tfa final

Okonkwo

A respected Igbo warrior of Umuofia

Unoka

Okonkwo’s father; lazy

Amalinze the Cat

The wrestler Okonkwo defeated

Umuofia

A powerful Igbo village with strong traditions

Mbaino

A neighboring village that gives Ikemefuna to Umuofia to avoid war

Ikemefuna

A boy given to Umuofia as a peace sacrifice; becomes like a son to Okonkwo; later killed

Ikemefuna’s Death

Ordered by the Oracle; Okonkwo kills him to avoid appearing weak

Nwoye

Okonkwo’s son; sensitive and thoughtful; disturbed by violence; later converts to Christianity

Fear of Weakness

Okonkwo’s main motivation; leads to violence

Week of Peace

A sacred period before planting when violence is forbidden; Okonkwo breaks it by beating his wife

Feast of the New Yam

Celebration of harvest and masculinity; highlights Okonkwo’s anger and domestic abuse

Ekwefi

Okonkwo’s second wife; strong-willed and deeply devoted to her daughter

Ezinma

Ekwefi’s only surviving child; favored by Okonkwo; symbolizes hope and maternal love

Chielo

Priestess of Agbala who takes Ezinma to the Oracle

Oracle of the Hills and Caves

Spiritual authority that guides major decisions including Ikemefuna’s death

Egwugwu

Masked elders representing ancestral spirits who judge disputes

Igbo Justice System

Community-based legal system rooted in tradition and spirituality

Ezeudu

A respected elder who warns Okonkwo not to kill Ikemefuna

Ezeudu’s Funeral

Ceremony where Okonkwo accidentally kills a boy

Okonkwo’s Exile

Punishment for accidental killing; exiled to Mbanta for 7 years for offending the Earth goddess

Mbanta

Okonkwo’s motherland and place of exile

Uchendu

Okonkwo’s uncle who teaches the importance of balance and motherhood

Motherhood Theme

Mothers symbolize refuge

Abame

A village destroyed by white men signaling the threat of colonialism

White Men

European colonizers who bring Christianity and government

Christian Missionaries

Introduce a new religion that divides families and weakens Igbo unity

Evil Forest

Land given to missionaries to fail; their survival strengthens Christianity

Mr. Brown

A peaceful missionary who respects Igbo culture and promotes education

Reverend Smith

A strict missionary who increases religious conflict

Enoch

A Christian convert who unmasks an egwugwu deeply offending Igbo tradition

Burning of the Church

The clan’s response to Enoch’s disrespect toward Igbo beliefs

District Commissioner

Colonial authority who imprisons and humiliates Igbo leaders

Colonial Justice

System based on force and misunderstanding of Igbo culture

Village Assembly

A clan meeting to respond to colonial interference

Messenger Killing

Okonkwo kills a messenger but the clan refuses to fight

Okonkwo’s Suicide

He kills himself after realizing Umuofia will not resist change

Suicide in Igbo Culture

An abomination against the earth preventing proper burial

Things Fall Apart

The collapse of Igbo society and Okonkwo’s personal tragedy

Tradition vs Change

The central conflict between Igbo culture and colonialism

Okonkwo’s Tragic Flaw

His fear of weakness and inability to adapt