Characters
He is known for his strength and fear of weakness.
Okonkwo
The crop that symbolizes success and masculinity.
Yams
Okonkwo becomes famous after defeating this wrestler. who is?
Amalinze the Cat
The struggle between old traditions and new beliefs
tradition vs. change
The natural event that symbolizes an approaching invasion
the locusts
This character is considered lazy and unsuccessful by Okonkwo.
Unoka
The week-long celebration that honors the earth goddess.
Peace week
The event that forces Okonkwo into exile.
accidentally killing Ezeudu’s son
The fear that drives Okonkwo’s actions
fear of weakness
The egwugwu masks symbolize this
ancestral power
adopted son who struggles with Igbo expectations.
Ikemefuna
A public ceremony that settles disputes in the village
egwugwu trial
The arrival that begins major changes in Umuofia.
the arrival of missionaries
How generational conflict mirrors cultural collapse
the younger generation abandoning tradition
The machete symbolizes this approach to conflict
violence as problem solving
Okonkwo’s son who rejects traditional Igbo values.
Nwoye
The belief that guides a person’s fate and destiny.
Chi
The event that leads to Okonkwo’s arrest.
burning the church
Achebe’s final judgment of Okonkwo
personal fear can destroy both individuals and cultures
Cowries in the novel symbolize this
economic and social value
The clan member who introduces Christianity to Umuofia
Mr.brown
The Week of Peace enforces this social value
harmony before planting
Okonkwo’s final act in the novel
his suicide
Achebe’s message about violence
that violence destroys both oppressor and victim
The road built by Europeans symbolizes this
irreversible change