Behold the Dreamers

Behold the Dreamers

by

Imbolo Mbue

Pa Ikola Jonga Character Analysis

Jende’s father, Neni’s father-in-law, Ma Jonga’s husband, and Liomi and Timba’s grandfather. He still resides in Limbe at the start of the novel, where he spent his life working as a farmer. He falls ill from either a particularly bad case of malaria or typhoid fever and dies in May of 2009.
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Pa Ikola Jonga Character Timeline in Behold the Dreamers

The timeline below shows where the character Pa Ikola Jonga appears in Behold the Dreamers. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 6
The Sustainability of the American Dream Theme Icon
The Modern Immigrant Experience Theme Icon
Parental Expectations vs. Personal Ambitions Theme Icon
...grow up to be poor like him, just as Jende was poor like his father, Pa Jonga . In America, Jende knows that he can “become a respectable man” and that his... (full context)
Chapter 9
The Modern Immigrant Experience Theme Icon
Family and Belonging Theme Icon
...Jende gets a text message from his brother. When Jende calls back, he learns that Pa Jonga has come down with “an ugly case of malaria” and can barely speak. He needs... (full context)
The Modern Immigrant Experience Theme Icon
Family and Belonging Theme Icon
...his urgency will make no difference because his brother won’t receive the money until Monday. Pa Jonga survives, but the news is yet another reminder of how “bad news has a way... (full context)
Chapter 48
The Modern Immigrant Experience Theme Icon
Family and Belonging Theme Icon
Pa Jonga dies on a rainy night in May. Ma Jonga and their other children tried to... (full context)
Family and Belonging Theme Icon
Pa Jonga is buried two weeks later, and Jende sends money for the funeral. Jende watches the... (full context)
Chapter 57
The Sustainability of the American Dream Theme Icon
Family and Belonging Theme Icon
...Winston encourages his idea to hire people to farm the eight acres of land that Pa Jonga left him in Bimbia. He could then sell the food in the Limbe market and... (full context)