Shavonne.Oli.IP.SS

3 Significant Points:

- Structure of part 2: Compared to part 1, part 2 focuses on Okonkwo’s seven year exile spent in Mbanta. During this time, the european missionaries arrive. With the arrival of foreigners and a foreign religion, much of part 2 questions Igbo religion itself as many of the Igbo people being to convert into Christianity. It compares Christianity with Igbo religion and draws into focus the impacts a foreign religion has on the Igbo culture and people.

- Mbanta is very committed to peace and they remain tolerant to the presence of the Christian Church. Even with the disrespect from many of the converts to Igbo religion and culture, Mbanta's clan leader vote for a peaceful solution rather than resorting to violence.

- The arrival of the european missionaries brings a foreign religion to their society. The arrival of Christian religion weakens the overall bonds between the Igbo people because many of the Igbo people like Nwoye begin converting to Christianity. These conversions to Christianity, away from Igbo religion, reflects a rejection of the ancestral Igbo culture and religion. "The threat of Christianity is that it will tear you up, taking you away from your own culture" As said in Ch19?

2-3 Significant Sentences:

“Suppose when he died all his male children decided to follow Nwoye’s steps and abandon their ancestors? Okonkwo felt a cold shudder run through him at the terrible prospect, like the prospect of annihilation.” Pg 153 This line reveals Okonkwo’s fear of not being in control. Okonkwo wants his children to follow his values. Nwoye disregards Okonkwo’s values of following Igbo religion and being a hard-working man, the idea of Okonkwo’s other male children following Nwoye’s footsteps makes Okonkwo feel terrified.

“The rainbow was called the python of the sky” Pg 163 Religious connection to snake in Christianity. The snake that tricked Adam and Eve into eating the apple. It is a symbol of evil in Christian religion, but in this sentence the snake is portrayed positively as it is compared to the beauty of a rainbow in a sky. Religious connection to rainbow in story of Noah’s Ark in Christianity. God placed a symbolic rainbow at the end of the storm, this was to signify that God would never make them go through such an event again, ensuring them safety in the future.