Chinua Achebe (1930- )
Things Fall Apart (1958)
- Written during "2nd" Period of African Lit, period of protest
over colonial social order (717).
Things to Consider:
-
Gods/Theology: Christianity vs. Native Religion
-
Gods' interaction in humans' lives
-
Folk tales: purpose and use
-
"Manhood" and Treatment of Women
-
Colonialists and Missionaries
-
Rituals and Customs
-
The Kola Nut
** Homework Questions ** (See Q's for Parts 2 & 3 )
30:
-
What is the purpose of the week of peace?
-
How does Onkonkwo violate it? What is his punishment?
53:
-
What are the differences in stories told by men and those told by women?
What is their purpose?
61:
-
Why is Ikemefuna killed? Why does Okonkwo participate?
-
Would Ikemefuna have been killed if he was native to the village?
80:
-
What is an ogbanje? Is Ezinma one? What evidence
is there?
89:
-
Why have the ancestral spirits been summoned?
96:
-
What is the purpose of the tortoise tale?
124:
-
How does Ezeudu's son die?
-
Why is Okonkwo's a "female" crime? What is his punishment?
Other Discussion Questions:
3:
-
Who is Okonkwo? What is his claim to fame?
-
Who was Unoka? What kind of person was he?
11:
-
What is the nature of the conflict between the Umuofia and Mbaino people?
How is it resolved?
12:
-
What is the role of Agbala, the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves?
-
Who is Ikemefuna?
13:
-
What is an agbala? How is it different from the name of
the Oracle?
18:
23:
-
What are women's crops? What is the men's crop? What's the difference?
27:
36:
37:
-
Why is Okonkwo not as enthusiastic as the others about the New Yam festival?
41:
-
Who is Ekwefi? Why does she answer "Is that me?" when she is called?
48:
53:
-
Which stories does Nwoye prefer? Why?
56:
-
Why are the people glad when the locusts arrive?
57:
72:
-
Why do they use a bundle of broomsticks to decide the marriage price?
100:
-
Why does Agbala want Ezinma?
-
Why does Chielo carry Ezinma so far before taking her to the sacred
cave?
110:
116:
-
Why is it "manly" to bring so much wine?
Homework Questions for Parts
Two and Three:
131:
-
Why does Okonkwo no longer enjoy work?
133:
-
How is the mother "supreme"?
139:
-
To what are the white men compared?
166:
-
Why does Okonkwo have a feast before leaving the Mbanta village?
172:
-
Why does Okonkwo call Nwoye a "woman" for converting to Christianity?
176:
-
Why do "things fall apart"?
179:
-
Who is Chukwu?
-
How different are the Christian and native religions?
205:
-
Why does Okonkwo kill the head messenger?
207:
-
Why does he kill himself?
Other Discussion Questions:
129:
130:
-
What is an isa-ifi ceremony?
138:
-
How is the Abame clan wiped out?
147:
-
What aspect of Christianity appeals to Nwoye?
148:
-
Why do the villagers of Mbanta give the missionaries land in the Evil
Forest?
160:
-
Who is Okoli? Why does he die?
182:
183:
-
Why does Okonkwo mourn for the clan?
184:
-
How does the Rev. Smith differ from Mr. Brown?
191:
-
Why do the villagers burn down the church?
-
How do the missionaries respond?
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