Things Fall Apart

family can somethings be good and bad

The Christians appreciate Reverend Smith, but in particular, the zealots and those with excess of pride, born of resentment from being looked down upon by the rest of the clan, appreciated Reverend Smith the most.

This never happens. No is ever asked to kill the sacred python. To do so intentionally was an unthinkable act. A man who did so unintentionally would have to ask forgiveness of the Goddess of the Earth, and sacrifice and repent.

The white men waited for market day to slaughter the people of Abame because they knew that the villagers would all be gathered in one place, making it easier for them to carry out the massacre without resistance. It was a strategic decision to ensure maximum impact and minimal resistance.

He discourages Okonkwo from participating in Ikemefuna's execution. He specifically says, "bear no hand no hand in his death. That boy calls you father."

This is probably the iyi-uwa, a stone owned by ogbanje. With posession of this stone, the medicine man is able to prevent Ezinma from dying and being reborn in Ekwefi again only to repeat the cycle of death and rebirth.

It is refreshing to see the Igbo portrayed not as a backwards savage race, but truer to form, show them as a vibrant culture with a wide set of beliefs and interactions.

earthquake in 1349

Old men talk about how traditions have changed since they were young. People who broke the week of peace in the past were dragged until they were killed, but now they are merely punished. They talk about how Obodoani casts people whom die during this week into the Evil Forest without burial.

Okonkwo beheads a messenger who interrupts a village meeting with a machete.

Chinua Achebe wanted to make his book accessible to other cultures, particularly those who did not see his people as having any culture or who saw his culture as primitive.

The church had also arrived in Umuofia. The white men had brought the government, the courts, and the prisons. Some of the Igbo had joined the church, and others were sending their children to the European style schools. The community had been split apart.

Okonkwo's second wife is Ekwefi, mother of Ezinma. Okonkwo originally wished to have Ekwefi as his first wife, but he could not afford the dowry at the time. Ekwefi ran away from her first husband to be with Okonkwo.

Not only the parents and immediate relatives were invited, but also the distant group of relative kinsmen called umunna. Men, women, and children were all invited. Palm wine was brought to the whole family. The married women wore their best cloths, while girls wore ceremonial attire of red and black waist-beads and anklets of brass. Kola nuts were shared. There were also many toasts between the two families involved, both pronouncing the graces of the other. The ceremony lasted far into the night, with dancing at the end, and hired musicians.

Finally when the guests left to go, they paid courtesy visit to prominent men, such as Okonkwo, who also gave a present of two cocks to them.

Ogbuefi Ndulue was the oldest man in his village, so it is assumed he dies from natural causes.

Okonkwo's uncle, Uchendu, advises him to not mourn like a child after being exiled. Instead, he encourages Okonkwo to be strong like a man and face his challenges with resilience. Uchendu emphasizes the importance of moving forward and not dwelling on past misfortunes.

When going to execute Ikemefuna, the men were all fully dressed as if going to a big clan meeting or paying a visit to a neighbouring village. They passed cloths under their right arm-pit and hung goatskin bags and machetes over their left shoulder. Ikemefuna carried a pot of wine.

Unoka spent most of his money on wine, although he did spend some on other things such as snuff.

Tortoise was full of cunning. He was observant, and had a sweet tongue, able to convince the birds that he had changed even though he had not. Tortoise was also a great orator.

Agbala is an Igbo word that can have various meanings depending on its context. It can mean "old woman" or "title of a traditional priestess." In Chinua Achebe's novel "Things Fall Apart," Agbala refers to the Oracle of the Hills and Caves.

Okonkwo is part of the group which leads Ikemefuna out of the village to be killed. After Ikemefuna receives the first blow and runs towards Okonkwo for protection, Okonkwo strikes Ikemefuna down, not wanting to be seen as weak.

Mr. Brown was respectful of the Igbo and their culture, inviting respect in turn. He is self-assured and confident, paying regular visits to the Christians in each community. He makes friends with some of the great men of the Igbo clan, and has been presented with a carved elephant tusk, a sign of dignity and rank. A man of great rank, Akunna, gave permission for his son to be taught in Mr. Brown's school.

Mr. Brown was persistent in getting the Umuofians to attend school. He appealed to the villagers self-interest in having their children be successful. The villagers too, could see the power of the new government in other villages such as Umuru, where the district commissioner resided. People who went to the school gained position in the new government, becoming court messengers court clerks, or teachers. All in all, he had provided opportunity and success to those he helped.

Chi is believed to represent a person's personal god and destiny in Igbo culture. In Okonkwo's case, his chi is associated with his successes and failures, guiding his path and influencing his destiny. Okonkwo's actions and decisions are therefore shaped by his belief in his own chi, impacting the outcomes of his life.