Monday January 4, 2010

Write as much as you can about the following topic:  What is your relationship with your parents like? What kind of example do they set for you? What kind of expectations do they have? How do their examples affect your choices and actions

 Finish presentations  Vocabulary assignment: Vocabulary Squares  Active Reading Notes  Read Ch 1-3 read aloud and annotate  Characterize Okonkwo  HW: ch 4-6 with active reading notes

You have had some exposure to African Culture. Consider the following statement: “Achebe is not only trying to inform the outside world about the cultural traditions, but to remind his own people of their past and to assert that it had contained something of value…”

 Using your notes from the presentations, write a one paragraph response in which you explain why you agree or disagree with the assertion which extends to all of Africa.

 For each of the words, look up the definition as we read along in the text.  Choose 15 of these words and complete a vocabulary Square  Due January 29th

Character list:  Okonkwo  Ezinma  Nwoye  Obierika  Ikemefuna  Ekwefi  Unoka  Echendu

 Elements of Plot  Notes/questions/comments about the meaning of the novel  Important passages

 Always include the page number so you can refer back to it in class  Do not quote word for word, but summarize or explain why it is important

 Larger than life main character  Admirable qualities  Often flawed  Elevated position in society

 Protagonist  Status to society is very important to him  Prosperous farmer and one of the village leaders  Fears being like his father

 Okonkwo’s father  Gentle man, loves music and peace  Fails at farming because he is lazy  Charmer  Embarrassment to Okonkwo

 What are Okonkwo's main characteristics as he is depicted in the first few chapters? List as many as you can, being as specific as possible.  What were the characteristics of his father which affect him so powerfully?

 Okonkwo’s eldest son  Wants to please father  Troubled by the definition of manliness and some village customs  Is often a disappointment to his father

Read chapters 4-6. As you read, pay attention to Okonkwo and his family relationships, especially:  How he treats his wives  Ikemefuna and Nwoye  Ezinma