1. Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe Essay

2.  It is the central message or insight into life. More than “What is the story about.” It is what the work MEANS.  Not every story has a theme. Sometimes a good mystery is just for entertainment.

3.  1. Stated directly—the “meaning” of the story is said in the story  2. Implied—a reader must decide what the message of the story is by looking at other elements such as plot outcomes. To understand implied themes sometimes you must think about it a lot or read it several times.

4. Morning uptown, quiet on the street, no matter the distinctions that can be made, quiet, very quiet, on the street. Sun’s not even up, just some kid and me, Skating, both of us, at the early sun, and amazed there is grace for us, without our having to smile too tough, or be very pleasant Even to each other. Merely to be merely to be By LeRoi Jones

5.  The speaker and “some kid” find themselves skating on a quiet street at sunrise. The two are surprised because at this quiet hour they can go about their ways peacefully, just being themselves.

6.  The quiet of the early morning is magical  Tensions between people let up when they can just be themselves.

7.  The judgment of whether a culture is civilized can be prejudicial when another culture is naïve to their ways.  Cultural values can be different from one tribe to the next.

8.  Acts of violence (3.15 p. 172)  Gender Roles (3.16 p. 173)  Colliding Cultures (3.18 p. 176)  Missionaries and Misunderstandings (3.19 p. 177)  Culture Clash (3.20 p. 178)  Create one of your own  Choose three theme topics to discuss in a Literary analysis of how they could have contributed to the downfall of Okonkwo or the Ibo culture.

9.  Choose three theme topics to discuss in a literary analysis of how they could have contributed to the downfall of Okonkwo or the Ibo culture.  Complete the correlating SB activities from the book to assist in your planning.  Utilize the Literary Analysis Planning Guide