Chapters 6-10 Things fall apart

Nwoye, Ikemefuna and Ezinma. Why does Okonkwo feel and behave as he does towards each of these characters? What was your response to Okonkwo as a result of these revelations?

Okonkwo does not feel very proud of his son, Nwoye. Okonkwo hated his father and how lazy he was. He sees characteristics of his father in Nwoye and because of this he is very strict towards his son. Nwoye would not respect his father but is instead in fear of him. As an observer of Okonkwo's behaviour towards his eldest son Nwoye, I feel angry at Okonkwo for treating his son so harshly and showing no fatherly love to Nwoye just because he wants to seem like tough man.

When Ikemefuna comes into the scene Okonkwo sees all the characteristics of a good son in him; hardworking, tough and brave. Nwoye looks up to Ikemefuna as well. Okonkwo loves Ikemefuna like a son and he also helps to join a bond between Nwoye and his father. However, it all goes terribly wrong when the oracle wants Ikemefuna dead. This is the part of the book where I very much dislike Okonkwo as he helps kill Ikemefuna even though he loved him, just for his ego!

Ezinma is a spoiled girl as she is the only child of her mother that has ever survived. She is everything her father would want in a son and he regrets that she was born a female as they do not have the freedom that men do. Oknokwo loves her, as seen in the scenes where she is very sick and when the priestess takes her to the Oracle. I see him as a loving father when he watches guard over her and sees her likeness to his characteristics and wishes for her to be a son so that she may be more like him.

Chapters 1-5 on Things Fall Apart

Homework

q      What attributes are valued in the males of Umuofia?

Attributes such as Physical strength and the ability to work hard for your family are most valued. 

When a boy becomes a man he is expected to put away all childish feelings. They expect males

to be tough, to not weep or struggle over killing people in warfare. 

q      How important are proverbs in this culture? What saying tells us this?

'Among the Ibo the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm-oil with 

which words are spoken.' pg 6

q      Explain how marriage and family life function.

Males have dominance over women in this culture and can have as many wives as they are prepared

to pay bride price and provide for. The more wives you have the more wealth you have. The male 

has his own hut separate from his wives and can beat not only his children but his wives if he

chooses too. Once the sons grow old they too have dominance over their younger siblings and 

mothers. They family life is centered around the father of the house. 

q      What is the attitude to women in general and in regard to religious beliefs?

Women, in general, are the lesser of the race. They are heavily reliant on men. They live with their 

father, then go to live with their husband as one of his wives. They cannot live a single life and are 

controlled by their husbands. However, many of their God's are women are represented as strong, 

free and in control of all people and animals. 

q      How does sharecropping work?

A wealthy man gives as many yams asked of him, those are then planted and 2 thirds of the crop are 

given back to the wealthy man. It is usually for young men who have no other way of building their 

barn. 

q      Has Ibo culture been presented positively, negatively or have we seen both?

Ibo culture has been presented positively. It even shows the true feelings of some of the hardest 

characters even though they are brutal in battle and to their wives and children. The whole purpose 

of this book is to present the Ibo culture to western society in a positive light and to see past the 

brutality of their cultural beliefs.