Things Fall Apart

Week 31 Do NowsDo Now: Monday, April 14th, 2014On your Dawn Portfolio do the following:Highlight your THESISUnderline TOPIC SENTENCES for body paragraphs

CRSMID 603 Understand the overall approach taken by an author or narrator (e.g. point of view, kinds of evidence use) in virtually any passage

ObjectiveSWBAT identify Achebes purpose in writing the novel, Things Fall Apart.IntroductionIn your journals, you will taker notes on the following: the Author, Novel & SettingThings Fall ApartBy Chinua Achebe(CHIN-wa a-CHE-beh)

6Chinua AchebeB. 1930 in Ogidi, Nigeria (Africa)

The most widely-read African novelist

Achebe's work is primarily interested in African politics, the depiction of Africa and Africans in the West, and the effects of colonization on African societies. What is colonization?Chinua AchebeFamous for attacking Western views of Africa. For example, criticizing books about Africa written by Europeans.

One goal was to teach his readers that Africas history was not one long night of savagery from which the first Europeans acting on God's behalf delivered them (the peoples of Africa).CHINUA ACHEBE

NigeriaMost populous country in Africa, twice the size of California

Large oil supplier to the U.S.

Under British rule from 1890 until 1960 when independence was finally achieved

From 1966-1999, Nigeria was ruled by a series of military dictators

NigeriaDemocracy was finally established in 1999.

This history of violence & oppression affected Achebe, and telling this story became one of his purposes in writing Things Fall Apart.

Things Fall ApartAchebes purposes in writing this novel:Inform the outside world about Ibo cultural traditionsRemind his own people of their past & declare that it had valueAddress the Western perception of Africa as the Dark Continent

THE IBO PEOPLEAKA: IgboAlmost all Nigerians are black Africans. The country has more than 250 different ethnic groups which differ from one another in language and in some of their customs and traditions. The three largest ethnic groups are the Hausa, the Yoruba, and the Igbo/Ibo.

IBO VILLAGE SCENE

A MUD HOUSE

A NIGERIAN FARM LIKE

IBO WARRIORS

IBO WRESTLERS

IBO DANCERS

EGWUGWU

IBO MEN AND BOYS

NIGERIAN DANCE MASK

Heart of darknessBy Joseph Conrad

Heart of Darkness centers around Marlow and his journey up the Congo River to meet Kurtz, an idealistic man of great abilities. Marlow takes a job as a riverboat captain with the Company to help with trade in the Congo. As he travels to Africa and then up the Congo, Marlow encounters widespread disorganization and brutality in the Companys stations. The native inhabitants of the region have been forced into the Companys service, and they suffer terribly from overwork and ill treatment at the hands of the Companys agents. Heart of DarknessWith a partner, read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow. Exit TicketAfter reading Heart of Darkness, what might the purpose of Achebe writing Things Fall Apart? Do Now: Tuesday, April 15thSSRThings Fall apart epigraphTurning and turning in the widening gyreThe falcon cannot hear the falconer;Things fall apart; the center cannot hold;Mere anarchy is loosened upon the world.- W.B. Yeats, The Second ComingTFA Chapter 1 CheckWhat is the setting of Things Fall Apart?

Who is the protagonist?

What is Okonkwo famous for in his village?

Who is Unoka? Describe Unoka.

How does Okonkwo feel about Unoka? Why?Reading objectiveSWBAT compare the reputations of Okonkwo and Unoka in order to explain the significance of what Okonkwo values. Like father like son?

ReputationsUNOKAOKONKWOClose readThings Fall Apart, Chapter 1, pg. 8

When Unoka died, he had no title at all and he was heavily in debtExit TicketIn one paragraph, create a claim for the following question. Support the claim with evidence from Things Fall Apart Chapter 1.

What does Okonkwo value? Why does he value these things?HomeworkCompare and contrast the PHYSICAL APPEARANCE of Okonkwo and Unoka.

This can be done through illustration, paragraph form, or both! Direct evidence must be cited.

Finally, answer the following question:How does Achebes physical description of Okonkwo and Unoka contribute to their character?Do Now: Wednesday, 16th, 2014Clear your desk of ALL materialDo Now: Thursday, April 17th, 2014SSR Objective:SWBAT compare and contrast the cultures of Umofia and Mbaino

Chapter 2 ReadingWith your partner, you will read this chapter keeping in mind both Umoufia and Mbaino culture. Use the 2 Chart to assist you in organizing your thoughts.

In addition to the T-chart, there will be a series of questions to answer while reading. Chapter 2:Directions: Stop on each of the following pages to discuss each prompt. Then, respond to each in your novels on post-its. 9: Compare and contrast the town crier and our western news. 9: Belief systems develop out of the experiences humans have of what they see around them. Consider the setting of the novel and make an inference as to why the Ibo were afraid of the dark.11: What was the conflict between the villages of Mbaino and Umuofia? 12: What are the men of Umuofia threatening to do in response to Mbaino? Is this a justified response? Why or why not?13: Identify details that reveal what motivates Okonkwos actions and decisions. At this point in the novel, is he a sympathetic character or not? Explain your reasoning.

HomeworkIn a response of 15 lines, answer the following question as it relates to Chapter 2:Compare and contrast the cultures of Umoufia and Mbaino. Explain their similarities and differences. Make sure to use evidence in your explanation.

Read Chapter 3