What is a major event in part 3 of Things Fall Apart?

Without a doubt, the most notable event in part 3 of this great novel is Okonkwo's suicide. Culturally speaking, suicide was a shameful act among the Igbo people, and the fact that Okonkwo chose this way out speaks volumes about the depth of his horror and despair at his inability to stop the Christians from coming in and changing the traditions that he and the others of his village have held so dear.

Earlier in the third section, Okonkwo declares war against the colonists after certain tribesmen were attacked by the British messengers. Seeing red, Okonkwo murders one of the messengers—an action which others from his tribe do not support. I would argue that his decision to hang himself was an act of cowardice, because he knew that retribution—and probably execution—would be coming his way in the aftermath of the messenger's murder. By this stage, Okonkwo was on his own, without any support, and hanging himself was simply easier than waiting to see what would be done—both by his own people and by the British.

By defying the cultural traditions that he has fought so hard to protect, he ensures that he remains the master of his own destiny, even if his final act is a sacrilege to his village.

What is a major event in "Things Fall Apart"?

There are several significant events that take place throughout the course of the novel. One of the most important events that happens in the story involves Ikemefuna's death. After Ikemefuna has lived with Okonkwo and his family for three years, the Oracle instructs the clan to sacrificially kill Ikemefuna. Although Okonkwo is specifically told not to have any part in Ikemefuna's death, Okonkwo ends up killing him because he does not want to appear weak. This incident reveals Okonkwo's insecurity and fear. Okonkwo's decision to kill Ikemefuna out of fear also foreshadows his own suicide later on in the novel.

In Chapter 24, Okonkwo makes the fatal decision to kill one of the district commissioner's messengers. Okonkwo hates the white colonists and realizes that Umuofia will not go to war against them. Out of fear and hate, Okonkwo murders the white messenger. Rather than be arrested and tried in the white court, Okonkwo hangs himself. Okonkwo's decision to commit suicide is considered a disgrace among his tribe, and he dies without any honor, like his father.

I would argue that the major event that occurs is the arrival of white man to Okonkwo's tribe and the way that slowly but surely, it begins to insidiously change his society so radically and topple indigenous beliefs and values. This is of course the major point of the novel, as Achebe seeks to present colonial history from the perspective of those being colonised, dispensing with the narratives that of native ignorance and heathenism that seemed to justify the colonial endeavour on the part of the whites.

It is the arrival of the European colonists that also gives the novel its title, which is a direct allusion to "The Second Coming" by Yeats. The way in which centuries of stable cultural identity is displaced in a matter of a few years by white settlers forces us to look at the image of a world losing control and the absolute collapse of tribal society that is summoned up by the words of this poem by Yeats. The image of the falcon turning further and further away from the falconer speaks of the sense of imminent disaster that we see featured in this book as Okonkwo's world changes forever.

What key moments in Things Fall Apart reflect its themes?

Things Fall Apart tells the tragic story of Okonkwo, an Igbo man who comes into conflict with the changing landscape of colonial Nigeria. At the story’s start, Okonkwo fits well into the traditional society of his Igbo village. He repairs his name through feats of strength, he owns land, he has three wives and many children, and he commands respect throughout the village. Two main events in the story reflect some of the main themes that play out in the downfall of Okonkwo.

The first event happens before the colonization by the British. Okonkwo is selected to care from Ikemefuna, a young boy who is serving as the blood debt of a neighboring village. Ikemefuna, though personally innocent, is to be sacrificed to pay for the blood of a woman from Okonkwo’s tribe who was murdered by someone from Ikemefuna’s tribe. An issue arises with Ikemefuna because everyone in Okonkwo’s family grows to like and appreciate him. Ikemefuna, however, is supposed to die as a part of the ritual of justice. When the time comes, Okonkwo participates in the murder so that he doesn’t appear weak. However, he feels a deep emotion for Ikemefuna and loves the boy. Okonkwo’s flaw, his all-encompassing pride, leads to the guilt of Ikemefuna’s blood haunting him for the future of the story. The theme that a hot temper can lead to mistakes shows in Okonkwo’s quick decision. He takes up the machete against Ikemefuna based on a split-second worry about appearing weak, but that decision haunts him and leads to other issues later in the novel.

