestling matches entertain the village and Ekwefi concerns for Ezinma’s health

Themes: Community and entertainment, Personal love, Youth and potential

Chapter 7

Ike becomes beloved but the oracle orders his death. Okonkwo kills him and Nwoye is sad.

Themes: Obedience to tradition, Moral dilema, Loss of innocence

Chapter 8

Okonkwo is sad, distracts himself w social visits discussing marriage but is still upset.

Themes: emotional suppression, social interactions, geder expectations

Chapter 9

Ezinma gets ill and Ekwefi recounts all of her lost children.

Themes: Maternal love, Superstition and belief, resilience

Chapter 10

Village trial is held, Egwugwu adjudicate

Themes: Justice, Role of elders, Spiritual authority

Chapter 11

Ezinma is taken by the priestess, Ekwefi follows showing her courage and Okonkwo appears secretly

Themes: Faith, Parental protection, gender roles

Chapter 12

Preparations for Obierika’s daughter’s wedding

Themes: Community engagement, Marriage traditions, Hospitality

Chapter 13

During a funeral, Okonkwo’s gun accidentally goes off leading to his exile

Themes: Fate and consequence, Exile, Cultural laws

Chapter 14

Okonkwo arrives in his motherland, Mbanta, and gets lectured from his uncle, Uchendu

Themes: Adaptaion, Family support, Wisdom of elders

Chapter 15

Obierika visits Okonkwo telling him abt a village’s destruction after killing a white man

Themes: Cultural clashes, Communication barriers, Impending change

Chapter 16

Missionaries arrive in Mbanta and Nwoye is drawn to their message, leading to his conversion

Themes: Religious influence, Personal transformations, generational divide

Chapter 17

Missionaries request to build a church and do so in the evil forest. Surviving here leads to more conversions.

Themes: Fath, Challenges to beliefs, Community dynamics

Chapter 18

Tensions rise in manta and a convert, Okoli, allegedly kills a sacred python. After he is ostracised, he dies suddenly and the clan views this as divine intervention

Themes: cultural conflict, Social hierarchy, Divine justice

Chapter 19

Okonkwo hosts a feast as his end of exile but still feels bitter even though he is grateful for the hospitality of his mother’s kin

Themes: Gratitude and generosity, Ambition, Family and kinship

Chapter 20

Okonkwo returns to Umuofia to see it has changed by the white peoples’ influence. He is sad.

Themes: Change, Resistance, Cultural erosion

Chapter 21

Mr Brown gains respect through his caring approach.

Themes: Cultural exchange, Education, Religious tolerance

Chapter 22

Reverend Smith replaces Mr Brown and is very agressive. Enoch, a zealous convert, unmasks an Egwugwu and the clan destroys the church in retaliation.

Themes: Religious zealotry, Sacrilege, Retaliation

Chapter 23

District commissioner tricks Umuofia’s leaders and areas and humiliates them as well as demanding a hefty ransom for their release

Themes:; Colonial oppression, Humiliation, Injustice

Chapter 24

Now free, Okonkwo urges clan to revolt but a court messenger arrives to stop the meeting. Okonkwo kills him in rage and is angered by the lack of support

Themes: Isolation, Desperation, Inaction

Chapter 25

District commissioner finds Okonkwo has killed himself. Clansmen cannot bury him and the commissioner muses about his book.

Themes: Tragedy, Cultural misunderstanding, Histroical narrative