TFA CH. 1-3 NOTES Ms. Caraang

Bell Work: 10/27/14 What is a “proverb”? Give an example of a proverb.

What are Proverbs? Proverbs are wise sayings that reflect morals and customs of society. Examples: The early bird gets the worm. Hearing is silver, but listening is gold.

Proverbs Proverbs are passed down through time. They often use metaphors. They often use literary devices like alliteration, rhyme, imagery, symbolism, and repetition, to make them memorable.

“Take Notes” as you read Top Page #1 = Chapter Titles #2 = Characters #3 = Igbo vocab + definition (italicized words) #4 = Proverbs #5 = Rituals and Traditions #6 = Themes #7 = Conflicts, Motifs, Symbols Back #8 = Settings and “Good Thinking” Questions (at least 1-2)

Research as you read 1. Use your organizers to take notes throughout the novel. 2. Make sure to write the chapter and page numbers along with your notes. 3. Save space for each chapter. (keep in mind, a lot of things will be repeated in later chapters, so you don’t have to write down the same things over again, just jot down the page number it occurs)

Chapter Titles 1. You will notice that there are no titles for the 25 chapters in Things Fall Apart. 2. As we read the novel, your class will come up with a title that best describes each chapter. 3. The titles should serve as a reminder about the events in each chapter

Major Themes and Conflicts 1. The struggle between change and tradition 2. The importance of kinship and community. 3. What defines masculinity? 4. Language and cultural differences. 1. Character vs. Character 2. Character vs. Society 3. Character vs. Nature 4. Character vs. Self

Motifs and Symbols Motifs 1. Chi 2. Animal Imagery Symbols 1. Locusts 2. Fire

Things Fall Apart The story centers around Okonkwo, a “strong man” of the Igbo village, Umuofia. He is seen as a wrestling legend and hard working man, far different from his failure of a father. Okonkwo has a weakness, which causes him to fall from his high status. Everything goes downward from there, especially with the introduction of European missionaries. The clash between cultures begins the destruction of everything Okonkwo ever knew about. Okonkwo will find his world falling apart.

What should the title be? What should the title be for Chapter 1?

Vocabulary CH. 1 Cowries: shells used as money (7) Egwugwu: man dressed up as an ancestral spirit (4) Kite: a type of bird (5) Ekwe: wooden drum (6) Ogene: type of gong (6) Udu: type of drum made of clay (6) Kola: a stimulant similar to coffee or tea, served at most social occasions. One ingredient in Coca-Cola. (6)

Kola Nut

Alligator Pepper

Proverbs Ch. 1 “He who brings kola brings life” (6). “If a child washed his hands he could eat with kings.” (8) “The sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel under them.” (8)

RITUALS & TRADITONS Polytheistic: belief in many gods Polygamous: Man has many wives Visitor brings their own goatskin to sit on Host offers kola nut & alligator pepper (5- 6)

SOCIAL/CULTURAL RITUALS A guest always visits a house with his goat skin, which he unrolls and sits on. A small wooden disc containing a kola nut, some alligator pepper and a lump of white chalk is brought out, and the disc is passed to the guest. After eating the kola nut, the men have a conversation on various subjects. A number of proverbs are used while speaking. (5-6)

Settings 1. Umuofia: Okonkwo’s village 2. Mbaino: Another one of the 9 villages 1. Why is Okonkwo ashamed of his father? 2. What makes a man “wealthy” in the Igbo culture? “Good Thinking” Questions

Proverbs The art of speaking is very important to the Igbo. That is why they love to use PROVERBS.

Proverbs: “Proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten” (p. 7) Palm-Oil is a rich yellow oil pressed from fruit of certain palm trees used both for fuel and cooking.

Vocabulary CH. 2 Agadi-nwayi: old woman (11) Ndichie: elders (12) Agbala: woman; man without a title (13) Obi: Man’s hut (14)

Proverbs CH. 2 When the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for a walk” (10).

Rituals and Traditions CH. 2 Consult the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves before going to war. (12) *An Oracle is a person who serves as a deliverer of divine communication

CH. 3 review 1. Who is Agbala? (male or female?) 2. What are seed yams? What is the reason why Okonkwo needed them? 3. (Pg 19) Wine drinking ritual Who pours? Who tastes first? Who drinks first? Which wife drinks first? 4. What does the first wife wear? 5. Men’s crops vs. women’s crops?

VOCAB Chi: Personal god Chukwu – supreme god, creator of world. The will of gods was revealed through oracles. Each clan, village, and household had protective ancestral spirits

PROVERBS “A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness” (19).

RITUALS & TRADITONS Consult the Oracle before going to war Many people came to consult him even though the journey was very difficult. People entered through a round hole at the side of a hill (16) Nobody has ever seen Agbala -- he spoke through priestess Chika  a rare position of power for a woman in this culture Leave a sick man in the Evil Forest to die. (18) Palm Wine Ritual: Women are allowed to take sips of wine, but must leave after they have finished. First wife wore the anklet of her husband’s titles and was the first woman to drink. (19)

NameQuote to describeCharacteristicsRelationship to Okonkwo Okonkwo 40 yrs old, 3 wives, 2 farms, 8 kids Unoka“In his day, he was lazy and improvident…” (4). -Effeminate -Lazy Father Ikemefun a 15 yrs old “As for the boy himself, he was terribly afraid. He could not understand…” (15) “Son” – staying with Okonkwo Nwoye 12 yrs old “Okonkwo’s first son, Nwoye, was then twleve years old” (13) -Lazy -Sad First son

NameQuote to describeCharacteristic s Relationship to Okonkwo Agbala“The Oracle was called Agbala…” (16) The village Oracle (god) +Nwakibi e “He had taken the highest but one title…” (18) -Wealthy - manly Gives Okonkwo seed yams Okoye“Okoye was also a musician…He was going to take the Idemili title” (6) -successfulCame to collect money from Okonkwo’s dad.