2. Basic Events
-This was Okonkwo’s last harvest in Mbanta
- He sent Obierika money to build him 2 huts in his old compound
- They had a harvest thanking Okonkwo’s mother’s kinsmen
5. Terms & Definitions
- umunna: long range family
- kinsmen: blood relative generally male
6. Characters
Okonkwo: still struggling with his exile 7 years later
Uchendu: appreciated the feast Okonkwo prepared and thanked him
Ekwefi: very argumentitive
7. Connections to Today
When you leave a place that you have stayed or lived for a long time you usually try and do something for that person
or family.
Mothers and daughters arguing
Explaining to young generations how life used to be or how they are not mature enough to take on certain things.
8. Questions
Do you think Okonkwo’s actions by having the feast showed that he was genuinely grateful or did he do it because it
was the “right thing” to do? Do you feel he resented being exiled?
Do you agree with one of the elder’s who says that Okonkwo does not understand kinship and that is the reason for
his son becoming religious? Why did the elder feel like he had the right to say that to Okonkwo? Is it a valid reason
to be fearful for for him and his clan?
10. Basic Events
- Okonkwo Prepares to return to Umofia after the seven years of exile.
- Okonkwo continued to wish that his daughter, Ezinma was a boy. (They
have a great bond & she understands him.)
- The white men/ the Christians had changed Umuofia. They set up their own
court system and started to take those who undermine their authority as
prisoners.
- Okonkwo and Obierika discuss the changes in Umofia and Okonkwo cannot
understand why his people have allowed it to happen.
11. Conflicts
Okonkwo vs. Him-self
- He keeps wishing that Eznima was a boy.
Okonkwo vs. Exile
- Him being separate from his land and not being able to become higher up
in his clan.
Umuofia vs. White Christians
- The changes to their system of law. The arrogants of the white people.
12. Characters
Okonkwo: Hard working. He wants to regain his titles when he returns home.
He is adjusting to not being in his homeland and the fact that it will be
different when he returns.
Aneto: Was in a land dispute with Oduche and killed him. Then was taken to
Umuru and was hanged. From Abame
Oduche: From Abame and fought with his neighbor Aneto. Killed by Aneto.
14. Cultural Norms
- Okonkwo wants to maintain his tribal traditions by
marrying off his daughters in his/their homeland.
- Okonkwo wants his sons to grow up as strong men.
- Umuofians having to adapt to the new cultural norms of
the Christians. (a changing norm)
15. Connections to Today
- Okonkwo wants his daughters into a good family like how any parent wants
their daughters to marry well.
- Okonkwo wants his sons to be strong men. Parents want their sons to grow
up as strong well rounded individuals in today’s society.
- Cultures and ways of life are constantly changing and we adapt to them, bug
and small.
16. Questions
- How would you respond if you returned to your home town and it had
completely changed from when you first left? How would you feel if you
were Okonkwo?
- Do you think it is fair or reasonable for Okonkwo to wish that Ezinma was a
boy?
