1. What is the significance of the three proverbs in Chapter One?

"Proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten." In their culture, they used proverbs to
communicate and to show more wisdom when they are talking Palm oil is a rich oil pressed from the fruit
of certain palm trees and used for fuel and cooking. Proverbs are the "fuel" for how they speak in the Igbo
culture.
"Our elders say that the sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel
under them." This proverb is saying that those who work hard (standing) will benefit more than those who
depend on them (kneeling). Those who don't push for the most out of themselves will not be rewarded as
much. This proverb is an example for how people should strive to be in life.
"If a child washed his hands, he could eat with kings." This proverb is very short, but straight-
forward. If a child could remove the "dirt" from their ancestors. they can pursue their own, unique future
life. If anyone can clean up their past, they will have opportunities in life.

What is Achebe’s purpose in using Igbo proverbs in the novel?

The many proverbs throughout Things Fall Apart gives the novel an authentic African voice.
Among the Igbo "the art of conversation is regarded highly" which shows that the culture is somewhat
sophisticated also." Providing an authentic feel for Igbo culture would be impossible without also
allowing the proverbs to play a significant role in the novel.

How do proverbs promote the narrative action in the novel?

The use of Proverbs promotes the Narrative action in the story by adding a deeper meaning and
insight with the re-telling of what was occurring back then and even just in the everyday life of the Igbo
people. It also serves the purpose of giving the reader a better understanding of what is going on.

What do they reveal about Igbo culture?

Locate additional proverbs in the novel and explain their meaning and how they foster Igbo
tradition. The proverbs are used mainly to portray the Igbo people as a civilized culture because the
proverbs on the novel like sophisticated poetry that can have multiple meanings and require higher level
thinking to understand.
More Proverb: "If one finger brought oil, it soiled the others." The concept of this proverb is that one
positive, or negative choice can and will spread. If a finger gets dipped in oil, the other fingers will get
smeared too since they're all together.

2. Explain the importance of folktales in the informal education of the children. Why does Nwoye
like the tales of his mother better than those of his father?
 Folktales provide moral instruction and introduce children to the culture of the tribe, as well as
awaking their imaginations. Nwoye prefers his mother's stories because they are more imaginative,
whereas his father's stories are martial narratives of violence and bloodshed.

3. Describe the Igbo concept of chi and how the concept relates to Okonkwo’s desired success in life.
Chi is a personal god. If you have a good chi, you will become successful and do great thing.
However, bad chi means great misfortune in life. Okonkwo believed that by hard, manly work his chi
would be good for him and so he would gain success in life.

4. Fear is pervasive throughout the novel. How does fear affect the actions of Okonkwo? Of Nwoye?
Okonkwo suffers the consequences of his actions being motivated by fear throughout Things Fall
Apart. He damages his relationship with his family, and his actions lead to his eventual death. Okonkwo
and his son Nwoye could never relate to each other. He often beat his son thinking that it would get him
to understand.

5. How does pre-colonial life in Umuofia differ from Western society? Are there similarities? Cite
examples of any similarities and differences.
Pre-Colonial life in Umuofia believes in polygamy, polytheism, and patriarchy. Men are
domineering. They are making sacrifices to the gods. Women can be beaten. It requires balance between
manly virtues and womanly virtues while in western society, they believe in monogamy. Men and women
are equal. They do not practice ritual of sacrifices. They do not accept any type of beating. Women are
viewed that they are equal to men. Their similarities are they have strong beliefs, customs, and rituals.
Also having strong belief of Christianity, and believing in one true God.

6. Igbo culture is patriarchal. What is the role of women in the community? Does their role make
them less valuable than men?
In Igbo culture, women are the weaker sex, but are also endowed with qualities that make them
worthy of worship like the ability to bear children. The dominant role for women is: first, to make a pure
bride for an honorable man second, to be a submissive wife, and third to bear many children.

7. Why do the community celebrations make Okonkwo unhappy?

Okonkwo is a man who prefers to work as opposed to celebrate. Okonkwo is not a social animal,
and he is forced to not work during these times.

8. Why is Okonkwo exiled? Why is the exile ironic? Compare to Okonkwo’s participation in the
killing of Ikemefuna and its lack of consequences.
 He exiled because he accidentally shoots and kills an elder's son during a funeral, the Earth
Goddess Ani decides to banish Okonkwo from his village. The irony is in the fact that Okonkwo becomes
an exile just as Ikemfuna. Ikemefuna left his home behind, not knowing what to expect. In much the same
way, Okonkwo has left his home behind not thinking that so much will change in his absence.

9. Describe the Igbo extended family system.

The Extended family system is one of the popular and important socio-cultural and ethical
institutions of Igbo traditional society. According to Lorimer (1995), the extended family is “a group of
people closely related by blood, e.g. children and their parents, their cousins, their aunts and uncles.”

10. How does it help Okonkwo to survive his exile in Mbanta?

Okonkwo's final days in Mbanta are characterized by his usual striving to impress, never doing
anything by halves. He expresses his thanks to his motherland's relatives with an extravagant celebration.
Okonkwo's rigid, impulsive behavior hasn't changed during his seven years in Mbanta, and he is eager to
return to Umuofia to make up for lost time. He reveres Umuofia because of its strong and masculine
community, unlike Mbanta, which he labels a womanly clan.