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Why is Okonkwo famous “throughout the nine villages and even beyond”?
he wrestled and threw amalinze the cat, and was a great and respected warrior.
What three items are presented to houseguests according to Igbo custom?
kola nut, alligator pepper, white chalk
How was Okonkwo able to become prosperous in spite of his father’s reputation?
He was a hard worker, and Nwakabie gave him twice the number of yams he asked for. He was also very brave in their wars.
Who is the “ill-fated lad” mentioned at the end of chapter 1?
Ikemefuna
Explain how Ikemefuna and the young girl came to live in Umuofia.
They were taken as payment since someone from their village had killed a “daughter of Umuofia”.
what is “war-medicine” and what is its significance?
it gave them good fortune in war, and guaranteed that they would win battles. it was characterized by an old woman with one leg.
Why does Okonkwo think Ezinma “should have been born a boy”?
she is stronger and smarter than his other sons. she also has “the right spirit” as she has survived many illnesses and understands him every well.
Why does Okonkwo kill Ikemefuna, even though he was told not to?
he didn’t want to be thought of as weak.
Where does Okonkwo’s family go after they are banished from Umuofia? What is his connection to this clan?
Mbanta - the clan of his mother
Who receives Okonkwo and his family when they arrive? What is his demeanor?
He is received by Uchendu (his mother’s brother), who is respectful and welcoming. Okonkwo is upset because he is no longer a great person of his clan, and will not be able to receive titles or increase his standing.
What is the difference between a male and female crime?
a male crime is more severe and premeditated, while a female crime is more accidental and emotion, therefore less severe
who comes to visit okonkwo? what news does he bring?
obierika; he tells him about the christians/white men that took over the village of Abame.
what is an “iron horse”?
a bicycle, apparently.
why does uchendu call a family meeting?
he notices that okonkwo is troubled about his move to his mother’s land and calls a meeting to tell him and his children about the importance of a woman/mother
explain the story of the kite told by uchendu
A mother kite told her daughter to bring home food; the daughter brought back a duckling. Mother kite asked what mother duck said, and the daughter said nothing, so mother kite said to return the duckling. Then, when the daughter gets a chick, mother chick shouted, so they ate it, since mom chick shouted have nothing to fear. Uchendu says this is like the men of Abame, they were fools for killing the first man. Uchendu uses this story to illustrate knowing more before immediately killing.
how have nwoye’s feelings about okonkwo changed at the start of chapter 16?
he’s captivated by the missionaries and how they speak of brotherhood and hymn, something that brought him to question how Ikemefuna had to be killed. Therefore, Nwoye is unhappy with and doesn’t consider Okonkwo to be his father.
Why did uchendu offer a piece of land in the evil forest to the missionaries? How did this plan backfire?
he believes the evil spirits will drive them out/their gods will punish them. unfortunately, the missionaries don’t leave. instead, they build a church and christianity is growing.
Why does Okonkwo beat Nwoye?
he is mad because nwoye has become interested in christianity. nwoye than leaves to join the church and okonkwo disowns him.
what does mr.kiaga say to nwoye when he decides to move back to umuofia?
he was very happy, saying “blessed is he who forsakes his father and mother for my sake… those that hear my words are my mother and father”
why were the ibo not concerned about the first members of their clan who fled to the new church?
they were not respectable members of society, and were sort of outcasts in society, so people were okay to get rid of them.
what does achebe mean by “the tragedy of [Okonkwo’s] first son”? what dreams does he have for his remaining five sons? what does he imagine for his daughters?
nwoye converting to christianity and abandoning the clan; he wants his other sons to become great men with titles, and his daughters to have grand marriages with important clansmen.
describe the changes that have occurred with the arrival of the white men in Umuofia
people start thinking of traditions in a different war, it divides society, they impose a new system of government (punish behaviors that were previously okay), also divides people in how to treat them, started making money off of natural resources
explain how mr. brown and rev. smith interacted with the ibo people
mr. brown was very careful to respecta and learn about the traditions of the Umuofian people, whereas Rev. Smith did not care if he offended or upset the Ibo people. They were both trying to convert people. Mr. Brown wanted to convert more people, while Rev. Smith wanted to have a few dedicated devotees.
How did Mr. Brown earn the respect of so many in Umuofia?
he does not infringe on their practices, he made friends with some great men of the clan. He also tries to learn about the practices of the Umuofia people in order to “convert” people. Essentially, he tried his best to keep the peace. He also built a hospital and school (to make ppl literate).
How is Rev. Smith’s behavior during his sermons perceived by the people of Umuofia?
gets very animated, loud, dramatic → evidence of him being possessed by a higher power, his conviction legitimizes him
why did okonkwo and the other men of his clan go to meet with the district commissioner? how did the commissioner treat them?
one of the converts took the egwugwu’s mask off during a ceremony → people burn down the church → commissioner learns abt this from rev. smith, and calls the clan leaders
The commissioner made it seem like he was going to talk to them, but then he handcuffed them and held them from ransom.
At what point does Okonkwo know that his people will not go to the war with the white men?
district commissioner sends a messenger to their meeting who threatens/intimidates them → okonkwo kills him in front of everybody → the clan lets the other messengers go and don’t support okonkwo’s actions (their way of thinking had changed)
what happens to okonkwo at the end of the novel?
he hangs himself after killing another man; obierika does not abandon him or the ibo beliefs in his burial, etc.
Note 
Flashcard (45)