Part 1 Things Fall Apart Summative Study Guide

Chapter 1
What are Okonkwo's main characteristics as he is depicted in the first few chapters? List as many as you can, being as specific as possible.  What were the characteristics of his father which affect him so powerfully?

Okonkwo: Strong, mean, successful, has lots of wives and yams

Unoka: Failure, musically, soft hearted and lazy

One becomes influential in this culture by earning titles. This is an expensive proposition which involves dispersing most of one's painfully accumulated wealth. What do you think are the social functions of such a system?

The people that work hard for their yams or plantations are hard workers and successful.

Chapter Two

What effect does night have on people? What do they fear? How do they deal with their fear of snakes at night? Palm-wine is a naturally fermented product of the palm-wine tree, a sort of natural beer.

The kids do not go out at night because of the "Dangerous Spirits” and animals.

They would not call a Snake by it’s name, only “string.”

Wine was made from Palm Trees.

 What is the cause and nature of the conflict with Mbaino? Beginning with this chapter, trace how women are related to the religious beliefs of the people. What is the purpose of the taking of Ikemefuna? Note how Achebe foreshadows the boy's doom even as he introduces him.

The daughter of Umofia was killed in Mbaino, and then Ikemefuna was sent to live with Okonkwo and bring a virgin so she can have children.

 In what ways does Okonkwo overcompensate for his father's weaknesses? In what ways is he presented as unusual for his culture? What is his attitude toward women? Why does he dislike his son Nwoye so much?

Okonkwo never stops working and is always angry.
Okonkwo’s abusive towards women, is demanding, and he dislikes his son because he’s 12 years old and lazy.

In this polygamous culture each household is enclosed in a compound. Each wife lives in a hut with her children, and the husband visits each wife in turn, though he has his own hut as well. Children are often cared for more or less communally. What do you think the advantages and disadvantages of this form of social structure are?

Advantages: There’s always someone to take care of and to help out with chores
Disadvantages: In this compound, overstimulating, and the feeling of jail like.

What seems to be Achebe's attitude toward this culture so far? Is his depicting it as an ideal one? Can you cite any passages which imply a critical attitude?

It’s a complex culture and youth with many flaws.

Chapter Three

The priestess of Agbala is introduced at the beginning of this chapter. She is a very significant figure in this book. What effect does her status have on your judgment of the roles played by women in the culture?

Agbala is communicative and a very powerful woman.

Ch. 4-6

What is chi? 

A personal god that determine’s ones fate.

What is Okonkwo’s attitude toward Ikemefuna (the boy from Mbaino that he is tasked with caring for)?

He is fond of the boy but keeps it to himself.

How does Ikemefuna fit in with Okonkwo’s family (Nwoye and his mother)? Provide one or two specific details. 

He starts befriending Nwoye and works very hard at his tasks in which Okonkwo starts to see that and is secretly impressed.

What is Okonkwo’s punishment for beating his youngest wife, Ojiugo, during the Week of Peace?

He must sacrifice two animals and some currency

Based on this information, what is the attitude of the Igbo people toward spousal abuse (specifically, husbands beating their wives)? 

The people in the Igbo culture don’t really care/ it’s less controversial in their culture about abuse towards beating your wives but people do care when it’s the week of peace, and that is when you are not aloud to beat your wives.

Why doesn’t Okonkwo enjoy the Feast of the New Yam?

He hates Idelness

When Ekwefi, Okonkwo’s second wife, makes a critical remark about Okonkwo’s hunting skill, what does he do in response?

Okonkwo grabs his shot rifal and tries to shoot his second wife, but misses.

Chielo is the woman that Ekwefi chats with at the wrestling match during the Feast of the New Yam. What is Chielo’s role/title in the village? 

The Priestess of Agbala

Who is Ezinma?

Ekwefi and Okonkwo’s daughter

Analyze the following passage in at least three sentences. Make specific reference to the paragraph below to support your answer. Consider the following: 

Is Okonkwo a good father? What does he want for his sons? Is there anything contradictory about Okonkwo’s actions and his motivations? 

Yes and No

He wants the best for his son and for him to become a successful yam harvester and farmer, but takes his teachings very harshly and abusively.

Chapter 7

Did Okonkwo have to kill Ikemefuna? Why or why not?

No, because the God’s ordered to sacrifice Ikemefuna and he felt like he had to participate and couldn’t lose his cool or weakness.

Why did he kill Ikemefuna? Why do human beings engage in ritual sacrifices like this?What are other examples?

Because Ikemefuna is from a different tribe and Okonkwo wanted to please the Gods and didn’t want to seem weak.

What is the significance of the locusts?

They are Biblical Creatures
Could help or harm you
Reoccurrence

How does Nwoye change from the beginning of the chapter to its end? 

Nwoye went from being masculine to being manly and hard working.
But then later on he becomes sad and more feminine.

Are there any parts of this chapter that left you confused or with questions?

How is Nwoye going to treat Okonkwo throughout the story since he killed Ikemefuna?

Chapter 8

How does Okonkwo react to killing Ikemefuna? What coping mechanisms does he use to move past his grief? 

Okonkwo keeps reliving it, is depressed/sad, and scared to be weak.

By thinking about his Goals of manliness, what makes him happy, and hard work or drinking.

Who is Obierika? What are his feelings about Ikemefuna's death? 

A friend of Okonkwo
He is against of Okonkwo’s actions and claims that if he was scared of blood than he wouldn’t have killed Ikemefuna.

What are some of the "laws of the land" that Obierika and Okonkwo discuss as being different in other villages? Why do you think Achebe chose to include this conversation? 

A different village involves the men to take care for the women instead of the women taking care of the men.
Because he wanted to include the differences between the tribes.

What did Chielo want with Ezinma? Where did she take her?

Chielo wanted Ezinma to see Agbala and then takes her to the cave.

What did Ekwefi do? Why do you think she did this?

She followed Chielo and Ezinma because she wasn’t sure what they wanted or what they would do to her.

What did Okonkwo do when Chielo took Ezinma? What insight does this give you about his character?

Okonkwo didn’t follow until later on and went to the cave and found Ekwefi and Ezinma there.
This gives us insight on how Okonkwo can care for people deep down even if he doesn’t always show it.

What was the purpose of the uri ceremony? 

To celebrate the young bride and groom, the day her suitor would bring the palm wine.

What was the significance in the amount of wine the family brought? 

For celebrating the young couple and a tradition in the Igbo culture.

Describe Ezeudu’s funeral. 

Was a warriors funeral and very crazy!

How did the author describe a man’s life? Do you agree?

“A man’s life from birth to death was a series of transition rites which brought him nearer and nearer to his ancestor.” (Achebe 122)
Yes/No

What happened during the frenzy?

Drums beating, guns/cannons fired, but all of a sudden Okonkwo accidentally shot the dead man’s 16 year old son.

What was the result of Okonkwo’s action?

Okonkwo must leave the Land.

What was the reason for the clan’s actions against Okonkwo? Why is this ironic?

Because it’s a crime against the Earth goddess to kill a clansman.