1. By Chinua Achebe

2.  Father of modern African literature  Born in 1930 in the Ibo town of Ogidi, Nigeria  Son of a missionary; raised as a Christian  Born Albert Chinualumogu Achebe  Grew up with both English colonial and Nigerian tribal cultural influences

3.  In college, rejected English name and went by “Chinua”  Worked in radio for a time  Left job in 1966 due to the conflicts that precipitated the Nigerian civil war  Had car accident in 1990 which left him a paraplegic from the waist down  Currently teaches at Brown University

4.  Translating Nigerian linguistic rhythms and imagery into English (African proverbs, idioms, etc.)  Illustrating Nigerian culture  Giving voice to natives  Teaching moral lessons through writing

5. Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the center cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world. -- W.B. Yeats: “The Second Coming” -- W.B. Yeats: “The Second Coming”

6.  1890s Nigeria, at a time which British colonialism was beginning to take over  Specifically, nine villages on the lower Niger which house the powerful and large Umuofia clan

7.  Week of Peace: Sacred week; no violence tolerated  Bride-price: dowry given by bride’s family by groom’s family  Ikenga: wooden figurine that every Igbo man has in his shrine; represents masculine power or “strength of a man’s right hand”  Polygamy: the practice of one man having multiple wives Relevant Customs of the Igbo

8.  Osu: lowest class; considered outcasts and unfit to associate with other members of clan  Eating habits: Male head of household eats separately in central hut; the yam is the staple food More Igbo Culture

9.  Leader of the Igbo community of Umuofia (Oo-moo-oh-fee-ah)  Tough, fearsome warrior  Effective at farming  Obsessed with repairing his family’s reputation that was damaged by his lazy, weak father.

11.  Mr. Brown Christian missionary who is the first to come to Umuofia and Mbanta. Friendly and kind.  Rev. James Smith Christian missionary who replaces Mr. Brown. Stern and unbending. Cast of White Characters

12. Effects of colonialism on culture Effects of colonialism on culture Nigerian tradition and culture Nigerian tradition and culture Masculinity and femininity in Nigerian culture Masculinity and femininity in Nigerian culture Family conflict Family conflict Tradition vs. change Tradition vs. change

13.  What is the significance of the title? How does the idea behind Yeats’s poem “The Second Coming” get reflected in Things Fall Apart?  Why and how does the village of Umuofia change during the seven years that Okonkwo is in exile?  What is the role of Nigerian tradition in the story?  What is the role of colonialism in the story?  What is the role of religion in the story?  Is Okonkwo a tragic hero? Why or why not?  Why does Okonkwo hang himself?  Why couldn’t Okonkwo accept the changes occurring thanks to colonization?