Half of a Yellow Sun

Odenigbo cheats on Olanna with Amala, playing right into his mother’s nefarious scheme to ruin her son’s marriage. Who do you believe is more responsible for the transgression: Odenigbo or his mother?

When Eastern Nigeria seceded and became the Republic of Biafra in the narrative, there was a wave a patriotic fervor that swept over the Igbo populace. Do you believe the Igbos were too idealistic and optimistic about the chances of their secession from Nigeria? Support your position with textual evidence. 

In your opinion, what was a more important theme throughout the novel: betrayal or redemption? Which characters have redeemed themselves by the novel’s end? Which characters have not?

Using textual support, convey your estimation as to why Kainene and Olanna are so distant from each for much of the novel. Do you believe the sisters make progress in their relationship as the narrative transpires? Why or why not?

Do you believe it was wrong for the international community to abstain from helping the Biafran rebellion? Why do you think most countries resisted getting involved in the conflict?

In what ways does Richard Churchill stand in contrast to his European peers? Furthermore, in what ways is he similar to them?

At the end of the novel, it becomes clear that Ugwu is the author of the final version of The World Was Silent When We Died. Richard had previously been working on a book under this name. Do you think Ugwu picked up where Richard’s manuscript left off, or do you think he simply wrote his own book in the same vein as Richard’s earlier attempt?

Kainene never ends up returning from her trading trip, and by the novel’s end it is obvious that she has most likely died. As she was the love of Richard’s life, do you believe that he has any reasons to stay in Nigeria after the end of the Nigerian Civil War?