Obierika asked if the Commissioner and his men could bring Okonkwo’s body down from the tree. When the Commissioner questioned why they couldn’t take the body down themselves, Obierika answered that it is against Ibo custom. “It is an abomination for a man to take his own life. It is an offense against the Earth, and a man who commits it will not be buried by his clansmen. His body is evil, and only strangers may touch it” (207). The Commissioner then asked if they will bury Okonkwo the way they would bury any other man to which Obierika answered that only strangers can bury him, and that they shall pay the Commissioner and his men to do it. Once Okonkwo is buried, then the clansmen will perform their duty to him and make sacrifices to “cleanse the desecrated land” (207-208).
Obierika suddenly turned to the Commissioner and told him: “That man was one of the greatest men in Umuofia. You drove him to kill himself; and now he will be buried like a dog…” (208). The Commissioner ordered one of his messengers to take down the body and bring it, along with all the men that had been present, to the court (208).When the Commissioner left, the reader learns that he had toiled in many different parts of Africa. The Commissioner has apparently learned many things, one of these things being that a District Commissioner should never perform details such as cutting a hanged man from a tree. This would give the natives of the village a poor image of him (208).The reader also learns that the Commissioner plans to write a book. In this book he would try to stress the above mentioned point. He said that he could write a whole chapter about Okonkwo’s killing a messenger and then hanging himself. He then gives the title of his book: The Pacification of the Primitive Tribes of the Lower Niger.Analysis:- Though suicide is an offense, Okonkwo still goes through with it. This shows the reader how he had completely given up on his clan.
- For Okonkwo, things really did fall apart, but I believe the title was an inclinations towards something bigger than one person: religion, and how it affects society.
- In the last page, the Commissioner said that instead of a chapter, he would write a paragraph. This shows that he doesn’t really care about what he has caused a man to do and will continue to do what he’s been doing. He hasn’t learned his lesson, has he?
Characterization Okonkwo- main character of story. He is strong in mind and body, and believes that showing one’s feelings in considered womanly. Fears weakness and failure, along with the fear of being like his father. Obierika- one of Okonkwo’s greatest friends. Kind and brave. Helps Okonkwo while he is in exile.Ekwefi- Okonkwo’s second wife and mother of Ezinma.Nwoye- Okonkwo’s oldest son, who left his family to join the Christians and changed his name to Isaac. Ojiugo- Okonkwo’s third wife and mother of Obiageli. She is not mentioned much in the book, only in small instances.Ezinma- daughter of Ekwefi and favorite of Okonkwo. Throughout the whole story, Okonkwo wishes she was born a boy because she has all the right qualities to be a strong and successful boy. Grows up to be one of the most beautiful women in the village.Obiageli- daughter of Ojiugo. Also grows up to be beautiful, and is greatly influenced by Ezinma.Uchendu- Okonkwo’s uncle and the oldest living member of Okonkwo’s mother’s kinsmen. Mr. Brown- the first white missionary to reside in Umuofia, who converted many of the Umuofians to Christianity. He left the clan due to sickness.Akunna- one of Mr. Brown’s friends in the village who did not convert to Christianity.Mr. Smith- the man who took Mr. Brown’s place when he left. Mr. Smith was much hated by the village for his violent actions towards the leaders of Umuofia.Okeke- Mr. Smith’s interpreter.District Commissioner- man who’s name is never mentioned in the book, but seems to have power over all the white men.Egonwanne- “coward” who convinces people to not choose war. Hated by Okonkwo.
Themes Fear of failure and weakness Strife for success Justice (or lack thereof)
Outline Thesis statement: Throughout the last part of the book, Chinua Achebe shows how changes in religion and culture affect the Ibo society. As in most other cultures, the introduction of a new religion destroys the present society, as is evident by Okonkwo’s suicide at the end of the book. I. Before one can understand the change in the religion, Achebe shows the reader the importance of culture and religion to the Ibo society through the several ceremonies that are held in Umuofia.- A. In Umuofia, ceremonies were a way for the people of the clan to meet
- and decide upon the actions that are to be taken for certain situations.
- 1. During the ceremony that followed the unmasking of an
- egwugwu, the clan decided to burn down Enoch’s compound
- because he had committed a great crime.
a. No one had ever pulled off the mask of an egwugwu, and they were not sure what to do. The punishment they gave to Enoch was used in order to cleanse the earth of an offending being.- 2. The men of Umuofia met in the marketplace the morning
- following the announcement by the court messengers because
- the leaders that were imprisoned were important and respected
- in their culture (Things Fall Apart).
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