`Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand.’

1. Values and customs of the clan:

i) Values and customs create homogeneity amongst the tribe.

ii) Non-questioning of values and customs creates a sense of unity and continuity.

iii) These are regarded as primitive practises by colonisers.

iv) Presented by Achebe without judgement. 

2. Okonkwo’s character and behaviour:

i) He is successful and wealthy.

ii) His fear of failure and weakness foreshadows his downfall.

iii) This fear makes him extremely hard on his son, Nwoye.

iv) This fear isolates his son from him.

3. Ikemefuna’s arrival: 

i) Okonkwo’s obedience to the clan’s decision.

ii) He gets angry when his wife questions what he fails to question.

iii) The strong sense of homogeneity will fall apart.

Learner Preparation for LESSON 9:

1. Learners to read CHAPTER 3.

2. Learners to consider the following for discussion:

i) Okonkwo’s determination.

ii) Unoka as an ill-fated man.