Half of a Yellow Sun

Chapters 1-6

Reading Check

1. My good man (Chapter 1)

2. At the airport (Chapter 2)

3. Kainene (Chapter 3)

4. An illness (Chapter 4)

Short Answer

1. Odenigbo explains that since his mother is from a small bush village, she feels threatened by an educated woman and refers to Olanna as a witch because this is her only way of understanding their relationship. (Chapter 5)

2. During the dinner conversation, Richard expresses amazement over the complexity of ancient Igbo-Ukwu pots. Okeoma replies, “You sound surprised, as if you never imagined these people capable of such things.” For the first time, he feels they judged him for being a Westerner. Shortly after, he says goodbye and feels like Odenigbo will not miss him. He feels disheartened because he genuinely is amazed by the Igbo-Ukwu culture and wants to be accepted, just like he respects his friends for who they are. (Chapter 6)

Chapters 7-12

Reading Check

1. There has been a coup. (Chapter 7)

2. A white Christening dress (Chapter 8)

3. A second coup (Chapter 9)

4. Ants (Chapter 10)

Short Answer

1. At first, she does not take it seriously because she thinks student protesters are causing the riots, but when Mohammed informs her of Igbo bodies lying on Airport Road, she is stricken with fear. She wears a scarf on her head and pretends to be Muslim. Olanna goes into shock and feels queasy as she confronts the murder of her family and dead Igbo bodies everywhere. She escapes the scene by train but is confronted by more horrors, such as a head in a bowl and urine drenching her dress. (Chapter 11)

2. Richard is in absolute shock and disbelief. He wets himself and vomits at the airport. He can barely talk when he arrives at Susan’s house, and she comments that he looks exhausted. He feels shame over watching the killings and relief at the same time that Kainene is not with him. On the other hand, Susan is acting normal and making small talk as if nothing is happening. She claims the Igbo people had it coming to them because they are clannish and uppity, and she compares them to Jews. (Chapter 12)

Chapters 13-18

Reading Check

1. It was psychological. (Chapter 13)

2. To marry him (Chapter 14)

3. The advancement of troops (Chapter 15)

4. He hangs up on her. (Chapter 16)

Short Answer

1. Olanna’s mother thrives on jewelry, money, and power, and she believes that the federals are close by and that the villages will fall very soon. On the contrary, Olanna stands for her principles and love. She also believes that the village troops will defeat the federals. (Chapter 17)

2. She does not understand why people are fleeing because she cannot hear any guns. She wonders where they are running to but cannot imagine living anywhere else but in her own village. (Chapter 18)

Chapters 19-24

Reading Check

1. For something nefarious like a curse or witchcraft (Chapter 19)

2. Had an affair (Chapter 20)

3. He slept with her sister. (Chapter 20)

4. To end her pregnancy (Chapter 22)

Short Answer

1. First, she sleeps with Richard for revenge. Next, Ugwu tells her how he believes that Odenigbo’s mother did something bad to cause Odenigbo’s Betrayal. Then, she confronts Odenigbo about his decision to betray her and admits to her affair with Richard. (Chapter 23)

2. She burns his manuscript, and he questions whether he is a true writer since he cares more about Kailene than his writing. (Chapter 24)

Chapters 25-30

Reading Check

1. Mrs. Muokelu (Chapter 25)

2. Because of forced conscription (Chapter 26)

3. Writing newspaper articles (Chapter 27)

4. His mama has died. (Chapter 28)

Short Answer

1. He spent most of his time drinking, while Olanna tended to Baby and all her needs. (Chapter 29)

2. Richard was talking with American journalists and was moved by their negative judgments of Biafrans. He points out that America has abandoned the Biafrans, and that their “power comes with responsibility.” One of the journalists responds by saying, “Of course, my government knows people are dying. People are dying in Sudan and Palestine and Vietnam. People are dying everywhere.” This helps Richard realize the lack of response to deaths around the world, and encourages him to highlight this silence in the title of his book. (Chapter 30)

Chapters 31-37

Reading Check

1. Mohammed (Chapter 31)

2. Running a refugee camp (Chapter 32)

3. Food (Chapter 33)

4. Kainene (Chapter 34)

5. Raped her (Chapter 35)

Short Answer

1. He travels to Kainene’s house and nearby cities to look for her but is unsuccessful. He then talks with Madu and learns that Madu had been with her sexually. In anger, Richard slaps Madu, who then punches him hard. As Richard regains his senses, he realizes that he will probably never see Kainene alive again (Chapter 36)

2. Olanna believes she is seeing signs and clues about Kainene’s whereabouts, which leads her to consult a dibia or local medicine man. However, the dibia’s advice does not work, so Olanna ultimately comes to the conclusion that she will not see Kainene again until her next life. (Chapter 37)