Discussion Question #1 for Achebe’s Things Fall Apart (Ch. 7-10, pp. 929-947)
1. What decision did the clan and the Oracle make about Ikemefuna and what advice does Ogbuefi Ezeudu give to Okonkwo? Why did Okonkwo go out with the men who came to take Ikemefuna from Okonkwo’s compound? Why does Okonkwo end up killing Ikemefuna? When Ikemefuna runs towards Okonkwo saying, “My father, They have killed me!” (933), why does Okonkwo take an action against Ikemefuna? Is Okonkwo a violent man, or is he unable to control his fear of being seen as weak? How does Nwoye react towards Okonkwo after the incident of Ikemefuna? How would you characterize Nwoye? What does Nwoye think of the Oracle’s decision of killing Ikemefuna and the clan’s custom of throwing away twins to the Evil Forest?
2. After Okonkwo killed Ikemefuna, he did not eat or sleep Do you think Okonkwo feels guilty about killing Ikemefuna? Okonkwo becomes emotionally shaken after he killed Ikemefuna, and he asks himself: “When did you become a shivering old woman?” (935). What do you make of Okonkwo’s understanding of manliness and womanliness? What do you think of Okonkwo’s attitude towards “women’s stories”? Can Okonkwo find comfort in “masculine stories of violence and bloodshed”? Or, can Okonkwo feel strong by recalling masculine stories at this point? Later, when his favorite daughter Ezinma gets sick, Okonkwo makes a medicine pot for her. What does it say about Okonkwo? Why do you think Achebe created a scene of Okonkwo taking care of Ezinma?
3. After Okonkwo killed Ikemefuna, he did not eat or sleep Do you think Okonkwo feels guilty about killing Ikemefuna? Okonkwo becomes emotionally shaken after he killed Ikemefuna, and he asks himself: “When did you become a shivering old woman?” (935). What do you make of Okonkwo’s understanding of manliness and womanliness? What do you think of Okonkwo’s attitude towards “women’s stories”? Can Okonkwo find comfort in “masculine stories of violence and bloodshed”? Or, can Okonkwo feel strong by recalling masculine stories at this point? Later, when his favorite daughter Ezinma gets sick, Okonkwo makes a medicine pot for her. What does it say about Okonkwo? Why do you think Achebe created a scene of Okonkwo taking care of Ezinma?
