Things Final Major Points &Themes Rapert/AP Lit

Important things to keep in mind Stylistic shift: As writing style acts often as a mirror to protagonist perception, the breakneck pacing (time compression) of part 3 and jumpy quality reflects the confusion of the Ibo people now that their fate is out of their hands. Further distancing from protagonist (POV tone altered subtly) reflects his spiraling away from the identity and control to which he clung. Final complete POV shift to DC is both ironic in tone and completion of the destruction…the Ibo have no voice (they are a mere curiosity)

More important things to keep in mind Irony abounds Lack of understanding between 2 cultures and 2 religions The “hero’s” death-a lost ideal. Hero as martyr or coward. O’s tale can be told in a paragraph if the details are cut…but it is the detail that matters Entire tone of the narrator

Cleverness of author By making his protagonist so complex and hard to sympathize with, and pointing out so many of the more challenging aspects of the Ibo culture he forces his European readers to face their own ethnocentricity and personal limitations on human empathy. For the African reader, Achebe both condemns their inaction, calling to task their inability to adapt and maintain dignity, and inspires pride in their own unique identity and calls them to stand up. Achebe forces engagement.

Themes 1. Disruption of a culture is an injustice 2. The individual is inseparable from his society. Strength is derived from societal unity Disunity leads to fragmentation and cannibalism of a society 3. Beliefs about superiority are invariably wrong and destructive. 4. Each culture’s worldview is limited, partial, and skewed. To truly understand, we must consider all.

More themes… 5. Isolation is impossible. Change is inevitable. Those who refuse to adapt or cannot adapt are destroyed. Culture cannot be static, else it will fade away. Rigidity leads to destruction, but flexibility leads to surrender. It is a tragic choice.

Quickly… First: on a small note card finish the following statements: 1. From Achebe I learned…. 2. Things Fall Apart is essentially about….. Second: Write down your own theme. Third: Choose one of mine that seems most comprehensive. Finally: Identify 2 quotes to back both.