...Okonkwo of Umuofia arrived at Mbaino as the proud and imperious EMISSARY of war, he was treated with great honor...

...the fear of evil and CAPRICIOUS gods and of magic...

...causing his father great anxiety for his INCIPIENT laziness.

But he was struck [...] by Okonkwo's BRUSQUENESS in dealing with less successful men.

...kites appeared from different directions and hovered over the burning field in silent VALEDICTION.

He would stamp out the DISQUIETING signs of laziness...

The personal DYNAMISM [...] would be far too great for the human race.

... where the ant holds his court in SPLENDOR...

... which had been stretched TAUT with excitement...

...Nwoye would FEIGN annoyance...

denigration

eradicate

pivotal

propitiate

superannuated