The Fertility Cycle & Things fall apart Freshman Literature Andover High School

DO NOW! Brainstorm for 3 minutes on what comes to mind when you hear the phrase fertility cycle. Even if youre stumpedtry!Brainstorm for 3 minutes on what comes to mind when you hear the phrase fertility cycle. Even if youre stumpedtry!

The Fertility Cycle BirthGrowth/LifeDeathRebirth

Example: beauty & the beast Birth: Adam turns the old woman away and is turned into a beast

Example: beauty & the beast Life/Growth/Maturation: The Beast meets Belle and through their relationship grows and matures into a kind and gentle creature.

Example: beauty & the beast Death: Dies in the fight with Gaston, Belle utters I love you.

Example: beauty & the beast Rebirth: Adam is changed from a beast and is reborn as his former human self

Do Now! What is an example from literature or film that you have seen the fertility cycle?What is an example from literature or film that you have seen the fertility cycle? Hint: It may not be the same character that dies and is then reborn! It might not even be a character at all but an idea or concept! Hint: It may not be the same character that dies and is then reborn! It might not even be a character at all but an idea or concept!

Things fall apart By Chinua Achebe

Background Written by Chinua AchebeWritten by Chinua Achebe Takes place in the country of Nigeria (in Africa) in a fictional village called Umuofia in the late 19 th century (late 1800s).Takes place in the country of Nigeria (in Africa) in a fictional village called Umuofia in the late 19 th century (late 1800s). Seen as the first archetypal modern African novel, some people going so far as to call it the To Kill a Mockingbird of African literatureSeen as the first archetypal modern African novel, some people going so far as to call it the To Kill a Mockingbird of African literature What might be the significance of this?

Plot Overview Things Fall Apart follows the story of Okonkwo and his family as Okonkwos self-interested actions ultimately cause his downfall. After participating in the murder of his adopted son, Okonkwos life takes a turn for the worse. A subsequent accident forces Okonkwo to leave his homeland and live in exile for several years. Upon eventually returning to his village, Okonkwo finds that things have changed and he is unable to adjust to the new ways. His stubborn personality and headstrong ways lead to his eventual demise, losing first his son to the Christians, and then the taking of his own life.

Major Characters Okonkwo : main character, a hard working, angry man; has 3 wives and several children; believes showing emotion is weak and unmanly Okonkwo : main character, a hard working, angry man; has 3 wives and several children; believes showing emotion is weak and unmanly Unoka: Okonkwos father; lazy and a debtor; Okonkwo spends his life trying to be nothing like Unoka Unoka: Okonkwos father; lazy and a debtor; Okonkwo spends his life trying to be nothing like Unoka Ikemefuna : a child brought to the village as a captive from another village/sacrifice; given to Okonkwo and raised as an adoptive son Ikemefuna : a child brought to the village as a captive from another village/sacrifice; given to Okonkwo and raised as an adoptive son Nwoye : one of Okonkwos sons; gentle and kind; berated by Okonkwo as unmanly Nwoye : one of Okonkwos sons; gentle and kind; berated by Okonkwo as unmanly

Major Characters Ezinma : Okonkwos favorite daughter because she is hard working and thinks/acts like a man Ezinma : Okonkwos favorite daughter because she is hard working and thinks/acts like a man Mr. Brown : a missionary who brings Christianity to the tribe; attempts to learn the ways of the village and earn converts through compassion and understanding Mr. Brown : a missionary who brings Christianity to the tribe; attempts to learn the ways of the village and earn converts through compassion and understanding Mr. Smith : Mr. Browns eventual replacement; opposite of Mr. Smith; makes no attempt to learn the villagers Mr. Smith : Mr. Browns eventual replacement; opposite of Mr. Smith; makes no attempt to learn the villagers

Major themes and Ideas Colonization vs. Native Ways of lifeColonization vs. Native Ways of life Christianity vs. Ibo religionChristianity vs. Ibo religion Father-Son RelationshipsFather-Son Relationships Gender and what it means to be a manGender and what it means to be a man Journal on one of these topics for 7-10 minutes. Jot down your thoughts, questions, ideas, etc. When youre done we will discuss what you think!

Colonization vs. native ways of life

Christianity vs. ibo religion

Father-son relationships

Gender/What it means to be a man

Our game plan Read outside of classRead outside of class Expected to take notes and pace yourself accordinglyExpected to take notes and pace yourself accordingly Expected to show up prepared to discuss on due datesExpected to show up prepared to discuss on due dates Two deadlines:Two deadlines: Chapters 1-12 due: Tuesday, December 3rd Chapters 1-12 due: Tuesday, December 3rd Chapters 13-end due: Friday, December 13th Chapters 13-end due: Friday, December 13th