D

EPARTAMENTO DE DIREITO E ESTUDOS INTERNACIONAIS

LICENCIATURA EM RELAES INTERNACIONAIS & DIPLOMACIA
ANO LECTIVO 2014 - 2015
UNIDADE CURRICULAR: INGLS TCNICO PARA DIPLOMATAS III
TURMA: T2P2, 3o ANO- PS-LABORAL

SUMMARY OF CHAPTERS 1 - 5 FROM THE BOOK THINGS FALL APART

BY CHINUA ACHEBE

Professor: Olvio Nunes

Student: Keila Pereira

CHAPTER ONE
In the first chapter we are introduced to the protagonist of the novel, Okonkwo
and how became famous and wealthy. By beating Amalinze the Cat, an undefeated
warrior for seven years, he was recognized in his village as a warrior and a man of
honor. Okonkwo is also a man of bad temper, rough, and had no proud of his deceased
father Unoka. His father was an idle man with a lot of debts. For that, Okonkwo was
ashamed of him and was also afraid of becoming like him. So, he acts very aggressively
in order not to show weakness which he associate that with his father.
In this chapter the author shows us a little bit of the culture and customs of
Okonkwos clan like sharing pal-wine and kola nuts.
CHAPTER TWO
In this chapter a terrible thing happens. This tragedy was announced by the town
crier that asked every man of Umuofia to gather at the market place tomorrow morning.
At the market, the orator Ogbuefi Ezeugo told them that a woman was murdered by
someone from Mbaino village. Everyone was shocked and they decided to give the
Mbaino village an ultimatum, where they would have to choose between war or give the
Umuofia clan a boy and a virgin girl. Fearing the Umuofia they gave the virgin and the
boy was asked to Okonkwo, and he took them back to the village. The virgin girl was
given to the widower whose wife was murdered and the boy was given to Okonkwo to
be looked after. Ikemefuna, the boys name, was let on the care of Okonkwos first wife.
We can also notice the concept of just war introduced in this part of the book. The
customs is to ask the permission of the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves to go to war.
CHAPTER THREE
Because of the slothfulness of his father, Okonkwo didnt inherit anything. The
story in Umuofia is that he once visited the Oracle to find out why he always had a
miserable harvest and they told him that he was unsuccessful because of his laziness.
Unoka had a sad end, left in the Evil Forest to die without being buried in order not to
offend the earth goddess.
For that reason of the depressed life his father had, Okonkwo had to work hard to
become a successful man. He asked a wealthy man, Nwakibie, to loan him 400 seed
yams so he could start his farm. Instead, Nwakibie gave him the double he asked for,
and also received another 400 of seed yams from another friend. Unfortunately, because
of the Okonkwo lost a lot of his harvest. That year made Okonkwo even stronger and
more proud of himself saying that if he had survived that year he would survive
anything.
CHAPTER FOUR
In this chapter it is described how Ikemefuna was at Okonkwo house. At the
beginning he was scared an homesick, but after a while he began to interact with other

people in the village. Ikemefuna was a very smart boy making Okonkwo very fond of
him but he doesnt show it so he wouldnt be considered a weak man. Ikemefuna begins
to call Okonkwo father.
Okonkwo shows more aggressive attitude in this part by beating his youngest wife,
Ojiugo, for not cooking dinner during the Week of Peace. For his behavior the priest
demands him to sacrifice a goat and a hen, length of cloth and a hundred
cowries. After that week the villagers began to clear the bush to
make new farms. Okonkwo gets the help on Nwoye (his oldest son)
and Ikemefuna to prepare the seed yams wich he was so pleased with
it
CHAPTER FIVE
The villagers holds the Feast of the New Yam to show their
gratitude to the earth goddess. Okonkwo doesnt like those feasts
because on his point of view it is times od idleness.
Ekwefi, Okonkwos second wife, starts to decorate the huts and
other things, which makes Okonkwo mad and he beats her. The he
goes hunting although hes not a good hunter. After the Feast, the
annual wrestling contest takes place, and Ekwefi enjoys it because it
was in a wrestling contest that she became Okonkwos wife. Ekwefi
has a daughter who Okonkwo is very fond of, but he also doesnt
show it.