What are the major turning points in Things Fall Apart and their effects on Okonkwo, the Igbos, and Nwoye?

The major turning point in Things Fall Apart is when Okonkwo beats his wife, Ojiugo, during the week of peace. This is a blatant display of his uncontrollable, volatile temper. It causes the rest of the tribe to question his integrity, in spite of his sacrifices made in an attempt to repent.

From there, things only get worse. Okonkwo goes against the oracle's commands and takes part in his adopted son, Ikemefuna. The Oracle has instructed Okonkwo not to physically kill Ikemefuna, but when the boy runs to Okonkwo for help, Okonkwo cuts him down where he stands in an effort to appear strong and capable in front of the eyes of his tribe.

Ikemefuna's murder sends Okonkwo into a state of depression as he questions who he is and who he wants to be. He is a changed man, and his tribe has changed as well in witnessing his downfall. The people of the tribe turn against Okonkwo, as he has violated sacred traditions, and there is no going back to the way things were before.

Nwoye is affected by his father's actions in that he must question his own place in the tribe now that his father has disgraced himself. Nwoye must choose to remain loyal to his father, and suffer his fate, or break ties with his father and become the man his father always wished he could be.

What are the major turning points in Things Fall Apart and their effects on Okonkwo, the Igbos, and Nwoye?

The major driving force early in the story is Okonkwo's incredible drive for success and his hard work and success as a warrior and a man.  He adopts a child from a neighboring village Ikemefuna and begins to care deeply for him, but his life is eventually demanded by the Oracle.  Okonkwo cannot bring himself to participate in the killing of the boy.

Thanks to other violent actions brought about mostly due to Okonkwo's incredible temper, he is eventually banished and forced to live in another village.  While he is gone, the white man and Christianity come to the Igbo, creating an incredible conflict with the traditional ways.

In a curious twist of events, Okonkwo returns and becomes the most staunch defender of their traditional ways.  He goes so far as to kill a messenger from the court and try to stir up the Igbo to rebellion against the white powers.  This leads to his suicide and the loss of any respect or power because of this crime against the traditional ways.

What are the key events involving Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart?

At eighteen, Okonkwo became the champion wrestler. He threw Amalinze the Cat in a wrestling match and won. Amalinze had been champion for seven years.

Okonkwo grew up being ashamed of his father Unoka. Unoka was a failure. He owed everyone money. He sat around all day playing his flute and drinking palm wine. He did not work. Okonkwo grew up hearing others call his father "womanish." He could not bear the shame. He swore to be nothing like his father. In fact, he was driven by a fear of being weak like his father. He vowed he would be strong, win titles, and create wealth by working hard.

Okonkwo accomplished everything he set out to accomplish. He acquired two titles. He became a fierce warrior. He also became wealthy by producing yams. In addition to his hard work, he married three wives who bore many children for Okonkwo:

Okonkwo is introduced as a great wrestler, a renowned warrior, and a hardworking member of the community. He has amassed two barns filled with yams, three wives, many children, and two titles.

One thing that Okonkwo had not conquered was his anger. He often beat his wives and children, especially during religious celebrations, most notably due to his not being able to work hard as he is used to doing. He angers the gods because of his temper. He accidentally shoots a sixteen-year-old boy when his gun fires during a funeral. Okonkwo is banned from his village:

Okonkwo has committed a female crime because the murder is an accident. Nevertheless, he is forced to flee from the clan. He may return after seven years. Okonkwo collects his belongings, and his wives and children weep bitterly.

After seven years passes, Okonkwo returns home. He is shocked by some of the changes. The white man and his religion has become a major part of the village. Okonkwo resents the fact that government and order as he knew it has changed. Okonkwo desires to fight the white man and his new religion and government. The clan will not support Okonkwo in his desire to go to war, so Okonkwo hangs himself and dies without a honorable burial.