Culture
What did you learn about the living and the dead in this section of the text?
Ancestors and Ancestral Spirits: The Feast of the New Yam includes rituals and prayers dedicated to the ancestors, seeking their blessings and protection for the clan.
The Evil Forest: Chapter 6 describes the Evil Forest, a place where the Igbo people believe the spirits of the wicked and the outcasts reside.
Burial Customs: In Chapter 6, we learn about the customs surrounding death and burials. Unoka died of a shameful illness, and his body was left in the Evil Forest. This reflects the strict cultural norms surrounding honor and disgrace, even in death.
What imagery interested you?
Various answers.
What effect did Ikemefuna have on Nwoye?
Positive effect: Ikemefuna mentors Nwoye into being more masculine.
What is a Bride Price?
Bride Price: Paid by the bridegroom (or his family) to the bride’s parents.
Why symbols did you notice in the chapters?
Yams (Feast of Yams, prosperity, fertility)
Evil Forest (consequences, shame. wrongdoing, fear)
Ancestors/Spirits (blessings, guidance, morality, decision making)
Drums (culture, festivities, celebration)
What effect did Ikemefuna have on the relationship between Nwoye and Okonkwo?
Positive effect: Nwoye is acting more like the son Okonkwo wants (hunting, growing yams, separating himself from "children's stuff).
Individualism vs Collectivism?
Individualism: For the self
Collectivism: For the group
What language here indicates that the locusts arriving is a good thing?
"They were a delight to the eyes."
"The elders, who could remember how the villagers had rejoiced when the locusts came in their youth, decided that they would have a big feast."
Why is Okonkwo so concerned with the behavior of his children?
It's a reflection of himself (Weakness/masculinity, dominance over household, resembling his father).
Cultural expectations/Values.
Legacy
Why would they want the locust to arrive?
locust being a symbol of prosperity.
Community activity to collect and prepare the locust for a feast.
Food Source.
What language indicates that the locust are a bad thing.
"Locusts hung on the bushes in clusters, darkening their foliage."
"Like a bolt of thunder."
In what ways does Nwoye experience cognitive dissonance?
Liking his mother's stories, but listening to Okonkwo's.
What does killing Ikemefuna tell us about the tribe's sense of justice?
They determine how to make choices through their priests/spirits/gods.
Morality and justice are dependent on their gods' commandments.
How does Achebe create the feeling that Ikemefuna's death is inevitable in this chapter?
Imagery
Word Choice
Symbolism
What character trait or traits drive Okonkwo's participation in the killing of Ikemefuna?
Strict and emotionless.
Values masculinity and tradition.