Why does Uchendu have nothing else to say to Okonkwo? Because Okonkwo thinks he is the greatest sufferer and Uchendu explains how much he himself has suffered to the point where he has nothing else to say What are the names of some of the clans Uchendu known in the area? Aninta, Umuazu, Ikeocha, Elumelu, Abame
What is Uchendu's advice to Okonkwo?
He advises Okonkwo to comfort his family and prepare them for his eventual return to Umuofia, and, meanwhile, to accept the support of his kinsmen while he is here. If Okonkwo denies the support of his motherland, he may displease the dead. Uchendu points out that many people suffer more serious setbacks than a seven-year exile.
What does Uchendu say about Okonkwo's spirit in Mbanta?
Uchendu sees that Okonkwo's spirit is crushed in Mbanta, and reminds Okonkwo that in Ibo culture, the mother figure (and the mother's family) is there to help shelter her children in times of need. He points out that a popular Ibo name is Nneka, which means ''Mother is Supreme,'' because mothers have the power to embrace and protect their family.
How does Uchendu react to Okonkwo's depression?
Uchendu senses Okonkwo's depression and plans to speak to him later. Uchendu's twenty-seven children gather from far and near for an isa-ifi ceremony. This final marriage ritual will determine if the intended bride of Uchendu's youngest son has been faithful to him during their courtship. The isa-ifi ceremony is described in detail.
Who is Okonkwo's brother Uchendu?
Uchendu, Okonkwo's mother's younger brother, is now the eldest surviving member of that family. Okonkwo is given a plot of ground to build his compound, and two or three pieces of land to farm during the planting season.
What does Okonkwo feel about the elders?
Why does Okonkwo seek refuge in his motherland?
How many sons does Uchendu have?
Why is Nneka a common name?
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What does uchendu say to Okonkwo?
Uchendu advises Okonkwo to receive the comfort of the motherland gratefully. He reminds Okonkwo that many have been worse off—Uchendu himself has lost all but one of his six wives and buried twenty-two children. Even so, Uchendu tells Okonkwo, “I did not hang myself, and I am still alive.”
Why did uchendu talk to Okonkwo?
Why did Uchendu talk to Okonkwo about the Mother Supreme? He explained to him how he pretty much owed his mother comfort and to reject otherwise would anger the deceased.
What does uchendu mean when he says?
What does Uchendu mean when he says, "There is no story that is not true"? Uchendu (Okonkwo's uncle) means all stories hold some truth. Chapter 16 and 17- Describe the arrivial of the missionaries in Mbanta and the concerns they raise in the villiage. All the villiagers come out and watch them.
What does uchendu do to help Okonkwo?
Okonkwo's uncle, Uchendu, and the rest of his kinsmen receive him warmly. They help him build a new compound of huts and lend him yam seeds to start a farm.
What lesson does uchendu teach Okonkwo?
Uchendu urges Okonkwo to respect their cultural history and accept the help of his mother's family with more grace and appreciation than he has shown. Uchendu not only reminds Okonkwo of how their culture works but also looks beyond culture to talk generally about life.
What is the relationship between Okonkwo and uchendu?
Uchendu. The younger brother of Okonkwo's mother. Uchendu receives Okonkwo and his family warmly when they travel to Mbanta, and he advises Okonkwo to be grateful for the comfort that his motherland offers him lest he anger the dead—especially his mother, who is buried there.
What does uchendu say through his tale about mother kite?
What lesson does Uchendu try to teach his family using the tale of the Mother Kite? He is trying to say that there is something to be feared from people who keep silent despite bad circumstances because it shows that they are plotting something.
What things does uchendu pray for as he breaks the kola nut?
At the feast, Uchendu is honored as the oldest man at the feast; he breaks the kola nut and prays for health and children. As they drink wine, one of the oldest members of the clan thanks Okonkwo for his generosity in providing the magnificent feast.
Why were the Efulefu among the first converts to the new religion?
They were mostly the kind of people that were called 'efulefu', worthless, empty men.” This quote shows that the first Ibo people to convert to Christianity were those who did not have a place in traditional Ibo society. These were people who were seen by their own clan as being worthless.
How does uchendu encourage Okonkwo to combat despair?
How does Uchendu encourage Okonkwo to combat despair? He had not gotten as worse a fate as his uncle, yet his uncle is still around. What news does Obierka bring about Abame? Abame has been destroyed.
Why is Okonkwo considered to be a child by uchendu?
