Okonkwo Character Sketch Quiz

Which quote from Things Fall Apart best describes Okonkwo's beliefs?

• "To show affection was a sign of weakness; the only thing worth demonstrating was strength" (Achebe 28).

• "The sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel under them" (Achebe 7-8).

• A"And when a man is at peace with his gods and his ancestors, his harvest will be good or bad according to the strength of his arm" (Achebe 17).

Okonkwo said, "When the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for a walk" (Achebe 10)

• TRUE

• FALSE

What influence did Okonkwo's father have on him?

• Okonkwo wanted to follow in his father's footsteps.

• Okonkwo revered his father and felt that he could never live up to his success.

• His father inspired Okonkwo to be different from him and more successful.

"I am not afraid of work. The lizard that jumped from the high iroko tree to the ground said he would praise himself if no one else did. I began to fend for myself at an age when most people still suck at their mothers' breasts. If you give me some yam seeds I shall not fail you." What does this quote say about Okonkwo's perspective of hard-work and what influenced it?

• His father's laziness forced Okonkwo to take on heavy burdens at an early age and work as hard as grown men in his clan.

• Okonkwo believes he was lazy as a child and is now trying to make up for his idleness.

• Okonkwo finds hard-work loathsome and will do anything to avoid it.

• Okonkwo is attempting to inspire Nwakibie to stop being lazy and plant his yam seeds for him.

Which traits best describe Okonkwo?

• Gentle, perseverant, and optimistic.

• Petty, morbid, and obsessive.

• Domineering, violent, and hard-working.

• Dishonest, cruel, and opportunistic.

"Okonkwo thanked him again and again and went home feeling happy. He knew that Nwakibie would not refuse him, but he had not expected he would be so generous. He had not hoped to get more than four hundred seeds" (Achebe 22). What does this quote indicate about Okonkwo's self-reliance?

• Okonkwo was used to receiving gifts from Nwakibie and was satisfied with this gift.

• Okonkwo was used to receiving handouts and the meagerness of the number of seeds was disappointing.

• Okonkwo is not used to receiving kindness or generosity. When he receives so many seeds he is surprised.

How does Okonkwo feel about expressing emotion?

• He believes it is healthy to show emotion and not suppress any emotions.

• He believes it is feminine, and therefore bad, to express any tenderness.

• Okonkwo believes that it is unhealthy for men to show tender emotions, but he can't help but cry sometimes.

• He thinks that expressing tender emotions shows confidence in his masculinity.

"When he walked, his heels hardly touched the ground and he seemed to walk on springs, as if he was going to pounce on somebody. And he did pounce on people quite often. He had a slight stammer and whenever he was angry and could not get his words out quickly enough, he would use his fists. He had no patience with unsuccessful men. He had had no patience with his father" (Achebe 4). Who does this quote describe?

• Okonkwo

• Unoka

• Okoye

• Ogbuefi Ezeugo

How does Okonkwo feel about gentleness?

• He is gentle.

• He thinks it is feminine (weak).

• He admires the trait in others.

• He wish he were gentle.

What adjective best describes Okonkwo as a husband?

• Affectionate

• Gentle

• Violent

• Rational