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.