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Transcript

Things Fall Apart Chapter 13

Felicia Zhu

Thank You!

Igbo Funerals

  • After death, corpse is immediately laid onto plantain leaves and cleaned.
  • A wake is held where the eldest son invites the community to pray.
  • The body is buried in the deceased's living room with the deceased's tools (like guns or fishing gear)
  • After a few months, a second funeral takes place. It is a time of celebration and not of mourning.

http://people.opposingviews.com/burial-rites-igbo-culture-2377.html

Discussion Questions

  • How do you think Ezeudu's son's funeral would be different from Ezeudu's funeral? Why?
  • Do you think Okonkwo's punishment (being exiled and getting his house destroyed) is "just"? If not, what kind of punishment would you think Okonkwo "deserves"?
  • How do you think Okonkwo will be received in Mbanta?

Quotes and Insights

  • Importance of Religion
  • "The land of the living was not far removed from the domain of the ancestors" (122).
  • their religion believed that the dead and living were very close
  • egwugwu came and were feared and respected
  • Okonkwo's compound is destroyed to cleanse the land as justice for the earth goddess
  • Ezeudu's High Status = Grand Funeral
  • had 3 titles and was old
  • Doubt of Traditions
  • "Why should a man suffer so grievously for an offense he had committed inadvertently?" (125)
  • Obierika questions why Okonkwo had to be exiled and why his home had to be destroyed if he had not meant to kill.
  • Obierika's doubt foreshadows more opposition to old customs.

Importance

  • Chapters 12 and 13 show two huge ceremonies in Igbo life (marriage and death)
  • Chapter 13 (funeral) provides contrast to Chapter 12 (marriage)
  • Marks the end of Okonkwo's extremely successful life
  • Killing someone is a huge offense

People and Places

Iguedo: name of Okonkwo's village

Mbanta: where Okonkwo flees to

One handed egwugwu: greatly feared egwugwu

Ezeudu: One of the oldest men in the tribe, died with 3 titles

Okonkwo: accidentally kills Ezeudu's son and is exiled for 7 years

Obierika: Okonkwo's friend, helps tear down Okonkwo's compound but questions why

Plot Summary

  • Ekwe wakes up Umoufia, bringing news of Ezeudu's death.
  • A grand funeral takes place in which many egwugwu come.
  • Okonkwo's gun explodes,

killing Ezeudu's son.

  • Okonkwo and his family flee,

with the help of some friends, from the clan to return in 7 years.

  • Men come and destroy Okonkwo's

compound to bring the justice of the earth goddess.

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