Chapter 24 As soon as the fine was paid, the prisoners were set free. When they left the court, they spoke to no one, not even amongst themselves. On their way home, they passed women and children, but the looks that they bore on their face intimidated the women and children so they didn’t even say welcome (198).While walking through the village, men joined the six men so that they became a sizable group. When each man got to his compound, he walked in, taking some of the crowd with him (199).Ezinma began to prepare food for her father as soon as she heard that the six men had been released. When he got home, she took it to him in his obi. He only ate to please her, but Okonkwo really didn’t have an appetite. Okonkwo’s friends and male family members gathered in his obi and told him to eat, Nobody spoke, but they all noticed the lines on Okonkwo’s back where he had been beaten (199).That night, the village crier announced that there would be another meeting in the morning. Okonkwo slept very little that night because “the bitterness in his heart was now mixed with a kind of childlike excitement.” He had brought down his war dress before going to bed (199).While lying on his bed, Okonkwo brooded over the treatment he had received in the ‘white man’s’ court. He swore vengeance. He decided that if Umuofia chose to go to war, all would be well. However, if they chose to be cowards, he would seek revenge himself (199).Okonkwo then began to think about past wars. He decided that the noblest one was the war against Isike, when Okudo was still alive. He reflected on how in those days, men were men (200).
Chapter 24 continued Okonkwo began to think about Egonwanne. This man was the greatest coward, and with his words, he moves the men to cowardice. Okonkwo decided that if Egonwanne began to steer the subject away from war, he would leave and plan his own revenge (200).The next morning, the marketplace filled quickly. Okonkwo went to Obierika’s compound to walk to the meeting place together. When they got to the meeting place, it was completely filled. It made Okonkwo a little happier to see the strength in numbers (201).Okonkwo was looking for Egonwanne. When he found him, Obierika asked if Okonkwo was afraid he would convince the clan not to fight. To this Okonkwo answered: “Afraid? I do not care what he does to you. I despise him and those who listen to him. I shall fight alone if I choose” (201).Obierika questioned Okonkwo as to why he was so sure that Egonwanne would try to convince the clan against war. Okonkwo said he was sure because Egonwanne was a coward. When people greeted Okonkwo, he would pay them no attention (202).The first man that was to speak was Okika, one of the six men that was imprisoned. He began by saying that they all ought to be in the compounds instead of at the marketplace, but something has occurred to bring them all together (203).He continues saying that all the gods are weeping , and that their dead fathers a weeping because of the shameful suffering and abomination that they have all seen (203).He asked the crowd if all the sons of Umuofia were present, and then answered that they were not because some of them deserted them and joined the other side (203).
Chapter 24 continued Okika says that they must do what their fathers have never done: kill their brothers. Their fathers have never done this because they have never been plagued by the ‘white men.’ They must destroy the evil, even if it means destroying their brothers too (203).All of a sudden, five court messengers showed up. Okonkwo went up to the head messenger; he was full of anger and hate. The other four court messengers were lined up behind the head messenger, and all was silent. The head messenger broke this silence by saying “let me pass.” Okonkwo asked what he wanted and that messenger said that the ‘white man’ had ordered for this meeting to stop. As quick as lightning, Okonkwo drew out his machete and chopped the head messenger’s head off (204).The meeting stopped and Okonkwo just stood looking at the dead messenger. He knew that Umuofia would not go to war because they had let the other messengers escape. Many people in the meeting where asking why Okonkwo killed the man. He simply wiped his machete on the sand and walked away (205).Analysis:- After allowing the ‘white men’ to manipulate their thoughts, the people of Umuofia finally realized that there was a problem.
- Many people did not understand the reason why Okonkwo killed the head messenger because they were indifferent to the whole situation.
- The fact that all the gods are weeping shows that even they have given up hope.
Chapter 25 This final chapter begins with the District Commissioner arriving at Okonkwo’s compound with a group of soldiers and court messengers. He found a group of men sitting in the obi and called them outside. He asked which one of them was Okonkwo and Obierika replied that Okonkwo was not there. The Commissioner began to get frustrated when he go the same answer after asking the question a second time (206).The Commissioner threatened the men that he would lock them up if they did not tell him where Okonkwo was. The men agreed to take the Commissioner to where Okonkwo was in hopes that he would help them. The Commissioner was confused but followed the men (206).The Commissioner followed Obierika to a bush with a hole in it. The hole, however, was not large enough for a man to pass through. They continued to walk around the compound, until they reached the tree where Okonkwo’s body was hanged (207).
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