Things Fall Apart: Chapter 3

This chapter really provides a lot of detail on both Okonkwo's start to greatness and the customs of the tribe. It wasn't easy for Okonkwo in the beginning. He was forced to share crop, and provide for his father's family at the same time. Not only that, but the weather was horrible that year. In the end, though, he perservered through it once again. For some reason, they keep bringing up different parts of Unoka's life throughout the novel. To me, this just seems to reitterate the fact that Okonkwo can't get over who his father was and will do anything not to become like him. Whenever Okonkwo visited Nwakibie, it revealed a lot about several customs they have. They drank their wine before anything else. Okonkwo drank his own wine before it was distributed to the others to make sure it was satisfactory. And it was the eldest men who drank first, then they drank down until the youngest had had his share. Then, the wives came and had some, and left. Lastly, they ate. For being an African warring tribe, they seem very civilized and courteous. I'm sure there is going to be lots more insight into some of these aspects later in the book.