If Only

In the movie The Gobs Must Be Crazy the coke bottle was viewed as an "evil thing." One of the the villagers took the coke bottle to the end of the earth and got rid of it and it seemed that when he came back the bushman's problems were gone with the coke bottle. In Things Fall Apart when the westerners came they weren't seen as evil exactly but they caused a lot of troubled for the villages like Umuofia, like the coke bottle did for the bushman. Do you think that if the Africans were able to take the westerners to the end of the earth that Umuofia's problems would disappear with the westerners as well?

Why did Nowye join the missionaries?

In chapter 17 the missionaries come into the village Okonkwo and his family are living in. Nwoye is captivated by the missionaries and their religion. After being seen by his father's cousin Amikwu in the church, worshiping with the Christians, Nowye leaves his father and his beliefs to join the missionaries. What do you think contributed to his decision? I believe that it was an escape for him from his father's strict rules and harsh punishments. Do you also think that it could be a result of being mothered to much?

What was the true meaning?

On page 142, Okonkwo's friend, Obierika, did him a huge favor by selling his yams and bringing him the money. He said that he would continue to do that until Okonkwo was no longer banned from the village. Okonkwo did not know how to thank him, but Obierika seemed to have something in mind. He offered that Okonkwo could kill one of his sons, but Okonkwo felt the need for more. Next Obierika said, "Then kill yourself." Do you think he was joking? He could just want Okonkwo's place because he was jealous. Was it just tradition? We aren't really sure; the possibilities are endless.

Was it right or wrong?

In chapter 4, Okonkwo beat his third wife, Ojiugo, during the "Week of Peace". Do you think he was right to do this, or do you disagree with his decision? Okonkwo was aware of the sacred week, but when he realized that Ojiugo wasn't home, he lost his temper. Was it a good enough reason to disobey the rules of that week? Even if it wasn't the "Week of peace", did he have the right to beat his wife for not being home to feed him supper? We agree with Ezani, the priest of the earth goddess, when he said that Okonkwo "committed a great evil". He should not have beaten her in the first place.