Okonkwo | Roaring flame, protagonist |
Unoka | Okonkwo’s father, lazy, irresponsible, debtor, improvident, enjoyed playing the flute |
Ikemefuna | adopted son from Mbaino, stayed with Okonkwo for three years, Nwoye idolized him |
Nwoye | aka Isaac, Okonkwo’s son via his first wife, 1st born, converted to Christianity |
Nwakibi | wealthiest man, gave Okonkwo seeds because he had a good work ethic |
Ezeani | priest of the earth goddess, punished Okonkwo when he broke the peace |
Nkechi | daughter of Okonkwo’s third wife, brought him the third dish during the new year celebration |
Ojuigo | Okonkwo’s youngest wife whom Okonwko beat during the week of peace |
Ogbuefi Ezeudu | oldest man in the village, overseer of trials and communes with spirits |
Ekwefi | Okonkwo’s second wife whom he nearly shot–she married him after running away from her husband, mother of Ezinma |
Ezinma | Crystal of beauty, daughter of Ekwefi, brazen, loud, proud, defiant, determined, Okonkwo’s favorite |
Chielo | friend of Ekwefi, priestess of Agbala, Oracle of the hills and the caves, considered Ezinma a daughter |
Obierika | Okonkwo’s friend with whom he discusses his children and life |
Uzowulu | Mgbao’s husband, tried in court about his wife’s departure (he beat her) |
Uchendu | Okokwo’s uncle on his mother’s side in Mbanto, who received him when he was outcast |
Mr. Kiaga | the interpreter for the missionaries in charge of the new congregation–allowed riffraff and outcasts, very faithful, very devoted |
Harmattan | a dry, parching land breeze charged with dust |
Improvident | unable to provide |
Cowries | the shell of a gastropod used as currency |
Egwugwu | the clan’s ancestral spirits |
Emissary | a representative sent on a mission or errand |
Incipient | beginning to exist |
Benevolent | characterized by/expressing goodwill or kindness |
Valediction | act of bidding farewell |
Calabashes | a gourd used as a bowl |
Pottage | thick soup made of vegetables |
Harbinger | a herald, one who announces another |
Pestle | tool for pounding |
Coiffure | style of arranging hair |
Specious | pleasing to the eye but deceptive, without merit |
Pandemonium | tumult, chaos |
Esoteric | between two, intimate |
Voluble | glib, talkative |
Callous | immature or inexperienced |
Miscreant | depraved, villainous, base |
Amulet | protective wear |
Palaver | conference, discussion |
Chukwa | chief Igbo god |
Ani | earth goddess |
Agbala | oracle of the hills and caves |
Ikeiioku | god of yams |
Amadiora | goddess of lightning |
Umuofia | cluster of villages where Okonkwo and his family lived |
Mbaino | the farthest village of the nine villages |
Evil Forest | across the stream from Umuofia, anything not condoned by their religion is sent there, i.e. twins, suicide victims |
Abame | village destroyed by the missionaries because of revolt |
Mbanta | Okonkwo’s motherland |
Things Fall Apart review
February 13, 2020