TFA Day 02

Warm-Up

Today is Day 15 2/25

When you first meet a new person, how do you form an opinion about that person?

What is your opinion of Okonkwo so far?

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 1 through 3 provide background and information about the protagonist of Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo; they also introduce his father, Unoka, and his son, Nwoye. Okonkwo is the nineteenth-century Nigerian equivalent of today’s workaholic: obsessed with gaining wealth, power, and reputation.

Chapters 1-3

His father, on the other hand, has no wealth and owes more money than he can ever pay, yet he enjoys life far more than does his son. Okonkwo views his father as a wastrel and an embarrassment. While the chapters offer only a glimpse of Nwoye, they show him as an unhappy child, badgered by Okonkwo to work harder out of fear that he will also turn out to be lazy.

Foils

A foil is a character who contrasts with another character to highlight his or her qualities.

For example, foils are even common in childrens’ stories: the meanness, vanity, and homeliness of

Cinderella’s stepsisters make Cinderella look more virtuous

the two lazy little pigs make the third look even more hardworking.

Practice

Okonkwo and Unoka are strong foils of each other.

Complete the handout with your assigned partner, identifying which characteristics belong to which character (10 min)

Individual Writing

#1 If you had to choose, would you rather have Okonkwo or Unoka as a father? Why?

#2 Predict how Nwoye, Okonkwo’s son, will get along with his father.

Five textual citations each for full credit ! (about one paragraph each)

Equiano

Read Equiano in groups and design poster.

One researcher, one illustrator, one writer per group.

Each group focuses on one section of reading. Translate section in entirety to modern American English.

Design informational poster with at least TEN symbols or short text boxes.

Share.

Ch 1

1. .List four physical characteristics that separate Okonkwo’s appearance from that of the other men in his village.

2. How did Okonkwo bring honor to his village as a young man? What other achievements make him an important man?

3. Why does Okonkwo have no patience with his own father, Unoka? What good qualities does Unoka have that his son fails to appreciate?

Ch 2

1. How does Okonkwo reaffirm his greatness as a

warrior to the people of his village? 2. What is the “normal course of action” when a

member of a neighboring clan murders one of the Ibo?

3. How does the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves prevent the powerful Umuofia from going to war with their neighbors?

4. Why does Okonkwo behave as a cruel man when, “perhaps down in his heart Okonkwo is not a cruel man”?

Ch 3

5. Describe the entrance to the shrine called Agbala. How does a worshipper get a message from the gods? What is a chi?

6. State a general theme for this story using the piece of wisdom about failure that Unoka offers his son. Why does Okonkwo not listen to his father’s words?

7. List the crops that the women are responsible for in the Ibo clan.