Characters
Who is the main protagonist of the novel?
Okonkwo
What crop is considered the “king of crops” in Umuofia?
Yams
How does Okonkwo first gain fame in Umuofia?
By defeating Amalinze the Cat in wrestling
What personal trait drives most of Okonkwo’s actions?
Fear of weakness / fear of being like his father
What is the name of Okonkwo’s village?
Umuofia
What is the name of Okonkwo’s father, known for being lazy and in debt?
Unoka
What is the Week of Peace meant to ensure?
A good harvest
Why is Ikemefuna brought to Umuofia?
As compensation for a murder committed by another village
What does Okonkwo associate with masculinity?
Strength, aggression, and success
What type of society is Umuofia?
A traditional Igbo society
Which boy is given to Umuofia and lives with Okonkwo’s family?
Ikemefuna
What title is earned through hard work and success in Umuofia society?
A title (such as a chieftaincy title)
What happens to Ikemefuna?
He is killed on the orders of the Oracle
What theme is shown through Okonkwo’s treatment of his family?
Toxic masculinity / abuse of power
What role does the Oracle play in the community?
It gives spiritual guidance and decisions
Who is Okonkwo’s favourite child, despite wishing she were a boy?
Ezinma
What are the egwugwu believed to represent?
The spirits of the ancestors
What accident leads to Okonkwo’s exile?
He accidentally kills Ezeudu’s son at a funeral
What idea is explored through the contrast between Okonkwo and Unoka?
The tension between success and failure
What is the role of kola nuts in Igbo culture?
They are used in hospitality and rituals
Which elder warns Okonkwo not to take part in Ikemefuna’s killing?
Ezeudu
What punishment does Okonkwo receive for beating his wife during the Week of Peace?
He must sacrifice a goat, a hen, cloth, and pay a fine to the earth goddess
Where is Okonkwo exiled to after the accidental killing?
Mbanta (his mother’s village)
What theme is highlighted by Okonkwo’s exile to his motherland?
The importance of balance between masculine and feminine values
What does the destruction of Okonkwo’s compound after his crime symbolize?
The cleansing of the land and punishment for offending the earth goddess