Chapter Seventeen Flashcards
When the missionaries ask for land to build their church, what do the rulers give them and what happens?
when the missionaries, led by Mr. Brown, ask for land to build their church in Mbanta, the rulers
grant them a piece of the Evil Forest. The Evil Forest is considered uninhabitable and cursed in
Igbo culture, so the villagers believe that nothing good can come from it. The missionaries
proceed to build their church on this land, and initially, the villagers watch with curiosity.
However, when no calamity befalls the missionaries, and the church is established without any
apparent consequences, some people in Mbanta, including Nwoye, become more open to the
idea of Christianity. This event marks the beginning of the gradual acceptance and spread of
Christianity in the village, contributing to the broader theme of cultural and religious
transformation in the face of colonial influences.
What does Okonkwo do when he learns that Nwoye is going to the church, and what is Nwoye’s response?
When Okonkwo learns that Nwoye has joined the Christian church, he is furious and deeply
disappointed. Okonkwo vehemently opposes the influence of the missionaries and views the
conversion to Christianity as a betrayal of the traditional Igbo way of life. His intolerance
towards the new religion reflects his rigid adherence to cultural norms and his fear of change.
Nwoye, on the other hand, responds to his father’s disapproval with a calm determination. He
has found solace and acceptance in the Christian community, which provides him with an
alternative to the strict and often harsh environment of his father’s household. Despite
Okonkwo’s anger, Nwoye remains committed to his newfound faith, marking a significant
divergence between father and son in their beliefs and values.
