Spirits

"Everybody knew [Ekwefi] was an ogbanje. These sudden bouts of sickness and health were typical of her kind." The year of bad harvest was an omnipitent  power 'toughening Oknonkwo up', so he could "survive anything". If the spirits control what goes on amongst mortals, there would be no accidents. Then, surely there must have been a reason for Okonkwo's accidental murder of Ezeudu's son. There must have been a reason why it was Okonkwo's gun, and why it was Ezeudu who got shot and nobody else. Now that Okonkwo is in exile, big things (consequences or rewards, I don't yet know) will happen to Umuofia... And indeed big things do happen to Umuofia. The missionaries / 'alien white men' come and make a permanent impact on the village. Traditional village order breaks down and the order and structure of the church is introduced. This adds another weight to Okonkwo's sinking conscience. When Okonkwo ends up in the prison, he knows what he must do. He knows he must fight, and not let up. He must stand up against the white men and protect Umuofia. When Okonkwo kills the messenger and the village does not support him, Okonkwo knows that it is the end. Both he and his chi have been defeated.