thinks that the clan is falling apart
because of the demoralizing influence of the white man and particularly the new religion he has
brought. Whensays they should fight the white men and drive them out, Obierika replies sadly
that it is too late. Too many of the clan have joined the Christian church and now they have
begun to join the government administration too. It would be easy to drive the white men out of
Umuofia, he says. There are only two of them. However, he continues:
But what of our own people who are following their way and have been
given power? They would go to Umuru and bring the soldiers, and we would be like
Abame.
Abame has always been the subject of ridicule for
Okonkwo and Obierika. It is an inferior clan where titles are worth two cowries and where titled
men such as they climb trees and prepare the food for their wives. However, the story of the
destruction of Abame, achieved by only three white men with guns, is a powerful and terrifying
lesson for Umuofia. Obierika now believes that their clan too may be destroyed, now that they
have been weakened by the insidious influence of the white man's religion and
government.
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