Things Fall Apart

Okonkwo is introduced as Umuofia's greatest wrestler and warrior, defined entirely by his rejection of his father Unoka's gentleness, debt, and failure.

Umuofia's power is established through its war medicine and the Oracle. Okonkwo is chosen as the emissary to Mbaino, bringing back a girl and a boy — Ikemefuna — as compensation for a clansman's death.

Flashback to Okonkwo's early life: he borrows yam seeds from Nwakibie to start his farm, survives a terrible harvest year, and earns his reputation through sheer will.

Ikemefuna integrates into the family over three years, becomes like an older brother to Nwoye, and begins to call Okonkwo 'father.' Okonkwo beats his wife during the Week of Peace and is fined.

The New Yam Festival celebrates the clan's harvest abundance. The Oracle orders Ikemefuna's death. Despite the elder Ezeudu's warning, Okonkwo delivers the killing blow — afraid to seem weak.

Okonkwo's daughter Ezinma is established as the child most like him. The death of Elder Ezeudu leads to Okonkwo's accidental killing of his son, and the clan exiles him to Mbanta for seven years.

Okonkwo endures exile in his motherland, where his uncle Uchendu counsels him. Christian missionaries arrive in Mbanta, and Nwoye converts — devastating Okonkwo.

Okonkwo returns to Umuofia after seven years and finds the clan transformed. The church has taken root, the trading store operates, Mr. Brown has been replaced by the zealot Reverend Smith, and colonial courts administer justice the clan never chose.

A clan meeting to discuss resistance is interrupted by a court messenger. Okonkwo kills him. He looks around and sees his clan will not fight. He goes home and hangs himself. The District Commissioner considers the paragraph he will write.