Things Fall Apart Reading Guide

Directions: Answer each of the following questions using complete sentences.

Chapters One Through Six: Due by 02/29/16

1. Select at least three quotes from chapter one which depict various aspects of Okonkwo’s character.
2. Identify the character Unoka. Cite three examples which demonstrate his character through his actions.
3. Describe Okonkwo’s relationship with his father.
4. What is Okonkwo’s greatest achievement so far in life?
5. Who/what is the Oracle of the Hills and Caves? Why is the Oracle important?
6. What important announcement does Ogbuefi make? What two ways her death could be avenged?
7. How many wives and children does Okonkwo have?
8. Who is Ikemefuna and where is he to live while he’s in Umuofia?
9. What occurs when Okonkwo and Unoka visit the Oracle of the Hills and Caves?
10. Explain the concept of chi. Is Okonkwo’s chi a good one or not? Explain.
11. Discuss what is revealed about Okonkwo’s earlier years. To whom is he particularly indebted?
12. Cite an incident which shows Okonkwo is not sympathetic to those whom he considers weak.
13. Who is Ojiugo? What incident involving her causes Okonkwo to have to pay an enormous sacrifice?
14. What is the purpose of the Feast of the New Yam?
15. Who is Ekwefi? What incident involving Ekwefi and Okonkwo occurs?
16. Who is Ezinma? Why does Ekwefi say Ezinma is likely to have “come to stay”?
17. Who is Chielo and why is she important to the tribe?
18. What does the wrestling match and the rhythmic drumming show about the Ibo?
    
    

Chapter Seven Through Sixteen: Due by 03/07/16

19. Describe the coming of the locusts. What could these locusts foreshadow?
20. According to Ezeudu, what is it that “Umuofia has decided?”
21. Who delivers the final death blow to Ikemefuna? What motivates this character to do this?
22. How does Nwoye react toward the event with Ikemefuna?
23. Who is Obierika? Describe his reaction to Okonkwo’s involvement in the killing.
24. Find out about the disease leprosy. What is it? What could it’s mention be foreshadowing?
25. Who is Akueke and why do a group of men visit her father?
26. Identify these terms and character – iba, ogbanje children, iyi-uwa, and Okabue.
27. What/who are egwugwu and what do they represent?
28. What function do the egwugwu serve in the ceremony presented in this chapter?
29. What role does the Tortoise traditionally play in African folklore?
30. What does the incident involving Ezinma and Chielo show about Ekwefi and Okonkwo?
31. What is an uri? Describe the ceremony that takes places involving Akueke.
32. Describe Okonkwo’s actions the night Chielo takes Ezinma.
33. What tragedy occurs during Ezeudu’s funeral? Who is responsible? How is this crime categorized?
34. What is the punishment for Ezeudu’s accidental death? Where does the guilty man go?
35. What kind of reception does Okonkwo receive from his mother’s people? Identify these main characters.
36. What is Uchendu’s lesson for Okonkwo? According to Uchendu, what is Okonkwo’s duty?
37. What can you infer about women in the Ibo culture from the mourning song for women?
38. In Okonkwo’s second year of exile what news about the village of Abame does Obierika bring?
39. What incident initiated the downfall of Abame? What role did the Oracle play in this incident?
40. What (besides news) does Obierika bring to Okonkwo? Why is this important to Okonkwo?
41. In Okonkwo’s fourth year of exile, Obierika visits Okonkwo a second time and tells him that Christian missionaries have arrived in Umuofia. Which important character is among the converts?
42. What word do they use to describe the converts and what does it mean?
43. What three tribal traditions or incidents are sufficient to persuade Nwoye to follow the missionaries?

Chapter Seventeen Through Twenty-Five: Due by 03/14/16

44. What is the “evil forest” plan? What is the outcome of this plan?
45. What is Okonkwo’s reaction to Nwoye when he enters his father’s compound?
46. What fear does Okonkwo express as he stares into the fire? Refer to p. 142.
47. Who/what are osu? Discuss the conflict surrounding their admission to the church.
48. Retell the “holy python” incident. What does this incident show about the unity of the tribe?
49. What happens during the Easter week? What happens to Okoli? Why is the clan reassured by this?
50. What things does Uchendu pray for as he breaks the kola nut?
51. What is the name of Okonkwo’s first son born to him while in exile? What is it’s significance?
52. What important concepts are illustrated by the farewell feast?
53. Who is the first titled man to convert to Christianity?
54. What reason do the villagers give for not just “kicking out” the white men?
55. What does the land dispute and the subsequent hanging of Aneto show about the new government?
56. What is the function of Obierika’s statement that the white man “has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart”?
57. Identify the following characters – Enoch, Mr. Brown, Akunna, Chukwu, and Isaac.
58. Does Okonkwo’s return to Ibo society go as he planned? Why/why not?
59. Who is the Reverend James Smith?
60. Who publicly unmasks as ugwugwu? Why is this such a serious offense?
61. What occurs when the District Commissioner calls a meeting with the village’s six leaders? What must the tribe do to secure the release of the prisoners?
62. Describe how the tribal leaders are treated while they are held prisoner.
63. How do the messengers continue to deceive the village?
64. What are the two sides of the debate at the town meeting? Which characters represent each side?
65. What is the fate of the head messenger who delivers the message to stop the meeting? Who is responsible? How do the other members of the tribe react?
66. With what tragedy does chapter twenty-five open?
67. What does Obierika request of the District Commissioner? Why won’t the tribe take care of this?
68. What is so ironic about this incident?
69. What is the title of the District Commissioner’s book? How is his inclusion of Okonkwo ironic?
70. The life of Okonkwo ultimately ends in tragedy. However, Okonkwo’s life can be viewed in a larger sense. What possibly could Okonkwo and his life stand for, represent, or symbolize in this larger sense?