Colonialism & Religion
What is the name of the more extreme and uncompromising missionary who replaces Mr. Brown?
(Reverend James Smith)
What do yams symbolize in the novel?
(Wealth, masculinity, and success)
What personal trait leads to Okonkwo’s downfall?
(His excessive pride and fear of weakness)
What literary style does Achebe use to tell the story?
(Realism infused with Ibo oral tradition)
What historical period does Things Fall Apart depict?
(The late 19th century, during British colonial expansion in Nigeria.)
What is the first sign of European presence in the novel?
(The white men destroy the village of Abame.)
What does fire symbolize in relation to Okonkwo?
(His intense, destructive nature)
Why does Okonkwo kill Ikemefuna?
(He fears being seen as weak.)
What is the significance of the title Things Fall Apart?
(It foreshadows the breakdown of Ibo society due to colonialism.)
How does the novel reflect the impact of European imperialism?
(It shows the gradual destruction of traditional Ibo society.)
Why do the Ibo villagers initially give the missionaries land in the Evil Forest?
(They believe the spirits will kill them, but nothing happens.)
What does the breaking of the kola nut signify?
(A welcoming and bonding ritual)
How does Okonkwo react to Nwoye’s conversion to Christianity?
(He disowns him and beats him.)
How does Achebe challenge European literature’s portrayal of Africa?
(He presents Ibo culture with depth and complexity, countering colonial stereotypes.)
Why did Achebe write Things Fall Apart?
(To provide an African perspective on colonialism and counter Eurocentric narratives.)
How does Nwoye’s conversion to Christianity symbolize a generational shift?
(It represents the younger generation rejecting traditional beliefs.)
How does darkness function as a symbol in the novel?
(It represents ignorance, fear, and the unknown.)
How does Okonkwo’s inability to adapt contribute to his downfall?
(He refuses to accept change, leading to his isolation.)
Why does Achebe include Ibo words and proverbs in the text?
(To preserve cultural authenticity and immerse readers in Ibo traditions.)
How does Things Fall Apart compare to Heart of Darkness?
(It presents Africans as complex individuals rather than as mere symbols of savagery.)
Why is Okonkwo's suicide considered an abomination?
(Suicide is seen as an offense against the Earth, and his clansmen cannot bury him.)
How do proverbs function in Ibo culture?
(They communicate wisdom and tradition, often teaching moral lessons.)
Why does Okonkwo kill himself?
(He realizes that his people will not fight back against colonial rule, and he cannot live with the humiliation.)
What is the purpose of the District Commissioner’s final reflection?
(To highlight the erasure of African perspectives in colonial narratives.)
What makes Things Fall Apart a significant postcolonial novel?
(It reclaims African history and voices in literature.)