became teachers,- and from Umuofia labourers went forth into the Lord's vineyard. New
churches were established in the surrounding villages and a few schools with them.
From the very beginning religion and education went hand in hand. Mr. Brown's
mission grew from strength to strength, and because of its link with the new
administration it earned a new social prestige. But Mr. Brown himself was breaking
down in health. At first he ignored the warning signs. But in the end he had to leave his
flock, sad and broken.
It was in the first rainy season after Okonkwo's return to Umuofia that Mr.
Brown left for home. As soon as he had learned of Okonkwo's return five months
earlier, the missionary had immediately paid him a visit. He had just sent Okonkwo's
son, Nwoye, who was now called Isaac, to the new training college for teachers in
Umuru. And he had hoped that Okonkwo would be happy to hear of it. But Okonkwo
had driven him away with the threat that if he came into his compound again, he would
be carried out of it.
Okonkwo's return to his native land was not as memorable as he had wished. It
was true his two beautiful daughters aroused great interest among suitors and marriage
negotiations were soon in progress, but, beyond that, Umuofia did not appear to have
taken any special notice of the warrior's return. The clan had undergone such profound
change during his exile that it was barely recognisable. The new religion and
government and the trading stores were very much in the people's eyes and minds.
There were still many who saw these new institutions as evil, but even they talked and
thought about little else, and certainly not about Okonkwo's return.
And it was the wrong year too. If Okonkwo had immediately initiated his two
sons into the ozo society as he had planned he would have caused a stir. But the
initiation rite was performed once in three years in Umuofia, and he had to wait for
nearly two years for the next round of ceremonies.
Okonkwo was deeply grieved. And it was not just a personal grief. He mourned
for the clan, which he saw breaking up and falling apart, and he mourned for the warlike
men of Umuofia, who had so unaccountably become soft like women.