Things Fall Apart (Parts 2 & 3) Study Guide

What is the author's purpose when he states on page 117, "You think you are the greatest sufferer in the world? Do you know that men are sometimes banished for life?"

• The author's purpose is to explain why Okonkwo feels so dejected by his banishment.

• The author's purpose is to put Okonkwo's banishment and his sorrow in context.

• The author's purpose is to question Umuofia's tradition of banishment.

• The author's purpose is to convey how wise Uchendu is.

On page 121, Obierika and his friends describe what happened in the town of Abame on market day. What happened?

• Security in the market was increased on market day.

• The people of Abame were unprepared for battle.

• The white men and their followers killed the entire town of Abame on market day.

• They created a powerful medicine.

What is most closely the meaning of abomination as it is used on page 122?

• something false

• something repulsive or disgraceful

• something new, foreign, or confusing

• something desirable

On page 133, Okonkwo compares and contrasts himself to his son Nwoye. Which of these inferences is best supported by the description?

• Okonkwo always knew he would have a son who would take after his father.

• Okonkwo does not trust his wives.

• Nwoye's attempts to please his father were never adequate.

• Nwoye's way of being could be a direct reaction and result of Okonkwo's "flaming fire."

On pages 145 - 146, one of the members of the umunna gives a toast about kinship. Which of these inferences is best supported by the speech?

• The times are changing, and kinship is no longer valuable to any of the clansmen.

• The old man is sentimental and doesn't understand modern village life.

• If a time comes when the younger generation needs to stand together, they may lack the bonds of kinship necessary to do so.

• If the time comes when the younger generation needs to speak with one voice, they will have the kinship necessary to do so.

The first two paragraphs of chapter 21 reveal what? (Page 153)

• The wrath of the clan was difficult to avoid.

• Okonkwo's feelings were representative of the feelings of most people in the village.

• The people of Umuofia were bribed into letting the white men stay.

• The people of Umuofia were coming to accept the presence of the church.

What is most closely the meaning of tumultuous as it is used on page 176?

• excited; energetic

• confused; disorderly

• scared; nervous

• friendly; helpful

Which of the following statements about Okonkwo is most likely true?

• Okonkwo was meant to be a leader, and did not find life to be fulfilling.

• Okonkwo was underappreciated by his village.

• Okonkwo would have appreciated the white man more if he had attended a church service.

• Okonkwo's skills served him in the culture he grew up in, but he is no longer dominant in the village.

The passage where the villagers ask the Commissioner and his men to cut down the body of Okonkwo (page 178) mainly shows that:

• the villagers have abandoned their customs due to the arrival of the missionaries

• the villagers are still honoring some customs, even though they were not willing to go to war with the missionaries.

• the District Commissioner is helpful and considerate.

• the District Commissioner feels guilty about Okonkwo's death.

The final paragraph of the novel (page 179) mainly shows that:

• the villagers think highly of the Commissioner because he delegates undignified work to his soldiers

• the Commissoner only took this job because it provided material for his book

• the story of Okonkwo will live on in the book the Commissioner is planning to write

• the Commissioner does not relate to the people of Umuofia, and he thinks of himself as more civilized