Things Fall Apart Ochoa/Moran

Introduction As a university student in Ibadan, Nigeria, Chinua Achebe studied a wide range of British literature but was shocked when he read several works that dealt with Africa, told from the sole perspective of the white colonizers. Achebe set out to write the story of an Igbo village from the Igbo point of view. We do not see the stereotypical savages of colonialist literature: We see a world of traditions, supernatural, celebrations, marriages, and day to day life.

Summary The protagonist, Okonkwo, is a man of great strength and firm beliefs in the traditional ways of his society. He is obsessed with achievement and manhood because of the perceived weakness of both his father, and his son. He is determined to never show weakness. His life is rocked with the entrance of British influences (Christian missionaries and British District Commissioner’s government).

Help! There are pronunciation guides and vocabulary definitions in your Springboard text as well as the back of your novel.

Lesson One: Introducing Nigeria Objectives To examine basic historical, geographic, and demographic information about Nigeria To discuss and analyze the art of storytelling

Lesson one: Introducing nigeria Take a look at Handout 2 Study the map of Nigeria and answer the 3 questions that are listed below

Lesson One: Introducing Nigeria (storytelling) Modern Nigeria is the result of complex factors: the interaction of multiple indigenous societies; the exploitation of the area by European nations for the slave trade; the occupation of the area by the British during the height of imperialism; the drive for independence that transformed Africa in the 1960s; and the postcolonial policies of the new nation. There is a multiplicity of cultures: over five hundred languages are spoken there. English, the language of the occupying colonial power for so long, is the only official language.

Lesson One: Introducing Nigeria Britain abolished slavery in its empire in the late 1830s but continued to expand trade and influence in the area, and in 1901, Nigeria became a British protectorate. After WWII, the country moved away from colonial domination and in 1960 became an independent nation. The various ethnic groups, languages, customs, and religions (Muslim, Christian, and indigenous animist beliefs) have created tensions within the country since that time.

Proverbs and Folktales Proverbs and folktales are one part of a culture’s oral tradition. People share proverbs and folktales in order to express important stories, ideas, and beliefs, about their culture. Proverbs-a short saying about a general truth Folktale-a story without a known author that has been preserved through oral retellings

Proverbs As you read the novel Things Fall Apart, you will encounter many proverbs and folktales that illustrate the beliefs of the Igbo people. One memorable Igbo proverb is “Proverbs are the palm oil (cooking oil) with which words are eaten.” Explain what you think this proverb means. Review the proverbs listed below. Then, share some of your own. “Two wrongs don’t make a right” “Actions speak louder than words”

Proverbs Activity You and your group will work together to match the proverbs to their translated meaning Best of luck!

Folktales In addition to proverbs, you will also encounter a number of folktales in the novel. As you watch the folktale Anasi and the Pot of Beans, use the graphic organizer on p. 176 to record details about the folktale. https://youtu.be/Sau3E2LEfcI

Archetypes The Hero A character in literature who, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, displays courage or self-sacrifice-that is, heroism-for some greater good. Damsel in Distress Usually a beautiful young woman placed in a dire predicament by a villain or moster and who requires a hero to achieve her rescue.

Archetypes Mentor A term meaning someone who imparts wisdom to and shares knowledge with a less experienced colleague. Trickster A character who exhibits a great degree of intellect or secret knowledge and uses it to play tricks or otherwise disobeys normal rules and conventional behavior.

Lesson 2 Okonkwo and Unoka Objectives To meet the character Okonkwo To understand the literary terms direct characterization, indirect characterization, and foil

Journal When you first meet a new person, how do you form an opinion about what that person is like? How do you refine your ideas about that person over time?

Direct and indirect characterization Direct characterization-when the author tells us about the character’s appearance, dress, and personality. Indirect characterization-letting us observe the characters in action You will be looking at character traits of one major character and one minor character as you read.

foils When two characters are developed in such a way that they contrast dramatically to highlight each other’s traits, the author is creating foils. The earliest stories we hear as children gain some of their appeal from the use of foils The meanness, vanity, and homeliness of Cinderella’s stepsisters make Cinderella look more virtuous The two lazy little pigs make the third pig look even more hardworking. Can you name any examples of foils?

Character traits Read chapters 1-3 and do the following: Fill out Handout 3 (character traits) Please identify 2 examples of direct characterization and 2 examples of indirect characterization, on a separate sheet of paper. Provide 3 examples of how Okonkwo and Unoka are foils to each other.

JOurnal for ch 1-3 If you could choose, would you rather have Okonkwo or Unoka as a father? Why? What are the traits of an ideal parent in our society?