Take out your novels/reading journals and pick up your Springboard book from the front of the classroom Sophomore World Literature and Language Arts

Learning Targets Students will be exposed to note taking strategies.

Things Fall Apart Lead-in + Quote + CitationCommentary During the Feast of the Yam Okonkwo became angry at his second wife, “Okonkwo gave her a sound beating and left her and her only daughter weeping” (Achebe 38) Okonkwo demonstrates that he is quick to anger when he beats his second wife for removing leaves from a banana tree. He is very prideful and when she went against his wishes he punished her. “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” (Achebe 28) Okonkwo’s character is warped by his desire not to appear weak like his father. The only emotion he is willing to show is anger.

Okonkwo as a tragic hero Last class we filled in the chart on page 203 evaluating Okonkwo as a tragic hero. We used Aristotle’s definition of tragic hero as your base for this discussion. Review your answers and the groups answers on your chart. In a well developed paragraph answer the following: To what degree does Okonkwo fit Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero? What flaw leads to his downfall? Be sure to include:  Include a strong topic sentence that defines a tragic hero  Provide supporting details and textual evidence (use the chart/book for information  Strong Commentary that explains how the evidence shows he is a tragic hero

Activity 3.15 – Tragic Hero Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero Examples of OkonkwoExamples of Brutus in Julius Caesar Mixture of good and badHe is a hard worker but he is cruel to his children Brutus is Caesar friend but allows himself to be persuaded to go against Caesar Fatal flawOkonkwo’s violence is his fatal flaw Pride journeyOkonkwo is exiled to his motherland Flees Rome Large capacity for sufferingHe suffers visibly over his father’s laziness, Ikemefuna’s death, his exile Portia kills herself/Antony demands justice/sees the ghost of Caesar Downfall is preceded by self- realization At the end he understands what he has done and ends his life

Embedded Assessment 3.2 Prompt: In a well developed essay discuss why Okonkwo is a tragic hero according to Aristotle’s definition (Activity 3.15). Analyze how this downfall and its contributing factors lead to an understanding of the meaning of the work as a whole. Reminders: You must include at least four quotes per paragraph to support your statements (evidence!). All quotes should have lead-ins and proper citation. Include ample commentary to avoid summary. Analysis is key! Write at least two sentences of commentary. Think SPIES You must write in formal voice. Follow expository structure. Use transition words. Steps:: In class pre-write analyzing each element of Aristotle’s definition (April 17 th ) Pre-write (April 21 st ) Timed write/1 st draft of essay (April 23 rd ) Edit and revise essay (April 27 th ) Type final draft. To earn full credit you must turn in all pre-work and the typed final draft (April 27 th )

Introductory Paragraph Attention Grabber/Hook: An inflexible nature can lead to one’s destruction Background: Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart is the story of a Nigerian tribal leader, Okonkwo, that has the characteristics of a tragic hero. The reader is introduced to the cultural customs of pre- colonial Ibo culture and the transition into post-colonial Ibo through the perspective of Okonkwo. Connecting Idea: Aristotle defines a tragic hero as a character that has both good and bad qualities, has a fatal flaw, goes on a journey or is exiled, has a large capacity for suffering and their down fall is preceded by self-realization. Thesis: The character of Okonkwo has many of the aspects of a tragic hero as defined by Aristotle

Body Paragraphs BODY PARAGRAPH Claim/Topic sentence (with controlling idea/focus): Refer back to Thesis/ Okonkwo is a tragic hero because he has both good and bad characteristics Support A (because): Fact/Assertion about Okonkwo that shows the element/Okonkwo shows good characteristics in his relationship with Ikemefuna. Evidence 1 (details/supporting fact): evidence from the novel – include lead-in and quote/ Evidence 2 (details/supporting fact): Commentary (significance/importance of evidence): This shows/the significance of the quotes Transition word/phrase/sentence:_______________________________________________________________ Support B (because): Fact/Assertion about Okonkwo that shows the element/Okonkwo shows bad characteristics in his relationship with his family. Evidence 1 (details/supporting fact Evidence 2 (details/supporting fact Commentary (significance/importance of minors Transition word/phrase/sentence: Concluding Sentence (rewording of topic sentence):

Exit Task Reflect on the learning targets for today. Do you feel you met the targets? Students will be exposed to other cultures and time periods, quality literature and effective/varied writing styles Students will begin to understand key facts that influenced and developed literature Students will write effectively in expository mode to examine/analysis a complex idea 1. What is one thing that you completed or learned today that you found interesting? 2. What is one thing that you feel you can improve in future classes? 3. What are the three choices for your project? List them in order of preference.