Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe | Part 3, Chapter 23

Summary

In 'Things Fall Apart' by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo experiences a rare moment of happiness and rejuvenation as he leads his clan to reclaim its traditional ways. However, this is quickly shattered when he and his delegation are deceitfully arrested by the district commissioner's men. The British colonial authorities' disrespect and injustice are highlighted as they impose fines, humiliate the prisoners, and even exploit the situation for personal gain, showcasing a stark contrast to the clan's respect for honor and action.

Takeaways

• 😊 Okonkwo feels happy and rejuvenated, believing the clan has reclaimed its old ways.
• 🗡️ Okonkwo convinces the men in Umuofia to arm themselves, unlike the people in Abame.
• 📜 Three days later, messengers from the district commissioner's office invite Okonkwo and five others to his office.
• 🔪 They bring machetes but choose not to carry guns, which would be unseemly.
• 🗣️ A member of the Umuofia delegation begins to explain why the church was destroyed, but the district commissioner interrupts.
• 🚓 The commissioners' men handcuff Okonkwo and the others after a brief scuffle.
• 📚 The clansmen are lectured about their bad treatment of people and are fined.
• 🚨 The court messengers forcibly shave the prisoners' heads, beat them, taunt them, and withhold food and water.
• 😡 Okonkwo feels choked with hate as the men of Umuofia gather to decide to pay the fine.
• 💔 The happiness Okonkwo feels at the beginning turns to bitterness after the encounter with the district commissioner.
• 👮 The district commissioner is condescending and dismisses the clans' ways, serving as judge and jury without hearing their side.
• 😠 The court messengers are disrespectful and cruel, inflating the fine to steal the extra funds, making them worse than the criminals they deal with.

Q & A

What significant change does Okonkwo feel in Part Three, Chapter 23 of 'Things Fall Apart'?

Okonkwo feels happy for the first time in many years, rejuvenated, and believes the clan has reclaimed its old ways.

What action does Okonkwo convince the men in the clan to take?

Okonkwo convinces the men in the clan to arm themselves so they will be prepared, unlike the people in ABBA.

Why are Okonkwo and five others invited to the district commissioner's office?

They are invited because a man does not refuse a call from the district commissioner's office, and they bring machetes as a sign of their warrior status.

What is the district commissioner's initial response when the clan delegation begins to explain the destruction of the church?

The district commissioner asks them to stop so he can bring in men to hear their grievances.

What happens shortly after the commissioner's men enter the room?

There is a brief scuffle, too brief for a machete to be drawn, and in the melee, Okonkwo and the others are handcuffed.

What is the reaction of the clansmen after they are lectured about their bad treatment of people and a fine is placed upon them?

The clansmen decide to pay the fine to appease the white man, showing their willingness to comply with the new authority.

How does Okonkwo feel about the court messengers' treatment of him and the other prisoners?

Okonkwo feels choked with hate due to the disrespectful and cruel treatment by the court messengers, including being forcibly shaved, beaten, and starved.

What does the court messengers' behavior towards the prisoners reveal about the British colonial system?

The court messengers' behavior reveals the unjust and corrupt nature of the British colonial system, where they are worse than the criminals they deal with and do not treat the ebo as equals.

How does the meeting with the district commissioner contrast with the war council in Chapter 2?

The meeting with the district commissioner is condescending and dismissive of the clan's ways, unlike the war council in Chapter 2 where Okonkwo holds a discussion with his adversaries and is treated with respect.

What does the district commissioner's role as both judge and jury signify about the colonial justice system?

The district commissioner's role signifies the lack of a fair and balanced justice system, as he does not hear the clan's side and disrespects their customs and traditions.

How does the script illustrate the clash of cultures and values between the Igbo people and the British colonial authority?

The script shows the clash through the contrasting expectations and treatment of the Igbo people by the British, who do not adhere to the same codes of honor and instead impose their own unjust and corrupt system.