Chapter Twenty Five Flashcards
Where does Obierika lead the District Commissioner, and what does he have to say to him about Okonkwo?
Obierika leads the District Commissioner to the compound where Okonkwo hanged himself.
When they arrive, Obierika shares his thoughts with the District Commissioner about Okonkwo’s
tragic end. He emphasizes the complexities of Okonkwo’s character, acknowledging that while
Okonkwo had flaws, he also possessed admirable qualities. Obierika criticizes the colonial
administration for its role in Okonkwo’s death, attributing the profound change and
disillusionment in Okonkwo’s life to the impact of European imperialism. Obierika’s words
convey a sense of frustration and sorrow over the loss of cultural identity and the tragic
consequences of the clash between traditional Igbo values and the forces of colonialism.
Explain why the ending of the novel is upsetting in regards to how the District Commissioner refers to the life of Okonkwo.
The ending of “Things Fall Apart” is upsetting in regards to how the District Commissioner refers
to the life of Okonkwo because it exemplifies the dehumanizing and dismissive attitude of the
colonial authorities towards the indigenous people. In the final lines of the novel, the District
Commissioner contemplates writing a book about the Igbo society’s collapse, intending to title it
“The Pacification of the Primitive Tribes of the Lower Niger.” This title reflects a Eurocentric and
ethnocentric perspective that views the Igbo people as primitive and in need of pacification. The
term “pacification” implies a justification for the colonial conquest and suppression of native
cultures, disregarding the rich history, complex social structures, and cultural nuances of the
Igbo society. It reduces the vibrant and diverse Igbo culture to a simplistic and derogatory
stereotype. This characterization is deeply upsetting because it perpetuates the colonial
narrative of superiority and contributes to the erasure and devaluation of indigenous
perspectives and histories. The District Commissioner’s attitude encapsulates the broader
theme of the dehumanization and cultural arrogance inherent in the colonial project