Uchendu, Okonkwo's maternal uncle, welcomes Okonkwo and his family to Mbanta. Uchendu is the oldest member of the family and remembers Okonkwo as a boy when he returned to Mbanta for his mother's funeral.
What does uchendu say through his tale about mother kite?
What lesson does Uchendu try to teach his family using the tale of the Mother Kite? He is trying to say that there is something to be feared from people who keep silent despite bad circumstances because it shows that they are plotting something.
What things does uchendu pray for as he breaks the kola nut?
At the feast, Uchendu is honored as the oldest man at the feast; he breaks the kola nut and prays for health and children. As they drink wine, one of the oldest members of the clan thanks Okonkwo for his generosity in providing the magnificent feast.
Why were the Efulefu among the first converts to the new religion?
They were mostly the kind of people that were called 'efulefu', worthless, empty men.” This quote shows that the first Ibo people to convert to Christianity were those who did not have a place in traditional Ibo society. These were people who were seen by their own clan as being worthless.
What is the significance of Mbanta in things fall apart?
When Okonkwo gets exiled for the crime of manslaughter, he and his family travel to another of the nine villages, Mbanta, which is Okonkwo's motherland—that is, the village where his mother was born.
things fall apart chapter 14 questions and answers
A few months later, three … 120 seconds . This is the first time in the book when Okonkwo seems less superior. He supplies to … Nwoye's questions about customes that included the killing of thetwins and Ikemefuna. Your IP: 178.62.107.175 The village leaders and elders offer them a plot in the Evil Forest, believing that the missionaries will not accept it. 30 terms. What do the leaders of ...
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Things Fall Apart Chapters 14–16 Summary & Analysis | SparkNotes
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Things Fall Apart: Study Questions Chapters 1-25 - Quizlet
The suitor, Ibe, his father, Ukegbu, and uncle met with Obierika, his brothers, his son, and Okonkwo. They ate kola nuts and drank palm wine. Then Obierika gave Ukegbu a bundle of thirty short broomsticks.
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What does Uchendu remind Okonkwo of?
Uchendu not only reminds Okonkwo of how their culture works but also looks beyond culture to talk generally about life. He admonishes Okonkwo for allowing himself to feel so much sorrow and points out that other people have hardships too, including himself, reminding Okonkwo that they sing a song with the line, ''There is no one for whom it is well.''
How does Okonkwo add to tense situations?
Okonkwo adds to tense situations by threatening violence, making things more likely to flare into confrontation. Uchendu's presence in the story can be compared to Okonkwo's to highlight Okonkwo's weaknesses.
What advice does Okonkwo give to Nwoye?
Advice on Nwoye. When Okonkwo's son Nwoye proceeds to leave the family to join the Christian Church, something that angers Okonkwo, Uchendu again steps in with a firm hand, saving Nwoye from being beaten by Okonkwo. The respect that Okonkwo has for Uchendu is that of a son for his father, and so Okonkwo, normally impulsive and strong-willed, stops.
Why is Nneka a popular Ibo name?
He points out that a popular Ibo name is Nneka, which means ''Mother is Supreme, '' because mothers have the power to embrace and protect their family. Uchendu urges Okonkwo to respect their cultural history and accept the help of his mother's family with more grace and appreciation than he has shown.
What does Uchendu say to the villagers?
Uchendu responds by calling the villagers foolish. The missionary said little except for the name of a town that he was trying to find, and Uchendu believes that the villagers did not have enough information about the man to kill him, regardless of what the religious leaders of the village said.
Where does Okonkwo take refuge?
When Okonkwo is exiled from his homeland of Umuofia for committing murder, he and his family take refuge in Mbanta, homeland of his mother's family. There, he is greeted by his uncle Uchendu. Okonkwo did not have a close relationship with his father, but Uchendu fills a fatherly role for Okonkwo by giving him advice and support.
Why is Uchendu cautious?
Uchendu, though he is an old man who values traditions, is also cautious. For example, Uchen du hears a story about a village that, in panic, killed an English missionary who stopped to ask for directions, because the village's religious leaders told them that the missionary would destroy the clan.
What does Okonkwo feel about the elders?
Okonkwo feels that the elders' belief is false; he is a man whose chi says "no" to greatness despite his own efforts to succeed.
What is Okonkwo's duty?
According to Uchendu, Okonkwo's duty is to comfort his wives and children and return them to his fatherland after seven years. Uchendu says if Okonkwo allows sorrow to weigh him down and kill him, his family will die in exile. Okonkwo must accept his cousins as his kinsmen.
