Chapter 21 This chapter begins with the statement that not all the people in Umuofia hated the Christians as much as Okonkwo. Though the Christians brought a “lunatic religion,” they had also brought in much money with the building of a trade store (178).The people of Umuofia now thought that maybe there was something in the new religion after all. This was because of Mr. Brown (the white missionary), who worked hard to restrain his people from provoking the “wrath of the clan” (178).One of the members of Mr. Brown’s clan was Enoch. Enoch killed and ate the Sacred Python, and his father had supposedly cursed him (178).Through Mr. Brown’s teachings, he came to earn the respect of most people, even the clan. He made friends with some of the important men in the clan, and on one of his many visits he was given a carved elephant trunk, which was a sign of dignity and rank (178-179).Akunna, who was one of the great men of the village, had allowed one of his sons to be taught in Mr. Brown’s school (179).Mr. Brown always stayed and talked to Akunna about religion whenever he visited the village. Akunna questioned Mr. Brown further about the Christian religion. He told Mr. Brown that how the Christian religion had one Supreme God, the Ibo also have one and they call him Chukwu (179).Akunna stated how Chukwu created all the other gods. Mr. Brown then tells Akunna that there are no other gods. Akunna tries to explain to Mr. Brown that all the other gods are like Chukwu’s messengers, similar to how the priests and people such as Mr. Brown are the messengers to the Christian God (179-180).
Chapter 21 continued Mr. Brown then says that the issue is that they should not think of Him as a person because then He must have helpers and they end up worshipping on the smaller gods. Akunna then tells Mr. Brown that he is wrong. The Ibo people make sacrifices to the smaller gods, but when these gods don’t come through they turn to Chukwu. He uses the proverb “We approach a great man through his servants” to explain this relationship (180).Akunna says that they worry the little gods because they are scared of worrying their “Master.” Mr. Brown finds this fear in the Supreme God interesting and tells Akunna that in the Christian religion, the Supreme God is loving and does not instill fear in his followers (180-181).Akunna answers back by saying that you must fear you God if you are not doing His will, and that His will is too great to be known (181).Through this conversation, Mr. Brown learned plenty about the religion of the clan. He also learned that a frontal attack on the clan would not work (181).Mr. Brown began to build a school and a hospital in Umuofia. He begged the people to send their children to the school, but most only sent their slaves or lazy children. He tried to convince the Umuofians that the future leaders would have to know how to read and write; otherwise, people would come and take over their land without the people knowing (181).Eventually, Mr. Brown’s arguments began to convince people. He gave gifts to those who came in order to keep them interested. Those who went weren’t only young people; some of the people were over thirty years old. They would work in the morning and go to school in the afternoon (181).
Chapter 21 continued Those who joined Mr. Brown’s school saw quick results. Many became court messengers or even court clerks within a few months. The ones who stayed longer became teachers. Religion also played a big role in education (182).After a while, Mr. Brown became sick and had to leave the clan (182).Mr. Brown left for his home in the first rainy season. Five months earlier, when he had heard of Okonkwo’s return, he had immediately gone to pay him a visit. He visited to tell Okonkwo that Nwoye (who had changed his name to Isaac) was sent to a new training college in Umuru. Mr. Brown expected Okonkwo to be happy about it, but Okonkwo drove him away with a threat (182).Contrary to what he believed, Okonkwo’s return was not a big deal. His two daughters soon had marriage negotiations in progress, but that was about it. In Okonkwo’s eyes, the clan had changed too much during his exile. Many people accepted the new religion, and this was despicable to Okonkwo. The only thing that people talked about was the new religion, and never about his return (182-183).Okonkwo believed that if he had joined his sons into the ozo society immediately he would have received attention. However, ozo initiations only occurred once in three years and because of the time when Okonkwo returned, he would have to wait almost two years (183).Okonkwo was deeply disturbed by the clan’s actions. He saw them falling apart and losing their will and power to fight (183).Analysis:- In this chapter we see that Umuofia is quickly giving in to the new religion and the ‘white men.’
- You see more of a sense of foreboding when Achebe says “Okonkwo was deeply grieved. And it was not just a personal grief. He mourned for the clan, which he saw breaking up and falling apart...” (183).
Chapter 22 This chapter starts off by saying that Mr. Brown’s successor was Reverend James Smith, and that he was far more different than Mr. Brown. He didn’t agree with Mr. Brown’s policies of befriending the people of Umuofia (184).Mr. Smith was disappointed in the fact that many of the converted Umuofians showed ignorance towards many aspects of the Christian religion. He was upset at Mr. Brown because he focused more on gaining a wide amount of converts that knew nothing instead of a small group that actually showed respect and knowledge towards Christianity (184).
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