Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Study Questions
Chapters 1-3
1. From Chapter one, how would you characterize Okonkwo? His father, Unoka? Describe in detail.
2. What is the “normal course of action’ when a member of one tribe murders a member of another tribe?
3. What is Okonkwo’s greatest fear?
4. Several Ibo proverbs are given in Chapter 3. Copy one here, indicate the page number, and tell in your own words what it means.
5. Why does Okonkwo go to Nwakibie? What insight regarding Ibo culture is gained from Chapter 3?
Chapter 4
1. A person’s personal god is called his or her ______.
2. On page 27 the narrator says that “the Ibo people have a proverb that when a man says yes his chi says yes also.” What does that mean in terms of Okonkwo?
3. True or False:
Okonkwo resented having Ikemefuna placed under his care by his clan.
4. How does Okonkwo break the peace at the Week of Peace?
5. What is his punishment for doing this?
6. The elders believe his punishment is:
a) too severe or b) not severe enough
7. At the end of Chapter 3, how does Ikemefuna feel about his new life? (Describe with more than just one word!)
Chapters 5-9
1. Describe the Feast of the New Yam (2-3 sentences)
2. How do the Ibo people respond to the locust coming?
3. What warning does Ezeudu give Okonkwo?
4. Why does Okonkwo take part in Ikemefuna’s death?
5. What happens to twins in Ibo society?
6. What is the custom for betrothal? (2-3 sentences)
7. What do Okagbue and Okonkwo do to try to save Ezenma?
Chapter 10
1. Chapter 10 describes a legal case. What are the facts of the case? Who are the judges, and how do they behave? What decision is made?
Chapter 11
1. In Chapter 11, what animal does Ekwefi tell a tale about?
2. Chielo, the priestess, interrupts the storytelling. What announcement does she make?
Where does she take Ezinma?
3. What does Chielo do when she hears Ekwefi walking behind her?
4. How does Okonkwo react when the priestess first makes her announcement? How does he react when she first carries Ezinma away? What action does he take still later?
5. What is the customary Ibo reply when someone sneezes?
Chapters 12 and 13
1. What does the priestess do with Ezinma after emerging from the cave?
2. What joyous ceremony takes place the day after the return from the cave?
3. The day after the joyous ceremony, what sorrowful news does the drum announce?
4. Why does the drum’s news send a cold shiver over Okonkwo?
5. What terrible accident occurs at the funeral?
6. After the accident, what must Okonkwo and his family do? What happens to Okonkwo’s house the next day?
______
******You are more than halfway done with reading this novel. Based on the answers to the above 13 chapters, what conclusions have you drawn about Ibo life in terms of family and societal structures, laws, beliefs, and relationships. Answer this question on a separate sheet of paper. (250-300 words).
______
Chapter 14 and 15
1. Okonkwo’s mother’s kinsmen help him start farming. State two ways in which they help.
2. According to Achebe, how does Okonkwo feel about his new life?
3. What does Obierika bring with him on his visit to Okonkwo? What is it for?
4. What disaster happened to the Abame clan? How did it happen?
Chapters 16 and 17
1.What step does Nwoye take concerning the missionaries?
2. What is Uchendu’s reason for giving the missionaries part of the Evil Forest?
3. What happens after the missionaries have been in the Evil Forest for 28 days?
4. Why does Okonkwo threaten to kill Nwoye? What does Nwoye do as a result?
5. What new institution has Mr. Kiaga set up in Umuofia?
Chapters 18 and 19
1. In traditional Ibo society, what was an outcast?
2. What role did outcasts play in bringing Christianity to Iboland?
3. On two occasions, converts actively threaten the religious traditions in Mbanta. What are the occasions?
4. What unfortunate event happens to the Christians during the week before Easter?
5. How does Okonkwo show his thanks to Mbanta at the end of the seven-year exile?
6. Why is there no punishment in law for killing a python?
7. Why could the clan not kill the converts?
Chapters 20, 21, and 22
1. Okonkwo feels that his daughters should not marry before they return to Umuofia. What is his reason?
2. What are the two major reasons why Okonkwo’s return to the clan does not cause much of a stir?
3. How has Umuofia changed during Okonkwo’s exile? Give three specific examples.
4. Who is Chukwu? Describe him in 2-3 sentences.
5. How does Enoch spark a conflict in Umuofia? What does the clan do about it?
Chapters 23, 24, 25
1. What punishment is given the six men from Umuofia who are called to the District Commissioner’s office? How do the guards treat the six men?
2. In what way do the court messengers take money dishonestly from Umuofia?
3. What does Okonkwo do when five court messenger arrive at a meeting in Umuofia?
4, How does Okonkwo die? What is your reaction to his death?
5. What help does Obierika request from the District Commissioner? Why?