Chapter 11
Often, the setting is not just “where the story happens,” but a geographical, historical, social, economic, or philosophical setting. Achebe begins this chapter with a description of the night.
What purpose does the setting serve at the beginning of this chapter?
Nighttime, and specifically complete darkness, represents a time of fear for the village people, perhaps Achebe is indicating that this chapter is going to involve some sort of fear.
Explain the irony in the situation that it begins to grow lighter as Ekwefi is still following Chielo.
The irony is that throughout the novel and throughout this situation, darkness is terrifying. However, at this point, Ekwefi fears the darkness less than she fears the light. The darkness has provided her protection from being caught. The light increases the chances that she is going to be seen.
Summarize the story of the tortoise and the birds and explain what it suggests about customs and traditions. How might this story relate to Okonkwo?
The story illustrates the importance of working together. In the end, the birds work together to teach the tortoise a lesson. This story relates to Okonkwo in his strict adherence to custom. It will also relate to an incident later in this chapter when he tries to keep Ezinma from going to Agbala.
Who joins Ekwefi at the cave, and how does this contribute to his character development?
Does this conflict with what we know about this character thus far?
Okonkwo joins Ekwefi at the cave. This act illustrates that he is not as unfeeling as he may seem. He is close to his daughter Ezinma and demonstrates his love for her by defying the gods to protect her.
He has shown that he is capable of emotion; he is just unwilling to let others see him show it. In this case, no one but his wife will see what he has done
How does the story of the tortoise and the birds relate to colonialism?
In the story, the tortoise does not belong with the birds but is able to trick them into allowing him to join their feast. He also takes the best food. The story foreshadows the arrival of the whites in the village.
How does Ekwefi’s decision to follow Chielo contradict Okonkwo’s ideas about femininity and masculinity?
Ekwefi’s decision to follow Chielo is very brave. She is going into the forest alone, following a woman who is a messenger of the gods and who can openly chastise her.
She is taking the chance that Agbala will punish her by hurting her daughter. In Okonkwo’s mind, a woman should be incapable of this type of action.
Why does Chielo visit Okonkwo and Ekwefi?
Chielo is supposed to bring Ezinma to Agbala.
Chapter 12
Analyze Okonkwo’s feelings about what happened with Chielo. How is his response different from the way that Ekwefi views the situation?
Okonkwo did not come immediately to follow Ekwefi. Because he does not want to show affection, he waits a significant amount of time and then walks to the shrine.
He makes the trip four times rather than waiting at the shrine because waiting would indicate that he was worried. While the narrator tells us that Okonkwo was gravely worried, Okonkwo does not want anyone else to know
How does Ekwefi go against the wishes of Chielo?
Ekwefi is not supposed to follow Chielo, nor is she supposed to assume that she can enter the presence of Agbala, yet she violates both rules.
chapter 12
On what type of ceremony does this chapter focus? How is this ceremony different from the other ceremonies that have been discussed in the book?
The ritual in this chapter is a wedding ceremony. It is different from the others because it is a ceremony primarily for women rather than men.