Things Fall Apart

A woman of Umuofia was killed in the marketplace of Mbaino. As restitution, Umuofia demands a young virgin woman as replacement, as well as a young boy, or they will go to war. Mbaino, fearing Umuofia's warlike prowess, accedes to the demand.

There are three women that play a major role in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. The first is Okonkwo's (the protagonist) second wife, Ekwefi. She has a history of children that die soon after birth. She cares very deeply for her only living child, a daughter, Ezinma. Ezinma is thought to be an ogbanje, or a devil child that continues to die and re-enter her mother's wound to be born again, but is proven to be a pleasant child. The third major woman is Chielo, the priestess to the village's ultimate god, who is a normal person by day and fearful priestess by night. Other minor women include Okonkwo's first wife who is never addressed by name except as Nwoye's mother, and his third wife, Ojiugo.

"On its last legs" is an idiom that means something is in a very weak or declining state, close to failing or coming to an end. It is often used to describe a person, thing, or situation that is worn out, exhausted, or no longer functioning effectively.

Ekwefi was powerless to stop Chielo from taking Ezinma to the Oracle because Chielo was the priestess of the Oracle, which held significant spiritual authority in the community. Chielo's actions were seen as divinely inspired and were not to be questioned or interfered with. Ekwefi had to respect the traditions and beliefs of the community, even if it meant temporarily relinquishing her parental authority.

She only begins to weep as she nears the compound so as to make a show of her sorrow. To show how she actually broke her pot would be to admit her intentional foolishness, and be a cause for punishment. A perceived accident is less likely to be punished.

Ekwefi gives Ezinma the meal of roasted plantains and palm-oil sauce, despite Okonkwo's warning that Ezinma should not eat too much of it. This delicacy is a symbol of Ekwefi's love for her daughter and her defiance of Okonkwo's strictness.

The setting of "Things Fall Apart" in pre-colonial Nigeria is crucial as it shapes the cultural context, values, and traditions of the indigenous Igbo society. The setting also serves as a backdrop for the clash of cultures between the Igbo people and the European colonizers, highlighting themes of tradition vs. change and the effects of colonization on a traditional society.

The constant references to gender in the novel "Things Fall Apart" highlight Okonkwo's rigid adherence to traditional gender roles and his belief in male dominance. This reflects his fear of being perceived as weak or feminine in a society that values masculinity and strength. Okonkwo's adherence to gender norms ultimately contributes to his downfall as he struggles to adapt to changes in his community.

In "Things Fall Apart," the main functions of the ceremony were to honor the ancestral spirits, maintain social order and cohesion within the community, pass down cultural traditions and values to future generations, and seek divine intervention and blessings for the community's well-being.

Yes, money and barter were both used in things fall apart. The main currency was cowries. Major transactions were carried out in bags of cowries. For example, Akuke's bride-price was 20 bags of cowries. The fine for burning down the church was 200 bags of cowries, with an additional 50 bags of cowries as a 'processing fee' for the court messengers.

The overall message or theme of the story, as stated by one of the elders in the clan at the end of the chapter, is the importance of unity and working together as a community to overcome challenges and achieve success. The elder emphasizes the strength that comes from standing united and supporting each other in times of need.

The stripes on Okonkwo's back are from the beatings he received as a punishment for breaking the peace during the Week of Peace celebration in "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe. The stripes are a visible reminder of his transgression and the shame he brought upon himself and his family.

Okonkwo made the decision to kill Ikemefuna, despite his internal struggle and conflicting emotions, because he felt pressured to show his masculinity and maintain his reputation as a strong warrior. This decision ultimately led to feelings of guilt and remorse, contributing to his downfall later in the story.

Okonkwo sees the killing of Ikemefuna as proof of his manliness, his willing to sacrifice one who was like a child to him to the gods based on the Oracle's word. Okonkwo feels that Obierika should have fulfilled his duty to the tribe and gone on the death march as well.

Obierika finds it shameful that Okonkwo should have been the one to kill Ikemefuna. Letting him be sacrificed is one thing, but taking part in the death march and doing the killing himself are different things entirely. Obierika feels that Okonkwo should not even have gone on the march.

When things fall in the house, it could indicate simply that something was not properly secured or balanced. In some cultures, it is believed to be a sign of impending visit from a stranger or unexpected news.

Okonkwo's exile is ironic because he is forced to leave his village, which is something he views as a sign of weakness and failure. This punishment goes against his strong desire for power and success, highlighting the irony of his situation. Additionally, Okonkwo's exile forces him to confront his own vulnerabilities and question his beliefs about masculinity and strength.

The commissioner came to Iguedo in "Things Fall Apart" to investigate the killing of a tribal leader by the villagers. He was also interested in gaining information about the Igbo society and culture for the purpose of colonial administration.

The identity of the egwugwu is kept secret in the Igbo society, and unveiling their identities is taboo. Any suspicion or attempt to uncover their identities is highly discouraged, as it can lead to severe consequences.

Achebe devotes several pages to Ekweifi's folktale to showcase the storytelling tradition of the Igbo culture and to provide insight into the values, beliefs, and customs of the society. The folktale also serves to emphasize the importance of oral tradition in passing down knowledge and preserving cultural heritage among the Igbo people.

The men believed the white men were spirits or gods descending from the sky because of their advanced technology and unfamiliar appearance. They were seen as mystical figures due to their white skin, horses, and guns, which the villagers had never seen before.

Everything. Entropy takes all.

Ezeudu warns Okonkwo not to participate in Ikemefuna's killing because Ikemefuna calls Okonkwo "father" and has been living with them for three years. Ezeudu fears that Okonkwo's involvement in the killing will bring him harm and cause his chi to turn against him.

Ezinma was an ogbanje, which is a child who dies and reincarnates multiple times to torment their parents. However, Ezinma's bond with her mother Ekwefi was strong, and she managed to break the cycle by surviving into adulthood.

The Female, or accidental murder of a clansmen at a funeral ceremony. He murdered a sixteen year old son of Ezeudu, the man who's funeral he was attending when his rifle exploded and a piece of iron pierced the boys heart.

The electromagnetic force can push things apart. This force exists between charged particles and can cause similar charges to repel each other. Additionally, the force of gravity can also push things apart on a cosmological scale due to the expansion of the universe.