Chapters 6-9 Questions and Observations

• Very spiritual and mildly esoteric society: "Spirits of good children lived in that tree waiting to be born." "They were possessed by the spirit of the drums." (both page 44)
• What is the composition/effects of a kola nut?
• The line, "'I think she will stay...'" makes it seem as if the children have a choice to "leave". (page 46)
• This is said by the priestess of the Oracle of the Hills and Caves, who is very important, which seems to warrant its truth.
• Foreshadowing?
• In reference to Ezinma.
• Ikemefuna is a positive force in the family's life. "Okonkwo was inwardly pleased at his son's development, and he knew it was due to Ikemefuna." (page 49)
• Nwoye is suppressing his nature for his father's benefit. Okonkwo suppressed his father's nature in himself. (page 51)
• What is harmattan? (page 51)
• Locusts seem like a bad thing to me, however the people of Umuofia are pleased by the coming of the locusts. (page 52)
• Umuofia seems very isolated from the rest of the nine villages (page 53)
• "'That boy calls you father. Do not bear a hand in his death.'"They are going to kill Ikemefuna! (page 54)
• Strange that Okonkwo would even consider having a hand in his death
• Seems like a warning to prevent him from even thinking of it
• Why would he think of being apart of his death?
• On page 55 there is reference to a celebration being had somewhere to celebrate the giving of a title to a man in a village.
• Weird contrast of going to Ikemefuna's death and gaining a "new life" with the acquisition of a title
• Okonkwo's fear rules him so much, he cuts down his own son.
• "Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being though weak." (page 57)
• The warning and this mention of his fear makes this almost positively his "fatal flaw"
• "Okonkwo did not taste any food for two days after the death of Ikemefuna." even strong men feel guilt. (page 59)
• Mentions the fact that Ezinma should have been a boy every page for three pages.  (pages 60-2)
• "'But if the Oracle said that my son should be killed I would neither dispute it nor be the one to do it." I feel the same way. Why did this not occur to Okonkwo? (page 63)
• The talking of the giving of the titles seems to make Umuofia more respectful and virtuous than other villages. (page 65)
• When Obierika's daughter is meeting with her suitor, she goes from being assessed to being completely forgotten about. (page 66-7)
• "...the polite name for leprosy was 'the white skin'" interesting that the color of their occupier's skin became the name for leprosy
• Okonkwo remembers a story that his mother told him, strange because Nwoye is trying not to enjoy the stories of the women so much. (pages 51 and 71)
• Ezinma is dying!!! (page 71)
• What is an iyi-uwa? (page 76)
• Did Ezinma actually have an iyi-uwa or is she playing along for the sake of the village? (page 77)
• The medicine man digs up a pebble wrapped in a rag, and Ezinma seems to truthfully say it is hers. So, are we to assume that these powers are present? (page 80)