Why does Obierika bring Okonkwo the money?
Obierika brings Okonkwo the money because he thinks Okonkwo might need it. Obierika does not know what might happen tomorrow. The clan may be invaded by green men who will shoot them.
Why does Okonkwo stay with the missionary?
Okonkwo stays and listens to the missionary because he hopes the Igbo people will chase him out of town or whip him.
Why does Okonkwo seek refuge in his motherland?
Okonkwo seeks refuge in his motherland because he accidentally killed a clansman; he is banished by Ani, the Earth goddess.
Why did Nneka convert to Christianity?
Nneka converts to Christianity because she gave birth to four sets of twins, and all the children have been abandoned in the Evil Forest. She is pregnant again.
Why is Nneka a common name?
The name "Nneka," or "Mother is Supreme," is a common name among the Igbo people because a mother's nurturing love is respected. (p. 94)
What does Uchendu say to Okonkwo?
The next day, in front of all of his children, Uchendu speaks to Okonkwo about his discouragement and despair. Through a series of questions no one is able to answer, Uchendu helps them all understand why a man should return to his motherland when he is bitter and depressed.
What does Okonkwo say about Chi?
In earlier chapters, Okonkwo acknowledged the vital role of chi in his life. In this chapter, he seems to realize that his chi "was not made for great things" — a reluctant admission that he may not achieve everything he wants because his fate is predetermined.
What is the paradox in Okonkwo?
In this chapter, Achebe presents a paradox about the manly and womanly aspects of Okonkwo's circumstances. Okonkwo begins his exile deeply discouraged and unmotivated. While striving for even greater manliness, he committed a female murder — that is, he accidentally killed a boy during the funeral ceremony.
What chapter does Okonkwo go to Mbanta?
Part 2: Chapter 14. Okonkwo arrives in Mbanta to begin his seven-year exile. His maternal uncle, Uchendu, now a village elder, welcomes him. Uchendu guesses what has happened, listens to Okonkwo's story, and arranges for the necessary rituals and offerings.
What does Okonkwo need to do to be a good leader?
Okonkwo needs to maintain a positive, responsible leadership (including male and female qualities) of his own family in preparation for their eventual return to Umuofia. The womanly aspect of his mother's village is not to be ignored while Okonkwo waits for the right to return to his own manly village.
How many seed yams does Uchendu give to his family?
Uchendu's five sons each give him three hundred seed-yams to start his farm. Okonkwo and his family must work hard to develop a new farm, and the work gives him no pleasure because he has lost the vigor and motivation of his younger days. He knows he is merely "marking time" while he is in Mbanta.
How many children are there in Uchendu?
Uchendu's twenty-seven children gather from far and near for an isa-ifi ceremony. This final marriage ritual will determine if the intended bride of Uchendu's youngest son has been faithful to him during their courtship. The isa-ifi ceremony is described in detail.
Why is Okonkwo called the cat?
Because He is called the Cat because his back never touched the ground and Okonkwo then became the best wrestler when he beat him
Do gods allow them to fight a war to blame?
Their gods don't allow them to fight a war to blame (no reason to fight)
Why does Uchendu use a folktale?
Uchendu uses a folktale to illustrate the importance of language —he depicts silence as ominous. And it is true—the white men arrive quietly, and the clan allows them to stay, but they soon take over. Okonkwo agrees that the Abame were foolish, but only because they did not arm themselves to fight the white men.
Who comes to visit Okonkwo?
In the second year of Okonkwo's exile, Obierika comes to visit him, bringing two heavy bags of cowries. Okonkwo and his family are very happy to see Obierika, and Okonkwo presents him to Uchendu, who speaks of Obierika's father and the old days when people would visit distant clans. As he's talking, Uchendu mentions the clan of Abame, ...
What is the most traditional meal in Okonkwo?
Yams are the most traditional meal and a measure of wealth, providing Okonkwo with currency to use. Obierika offers Okonkwo true friendship.
What did Obierika tell the Abame?
Obierika tells of how a white man visited Abame during the last planting season. Their Oracle said that the strange man would destroy their clan, so the Abame killed the white man and tied his iron horse, or bicycle, to a tree. Then one day, three other white men came by, saw the bicycle, and went away again.
What is the first real story of the white man among the Igbo?
