Characters
Who is the main character and strong guy?
Okonkwo
During what traditional event does Okonkwo get in trouble?
Week of Peace
"Ask my dead father if he ever had a fowl when he was alive"(Achebe 24).
Obiako
"Okonkwo was as slippery as a fish in water" (Achebe 8).
Metaphor. Used to show how agile he was and make it sound exaggerated.
Chapters 1-2
Meet Okonkwo. His life is dominated by fear of failure and he does not want to turn out like his father, who is in much debt.
Who is Okonkwo's favorite child?
Ezinma
What is one tradition that Igbo people partake in?
Twins in the Evil Forest
“If you give me some yam seeds I shall not fail you”(Achebe 25).
Okonkwo
"Okonkwo's fame had grown like a bush-fire..." (Achebe 8).
Metaphor. Shows that he became famous incredibly fast and everyone knew about him.
Chapter 3
In chapter 3 we learn about Okonkwo's first yam harvest, which was a complete failure.
Who is Okonkwo’s first wife’s daughter?
Nwoye
Who is a god that the Igbo people worship?
Agbala
“This meeting is for men”(Achebe 29).
Okonkwo
"Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand" (Achebe 17).
Metaphor. It is a metaphor meaning that he ruled his house very strictly to show how strict he was.
Chapter 10
There is a trial against a man who beat his wife and Okonkwo is implied to be an egwugwu.
Who is Okonkwo's second wife?
Ekwefi
How is a person’s value determined?
By their actions and not their father’s
“She has gone to plait her hair”(Achebe 32).
Ekwefi
"He had no patience with unsuccessful men. He had no patience with his father" (Achebe 9).
Repetition. Shows that he feels the same way about his father as he does about other unsuccessful men.
Chapters 12-13
Okonkwo's gun misfires and kills the son of Ogbuefi Ezeudu, who had just died. This led to the exile of Okonkwo and his family for 7 years.
What is Okonkwo’s father’s name?
Unoka
Are men limited to just one wife?
no
“You need some sleep yourself. You look very tired”(Achebe 104).
Nwoye's mother
"If a child washed his hands he could eat with kings"(Achebe 5).
Proverb. Helpful piece of advice.
Chapters 16-17
Christian missionaries come over and establish a church and start winning over converts. Nwoye is very interested in them and is with them often.