Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe | Part 2, Chapter 19

Summary

In Chapter 19 of Chinua Achebe's *Things Fall Apart*, seven years have passed during Okonkwo's exile in Mbanta, where he has prospered, though he regrets not being able to return home sooner. Okonkwo prepares a grand feast for his mother's kinsmen, viewing it as a social obligation and a display of success. An elder reflects on the fading traditions and the rising influence of a foreign religion, which threatens kinship and unity. The chapter underscores themes of tradition, change, and Okonkwo's frustrations with exile, as tensions in the clan continue to grow.

Takeaways

• 🌧️ Okonkwo has spent seven years in exile in Mbanta and has prospered but regrets every day of his exile.
• 💰 Okonkwo sends money to Obierika to construct huts in his former compound in preparation for his return.
• 🏡 Okonkwo wishes he could have returned earlier to build his own compound, which he believes is a man's responsibility.
• 🌈 At the close of the rainy season, there is a beautiful rainbow referred to as the serpent of the sky.
• 🍽️ Okonkwo prepares a large feast to thank his mother's kinsmen for their support during his exile.
• 🙏 The feast is larger than expected, and an elder makes a speech expressing gratitude and concern for the future of the clan.
• ⚠️ The elder worries about the influence of the new religion, which has led to the loss of traditional values and kinship.
• 💬 The elder emphasizes the importance of gathering and speaking with one voice to strengthen family bonds.
• ⚔️ Okonkwo feels more connected to his home in Umuofia, where men are bold and warlike, but he still respects the laws of exile.
• 📖 The novel's title, *Things Fall Apart*, is reflected in the elder's concerns about families breaking apart and younger generations losing touch with tradition.

Q & A

What is Okonkwo's primary emotion after seven years in exile?

Okonkwo feels anxious and regretful about his exile, believing that it has held him back from further prosperity.

What does Okonkwo do to prepare for his return to Umuofia?

Okonkwo sends money to Obierika to construct huts in his former compound, ensuring his family will have a place to live upon their return.

Why does Okonkwo feel frustrated about the preparations for his return?

Okonkwo wishes he could have returned earlier to build his own compound, as he believes that constructing one's own home is something a man should do.

What symbolic natural event occurs during this chapter, and what is it called?

A beautiful rainbow appears at the close of the rainy season, which is referred to as the 'serpent of the sky.'

Why does Okonkwo insist on preparing a large feast for his mother's kinsmen?

Okonkwo wants to express his gratitude to his mother’s kinsmen and believes that hosting a grand feast is both a social obligation and a way to show his success in exile.

What is the significance of the elder kinsman's speech during the feast?

The elder kinsman thanks Okonkwo for the feast and expresses concern for the future of the clan, fearing that younger generations are abandoning traditional values and kinship bonds.

What does the elder kinsman mean when he says 'a man can now leave his father and brothers'?

He is referring to the influence of the new religion (Christianity) that is disrupting traditional values, causing people to abandon their families, communities, and identities.

How does this chapter reflect Okonkwo's adherence to tradition?

Okonkwo views the feast as a way to fulfill his social duties, maintain his status, and demonstrate his commitment to traditional values, which contrasts with the changes occurring in the younger generation.

Why does Okonkwo believe his exile has held him back?

Okonkwo believes that if he had stayed in Umuofia, he would have been even more prosperous, as he sees the men there as bold and warlike, qualities he values.

How does the elder kinsman's speech relate to the novel's title 'Things Fall Apart'?

The speech reflects the theme of societal and familial disintegration, as the elder laments the weakening of kinship bonds and the rise of individualism, which ties into the novel's central theme of things 'falling apart.'