It is also worth noting that the first real story of the white man among the Igbo is one of conflict, violence, and destruction. Active Themes. Uchendu bursts out that they should not have killed the first white man in Abame. “Never kill a man who says nothing,” he says.
Why did the Abame kill the white man?
The Abame kill the white man because their Oracle said he would destroy their clan. But in killing the white man the tribe set in motion the events that really do destroy the clan. In killing the white man were they fulfilling or fighting fate? It is also worth noting that the first real story of the white man among the Igbo is one of conflict, violence, and destruction.
Who brings the wine to Okonkwo?
Okonkwo's first wife cooks dinner and Nwoye brings the wine. After dinner, Obierika mentions that the money in the bags is for Okonkwo's yams. Obierika says that he will continue to sell them in Umuofia every year until Okonkwo's return. Okonkwo thanks him.
What does Uchendu say about Okonkwo?
Uchendu calls Okonkwo together with his relatives. He tells his family why Okonkwo is now living with them and then asks whether they know why Nneka, or “Mother is Supreme” is a common name for children, when men are always the head of families. No one answers, and Uchendu asks another question. He asks why a woman is buried with her own kinsmen rather than with her husband's kinsmen. Again, Okonkwo and the others do not know. Uchendu advises Okonkwo to be grateful for the comfort his motherland provides. He says that while a child belongs to his father when things are good, it's the mother who is there to protect and comfort in times of need.
What is Okonkwo given?
Okonkwo is given a plot of ground to build his compound, and two or three pieces of land to farm during the planting season. Uchendu's sons even contribute seed-yams for Okonkwo to farm. In Umuofia tradition, family is very important, and Okonkwo's mother's kinsmen receive him kindly as part of the family, even though Uchendu hasn't seen him in ...
What does Uchendu see after the ceremony?
Uchendu sees Okonkwo's despair and decides he will talk to him after the ceremony for his youngest son, who is marrying a new wife. The ceremony of confession is the last step in the marriage, and all the daughters of the family sit in a circle with the bride and Uchendu in the center. The bride must confess whether she has slept with any other men.
Why does Obierika bring Okonkwo the money?
10. Obierika brings Okonkwo the money because he thinks Okonkwo might need it. Obierika does not know what might happen tomorrow. The clan may be invaded by green men who will shoot them.
Why did the Oracle say the white men were like locusts?
The Oracle said the white men were like locusts because the first one was a scout who was sent to explore the terrain. Other white men would follow him. 5. The white man seemed to speak through his nose because his language and intonation were unfamiliar to the Igbo people. 6.
What does Obierika mean in the book?
Obierika means to set out before the cock crowed, but Nweke, one of the men accompanying him, is late. Obierika says you should never make an early morning appointment with a man who has just married a new wife. 10. Obierika brings Okonkwo the money because he thinks Okonkwo might need it.
What lake turned the color of blood?
7. The sacred fish in the mysterious lake of Abame fled, and the lake turned the color of blood.
Why does Okonkwo's exile upset him?
His initial lack of gratitude toward his mother’s kinsmen is a transgression of Igbo cultural values. His exile also upsets him because it forces him to spend time in a “womanly” place. He remains unwilling to admit to, or come to terms with, the feminine side of his personality.
Why did Okonkwo work hard?
He has toiled all his life because he wanted “to become one of the lords of the clan,” but now that possibility is gone. Uchendu perceives Okonkwo’s disappointment but waits to speak with him until after his son’s wedding.
What language does Achebe use to describe the pleasure that Nwoye finds in Christianity?
The language that Achebe uses to describe the pleasure that Nwoye finds in Christianity reflects Umuofia ’s seeming need to be soothed physically as well as spiritually. Achebe sets up, from the beginning of the novel, a system of images that accentuate both the dry land and the tense atmosphere in the village.
Why did Obierika visit Okonkwo?
He has decided to visit Okonkwo because he has seen Nwoye with some of the Christian missionaries who have arrived. Most of the other converts, Obierika finds, have been efulefu, men who hold no status and who are generally ignored by the clan. Okonkwo will not talk about Nwoye, but Nwoye’s mother tells Obierika some of the story.
What did Obierika say to the villagers?
Obierika replies that he said nothing, or rather, he said things that the villagers did not understand . Uchendu declares that Abame was foolish to kill a man who said nothing.
What happened to Okonkwo in the second year?
