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Things Fall Apart Chapters 1-12 Field Notes
Chapter + Page Explanation/Reaction -
Observation (quotation, detail, etc.)
number write this as if you directly observed it in person
Unoka 'passed the disc over to his guest. 'Thank
you. He who brings kola brings life. But I think you
Breaking a kola nut seems to be a traditional ritual of the
ought to break it,' replied Okoye, passing back the
Igbo community. The kola nut is broken and eaten when
disc. 'No, it is for you, I think,' and they argued like
a host welcomes a guest into his home, and it's a
this for a few moments before Unoka accepted the
1 Chapter 1, Page 6 powerful symbol of mutual respect and community. Men
honor of breaking the kola.'' Unoka breaks the
are deemed worthy of sharing the kola when they
kola, and then they ''prayed to their ancestors for
demonstrate their commitment to tribal values and
life and health, and for protection against their
traditions.
enemies.''
“In his day he was lazy and improvident and was Unoka (Okonkwo's father) is described as the opposite of
quite incapable of thinking about tomorrow. …. the typical Igbo warrior. He is a skilled musician but lacks
2 Chapter 1, Page 4 Unoka was, of course, a debtor, and he owed every the strength and success valued by his society. His
neighbor some money, from a few cowries to quite character sets up a contrast with Okonkwo, who is
substantial amounts. …. “ determined to be everything his father is not.
“Age was respected among his people, but
Introduces the cultural values and beliefs of the Igbo
3 Chapter 1, Page 8 achievement was revered. As the elders said, if a
society, and also sets the cultural backdrop of the story.
child washed his hands he could eat with kings.”
4 Chapter 1 Kola nuts, alligator pepper, chalk These are all social rituals of the Igbo society.
"When the moon is shining, the cripple becomes This represents a belief in the protective quality of
5 Chapter 2, Page
hungry for a walk," moonlight in contrast with the fear of the darkness.
The women of the Igbo society are regarded as having a
lower status compared to men. Respect and success are
Chapter 2, page “… each wife built a small attachment to her hut
6 based on only manly activities and accomplishments;
14 for the hens”
taking care of children and hens, on the other hand, are
womanly activities.
, Okonkwo's eldest son, Nwoye, is introduced as a source
“Okonkwo's first son, Nwoye, was then twelve of disappointment to his father. Nwoye does not live up
Chapter 2, page
7 years old but was already causing his father great to Okonkwo's expectations of masculinity, which reflects
13
anxiety for his incipient laziness.” the social norms for men during that time in the Igbo
culture.
Yams may symbolize masculinity. A man's ability to
produce a successful yam harvest is symbolic of his ability
“It was for this man that Okonkwo worked to earn to provide for his family. Okonkwo's choice of yams over
8 Chapter 3, page
his first seed yams.” other crops fits in with his obsession with being perceived
as hyper-masculine.
Division of labor based on gender. This quote explains
how they considered yams a man's crop in Igbo culture;
His mother and sisters worked hard enough, but only men are allowed to plant and grow yams, not
Chapter 3, page
9 they grew women crops, like coco-yams, beans and women. Some crops, such as cassava, beans, melons,
23
cassava. Yam, the king of crops, was a man’s crop. corn, and coco-yams, are considered female crops, while
yams are considered male/masculine crops (described as
the “king”), also the most important crop.
“’Is Anasi not in?’ he asked them. They said she Hierarchy within the family is showcased in this quote.
Chapter 3, page was coming. Anasi was the first wife, and the Here, it's about the order in which the wives drink wine.
10
20 others could not drink before her, and so they Anasi, as the first wife, has a certain level of authority and
stood waiting.” precedence over the others.
The chi is an individual's personal god, whose merit is
Chapter 4, page
11 “Chi” determined by the individual's good fortune or lack
27
thereof.
Although Okonkwo habitually guards himself against
“Okonkwo never showed any emotion openly, expressing emotions, this description in Chapter 4
Chapter 4, page unless it be the emotion of anger. To show demonstrates that Okonkwo’s lack of expressiveness
12
28 affection was a sign of weakness; the only thing doesn’t mean he lacks affection. In this instance,
worth demonstrating was strength” Ikemefuna inspires feelings of fatherly love in Okonkwo,
who in turn treats Ikemefuna like a favored son.
