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Chapter Twenty-One

Note: Achebe was raised a Christian; but both rejected the faith and have preferred to affirm certain aspects of traditional beliefs in their own lives. Note how Akunna shrewdly senses that the head of the Church is in England rather than in heaven. Note the recurrence of the phrase "falling apart" in the last sentence of the chapter. The missionaries try to refute what they consider idolatry with the simplistic argument that the animist gods are only wooden idols; however the villagers are perfectly aware that the idol is not the god in a literal sense, any more than the sculpture of Christ on the cross in a Christian church is God. This sort of oversimplification was a constant theme of Christian arguments against traditional faiths throughout the world as the British assumed that the natives were fools pursuing childish beliefs who needed only a little enlightenment to be converted. Mr. Brown here learns better.

1. Why do some of the villagers--even those who are not converts to Christianity--welcome the British?

Chapter Twenty-Two

1. How is Rev. Smith different from Brown? What is the result of his black and white thinking?

Chapter Twenty-Three

1. What does the District Commissioner say is the motive of the British in colonizing the Africans?

Chapter Twenty-Four

1. Once again Okonkwo uses his matchet rashly, bringing disaster on his head. But he could be viewed as a defiant hero defending his people's way of life. What do you think of his act?

Chapter Twenty-Five

1. Why do you think Okonkwo kills himself? What is your reaction to the final paragraph of the book? Analyze it.