CHARACTERS
Question: Who is the main character of the novel?
Answer: Who is Okonkwo?
Question: What is Okonkwo famous for doing?
Answer: He becomes famous for defeating Amalinze the Cat in wrestling.
Question: What crop is especially important to Okonkwo?
Answer: Yams.
Question: What is one major theme in Chapters 1–5?
Answer: Tradition and culture.
Question: What does improvident mean?
Answer: Not planning carefully for the future; wasteful with money.
Question: Who is Okonkwo's father?
Answer: Who is Unoka?
Question: Why is Okonkwo respected in his community?
Answer: He is strong, successful, hardworking, and a skilled wrestler.
Question: Why are yams important in Igbo society?
Answer: Yams represent hard work, wealth, success, and status.
Question: What does Okonkwo fear most?
Answer: He fears being seen as weak or unsuccessful like his father.
Question: What does haggard mean?
Answer: Looking tired, worried, or worn out.
Question: What is Unoka known for?
Answer: He is known for being poor, owing people money, and loving music.
Question: What does Okonkwo grow to become successful?
Answer: He grows yam crops.
Question: What is a wrestling match in Umuofia?
Answer: It is an important community event and form of competition.
Question: How does Okonkwo's fear affect the way he behaves?
Answer: He becomes very strict, aggressive, and focused on strength.
Question: What does contemptible mean?
Answer: Deserving strong dislike or disrespect.
Question: Who is Okonkwo's oldest wife?
Answer: Who is Nwoye's mother, Okonkwo's first wife?
Question: What does Okonkwo receive from the village of Mbaino?
Answer: He receives Ikemefuna, a young boy given to Umuofia after a conflict.
Question: Why are titles important in Umuofia?
Answer: Titles show a person's status, respect, and accomplishments in the community.
Question: What is the conflict between Okonkwo and Nwoye?
Answer: Okonkwo wants Nwoye to be strong and masculine, while Nwoye does not always share his father's interests or behavior.
Question: What is a symbol?
Answer: Something that represents a larger idea or meaning.
Question: Why does Okonkwo dislike his father so much?
Answer: Because Unoka is seen as weak, poor, unsuccessful, and irresponsible, and Okonkwo wants to be the opposite of him.
Question: Why is Ikemefuna sent to live with Okonkwo's family?
Answer: He is given to Umuofia as part of a peace settlement after a man from Mbaino kills a woman from Umuofia.
Question: What does the importance of community gatherings show about Igbo culture?
Answer: It shows that community, traditions, celebrations, and shared responsibilities are important.
Question: How does Okonkwo's fear of weakness become both a strength and a weakness?
Answer: It motivates him to work hard and become successful, but it also causes him to be angry, violent, and emotionally distant from his family.
Question: The yam is more than just food in the novel. What can it symbolize?
Answer: The yam can symbolize hard work, masculinity, wealth, success, and social status.