This chapter starts with the town crier, who serves as the village messenger informing the Umuofia people of their meeting at the market place the following morning.
Achebe gives us an onomatopoeic representation to appreciate the lively sing-song of the metal gong gome…. gome…. gome…… gome….. inviting the people to the message of the carrier.
Okonkwo, though one of the high ranked people in Umuofia has no idea of what is amiss and why the meeting is being summoned, but from the tone of the town crier, he can decifer that it is not a happy call.
Achebe describes a typical African village night setting; very quiet except on a moonlight night, dark, presence of evil spirits and dangerous animals. Moonlight night as a night full of gaiety.
The following morning, Ezeugo the village orator informs a full assembly that Mbaino people killed one of their own, presenting options of war or emissary of peace. Mbaino chooses peace and offers a virgin and a young boy. Ikemefuna is the young boy and is given to Okonkwo to look after.
In this chapter, Achebe casts Okonkwo as a despot who rules his family with an iron fist. Okonkwo dislikes Nwoye because he perceives him as lazy.
Finally, Achebe is to be appreciated for picturing the typical African (Igbo) cosmology. His explanation of an African night, the moonlight night, the town crier and his role, oratorical work found among Africans, best approach to peace and conflict resolution as is seems in their settlement with Mbaino. Of particular interest is his treatment of different chi (not gods please. Africans believe in monotheism) like the one for war (the old woman), Okonkwo shrine (displaying African religion as being individualistic and not common like western own).
Finally, I find Achebe isn’t interested in the fate of the girl brought with Ikemuefuna. As a humanist, I find it uncomfortable. Of course, I understand he is representing an existing culture. Unfortunately, in his major character Okonkwo, I find a man he is building too high that when he will fall, he will certainly crash. Okonkwo existentialist representation is now becoming a vice.
Onyedikachim
