Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe
Unit Goals (2017) #1: To read and enjoy reading. #2: To understand Achebe's goals for writing Things Fall Apart. #3: To evaluate what literary choices he made to achieve those goals.
Assessment (2017) We will discuss Achebe’s purpose and authorial choices. To make that conversation rich and meaningful, it will help for you to have some notes to refer to. Therefore, for Goal #3, I encourage you to consider one (or more if you’re so motivated!) of the elements below. Shifting POV Character Development Conflict/Resolution
Due Dates You should aim to have through at least Part I and into Part 2 done over Spring Break. We will discuss through Part I on Monday, April 17. Tentative overall due date: April 26
Chinua Achebe’s Novels Achebe's novels focus on the traditions of Igbo society, the effect of Christian influences, and the clash of values during and after the colonial era. www.wikipedia.com
In his own words… “It does help if you have the kind of temperament I have, which tries to recover something from our past. So you have one food in the past and also one foot in the present. You try to interpret the past for the present.”
Things Fall Apart: Purpose Things Fall Apart is set in the 1890s, during the coming of the white man to Nigeria. In part, the novel is a response and antidote to a large tradition of European literature in which Africans are depicted as primitive and mindless savages.
His purpose (cont) His purpose is bringing dignity back to the individuals of Africa. Consistently presented as ignorant, dark, almost sinister people with no sense of justice or purpose.
Chinua Achebe’s Life Grew up in Ogidi, a village in Nigeria His father taught at the missionary school In 1958 Things Fall Apart was published He passed away in 2013
Pre-Reading Activities and Context
Optional Pre-Reading Brainstorm: What does the phrase “things fall apart” mean? What kinds of things fall apart? What do people do when stuff falls apart?
Okonkwo It follows a tragic hero, as the title suggests. It’s important to track him as he goes.
Igbo, Nigeria- location of story
Ibo Villages Few miles from each other- spoke different languages Customs: 4 day market week The kola nut ritual New Yam festival
Igbo People Nigeria figure The University of Iowa Museum of Art
Ibo Economy Economy based on “root crops” Men grew yam Women grew beans, cassava, and cocoyam
Rituals We are going to see a lot of rituals in the story….why might they be there?
Yam Festival
Kola Nut Kola Nuts Kola Nut Tree
Cassava
Igbo Masks
Igbo Masks Defined Used during festivals Used during ceremonies Used to symbolize beauty