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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 two occasions threaten the religious traditions in Mbanta in Things Fall Apart?
The two occasions that threaten the religious traditions in Mbanta in "Things Fall Apart" are the arrival of Christian missionaries and the increasing influence of colonial administration. These new forces introduce unfamiliar beliefs, practices, and laws that challenge the existing religious customs and structures of the community.
The presence of British religion and government in Umuofia disrupts the traditional customs and social structure of the village. It leads to cultural clash, loss of identity, and the erosion of the community's values and way of life. This ultimately results in conflict, division, and a loss of power for the village leaders.
What role did ancestors play in religion in things fall apart?
In "Things Fall Apart," ancestors played a significant role in religion as they were believed to serve as intermediaries between the living and the gods. Ancestors were highly revered, with rituals and sacrifices performed to honor them and seek their guidance and blessings. Their spirits were considered powerful forces that could influence the welfare of the community.
What role did outcasts play in bringing Christianity to Ibo land?
Outcasts in Ibo land played a significant role in the spread of Christianity. These individuals, who were marginalized by traditional society, were often more receptive to the Christian message of acceptance and equality. By converting to Christianity, outcasts found a sense of belonging and became key players in introducing the faith to their communities.
What is the district commissioner in things fall apart?
The District Commissioner in "Things Fall Apart" is a representative of the British colonial government who acts as a local administrator in the Igbo village where the story is set. He symbolizes the oppressive and dehumanizing impact of British colonial rule on the indigenous peoples of Nigeria.
What does the church do with Enoch in things fall apart?
The church first takes Enoch in, converting him to a Christian. Enoch becomes a bold and angry Christian, objecting to the old faith.
After Enoch kills an egwugwu, the people of the church hide Enoch in the parsonage.
How do you feel about the missionaries in Things Fall Apart?
The missionaries appear to be single-minded in their attempt to put their God into the hearts and minds of the Igbo people. Although different pastors have different methods to do this, they are pretty consistently focused on converting people to Christianity. Their own interests do not entirely coincide with the health of the Igbo tribes as a whole.
Why does kaiga tell nwoye blessed is he who forsakes his father and his mother for your sake?
In this context, Kaiga is expressing the idea that devotion to a new belief or faith should take precedence over family ties and social expectations. By forsaking his father and mother, Nwoye is showing a commitment to the new beliefs or values that he has embraced, which Kaiga sees as a positive and courageous act in pursuit of spiritual growth and fulfillment.
Why is Nwoye attracted by missionaries in things fall apart?
Nwoye is drawn to the Christian songs which reminds him of the same soul as his mother's stories.
Further, he has been repulsed by his father's culture which ordered Ikemefuna's death and allowed Okonkwo to kill Ikemefuna.
Why did the villagers in things fall apart begin to act against the Christians?
The villagers in "Things Fall Apart" began to act against the Christians because they saw the new religion as a threat to their traditional way of life and beliefs. They felt that the Christians were undermining their cultural practices and values, leading to division and conflict within the community.
The sacred animal allegedly killed by one of the newly converted Christians in "Things Fall Apart" is the python. It was seen as a grave offense to kill the python in Igbo culture, as it was believed to be a messenger of the gods. This act symbolized the clash of cultures and the erosion of traditional beliefs in the novel.
The most zealous Christians are the ones labeled osu or outcasts by the rest of the tribe. These ones have the most to prove because all their life they have been taunted and seen as less than average men by the rest of the tribe. When they get a chance to be on the other end, to be seen as superior by mocking the rest of the tribe, they take it, due to their insecurity with their own self worth.
Who did Okonkwo bring home from his trip to Mbaino?
Mbaino gives to Umuofia through Okonkwo:
A young virgin and a young boy (Ikemefuna) to bring back to Umuofia.
The young virgin is given to the man whose wife was killed in the marketplace of Mbaino. Ikemefuna is sent to live with Okonkwo until Umuofia decides what to do with him.
What is Ikemefuna's mother's reaction to Ikemefuna's death?
It is unlikely Ikemefuna's mother ever learns of her son's death. It is not described in the book.
How does okonkwo celebrate with he trophy he brings back from umuofia's latest war?
Okonkwo celebrates by displaying his trophy in his obi (hut) and recounting his feats to his wives and children. He also hosts a feast for his family and friends, where he shares the spoils of war and entertains guests with music and dance.
In Things Fall Apart what was the massacre of Abame based off of?
The men of Abame, being foretold that white men would bring doom to their village, foolishly killed a white man and his horse, tying the horse to a tree.
In response, three white men and a very large numbers of other men surrounded the market, then opened fire. Everybody at the market place was killed except the old and the sick who were at home and a handful of men and women whose chi were wide awake and brought to the market.