A second event that demonstrates a different theme is when Okonkwo attempts to take up arms against the British colonial government at the end of the novel. Okonkwo, when he returns from exile, finds that his entire clan and culture have been altered by the British. Facing the death of his culture, Okonkwo pushes the others in his tribe to take up arms and fight. However, others in the tribe understand the danger of doing so and do not join in his rebellion after he kills a white messenger. The text relates his feelings,

He knew the Umuofia would not go to war. He knew because they had let the other messengers escape. They had broken into tumult instead of action. He discerned fright in that tumult. (Chapter 24)

Okonkwo comes face-to-face with the reality that he is living in the past. No one in his tribe wants to fight as they might have before his exile. So, in a fit of passion and sorrow, he hangs himself. It is ironic because by hanging himself, he ensures that he will not be honored or respected like he worked so hard to be early in the story.

The theme we see develop from this event is focused on the difficulty of change. Change can be painful, and it can cause hardship for inflexible people. Okonkwo is the definition of inflexible, and because the world changes around him, he suffers.

Which is the most important chapter in "Things Fall Apart" and why?

For me, chapter twenty in Chinua Achebe’s seminal work of African literature Things Fall Apart is the most important chapter in the entire novel. This is the chapter in which Okonkwo has served his time in exile in Mbanta and makes his return to his village in Umuofia. Okonkwo intensely anticipates the return, and imagines successfully rebuilding his once-promising life in Umuofia:

“Okonkwo saw clearly the high esteem in which he would be held, and he saw himself taking the highest title in the land” (172).

However, when he returns, he finds that the entire region has been altered by European colonialism. Okonkwo is deeply saddened and, in turn, enraged by the changes to his village that were brought about by Christian missionaries and European forms of government. Obierika relays a story about the way the judicial system has changed the region:

“But he says that our customs are bad, and our own brothers who have taken up his religion also say that our customs are bad. How do you think we can fight when our brothers have turned against us? The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one” (176).

After telling the whole story, the two men sit in silence, reflecting on the great changes to Umuofia. This is why I consider chapter twenty the most important in the novel. Readers can see Okonkwo’s unrealistic expectations juxtaposed with the harsh realities he faces upon returning from his exile.

What major historical event is foreshadowed in Things Fall Apart during Okonkwo's discussion?

To which particular chapter are you referring to? I assume that you are talking about Chapter 19, the last chapter of Book Two of this excellent novel dealing with the intrusion of one culture into another. This chapter is of course when Okonkwo throws a banquet to celebrate the end of his seven years of exile, and towards the end, one of the oldest members of the umunna rises and gives a speech thanking Okonkwo for his hospitality, but more importantly, for the way that he is trying to maintain the tribal identity of the Igbo tribe. Note what he says:

"But I fear for you young people because you do not understand how strong is the bond of kinship. You do not know what it is to speak with one voice. And what is the result? An abominable religion has settled among you. A man can now leave his father and his brothers. he can curse the gods of his fathers and his ancestors, like a hunter'd dog that suddenly goes mad and turns on his master. I fear for you; I fear for the clan."

The ummuna ends by thanking Okonkwo for calling the tribe together in this way. Thus this speech foreshadows the destruction of the particular tribal identity that has kept the tribe so strong and united for such a long period of time. It likewise points towards the way that Christianity has already began to erode the principles and unity of the tribe, indicating the future problems it will cause later on.

What is the most important event in Things Fall Apart?

I think “most important event” is pretty subjective, but to me one of the most significant events is when Okonkwo kills Ezeudu’s son.

Okonkwo’s whole life is “dominated by fear, the fear of failure and weakness” (ch 2).  Ezeudu is a well-respected elder.When Okonkwokills his son, it is an accident.  His gun goes off during Ezeudu’s funeral.  However, it is considered an affront to the Earth Goddess Ani, so Okonkwo is exiled for seven years.  This event is important because Okonkwo has to leave to go to his mother’s family’s village.  When he returns, his own village has changed quite a lot. It is becoming a colony due to the palm-oil trade.