Drill 5/27: After reading this sample poem, identify the theme and the poetic devices (underlined). Then, write a sentence explaining how it relates to the reading. Umofia Kwenu!, the crowd yelled. His heart was stone, though the man was strong. He found love despite all odds. She came to him, and became heavy with child. But it was not meant to be. Time and again, her children would not live. They thought their tears were sacrifice enough. But death took no notice. After years of struggle, their joy was finally born. And she grew strong like her father, radiant like her mother. Your daughter will bear sons like you. The man paused, studied her, and continued his work.

Agenda 1. Drill 2. Construct a 12 line poem with your group. 3. Review analyses. 4. Share poems!

For Analysis: Answer these questions: why did Achebe include this information? Is it important to the plot of the story? Is it important for purposes of characterization? Explain. Sample: “This chapter is important to the story because it advances the plot. The reader now understands that…”

Learning Targets: I can participate meaningfully in a class discussion. I can construct a 12 line poem that illustrates a theme found in Things Fall Apart. I can cite strong and thorough textual evidence that supports my inferences and analysis of the text. I can analyze the development of the theme throughout a text including how it is shaped by specific details and events. I can analyze a point of view or cultural experience as reflected in a work from outside the US.