The Fertility Cycle &Things fall apart

Freshman Literature

Andover High School

DO NOW!

•Brainstorm for 3 minutes on what comes to mind when you hear the phrase “fertility cycle.” Even if you’re stumped—try!

Fertility Cycle

The Fertility Cycle

Birth

Growth/Life

Death

Rebirth

Example: beauty & the beast

Birth: Adam turns the old woman away and is turned into a beast

Example: beauty & the beast

Life/Growth/Maturation: The Beast meets Belle and through their relationship grows and matures into a kind and gentle creature.

Example: beauty & the beast

Death: Dies in the fight with Gaston, Belle utters “I love you.”

Example: beauty & the beast

Rebirth: Adam is changed from a beast and is reborn as his former human self

Do Now!

•What is an example from literature or film that you have seen the fertility cycle?• Hint: It may not be the same

character that dies and is then reborn! It might not even be a character at all but an idea or concept!

Things fall apart

By Chinua Achebe

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Background

• Written by Chinua Achebe

• Takes place in the country of Nigeria (in Africa) in a fictional village called Umuofia in the late 19th century (late 1800s).

• Seen as the first archetypal modern African novel, some people going so far as to call it the To Kill a Mockingbird of African literature

What might be the significance of this?

Plot Overview

Things Fall Apart follows the story of Okonkwo and his family as Okonkwo’s self-interested actions ultimately cause his downfall. After participating in the murder of his adopted son, Okonkwo’s life takes a turn for the worse. A subsequent accident forces Okonkwo to leave his homeland and live in exile for several years.

Upon eventually returning to his village, Okonkwo finds that things have changed and he is unable to adjust to the new ways. His stubborn personality and headstrong ways lead to his eventual demise, losing first his son to the Christians, and then the taking of his own life.

Major Characters

• Okonkwo: main character, a hard working, angry man; has 3 wives and several children; believes showing emotion is weak and unmanly

• Unoka: Okonkwo’s father; lazy and a debtor; Okonkwo spends his life trying to be nothing like Unoka

• Ikemefuna: a child brought to the village as a captive from another village/sacrifice; given to Okonkwo and raised as an adoptive son

• Nwoye: one of Okonkwo’s sons; gentle and kind; berated by Okonkwo as unmanly

Major Characters

• Ezinma: Okonkwo’s favorite daughter because she is hard working and thinks/acts like a man

• Mr. Brown: a missionary who brings Christianity to the tribe; attempts to learn the ways of the village and earn converts through compassion and understanding

• Mr. Smith: Mr. Brown’s eventual replacement; opposite of Mr. Smith; makes no attempt to learn the villager’s

Major themes and Ideas

• Colonization vs. Native Ways of life

• Christianity vs. Ibo religion

• Father-Son Relationships

• Gender and what it means to be a man

Journal on one of these topics for 7-10 minutes. Jot down your thoughts, questions, ideas, etc. When you’re done we will discuss what you think!

Colonization vs. native ways of life

Christianity vs. ibo religion

Father-son relationships

Gender/What it means to be a man

Our game plan

• Read outside of class

• Expected to take notes and pace yourself accordingly

• Expected to show up prepared to discuss on due dates

• Two deadlines:• Chapters 1-12 due: Tuesday, December 3rd• Chapters 13-end due: Friday, December

13th