Things Fall Apart

This section presents terms and phrases that are central to understanding the text and may present a challenge to the reader. Use this list to create a vocabulary quiz or worksheet, to prepare flashcards for a standardized test, or to inspire classroom word games and other group activities.

1. improvident (adjective):

lacking foresight; wasteful

“In his day he was lazy and improvident and was quite incapable of thinking about tomorrow.” (Chapter 1, Page 5)

2. proverbs (plural noun):

simple, traditional sayings that convey a general truth

“Among the Ibo the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are a palm-oil with which words are eaten.” (Chapter 1, Page 7)

3. perpetual (adjective):

unending or unchanging

“His wives, especially the youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper, and so did his little children.” (Chapter 2, Page 13)

4. capricious (adjective):

expressing unpredictable and sudden changes in behavior or mood

“It was deeper and more intimate than the fear of evil and capricious gods and of magic, the fear of the forest, and of the forces of nature, malevolent, red in tooth and claw.” (Chapter 2, Page 13)