1. Things Fall Apart- Chapter
21
Kaitlyn McAuliffe

2. Basic Events
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The white man had built a trading store
-palm oil/kernel became things of great price
-much money flowed into Umuofia
•
The Christians were led by a white man named Mr. Brown
-helped restrain his members from outbursting the wrath of the clan
-Enoch was a member who was very difficult to restrain
•
As Mr. Brown was visiting a neighboring village, he was presented with a carved
elephant tusk -sign of dignity and rank
•
•
Spends a lot of time with Akunna-speak through an interpreter on religion
Tries to get people to send their children to Christian school
-his school begins to produce a lot of results
•
Nwoye is sent to the teacher’s college at Umaru

3. List of Conflicts
•
•
•
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Okonkwo vs. the white people -he is one of the only ones who strongly opposes them
•
Okonkwo vs. Umuofia -fears the clan is dying
Mr. Brown & Akunna vs. religion -neither succeeding in converting one another
The people vs. the Christian school - at first people only sent their lazy children
Okonkwo vs. Mr. Brown- Okonkwo chases Mr. Brown and threatens him with
violence

4. List of Cultural Norms
•
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The Christians were led by a leader named Mr. Brown
For being so kind and visiting other villages/making friends with them, Mr. Brown
was presented with a gift

5. Terms/Definitions
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•
•
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Ikenga -a carved wooden figure that symbolizes strength of a man’s right hand
Kotma -court messengers
Chukwu -another name for God
Obi -house

6. Connections to Today
•
The white man brings a trade center, and people of Umuofia profit from selling local
products - People today run their own stores and make profit off of their products
•
Mr. Brown and Akunna spend hours talking about religion and neither of them can
convert one another -People today discuss their own religions with others and many
disputes come from it which results in no one converting to a different religion

7. Characters
•
•
Mr. Brown -white missionary who led the Christians
•
Akunna -one of the great men in the village, he had gave his son the opportunity to
be taught at Mr. Brown’s school
Enoch -violent member, was accused of killing and eating the sacred python and that
his father had cursed him

8. Questions
1. Why do you think Okonkwo was so furious with Mr. Brown after he found out he had
sent Nwoye to the new training college for teachers in Umuru?
2. Do you think Okonkwo will ever accept the changes made in Umuofia?