Summary

Chapter Four. This chapter begins with the narration of a conversation between Nwaka and his friend and advisor Ezidemili, the high priest of another god. Narration portrays Nwaka as continuing to express anger about the war with the Okperi, and Ezidemili as being jealous of Ezeulu, telling Nwaka that Ezeulu is ambitious and corrupt.

Narration then shifts focus back to Ezeulu, whose contemplations of the relationship between Oduche and the white man’s religion are interrupted by cries from his wives and younger children – a box in Oduche’s hut is moving. Ezeulu investigates, and upon opening the box, discovers that it contains one of the compound’s sacred pythons. He releases it, and reveals his intention to punish Oduche for keeping it prisoner. Meanwhile, narration describes how word of the python’s imprisonment got back to Ezidemili.

Narration then...