Abame was said to be foolish in two ways:
- They killed a man who said nothing.
- They were not prepared in the market, and did not have their weapons with them.
How had okonkwo received honor in his village?
Okonkwo reaffirms his greatness as a warrior to the people of his village in many ways:
- He goes on a mission to Mbaino over the murder of an Umuofian woman.
- He represents an Egwugwu at a tribal council.
- He kills Ikemefuna.
- He helps burn down the church.
- He represents his people when negotiating with the white men.
- He kills a messenger who demands that tribal meeting cease.
Why did the villagers of Abame kill the white man?
The villagers of Abame killed the white man because they believed he was an "evil spirit" who had brought disaster to other villages he had visited. They were acting out of fear and a desire to protect their community.
Why is language important in the book Things fall apart?
Multiple reasons: Language is important because without it we would not have books. The book was specifically written in English so that Western audiences could also read the book. Through the use of proverbs, ideas are communicated in brevity, with an example to underscore its applicability to real life.
Why is the process of digging the iyi uwa always successful?
It may not be. Further, it is not guaranteed that the iyi-uwa is buried, merely hidden. But if a spot was chosen on the ground to dig, you would eventually come across rocks if you dug deep enough.
Why does the meatloaf you make fall apart?
Depending on how it is, you might throw it away or still cook/eat it.
What way is the Reverend James Smith similar to his predecessor Mr Brown in things fall apart?
Both the Reverend James Smith and his predecessor Mr. Brown are Christian missionaries in "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe. They both aim to spread Christianity in the Igbo community, but they have different approaches. Mr. Brown is more understanding and accommodating of the Igbo culture, while Reverend James Smith is more rigid and intolerant.
What are the answers to Uchendu's questions in things fall apart?
If I have to come with another title, I would probably borrow a couple words from French writer Jean Jacques Baudelaire and say: African Colonization, "The Flower of the Evil". I read a couple comments on the book, and found out that no one really captured the message that novelist-Chinua Achebe - tried to vehicle. " Things Fall Apart" sounds so nostalgic for those who believe that Africa civilization and traditional culture were beautifully unique and that colonialism was 100% evil; of course, some African civilization traits before the "white men" were really great. Remember the yearly wrestling event where all 9 villages gathered to celebrate the yam festival? Remember the main character of the novel Okonkwo beating Amalinze the Cat? Remember the famous African drums and young girls singing at the moonlight? Remember all those great African proverbs in the book? All those nostalgic cultural elements felt apart when colonization was introduced in Africa.
But, to effectively interpret "Things fall apart" Time and Space are two crucial variables that we need to consider. We are in 1959 in Africa. During those days all literature (oral or written) were "engaged literatures," geared toward fighting Colonialism. Shenghor wrote: the" Negitude". Oyono wrote: the old Nega and the Medal. Camara Laye wrote the Black Kid. All those literatures were written to celebrate the beauty of the Africa traditional culture as if everything was perfect. Chinua Achebe had no choice but to follow "the engaged model" of the African Literature of that time. At the end of "Things Fall Apart" Achebe seemed to regret why he did not choose a better title for his novel.
Chinua Achebe realized that "the African traditional culture that every African writer tends to celebrate, had serious unrevealed dark spots. For example, in Thinks Fall Apart, twins were considered by the Ibo tradition as evil creatures and were consequently killed in the secret forest. Okonkwo killed Ikemefuna with a machete. Those are some examples of the dark sides of the Africa traditional civilization. Again, lf I have to find another title to replace "Things Fall Apart", I would write: African Colonization, the flower of Evil" . I have no doubt in my mind that colonization was evil because of its negative aspects and the division (balkanization) that colonization has created among black African countries. But, let's acknowledge that, colonization had its advantages. Chritianism was introduced to pacify the "savage and primitive side" of the Ibo traditions - (killing twins, and children, beating women etc…)
Given the above analysis of the African traditional culture, do we still believe that "things really fell apart"? To answer this question, I invite everyone to review the very last sentence of the Book. After much thought, the real title of the book should have been "the pacification of the primitive tribes of the lower Niger"
What is the purpose of gathering at the ilo in the book things fall apart?
The purpose of gathering at the ilo in the book "Things Fall Apart" is to discuss important matters, settle disputes, make decisions, and celebrate festivals within the community. It is a central meeting place where the council of elders and other community members come together to address issues that affect the village.
Why did Nwoye convert to Christianity in Things Fall Apart?
Well the most important person in the story who is converted to Christianity from Ibo, is Nwoye. Many other members of the Ibo culture are also converted, however, they do not play a significant role in the story. These people only help symbolize that the Ibo culture is falling apart, along with Okonkwo's life.