During the second year of Okonkwo’s exile, Obierika brings several bags of cowries to Okonkwo. He also brings bad news: a village named Abame has been destroyed. It seems that a white man arrived in Abame on an “iron horse” (which we find out later is a bicycle) during the planting season. The village elders consulted their oracle, which prophesied that the white man would be followed by others, who would bring destruction to Abame. The villagers killed the white man and tied his bicycle to their sacred tree to prevent it from getting away and telling the white man’s friends. A while later, a group of white men discovered the bicycle and guessed their comrade’s fate. Weeks later, a group of men surrounded Abame’s market and destroyed almost everybody in the village. Uchendu asks Obierika what the first white man said to the villagers. Obierika replies that he said nothing, or rather, he said things that the villagers did not understand. Uchendu declares that Abame was foolish to kill a man who said nothing. Okonkwo agrees that the villagers were fools, but he believes that they should have heeded the oracle’s warning and armed themselves.
What does Uchendu value in his wife?
Youth, beauty, and sexual attractiveness are not the only things one should value in a wife, he argues. Uchendu also values wisdom, intelligence, and experience in a wife. Each and every death has caused him pain. Although we would not know it from Okonkwo, a father grieves for lost children just as a mother does.
Why does Okonkwo beat Ojiugo?
Here Okonkwo beats Ojiugo for failing to cook his evening meal, losing himself so thoroughly in anger that he refuses to stop even when reminded that such violence breaks the peace of the sacred week. The idea that Okonkwo does not fear divine wrath for his transgression is ironic, given that he’s otherwise so committed to Igbo religion. Such an irony marks an important rift between Okonkwo’s commitment to his clan and his commitment to his own power.
What does Okonkwo feel when his friend visits him in Mbanta?
When his good friend Obierika visits during his exile in Mbanta and brings him news of Umuofia, Okonkwo feels thankful and wants to express his gratitude. Obierika introduces an element of dark humor in response, which gives both men something to laugh about in an otherwise difficult time.
What does Okonkwo learn in Chapter 17?
In Chapter 17 Okonkwo learns that Nwoye has converted to Christianity, the white men’s religion. Initially enraged, Okonkwo’s thoughts turn fearful as he imagines his clan’s “annihilation” should all of Umuofia’s sons forget their heritage.
What would happen if Umuofia decided to go to war?
If Umuofia decided on war, all would be well. But if they chose to be cowards he would go out and avenge himself. He thought about wars in the past. The noblest, he thought, was the war against Isike. In those days Okudo was still alive. Okudo sang a war song in a way that no other man could. He was not a fighter, but his voice turned every man into a lion.
What chapter does Okonkwo kill Ikemefuna?
This passage from Chapter 7 narrates Okonkwo’s execution of Ikemefuna. This scene represents a tragic culmination of two contrasting emotions in Okonkwo. Okonkwo has grown to love Ikemefuna like a son, but this love amplifies Okonkwo’s fear of being considered weak. In the end his fear wins out. Okonkwo’s act also has significant implications for his future. Not only does the event mark a break in Okonkwo’s relationship with his son Nwoye, who loved Ikemefuna, but the execution represents yet another instance when Okonkwo goes against the wisdom of the clan.
What chapter does Okudo get released from jail?
He was not a fighter, but his voice turned every man into a lion. After Okonkwo gets released from the white men’s jail in Chapter 24, he commits himself to taking vengeance—even if the rest of the clan lacks the courage to do so.
What does Okonkwo's vision of the afterlife mean?
Okonkwo’s anxious vision of a meager afterlife helps explain the depth of his existential fear: the annihilation of the clan means that Okonkwo will be completely abandoned in death. “Let us not reason like cowards,” said Okonkwo.
What does Okonkwo feel about the elders?
Okonkwo feels that the elders’ belief is false; he is a man whose chi says “no” to greatness despite his own efforts to succeed. 5. The isa-ifi ceremony is the final segment in an elaborate wedding rite and establishes the fidelity of the bride.
Why does Okonkwo seek refuge in his motherland?
1. Okonkwo seeks refuge in his motherland because he accidentally killed a clansman; he is banished by Ani, the Earth goddess. 2. The rain called “the nuts of the water of heaven” is hail. (p.
How many sons does Uchendu have?
3. Uchendu has five sons. Each son contributes 300 seed-yams to enable their cousin Okonkwo to plant a farm.
Why is Nneka a common name?
7. The name “Nneka,” or “Mother is Supreme,” is a common name among the Igbo people because a mother’s nurturing love is respected. (p. 94)