Simply Novel Things Fall Apart Demo

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Things Fall Apart

CHINUA

ACHEBE

What do you know about Things Fall Apart? Find the K on the chart

below and write down everything you know about Things Fall Apart.

Next, in the column labeled W, write down what you want to learn

about Things Fall Apart. Do not write in the L column. A sample is

provided for you.

KWhat I KNOW

WWhat I WANT to Know

LWhat I LEARNED

Something in the novel falls apart.

Will things be put back together?

Bloom’s: comprehension, knowledge

1. IDENTIFY THE AUTHOR OF THINGS FALL APART

2. EXAMINE THE HISTORICALBACKGROUND

Albert Chinualumogu Achebe was born in Ogidi, Nigeria, on November 16, 1930.

Chinua attended Government College in Umuahia as well as the University College in Ibadan. He received his B.A. from London University and studied at the British Broadcasting Corporation in London.

An Ibo, Achebe was born into a Christian family. His father, Isaiah Okafo, was a Christian churchman and a teacher in a missionary school.

In 1990 Chinua was in an accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. But this did not stop him; he is still writing!!! In fact, Chinua Achebe has written 22 books in his career!!!

Achebe went to the United States in 1969 lecturing at

a number of universities.

Even though Chinua’s parent were Protestants, they also taught him the ways of the traditional Igbo culture.

There are two historical time periods in Things Fall Apart. Part one is set in Nigeria’s Pre-Colonial time period. Part two is set in Nigeria’s Colonial time period.

In 1884-1885, 14 countries in Europe met at the Berlin Conference to divide up the continent of Africa into zones of influence—so they wouldn’t fight for colonies.

Most colonized countries follow this pattern: Stage 1: Before the colonizers came(Pre-Colonial) Stage 2: The Colonizers in control (Colonial stage) Stage 3: Get rid of the Colonizers (Independence)

King Leopold II of Belgium called Africa “that magnificent cake” and wanted to carve it up!

The Berlin Conference was Africa's downfall. After Africa regained its independence it was unable to recover politically.

Igbo rites of passage:

1.Ima akwa: Wearing clothes (when boys and girls become adults they get to wear clothes)

2.Iru-mgbede: Fattening of the bride before marriage

3.Itu-anya: Initiation of a diviner. For boys who have the gift of wisdom

4.Igba Mgba: Wrestling your opponents. This is required to be a man of high standing Make a chart that compares Igbo, American, and

one other culture’s rites of passage.

Rites of passage happen in every culture. It is a ceremony or a celebration to mark a special event.

Who? Get it? Who, has the gift of wisdom?

1. Traditionally, the Igbo people are

a) warriors b) farmers c) cattlemen

2. Nigeria received its independence in

a) 1940 b) 1950 c) 1960

3. Nigeria is one of the group of countries with a promising economic future called

a) the promise b) the group c) the Next Eleven

Directions: select the best answer to each question

b) farmers

c) 1960

c) the Next Eleven

Africa

The world's second-largest and second most-populous continent, Africa covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area. There are 53 countries including all the island groups.

Straddling the equator, Africa is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Suez Canal and the Red Sea to the northeast, the Indian Ocean to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

Africa is also considered by most scientists to be the origin of mankind.

Bloom’s: comprehension, knowledge

Change and Transformation

The Igbo tribe is a tribe of customs and tradition. However, after Okonkwo returns from exile, the tribe has undergone a complete transformation. The Igbo are no longer warlike but instead discuss matters among themselves and pray to an invisible god.

Okonkwo sees the changes the Christians have brought to his tribe and is forced to either accept or reject those changes.

Symbols

Symbols are colors, characters, figures, or objects used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.

Things Fall Apart is very symbolic. Three of the main symbols are:

a. locusts b. firec. drums

Use the graphic organizer provided to identify and interpret the symbols found in the novel.

Bloom’s: comprehension, knowledge

1. IDENTIFY THE CHARACTERS

IN THE STORY

Characters are the people in the story. There are many different kinds of characters in a story, just like there are many different people in the world.

A protagonist is a main character who is a “good” person.

An antagonist is a person (or thing)

who works against the

protagonist.

The main character in the novel, and an important clan leader in Umuofia. He is a wealthy clan leader who fears looking weak.

Okonkwo’s oldest son, whom he believes is weak and lazy and repeatedly beats, hoping to change him.

Oh-kawn-kwoh Nuh-who-yeh

PART

ONE

Okonkwo is well-known not only to his village of Iguedo, of the Umuofia clan, but also to the nine villages surrounding Umuofia. He is a wealthy and respected warrior who, in his youth, brings honor to his village by throwing the man, “Amalinze the Cat” in a wrestling contest.

Okonkwo does what no one else had done when he put “the cat” on his back. Before the match with Okonkwo, Amalinze had been undefeated for seven years.

As a child, Okonkwo lived in shame as his father Unoka, was seen by the clan as a coward and a squanderer who took no title in his lifetime. Okonkwo’s father borrowed money from his clansmen, but rarely repaid his debt.

Not taking a title in one’s lifetime is cause for shame in Unoka’s culture.

Umuofia is a province in Nigeria. Use the map given to you at the start of the novel to locate Umuofia geographically.

This feat would be compared to Joe Frazier beating Muhammad Ali in 1971.

The last of the year’s big rains arrive. It is Okonkwo’s last harvest in Mbanta. While in exile, Okonkwo has two children, a girl who he names Nneka and two years later, a boy, Nwofia.

In his last year of exile, Okonkwo sends word to his friend Obierika to build two huts for his family to live in until more can be built.

Before he leaves Mbanta, Okonkwo asks his wives to prepare a great feast to thank his mother’s kinsmen.

At the feast, one of the oldest members thanks Okonkwo for his generosity and his devotion to his kin. The man also speaks of his concern for the younger generation, as the new religion is winning people away from their families and traditions.

Time sure flies when you are having fun!!!

What does this request imply about Okonkwo’s friendship with Obierika?

What does Okonkwo’s feast demonstrate?

Bloom’s: knowledge, comprehension, inference, synthesis, evaluate

1. DEMONSTRATE AND

APPLY KNOWLEDGE

Ima akwaIru-mgbede

Itu-anya

Igba Mgba

Refer to slide 20 for help

Use the Venn diagram to compare Igbo, American, and one other culture’s rites of passage.

IgboAmerican ____________

Rites of Passage

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