Things Fall Apart

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Things Fall Apart

• Study Guide Chapter 9 Chapter 10

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Chapter 9

• 1. Describe the story Okonkwos mother used to
  tell him that explained why mosquitoes buzz in
  peoples ears.
• A When Mosquito asked Ear to marry him, she
  fell on the floor laughing. Ear thought Mosquito
  looked like a skeleton and insinuated that he
  would not live much longer. Mosquito was
  humiliated, so any time he passes by, he tells
  Ear that he is still alive.
• 2. Give two examples proving that the
  relationship between Ezinma and Ekwefi was a
  companionship of equals.
• A Ezinma does not call her mother Nne like
  other children. She calls her by her name. They
  share secrets like eating eggs together.

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Chapter 9

• 3. Why did Ekwefi stay with her people during her
  third pregnancy?
• A The medicine man said Ekwefi would trick the
  wicked ogbanje and break the cycle of birth and
  death if she stayed with her people during her
  pregnancy.
• 4. How was Ekwefis despair reflected in the
  names she gave her children?
• A Ekwefis despair was reflected in the
  following names she gave her children Onwumbiko
  Death I implore you Ozoemena May it not
  happen again and Onwuma Death may please
  himself.

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Chapter 9

• 5. Describe the medicine man famous for his
  knowledge of ogbanje children.
• A The medicine man was striking. He was very
  tall he had a full beard and a bald head. He was
  light in complexion, and his eyes were fiery.
• 6. Why did the medicine man drag the corpse of
  the dead ogbanje child into the Evil Forest?
• A The medicine man dragged the dead child into
  the Evil Forest because then the ogbanje would
  think twice about entering its mothers womb and
  coming to life again.

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Chapter 9

• 7. Why did Ekwefi grow bitter about her own chi?
• A Ekwefi wishes her co-wives well, but she has
  grown bitter. She feels that it is her evil chi
  that denies her good fortune. Ekwefis bitterness
  does not flow outward to others but inward into
  her own soul.
• 8. Why did Ezinma take the medicine man and her
  family through the bush and back to the homestead
  in order to find the iyi-uwa?
• A Ezinma was looking for the iyi-uwa herself as
  she took everyone on a journey through the bush
  and then back to her own homestead.

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Chapter 9

• 9. As Ezinma and Ekwefi are cooking yams, they
  discuss the fact that large quantities of
  vegetables cook down to smaller quantities by
  telling the story of the snake-lizard. Why did
  the snake-lizard kill his mother and himself?
• A The snake-lizard gave his mother seven
  baskets of raw vegetables to cook. When they
  yielded only three baskets of cooked vegetables,
  he killed her. Then, he brought another seven
  baskets of raw vegetables and cooked them
  himself again they yielded three baskets of
  cooked vegetables. The snake-lizard then killed
  himself. He may have been upset about the
  vegetables, or he may have realized he murdered
  his mother unjustly.
• 10. Why does Okonkwo tell Ekwefi to watch the
  medicine pot carefully?
• A Okonkwo tells Ekwefi to watch the medicine
  pot carefully because if the medicine boils over,
  its power will evaporate.

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Chapter 10

• 1. Why does Evil Forest address Uzowulu saying,
  Uzowulus body, I salute you? (p. 64)
• A Spirits always address humans as bodies.
• 2. Why does Evil Forest say, Uzowulus body,
  do you know me? (p. 64)
• A Evil Forest asks Uzowulu if he recognizes him
  as one of the living. Uzowulu responds, How can
  I know you father? You are beyond our knowledge.
  (p. 64) Evil Forest emphasizes the point that he
  is not one of the living.

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Chapter 10

• 3. What is the law of Umuofia concerning the
  bride-price of a woman who runs away from her
  husband?
• A The law of Umuofia says that if a woman runs
  away from her husband, the bride-price must be
  returned.
• 4. How does Evil Forest keep order when the crowd
  roars with laughter during the trial?
• A Evil Forest keeps order when the crowd roars
  with laughter during the trial by rising to his
  feet. A steady cloud of smoke rises from his head.

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Chapter 10

• 5. What role do Uzowulus neighbors play in the
  trial?
• A The neighbors testify that Uzowulu beat his
  wife.
• 6. Why do Evil Forest and the other egwugwu run a
  few steps in the direction of the women?
• A The women flee in terror, but they return to
  their places almost immediately. The egwugwu
  instill fear in the women.

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Chapter 10

• 7. What are some of the names Evil Forest gives
  himself?
• A Evil Forest calls himself Dry-meat-that-fills-
  the-mouth, and Fire-that-burns-without-faggots.
  A faggot is a dry stick. (p. 66)
• 8. What is the purpose of the metal gong, the
  drums, and the flute?
• A The metal gong, the drums, and the flute all
  contribute to the excitement of the trial in the
  presence of the egwugwu. The instruments announce
  different sections of the trial.

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Chapter 10

• 9. Why will Uzowulu listen to the decision of the
  egwugwu?
• A Uzowulu will listen to the decision of the
  egwugwu because they represent the ancestral
  spirits.
• 10. The egwugwu hear a land case after Uzowulus
  case. What is a land case?
• A A land case is a dispute over property.