13 Chapter 4, page31 When Okonkwo breaks the peace during the Week of Peace, cannot break scared peace. This reflects
Things Fall Apart Chapters 1-12 Field Notes
Chapter + Page Explanation/Reaction -
Observation (quotation, detail, etc.)
number write this as if you directly observed it in person
Unoka 'passed the disc over to his guest. 'Thank
you. He who brings kola brings life. But I think you
Breaking a kola nut seems to be a traditional ritual of the
ought to break it,' replied Okoye, passing back the
Igbo community. The kola nut is broken and eaten when
disc. 'No, it is for you, I think,' and they argued like
a host welcomes a guest into his home, and it's a
this for a few moments before Unoka accepted the
1 Chapter 1, Page 6 powerful symbol of mutual respect and community. Men
honor of breaking the kola.'' Unoka breaks the
are deemed worthy of sharing the kola when they
kola, and then they ''prayed to their ancestors for
demonstrate their commitment to tribal values and
life and health, and for protection against their
traditions.
enemies.''
“In his day he was lazy and improvident and was Unoka (Okonkwo's father) is described as the opposite of
quite incapable of thinking about tomorrow. …. the typical Igbo warrior. He is a skilled musician but lacks
2 Chapter 1, Page 4 Unoka was, of course, a debtor, and he owed every the strength and success valued by his society. His
neighbor some money, from a few cowries to quite character sets up a contrast with Okonkwo, who is
substantial amounts. …. “ determined to be everything his father is not.
“Age was respected among his people, but
Introduces the cultural values and beliefs of the Igbo
3 Chapter 1, Page 8 achievement was revered. As the elders said, if a
society, and also sets the cultural backdrop of the story.
child washed his hands he could eat with kings.”
4 Chapter 1 Kola nuts, alligator pepper, chalk These are all social rituals of the Igbo society.
"When the moon is shining, the cripple becomes This represents a belief in the protective quality of
5 Chapter 2, Page
hungry for a walk," moonlight in contrast with the fear of the darkness.
The women of the Igbo society are regarded as having a
lower status compared to men. Respect and success are
Chapter 2, page “… each wife built a small attachment to her hut
6 based on only manly activities and accomplishments;
14 for the hens”
taking care of children and hens, on the other hand, are
womanly activities.
, Okonkwo's eldest son, Nwoye, is introduced as a source
“Okonkwo's first son, Nwoye, was then twelve of disappointment to his father. Nwoye does not live up
Chapter 2, page
7 years old but was already causing his father great to Okonkwo's expectations of masculinity, which reflects
13
anxiety for his incipient laziness.” the social norms for men during that time in the Igbo
culture.
Yams may symbolize masculinity. A man's ability to
produce a successful yam harvest is symbolic of his ability
“It was for this man that Okonkwo worked to earn to provide for his family. Okonkwo's choice of yams over
8 Chapter 3, page
his first seed yams.” other crops fits in with his obsession with being perceived
as hyper-masculine.
Division of labor based on gender. This quote explains
how they considered yams a man's crop in Igbo culture;
His mother and sisters worked hard enough, but only men are allowed to plant and grow yams, not
Chapter 3, page
9 they grew women crops, like coco-yams, beans and women. Some crops, such as cassava, beans, melons,
23
cassava. Yam, the king of crops, was a man’s crop. corn, and coco-yams, are considered female crops, while
yams are considered male/masculine crops (described as
the “king”), also the most important crop.
“’Is Anasi not in?’ he asked them. They said she Hierarchy within the family is showcased in this quote.
Chapter 3, page was coming. Anasi was the first wife, and the Here, it's about the order in which the wives drink wine.
10
20 others could not drink before her, and so they Anasi, as the first wife, has a certain level of authority and
stood waiting.” precedence over the others.
The chi is an individual's personal god, whose merit is
Chapter 4, page
11 “Chi” determined by the individual's good fortune or lack
27
thereof.
Although Okonkwo habitually guards himself against
“Okonkwo never showed any emotion openly, expressing emotions, this description in Chapter 4
Chapter 4, page unless it be the emotion of anger. To show demonstrates that Okonkwo’s lack of expressiveness
12
28 affection was a sign of weakness; the only thing doesn’t mean he lacks affection. In this instance,
worth demonstrating was strength” Ikemefuna inspires feelings of fatherly love in Okonkwo,
who in turn treats Ikemefuna like a favored son.
13 Chapter 4, page31 When Okonkwo breaks the peace during the Week of Peace, cannot break scared peace. This reflects
