What does Agbala mean in things fall apart?
In Things Fall Apart, “Agbala” is a divine figure, a prophet to Gods, and a teller of oracles.
How is Unoka characterized?
Unoka is Okonkwo’s father. Though he is a talented musician, he is lazy and irresponsible, falling into debt and bringing shame upon his family. Unoka’s bad reputation in Umuofia haunts Okonkwo throughout the novel.
What are some traditions in things fall apart?
These include:
- Ritual etiquette between the host and the guest: They pass a kola nut to each other until the host finally breaks it, honoring their gods and ancestors.
- Traditional gender roles: Women cook, tell the clan stories, and deal with ‘women’s crops,’ while men farm yams and are the warriors.
What is the purpose of the Oracle Agbala in things fall apart?
In Umuofia, the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves is also revered for her clairvoyance or supernatural insight into the future. She is a kind of prophet, foretelling what Umuofia’s future will hold. In the novel, Chielo is the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves; she is also the priestess of Agbala.
Is Agbala male or female?
The word ‘agbala’ in itself holds another meaning in relation to the position of woman in Umuofia society, for, besides meaning a woman, agbala is used to refer to a man who has no title, thus giving him an inferior position beside the female. Female characters in this novel -which gets the lion’s share of criticism as …
What is Uzowulu accused of?
Uzowulu is a man of Umuofia who claims that his brothers-in-law beat him and took away his wife and children and that they refuse to return his wife’s bride price.
Why is Unoka not buried?
Unoka was an ill-fated man. He had a bad chi or personal god, and evil fortune followed him to the grave, or rather to his death, for he had no grave. To prevent divine wrath, Unoka’s family had to banish him from the house, so that he would die outside and remain there unburied.
Was really Unoka a failure?
Unoka, the grown-up, was a failure. He was poor and his wife and children had barely enough to eat. People laughed at him because he was a loafer, and they swore never to lend him any more money because he never paid back. But Unoka was such a man that he always succeeded in borrowing more, and piling up his debts.
What is the main message of Things Fall Apart?
The Struggle Between Change and Tradition As a story about a culture on the verge of change, Things Fall Apart deals with how the prospect and reality of change affect various characters. The tension about whether change should be privileged over tradition often involves questions of personal status.
What is an example of a female Ochu in things fall apart?
Uchendu (Okonkwo’s mother’s younger brother who took him and his family in) is relieved to learn that this murder is a female ochu, which means that it was an accident, therefore he must be exiled to the women’s side of his family.
What is Agbala the god of?
Agbala, the Oracle the prophet of the Igbo. Achebe bases the Agbala Oracle (the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves) on the Awka Oracle that was destroyed by the British. Chielo was the priestess who spoke to Unoka on behalf of the god Agbala.
Why is Ezinma not allowed to eat eggs things fall apart?
Ezinma’s Iba Ekwefi and Ezinma are extremely close because all of Ekwefi’s other children have died; Ekwefi gives Ezinma eggs to eat even though it is not socially acceptable for children to eat eggs, and their egg eating in secret is one of the things that closely bonds them.
Why is Unoka important in Things Fall Apart?
Although Unoka is not physically present in the novel, he plays an important role in Okonkwo’s memory. Ever since he was a child, Okonkwo felt deeply ashamed of his father.
Who is the priestess of Agbala in Things Fall Apart?
Agbala relays messages to the people through the current Priestess of Agbala, who is the character Chielo. Chielo becomes possessed by Agbala, and “Anyone seeing Chielo in ordinary life would hardly believe she was the same person who prophesied when the spirit of Agbala was upon her.”
Who is Okonkwo’s father in Things Fall Apart?
Okonkwo’s father, of whom Okonkwo has been ashamed since childhood. By the standards of the clan, Unoka was a coward and a spendthrift. He never took a title in his life, he borrowed money from his clansmen, and he rarely repaid his debts.
What happens to Nwoye in Things Fall Apart?
Influenced by Ikemefuna, Nwoye begins to exhibit more masculine behavior, which pleases Okonkwo. However, he maintains doubts about some of the laws and rules of his tribe and eventually converts to Christianity, an act that Okonkwo criticizes as “effeminate.”