things fall apart

Question 1

Who is Okonkwo?

Answer 1

A wealthy and respected warrior of the Umuofia clan

Question 2

What haunted Okonkwo throughout his life?

Answer 2

The actions of his cowardly father, Unoka

Question 3

What did Okonkwo become to counter his father’s legacy?

Answer 3

A clansman, warrior, farmer, and family provider extraordinaire

Question 4

What is the name of Okonkwo’s son?

Answer 4

Nwoye

Question 5

How does Okonkwo feel about Nwoye?

Answer 5

He finds him lazy and worries he will end up a failure like Unoka

Question 6

What does Umuofia win in a settlement with a neighboring tribe?

Answer 6

A virgin and a fifteen-year-old boy

Question 7

What is the name of the boy Okonkwo takes charge of?

Answer 7

Ikemefuna

Question 8

How does Okonkwo feel about Ikemefuna?

Answer 8

He finds an ideal son in him but does not show affection

Question 9

What happens during the Week of Peace?

Answer 9

Okonkwo beats his youngest wife, Ojiugo, breaking the peace

Question 10

What do the villagers collect when locusts come to Umuofia?

Answer 10

They collect locusts because they are good to eat when cooked

Question 11

What does Ogbuefi Ezeudu inform Okonkwo about Ikemefuna?

Answer 11

The Oracle has said Ikemefuna must be killed

Question 12

What lie does Okonkwo tell Ikemefuna before his death?

Answer 12

That they must return him to his home village

Question 13

What happens when Ikemefuna runs to Okonkwo for help?

Answer 13

Okonkwo cuts the boy down to avoid looking weak

Question 14

What is Okonkwo’s emotional state after Ikemefuna’s death?

Answer 14

He sinks into a depression

Question 15

Who helps revive Okonkwo during his depression?

Answer 15

His friend Obierika

Question 16

What tragic event occurs at Ogbuefi Ezeudu’s funeral?

Answer 16

Okonkwo’s gun explodes and kills Ezeudu’s son

Question 17

What punishment does Okonkwo receive for killing a clansman?

Answer 17

He must take his family into exile for seven years

Question 18

Where does Okonkwo go into exile?

Answer 18

His mother’s natal village, Mbanta

Question 19

Who helps Okonkwo during his exile?

Answer 19

His kinsmen, especially his uncle Uchendu

Question 20

What does Obierika bring to Okonkwo during his exile?

Answer 20

Several bags of cowries from selling Okonkwo’s yams

Question 21

What news does Obierika bring about another village?

Answer 21

Abame has been destroyed by the white man

Question 22

Who are the missionaries that come to Mbanta?

Answer 22

Mr. Brown and his followers

Question 23

What does Mr. Brown tell the villagers?

Answer 23

Their gods are false and worshipping more than one God is idolatrous

Question 24

What happens when Reverend James Smith replaces Mr. Brown?

Answer 24

The converts are relieved to be free of restraint

Question 25

What act does Enoch commit during the annual ceremony?

Answer 25

He unmaskes an egwugwu

Question 26

What do the egwugwu do in retaliation for Enoch's actions?

Answer 26

They burn Enoch's compound and Reverend Smith's church

Question 27

What happens to the leaders of Umuofia when they meet with the District Commissioner?

Answer 27

They are handcuffed and thrown in jail

Question 28

What does Okonkwo do when the court messengers approach?

Answer 28

He kills their leader with his machete

Question 29

What realization does Okonkwo come to after killing the messenger?

Answer 29

His clan is not willing to go to war

Question 30

What does Okonkwo do at the end of the story?

Answer 30

He hangs himself

Question 31

What does Obierika explain about suicide according to custom?

Answer 31

It is a grave sin and none may touch Okonkwo's body

Question 32

What is the title of the book the District Commissioner is writing?

Answer 32

The Pacification of the Primitive Tribes of the Lower Niger

Question 33

What cultural struggle is depicted in Things Fall Apart?

Answer 33

The struggle between change and tradition.

Question 34

Who is Okonkwo and what does he resist?

Answer 34

Okonkwo resists the new political and religious orders.

Question 35

What does Okonkwo's sense of self-worth depend on?

Answer 35

Traditional standards by which society judges him.

Question 36

Why do many clan outcasts embrace Christianity?

Answer 36

They find refuge from Igbo cultural values that place them below others.

Question 37

What dilemma do the villagers face regarding change?

Answer 37

They struggle between resisting and embracing change.

Question 38

What traditional methods are threatened by European influence?

Answer 38

Farming, harvesting, building, and cooking.

Question 39

How does Achebe demonstrate the importance of language in the novel?

Answer 39

By emphasizing the complexity of the Igbo language and its cultural significance.

Question 40

What does the word 'agbala' mean in the clan's language?

Answer 40

A man who has not taken any expensive, prestige-indicating titles, also means 'woman.'

Question 41

How does Okonkwo's exile affect his view of masculinity?

Answer 41

It reinforces his belief that men are stronger than women.

Question 42

What does Okonkwo associate with masculinity?

Answer 42

Aggression and the display of anger.

Question 43

What is the relationship between Okonkwo and his son Nwoye?

Answer 43

Nwoye resists Okonkwo's expectations of becoming a warrior.

Question 44

What ultimately leads Nwoye to convert to Christianity?

Answer 44

His desire to escape his father's expectations and wrath.

Question 45

What is Okonkwo's greatest weakness?

Answer 45

His pride.

Question 46

How does Okonkwo's pride affect his relationships?

Answer 46

It leads him to disdain those who don't meet his high standards.

Question 47

What internal struggle does Okonkwo face throughout the novel?

Answer 47

Repressing his emotions.

Question 48

What does Okonkwo believe about showing affection?

Answer 48

It is a sign of weakness.

Question 49

What role do drums play in Umuofia?

Answer 49

They generate excitement and communicate specific information.

Question 50

What is 'ethnographic distance'?

Answer 50

A method in anthropology where researchers distance themselves from the culture they study.

Question 51

How does the narrator use ethnographic distance in the novel?

Answer 51

To explain aspects of Igbo culture to non-Igbo readers.

Question 52

What effect does Okonkwo's violent behavior have on his family?

Answer 52

It deepens the wound between him and Nwoye.

Question 53

Fill in the blank: Okonkwo's violent actions stem from his fear of appearing _______.

Answer 53

[weak]

Question 54

True or False: Okonkwo's idea of manliness aligns perfectly with the clan's values.

Answer 54

False.