The villagers of Mbanta gave the missionaries land to build a church, and many villagers including Nwoye converted to Christianity. Okonkwo was very upset by Nwoye's conversion and beat him. Nwoye then went to Umuofia to further study the new faith. There were conflicts between the villagers and the white missionaries, and between Okonkwo and his son Nwoye over his embrace of the new religion.

1. Chapter 17
By Ryan Semeter

2. Basic Events
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The people of Mbanta decide to give the “Evil Forest” to
the missionaries to build their church
Nwoye and many villagers convert to the new faith
People of Mbanta are waiting for the white men to die,
but they don’t
Okonkwo beats Nwoye
Nwoye goes to Umuofia to study new faith

3. Conflicts
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The people of Mbanta vs. White
Missionaries
Okonkwo vs. Nwoye

4. Cultural Norms
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Evil Forest
Blame their chi for personal misfortune
When someone has twins they are “thrown
away”

5. Characters
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Nwoye: joins the Christians and is beaten/strangled for
it by Okonkwo; goes to Umuofia then returns to convert
his family too
Nneka: first woman to convert to the new faith; wife of
Amadi
Okonkwo: beats Nwoye; very upset about Nwoye’s
behavior and doesn’t want to believe he is his son
Mr. Kiaga- teacher of the new faith

6. Terms & Definitions
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chi- personal god
“Evil Forest”- people who died of evil disease
are buried here; alive with sinister forces and
powers

7. Connections To Today
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When a son doesn’t follow his fathers
footsteps the father is upset

8. Questions
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Is Okonkwo justified in beating Nwoye for betraying his
ancestors and converting to the new faith?
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Why do you think so many people are converting to the
new faith?