Social structure
Although the social structure of Igbo people varies from one place to another it’s main
characteristics remained the same. The basic unit of Igbo life was the community, and the
most universal institution was the role of the family head, usually the oldest man of the
oldest generation, who had the authority. They also were respected and recognized as
such.
Collectivity vs Individualism
What happens to Okonkwo, happens to the community. He has a collective behavior in
contrast to Western usual sense of individuality. Indeed there is a close relationship of
Okonkwo’s individual crisis (of authority and power) and the crisis of his community
which increasingly finds its defining characteristics (including notions of wealth,
marriage, worship, language and history) undermined and transplanted by the new
colonial order
Weather
They divide the year in 2 parts. 6 months of harvests and 6 months of droughts. Weather
importance comes from both having food to eat and for moving around, which is shown
by Okonkwo when he goes back to Umuofia. They take this into account for having food
reserves during the 6 months without harvests.
The forces of nature are very present in the novel because the people’s life is governed by
the seasons.
Market
Markets were not only important for trading with crops and all kind of products. It was
also a place of gathering for all the clansmen as it used to be the squares on Western
society of that time.
Friendship = sophisticated community
