Analyzing Characters Charts

Analyzing Characters- Both well known: You will analyze 2 characters in Things Fall Apart. You will create a list that analyzes each character. What traits did each person have? What were they known for? Include textual evidence and page numbers. In the center, write similarities between both characters.

Both Well Known- Period 1 Okonkwo Similarities Unoka Hates weakness “his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and weakness” Pg.13 Strong He defeated the cat Pg.1 “ruled by 1 passion – to hate everything Unoka loved” Pg.13 Both prominent, well known in their own ways “Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond” pg.3 Musical “He was very good on his flute” Ch.1 Pg.4 Gentle “…to hate everything that his father Unoka had loved. One of those things was gentleness…” Pg. 13 Lazy & Poor “He was poor and his wife and children had barely enough to eat.” (pg. 5)

Both Well Known- Period 2 Okonkwo (3 examples) Similarities (2 examples) Unoka (3 examples) Tall and Big “he was tall and huge and bushy eyebrow’s and wide nose gave him a severe look(3) He worked hard on his farming; “During planting season, Okonkwo worked daily on his farms.” (13) “Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond.” (P.3) As a young man of eighteen he had brought honor to his village by throwing Amalinze the cat. (3) Both Tall p. 3,4 Both known in Umuofia (3, 16) “ He was very good on his flute”. (pg 4) Thin and tall. “He was tall but very thin and had a slight stoop.” (pg 4) “ in his day, he was lazy and improvident…” pg.4 The story was told in Umuofia, of how his father Unoka had gone to consult the Oracle (16)

Both Well Known- Period 4 Okonkwo (3) Similarities (2) Unoka (3) Strong (evidence?) Was very well known “was well known throughout the villages and beyond” page 3 Abusive – pg. 26: “And when she returned he beat her heavily.” Nondescript “Okonkwo never showed any emotion of anger. To show affection was a sign of weakness…” Both tall “ He was tall and huge…” (pg.3) “He was tall but thin..” (pg.4) Both known in Umuofia (3, 16) The story was told in Umuofia, of how his father Unoka had gone to consult the Oracle (16) Lazy (evidence?) Weak!- “ In his day he was lazy and improvident and was quite incapable of thinking about tomorrow” (pg4) Lazy – “in his day he was lazy” Poor- “Unoka, the grown up was a failure, he was poor…” Pg.5

Analyzing Characters- Feelings and Fears: You will now analyze Okonkwo’s character more. Look for examples of Okonkwo’s feelings and fears, the reasons for those fears, and the effect they have on his actions. Include textual evidence, chapter, and page number. Then write your personal response or explanation of the examples. Find at least 3 examples and explain.

Okonkwo’s Fears Period 1 Feelings and Fears Personal Response “And so Okonkwo was ruled by one passion- to hate everything his father had loved.” (p.13) “ and indeed he was possessed by the fear of his fathers contemptible life and shameful death – pg. 18, ch. 3 “his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and weakness” Pg. 13 “it was fear of himself, he should be found to resemble his father.” pg.18 This shows that Okonkwos fear controls his whole life and caused him to become a brutal person. Okonkwos fear of failure basically rules his life, so he’s forced to work hard and he’s strict Since his father was such a failure, He fears that his family will become like him and never succeed in life. Okonkwo was afraid that he would live a shameful like and death.

Okonkwo’s Fears Period 1 Feelings and Fears Personal Response Okonkwo,… in suppressed anger, suddenly found an outlet. Okonkwo’s second wife had mearly cut a few leaves... Without further argument okonkwo gave he a sound beating… his anger was thus satisfied pg. 38 “Okonkwo never showed any emotion openly, unless it be the emotion of anger. To show affection was a sign of weakness, the only thing worth demonstrating was strength.” pg 28 “It was the fear of himself, lest he should be found to resemble his father.” Pg. 13 This shows how Okonkwo need to justify his manliness, which also let him think he was conquering his fear of weakness Even though Okonkwo was fond of someone, he never showed emotion because it was something his father did, but it also showed weakness. Okonkwo’s fear stemmed from his father, the man no one wanted to be.

Okonkwo’s Fears Period 2 Feelings and Fears Personal Response “Unoka died and had taken no title … Okonkwo was ashamed of his father.” pg 8 ch 1 “Okonkwo thanked him again and again and he went home feeling happy”(pg 22, ch 3) “Okonkwo never showed any emotion openly, unless it be the emotion of anger. To show affection was a sign of weakness; the only thing worth demonstrating was strength.” (pg. 28 ch. 4) He did not like his father. Okonkwo is a really mean and brusque person and him being appreciative is uncommon. Okonkwo never showed his feelings because it was a sign of weakness, and one of his greatest fears is weakness.

Okonkwo’s Fears Period 2 Feelings and Fears Personal Response “It was the fear of himself, lest he should be found to resemble his father.” (ch.2 pg.14) “And so Okonkwo was ruled by one passion-to hate everything that his father Unoka had loved.” (ch.2 pg.13) “Okonkwo was specially fond of Ezinma. She looked very much like her mother, who was once the village beauty.” (ch.5 pg.44) “Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand… lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper…” (ch.2, pg 13) He does not want to be like his father. Okonkwo thought that if he did not act like his father then he would not be like him. This shows that Okonkwo favors Ezinma the most but rarely shows it. The quote shows that Okonkwo is a very scary and intimidating man.

Okonkwo’s Fears Period 4 Feelings and Fears Personal Response “It was the fear of himself, lest he should be found to resemble his father”(ch. 2 p.13) “I will not have son who cannot hold up his head in the gathering of the clan” ( ch. 4 p.33) “Okonkwo never showed any emotion openly, unless it be the emotion of anger. To show affection was a sign of weakness; the only thing worth demonstrating was strength.”(Ch. 4, p. 28) He fears that his reputation will be tarnish for the fact the his father was a poor and foolish man. Okonkwo fears that his son will turn like his father and he don’t like people that is lazy. This statement means that no matter what Okonkwo feels, he’ll always show his strong side.

Okonkwo’s Fears Period 4 Feelings and Fears Personal Response “Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand. His wives, especially the youngest lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper, and so did his little children. Pg.13 “Okonkwo’s fear was greater than these.” pg.13 This quote shows feelings about how Okonkwo is with his family. He wasn’t gentle with his family. This statement means that his fear tops all of the things of what he does because whenever he tries to do something he always think of his father.