More questions on Part Two of Achebe's Things Fall Apart

Notice Uchendu's philosophy: "Never kill a man who says nothing" (p. 140) and "There is no story that is not true" (p. 141), both inspired by the destruction of Abame (see also "Living fire begets cold, impotent ash," p.153). How do these proverbs fit the purpose of Achebe's novel? What about the repartee on p. 142: is this another instance of foreshadowing? How does Achebe characterize the coming of the white missionaries to Mbanta and then to Umuofia (pp. 143 ff), and why does he wait to tell us about the government (pp. 155 ff)?

Notice the argument about the osu (pp. 156-7) and Okonkwo's growing anger (p. 159): that anger prepares us for part three (see p. 183 for an example). How Nwoye feels towards the new religion (pp. 147 ff) springs from his relationship with his father and his own particular history: see p. 152.

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