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Things Fall Apart
Things Fall Apart is the novel by Chinua Achebe. The novel, the protagonist Okonkwo, and the various plot lines are discussed in this category.
1,374 Questions
What does female ochu mean in things fall apart?
In "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe, the term "female ochu" refers to a powerful deity among the Igbo people associated with fertility and protection. The female ochu is depicted as a benevolent force that brings blessings and prosperity to the community. Its presence serves as a symbol of the importance of women and their roles in Igbo society.
What does Obierika bring with him on his visit to Okonkwo?
When in Mbanta, Obierika brings money from selling Okonkwo's yams. He also brings news about the slaughter of Abame.
Usually Obierika chats with Okonkwo without bringing anything in particular.
What has been decided by the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves about Ikemefuna?
The Oracle of the Hills and the Caves decreed that Ikemefuna should be sacrificed as compensation for the murder of a woman from Umuofia. This decision was final and carried out by the villagers, including Okonkwo, despite Ikemefuna's close bond with the family.
How did the villagers feel about the coming of the locusts in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe?
The villagers in "Things Fall Apart" were fearful and distraught at the coming of the locusts because they knew it signified a period of hunger and devastation. The locusts' arrival disrupted the normal rhythms of life and agriculture in the village, causing great concern among the villagers.
How did Okonkwo feel about Ikemefuna's influence on Nwoye?
Okonkwo was pleased that Ikemefuna was helping Nwoye become more manly and less effeminate. Nwoye complained less, outwardly shunned feminine stories (although he secretly still liked them), and seemed to work harder.
What was the verdict in the abuse trial in Things Fall Apart?
In "Things Fall Apart," the abuse trial ends with the elders deciding to fine Ekwefi's husband, Okonkwo, for beating her during the sacred Week of Peace. This judgment was seen as fair considering the severity of Okonkwo's actions and the importance of upholding tradition in the community.
What warning does ogbuefi ezeudu give okonkwo about ikemefuna in things fall apart?
Ogbuefi Ezeudu warns Okonkwo not to take part in Ikemefuna's death, as Ikemefuna calls Okonkwo "father" and considers him a role model. Ezeudu advises Okonkwo to avoid involvement to prevent any harm to his own future. Despite the warning, Okonkwo ultimately participates in Ikemefuna's death under pressure from the village elders.
What is the exciting force in things fall apart?
The exciting force in "Things Fall Apart" can be seen as the clash between traditional Igbo culture and values, represented by Okonkwo, and the encroachment of colonialism and Christian missionaries, which disrupt the existing social order and way of life in the novel. This clash sets in motion the unraveling of Okonkwo's world and the larger Igbo society.
How does Okonkwo break the week of peace?
Okonkwo beat his wife during the week of peace, the one week of the year in which no violence was to be committed. As this week of peace was a tribute to the gods, this was considered sacrilege and an offense to the gods.
Okonkwo is chastised by the village elders for beating his wife during the Week of Peace, which is a sacred time when violence is prohibited in the community. This act is seen as a violation of tradition and disrespect towards the gods and spirits. As a result, Okonkwo is required to make a sacrifice to atone for his actions.
Okonkwo is a fierce warrior who has killed several men in war. He does not fear blood nor war. He is willing to do things even if he does not have the full approval of a village. He is able to face the pending death of Ikemefuna head on, by participating in the death march. He is able to ask Nwakibie for yams.
Why is Okonkwo called roaring flame?
Okonkwo is called "roaring flame" because he is known for his fiery temperament, strong determination, and aggressive nature. His personality is compared to a flame that burns brightly and fiercely, reflecting his passionate and intense character.
Who is akuke in things fall apart?
In "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe, Akuke is the wife of Obierika, Okonkwo's close friend. She is portrayed as a hardworking and supportive woman who is respected within the community. Akuke plays a minor role in the novel, but her character helps to show the supportive relationships that exist within the village.
The Mbaino are a fictional clan featured in Chinua Achebe's novel "Things Fall Apart." They are one of the nine villages in Umuofia, the Igbo community depicted in the book. Mbaino is known for its role in the conflict with Umuofia that leads to Okonkwo's exile.
Who is the leader of the mbanta in things fall apart?
The leader of the Mbanta in "Things Fall Apart" is Uchendu, who is Okonkwo's uncle and a wise and respected elder in the community. He provides guidance and wisdom to Okonkwo and his family during their time of exile in Mbanta.
Which phrase best describes Okonkwo's father Unoka?
Unoka is not ambitious in the venues prescribed by the customs of Obi society for a man. He seeks neither material wealth, nor glory through combat, nor titles of honour, and spends his time in feminine musical pursuits which make him happy, but do not provide a solid foundation for his son's advancement within his community.
