Part Three “Historical and Cultural Context”

PART THREE Chapters 20-22 Questions 1. How has Umofia changed during Oknokwo’s exile? Give three specific examples. Umofia changes during Okonkwo's exile: - Introduction of Christianity leads to division - Colonial administration disrupts traditional governance - Influence of Western education and technology emerges 2. How is Mr. Smith different from Mr. Brown? How are they similar? Mr. Smith is aggressive, seeking to eradicate traditional beliefs, while Mr. Brown is more tolerant, aiming for coexistence. Both pursue Christian conversion 3. How does Enoch spark a conflict in Umofia? What does the clan do about it? Enoch's act of unmasking an Egwugwu sparks conflict. The clan responds by destroying Enoch's compound and the church 4. According to Obierika, the clan could easily drive out two white men. Why then, does he feel the clan is falling apart? Despite the clan's ability to drive out two white men, internal divisions caused by Christianity and colonialism make Obierika feel the clan is falling apart 5. How does Okeke, Mr. Smith’s interpreter, show wisdom in dealing with the leaders of Umuofia? What do you think is the cause of his wisdom? What do you think would have happened if Okeke weren’t so wise? Okeke advises diplomacy with Umuofia leaders, showing wisdom derived from understanding Igbo culture and intercultural dynamics. Without his wisdom, tensions might escalate, leading to violence Chapters 23-25 Questions 1. Why do you think the guards and messengers treat the men of Umuofia so badly? What do they do? The guards and messengers treat the men of Umuofia badly because they are agents of the colonial administration, which seeks to assert dominance over the indigenous population. They may act with hostility and aggression to intimidate and subjugate the villagers, reinforcing the power dynamic between the colonizers and the colonized. They may also engage in acts of violence and coercion to maintain control and enforce colonial laws and policies 2. In what way do the court messegers take money dishonestly from Umuofia? The court messengers take money dishonestly from Umuofia by demanding bribes and extorting the villagers. They exploit their position of authority to enrich themselves at the expense of the local population, abusing their power and disregarding principles of fairness and justice 3. What kind of person do you think the District Comissioner is? Describer your views. The District Commissioner is portrayed as an opportunistic and cynical figure who views the indigenous people with condescension and contempt. He represents the colonial system and is primarily concerned with advancing his own interests and maintaining control over the native population. He lacks empathy and understanding for the cultural and social complexities of the indigenous society, viewing them as primitive and inferior to European civilization 4. At the end of Chapter 24, Okonkwo hears his clansmen asking, “Why did he do it?” What are they referring to, and why do you think he did it? The clansmen are referring to Okonkwo's suicide. They wonder why he took his own life, as suicide is considered a shameful act in Igbo culture. They may speculate on the reasons behind Okonkwo's decision, questioning the factors that led him to such a drastic and dishonorable end 5. In the last paragraph of the novel, the point of view shifts although the narrative is still third-person. Whose point of view is shown in this paragraph? Why do you think Achebe makes this shift? What tone, or attitude, does Achebe adopt in this paragraph? The last paragraph of the novel shifts to the point of view of the District Commissioner, who is reflecting on his plans to write a book about his experiences in Africa. Achebe makes this shift to provide a commentary on the colonial perspective and the legacy of European imperialism in Africa. The tone is detached and dismissive, reflecting the arrogance and indifference of the colonial mindset towards the indigenous peoples and their cultures. Achebe adopts a critical stance, highlighting the distortions and inaccuracies perpetuated by colonial narratives and the disregard for African voices and perspectives