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Some thoughts on the Oracle's decision regarding Ikemefuna

The timing of the clan and the Oracle's decision (which is spoken by Chielo, the priestess of Agbala, the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves) to kill Ikemefuna seems arbitrary, and we need to interpret why the Oracle decided to sacrifice him after his three years' stay in Okonkwo's house.

When Ikemefuna was offered to Umuofia (because his father participated in the murder of a woman from Umuofia), he was regarded as "the doomed lad who was sacrificed to the village of Umuofia by their neighbors to avoid the war" (913). In other words, Ikemefuna's fate to be killed was already determined when he came to stay in Okonkwo's house. It seems that the clan decided to wait because Ikemefuna was still young at that time (he was 15 years old at that time).

The Oracle's decision about Ikemefuna, who has become more like Okonkwo's another son after 3 years of stay in his house, can be interpreted as an indirect punishment for Okonkwo's violation of the clan's customs, which villagers observe in order to maintain peace and prosperity of their agriculture-based community. When Okonkwo violated the Week of Peace by beating his wife, Ezeani (the priest of the earth goddess, Ani) asked Okonkwo to bring a she-goat, one hen, some clothes, and a hundred cowries to the shrine of Ani. After this, Okonkwo violated another "crime," by disrupting the peaceful harmony of the community during the Feast of the New Yam. Okonkwo could not just sit and enjoy the Feast of the New Yam due to his impatience and fear of being seen as lazy, and he found an outlet to vent his anger by aiming a gun at his second wife, Ekwefi. However, Okonkwo was not punished this time by Ani, "the ultimate judge of morality and conduct" (923).

On the second day of the New Yam Festival when a wrestling match was going on at a market, Chielo (the priestess of the Oracle) approached Ekwefi and asked her a question: "Is it true that Okonkwo nearly killed you with his gun?" (928). It was Chielo (acting as the spokesperson of the Oracle) who judged Okonkwo's misconduct, and we see after that the Oracle made a decision regarding Ikemefuna (see pages 928 and 929). Since Ikemefuna became more like a son to Okonkwo, from the clan's perspective taking Ikemefuna away from Okonkwo could be an indirect way of punishing Okonkwo, just as Ikemefuna was taken away from his family for his father's participation in the murder of a woman from Umuofia.

**Discussion Question #1 for Achebe’s Things Fall Apart (Ch. 7-10, pp. 929-947)**

1. What decision did the clan and the Oracle make about Ikemefuna and what advice does Ogbuefi Ezeudu give to Okonkwo? Why did Okonkwo go out with the men who came to take Ikemefuna from Okonkwo's compound? Why does Okonkwo end up killing Ikemefuna? When Ikemefuna runs towards Okonkwo saying, "My father, They have killed me!" (933), why does Okonkwo take an action against Ikemefuna? Is Okonkwo a violent man, or is he unable to control his fear of being seen as weak? How does Nwoye react towards Okonkwo after the incident of Ikemefuna? How would you characterize Nwoye? What does Nwoye think of the Oracle's decision of killing Ikemefuna and the clan's custom of throwing away twins to the Evil Forest?

2. After Okonkwo killed Ikemefuna, he did not eat or sleep Do you think Okonkwo feels guilty about killing Ikemefuna? Okonkwo becomes emotionally shaken after he killed Ikemefuna, and he asks himself: "When did you become a shivering old woman?" (935). What do you make of Okonkwo's understanding of manliness and womanliness? What do you think of Okonkwo's attitude towards "women's stories"? Can Okonkwo find comfort in "masculine stories of violence and bloodshed"? Or, can Okonkwo feel strong by recalling masculine stories at this point? Later, when his favorite daughter Ezinma gets sick, Okonkwo makes a medicine pot for her. What does it say about Okonkwo? Why do you think Achebe created a scene of Okonkwo taking care of Ezinma?

3. After Okonkwo killed Ikemefuna, he did not eat or sleep Do you think Okonkwo feels guilty about killing Ikemefuna? Okonkwo becomes emotionally shaken after he killed Ikemefuna, and he asks himself: "When did you become a shivering old woman?" (935). What do you make of Okonkwo's understanding of manliness and womanliness? What do you think of Okonkwo's attitude towards "women's stories"? Can Okonkwo find comfort in "masculine stories of violence and bloodshed"? Or, can Okonkwo feel strong by recalling masculine stories at this point? Later, when his favorite daughter Ezinma gets sick, Okonkwo makes a medicine pot for her. What does it say about Okonkwo? Why do you think Achebe created a scene of Okonkwo taking care of Ezinma?

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