What is Okonkwo's poor judgment in Things Fall Apart?
Okonkwo shows poor judgment when beating his wife for little reason, and nearly killing her with his gun. He also shows poor judgment when he kills Ikemefuna. Finally, he misjudges the villages to be men of action when the church comes.
How many Igbo villages were there in things fall apart?
There were 9 Igbo villages in Things Fall Apart. The main ones were:
Umuofia: Okonkwo's home.
Mbanta: Okonkwo's motherland.
Abame: The slaughtered village.
Mbaino: The village who killed an Umuofian clanswoman.
Also:
Ire: Home of Ogbuefi Ndulue.
What happens when Okonkwo kills the messenger?
- Okonkwo pulling out his knife
- Okonkwo and the messenger approaching each other
- The messengers asking the people to stop the meeting
- The messengers arriving at the meeting
- The calling of the meeting
- The release of the 6 honored tribesman
- The jailing of the 6 honored tribesman
- The burning of the church
- The hiding of Enoch in the church
- The killing of the egwugwu
- The arrival of the white man's court systems
- The arrival of the missionaries
In the story Things Fall Apart what was the real purpose of Okoye's visit?
Okoye's visit to Okonkwo was to inform him that someone from another village wanted to marry his daughter, Ezinma. It was a formality in Igbo culture to inform the father of a potential bride about such matters.
What does Oberika mean when he says on p 176 - The white man is very clever in things fall apart?
Oberika means exactly that. The white man is clever in using Napoleon's strategy of divide and conquer. By diving the Igbo society against itself, the main group of Igbo must decide to fight against its own people if they want to fight against the white man.
What word means a woman or a man who has no titles in Things Fall Apart?
Agbala means woman, or man who has no titles.
How does Okonkwo accidentally kill a tribesman?
Okonkwo accidentally kills a tribesman during a funeral ceremony when his gun misfires, striking and killing the tribesman's son. The accidental shooting leads to Okonkwo's exile from his village in Chinua Achebe's novel "Things Fall Apart."
Ikemefuna is a boy from Mbaino who is given as part of restitution for an Mbaino clansman killing a Umuofian woman in their marketplace. He is taken care of by Okonkwo and his family while he is in Umuofia.
What made things fall apart in Things Fall Apart?
There are many things that fall apart in Things Fall Apart, so they should be taken one at a time.
Ikemefuna's life:
- Murder of Umuofian Ogbuefi Udo's wife by a Mbanta man in the Mbanta market: Although Ikemefuna was not responsible, he became part of the peace offering toward Umuofia, and was displaced from his home.
- Declaration of death by the Oracle of Agbala: Even though Ikemefuna had adapted miraculously to his new home, as soon as the Oracle decreed Ikemefuna must die, his life ended.
Okonkwo's ambition:
- Okonkwo's fear: Okonkwo's fear of being like his father, an agbala, caused him many problems including a fierce manliness, a lack of temper, emotion, and reasonability.
- Okonkwo's lack of temper: Okonkwo's beating of his wife during the festival of Ani, causes him much disrepute among his neighbours.
- Okonkwo's lack of emotion: Okonkwo's apparent lack of remorse for disturbing the festival of Ani, causes him more disrepute among his neighbours who take him to be callous and not humble towards the gods.
-The accident killing Ekeudu's son. This accident causes Okonkwo to be exiled for 7 years.
-The arrival of the colonists.
-The conversion of Nwoye.
-The killing of the messenger.
-Okonkwo's death.
Okonkwo's family unity:
- Okonkwo's need for manliness. It also causes him to beat his children excessively in a vain attempt to get them to work harder. It distances himself from Nwoye. His fear of being perceived weak causes him to kill Ikemefuna.
- The death of Ikemefuna.
- Okonkwo's lack of emotion: This causes Nwoye to distance himself from his father and the tribe.
- Nwoye's conversion to Christianity.
Ibo culture:
-Christianity: The church disproved many of the Ibo superstitions, and implicitly encouraged the Ibo to break traditions.
-Settlers: The settlers killed the village of Abame, and attempted to convert the rest, while imposing their power upon the lands.
-The Ibo tribe: Their lack of a central structure made them easy to separate and convert or conquer. They could not offer a consolidated defense against the invaders and their customs. Their own culture was occasionally repressive, and caused rifts between the people and the society.
-Their own culture: Their own culture prevented them from stopping their brothers who had joined the white man's ranks.
-Soldiers: The soldiers prevented the Ibo from forcefully removing the white men.
-The converts: The converts would bring white reinforcements in event of any revolution.
