Review Questions Ch. 14 1. Why does Okonkwo seek refuge in his

motherland? 2. What is the frozen water called “the nuts of the water of

heaven”? (p. 92) 3. How does Okonkwo start his yam farm in Mbanta? 4. How does Okonkwo feel about the elders’ belief that if a man

says “yes,” his chi will also affirm him? 5. Explain the significance of the isa−ifi ceremony. 6. How does Uchendu establish his authority when he addresses

Okonkwo? 7. Why was the name “Nneka,” or “Mother is Supreme,” a common

name among the Igbo people? 8. According to Uchendu, what is Okonkwo’s duty and

responsibility during his time of exile? 9. What is the meaning of the song the Igbo people sing when a

woman dies that says, “For whom is it well, for whom is it well? There is no one for whom it is well.” (p. 95)

10. Why does Uchendu have nothing else to say to Okonkwo?

Review Questions Ch. 15 1. Why does Uchendu say that Obierika’s generation stays

at home and even a man’s motherland is strange to him? 2. What are the names of some of the clans Uchendu knows

in the area? 3. What did the fearless men of Abame do when they met

the white man? 4. Why did the Oracle say the white men were like locusts? 5. Why did the white man seem to speak through his nose? 6. Why did the white men wait for the market day to

slaughter Abame? 7. Give an example proving that a great evil descended

upon Abame just as the Oracle warned. 8. What is the significance of the story of Mother Kite, the

bird? 9. Why does Obierika get a late start on his journey? 10. Why does Obierika bring Okonkwo the money?

Review Questions Ch. 16

1. How do the leaders of Umuofia feel about the new religion?

2. What does Chielo, the priestess of Agbala, mean when she calls the converts “the excrement of the clan”? (p. 101)

3. Why doesn’t Okonkwo want to speak to Obierika about Nwoye?

4. Why do the Igbo people laugh at the interpreter even though he is speaking Igbo?

5. What is an iron horse? 6. Why are the people excited by what the missionary says? 7. Why do the men of Umuofia laugh at the missionary? 8. Why does Okonkwo stay and listen to the missionary? 9. How does the interpreter explain that the true God has a

son but no wife? 10. How does Nwoye feel when he hears the Christians’

hymn?

Review Questions Ch. 17 1. What difficulty do the missionaries encounter when they try to

speak to the leaders of the village? 2. Describe the Evil Forest. 3. Why is the Evil Forest a strange site for the missionary’s

church? 4. Why does Nneka convert to Christianity? 5. Why do some converts suspend their new faith until after the

seventh market week? 6. Where does the white missionary go when he leaves

Mbanta? 7. Why does it seem like the Evil Forest is going to gobble up

the church? 8. What does Mr. Kiaga refer to when he says, “Blessed is he

who forsakes his father and his mother for my sake. . . . Those that hear my words are my father and my mother”? (p. 108)

9. According to Okonkwo, what is Nwoye’s crime? 10. Why is Okonkwo called “Roaring Flame”?

Review Questions Ch. 18

1. Why do the villagers think the Evil Forest is a good home for the Christians?

2. Why would an Igbo who killed a Christian have to flee from the clan?

3. Why are the Igbo Christians upset about admitting the osu? 4. How does Mr. Kiaga react to the osu? 5. Why are some of the osu afraid to shave off their long hair? 6. How does Mr. Kiaga reason with the osu about shaving their dirty

hair? 7. Why is the python revered? 8. Why do some villagers want to remain uninvolved in the conflict

surrounding Okoli? 9. Okonkwo asks the clan to reason like men. What does he say he

would do if a man came into his hut and defecated on the floor? 10. When does Okonkwo grind his teeth and why?

Review Questions Ch. 19

1. Why does Okonkwo regret his exile so bitterly even though he prospers in his motherland?

2. What is the significance of the names Okonkwo gives the children who were born during his seven years in exile?

3. Why doesn’t Obierika build Okonkwo’s obi or the walls of his compound in Umuofia?

4. Why can’t Okonkwo return to Umuofia before the rains stop? 5. Why does Obiageli call Ezinma “Salt” while they harvest the

cassava? 6. Why do the women put the cassava in shallow wells? 7. Why does Uchendu throw one of the kola nuts on the ground? 8. Why do some of the family members whistle when the food is laid

out? 9. What does Okonkwo mean when he says that “A child cannot pay for

its mother’s milk”? (p. 117) 10. Why are the elders fearful for the young people?