Seven Years In Exile: Chapters 14 to 19 “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe

Part Two of “Things Fall Apart” basically consists of Okonkwo’s experiences, feelings and lessons learned during his exile in his motherland, Mbanta. Ironically, Okonkwo, after being condemned in Umuofia, he is extremely well received in Mbanta by his mother’s youngest brother, Uchendu. He is even given land to build his compound and to farm, which gives him a task in which to put his mind on. He didn’t feel enthusiastic at all of this new beginning, and, what was his life’s motivation (work), he could not longer find pleasure in it.

Okonkwo continuously keeps remembering his old dream, becoming one of the lords of the clan. He even becomes depressed, reassuring himself that a man can’t raise beyond his chi’s destiny. Meanwhile, Uchendu, as he watches Okonkwo’s negative attitude and despair, he teaches him several lessons concluding that he is still a child. Among many things, he lets Okonkwo know that he is not the only one who has suffered in life. But, probably, the most valuable lesson he teaches him is how mothers are always there to protect us; therefore, we should value our women. He also receives a visit from a friend that proves to be a very loyal and thoughtful companion, Obierika. He informs Okonkwo about some terrible news: white men destroyed the village of Abame. He also promises Okonkwo to sell his crops each year and take the cowries to him, until he returned to Umuofia.

These white missionaries eventually came to Umuofia, they built a church and brought evangelists, becoming a great sorrow to clan leaders. The Igbo, not knowing what to do, decided to trust their gods blindly. Then, six missionaries arrive at Mbanta, with, Mr. Kiaga (their interpreter), who was in charge of the infant congregation (viewed in the image). Mbanta leaders offered the Evil Forest (thinking they’d be cursed) for the white to settle there. The church at Mbanta was gradually becoming stronger, they had a commanding presence, they were being listened, they were teaching people about God and making the Igbo disbelieve in their gods, recruiting many converts. They also started rescuing twins from the bushes and accepting outcasts, but, the line was crossed when one of them killed a python (their most sacred animal) to which the Igbo decided to ostracize the Christians. Mr. Kiaga’s unshakable faith inspired the wavering converts, among them, Nwoye.

Obierika and Amikwu (Okonkwo’s cousin) decided to inform Okonkwo about Nwoye’s attachment to the new religion. This ended up in a savage beating (to which Uchendu severely disapproved), from Okonkwo to Nwoye. This could be thought as Okonkwo’s climax in which all his hatred towards his son explodes, he even blames his chi for such a degenerated child. He thought there was no bigger crime than abandoning the god’s of one’s father, he came up to the conclusion that if when he died his male children were all Christians, he’d wipe them all off the earth’s face. He even thought that perhaps, Nwoye was someone else’s son. Nwoye, in the other hand, considers himself one of the missionaries and denies being Okonkwo’s son. It was too late now, he’d been captivated by the Christian’s talks and poetry, they seemed to answer his doubts in life, feeling a relief into his soul. He decided to go to Umuofia to be taught the new religion and to later teach it to his mother and brothers.

This part of the story, offers some words that foreshadow some events that may happen. Uchendu, being an elder, shares his thoughts of how it was better the old way, having friends from other clans. Regarding the way Abame people reacted; he shares the Mother Kite story (explained in the last blog entry), saying, “Never kill a man that says nothing”. The second foreshadow comes up at the very end, when finally Okonkwo is celebrating his farewell feast, one of the member raises to give a speech, he says that coming together is good for kinsmen and that that’s the reason to why an abominable religion has set among them. I believe this last speech is a wake up call, which tell the Igbo that if they keep segregating, they will never be able to come up back as a tribe, being even more vulnerable in precarious moments.

Achebe, Ch. (1994), Things Fall Apart, 1st edition, Anchor Books, New York.

This image shows two white missionaries, teaching African children Christian religion. (Obtained from:  http://www.whites.me.uk/2012/08/isaiah-the-missionary-prophet/). 

Quite Ominous Silence: Chapter 15, "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe

As we move further into the second part of the book, folktales within the Igbo tribe become more frequent. Just as Okonkwo’s second wife, Ekwefi, tells the story of the tortoise who betrayed the birds, the story of Mother Kite (an eagle) is presented by Uchendu. Him, being Okwonko’s mother youngest brother, currently an elder, has proved to perceive acts and life in a different way. Maybe, this is due to his age and the sorrow he bears deep inside him.

When Uchendu is saying how wonderful relationships between villages used to be before, he mentions the Abame clan. Obierika (Okonkwo’s friend) arrives to Mbanto, and announces them that Abame no longer exists, explaining how, suddenly, a white man arrived riding on a horse. Not knowing what to do, they assisted the Oracle and decided to kill him. Time later, while people were in the market, a group of white men arrived and killed them all, vanishing every trace of the village.

As Uchendu meditates this information, he offers a story to illustrate how foolish the Abame were to act in that way, which goes like this: When Mother Kite sends her daughter for food, she returns with a duckling. Mother Kite questions her about the duckling’s mother’s reaction, to which the daughter responded that it hadn’t said anything. Mother Kite, makes her return the food, saying that “there is something ominous behind silence”. When the young kite returns, she carries a chick with herself and this time, when questioned about the chick’s mother, she says that the mother “cried and raved and cursed”. Finally, Mother Kite allows themselves to eat the chick, stating that “there is nothing to fear from someone who shouts.”

Uchendu, more than trying to show how the Igbo hadn’t acted properly, teaches all of us readers a very valuable lesson: how important is to not underestimate people just by their physical nor by the aspect they offer to us. Just as Mother Kite’s daughter, and as the Abame people did, every single human, goes through life judging, anticipating and outlining people’s potential and personality based on what we see as outsiders. Thinking that if someone is inhibited, reserved and silent that they’re probably incompetent, inexperienced and even clumsy, may lead us to a terrible mistake. Interpreting things in life by their appearance isn’t only a major reason of personal problems, but of major historical events too, such as wars.

Just as Achebe writes how Mother Kite didn’t allow her daughter to eat the food due to lack of expression from the duckling’s mother, he advices us the same, to not torment the silent ones, because you will never know how big of an enemy he could turn to be. As Mother Kite said, “There is something ominous behind silence.” 

Achebe, Ch. (1994), Things Fall Apart, 1st edition, Anchor Books, New York.

This is an image of an Igbo tribe gathered in a circle, telling folk tales to each other. (Obtained from: http://clareowensthingsfallapart.wordpress.com)