Why does Okonkwo burn down the church?

They then gather in front of the church to confront Reverend Smith and his fellow Christians. They tell the Christians that they only wish to destroy the church in order to cleanse their village of Enoch’s horrible sin.

Did Okonkwo burn down the church?

Okonkwo is pleased about the destruction of the church and feels that daily life is beginning to seem normal again. For once, the clan listened to his advice and acted like warriors, though they didn’t kill the missionary or drive the Christians out of Umuofia as he had urged.

Why did they burn the church in Things Fall Apart?

Reverend Smith refuses to move, but he cannot save his church. The church Mr. Brown built is burned to the ground, and the clan is momentarily pacified. The clan retaliates against the Christians by doing the same thing that Enoch did—they destroy the symbol of Christianity by burning down the church.

How does Okonkwo react to the church?

Okonkwo’s violent reaction to Nwoye’s conversion is typical; he immediately wants to kill the Christians. He recalls that he is popularly called the “Roaring Flame.” Then he blames the “effeminacy” of his son on his wife and his father and then on his own chi.

How does Okonkwo feel about the destruction of the church?

Okonkwo is pleased about the destruction of the church and feels that daily life is beginning to seem normal again. For once, the clan listened to his advice and acted like warriors, though they didn’t kill the missionary or drive the Christians out of Umuofia as he had urged.

What does Okonkwo’s death mean?

What does Okonkwo’s death symbolize? Okonkwo’s death is symbolic of the death of a culture. So he dies, and with him dies one of the last great men of the old ways — he is the epitome of the Ibo people, and his death symbolizes the end of the Ibo as they were.

How does Enoch feel about Okonkwo?

Like Okonkwo, Enoch feels above all others in his tradition. He also feels contempt for them—he imagines that every sermon is “preached for the benefit of his enemies,” and, in the middle of church, he gives knowing looks whenever he feels that his superiority has been affirmed.

What did Okonkwo do on the third day?

On the third day, in desperation, they finally talk among themselves about paying the fine. Okonkwo reminds them that they should have followed his advice and killed the white man when they had the chance. A guard hears him and hits them all with his stick.