NAME: _______________________________________________
PER:_______
Group 1: Gender Analysis in Things Fall Apart
American students often have a knee‐jerk reaction to the way women are depicted in this novel, and see the text as
sexist, and Okonkwo as the ultimate chauvinist. And it’s true: Achebe goes to great pains to demonstrate how
Okonkwo’s skewed view of gender roles has an impact on both his thinking and his actions. However, this theme is much
more complex and sophisticated than being simply a matter of “male” and “female” tensions.
Track (5 Concepts)
1. The relationship between Okonkwo and Nwoye (minimum of 5 dialectical journal style entries)
2. The relationship between Okonkwo and Ikemefuna (minimum of 5 dialectical journal style entries)
3. The relationship between Okonkwo and Ezinma (minimum of 5 dialectical journal style entries)
4. The traditional roles for men and women within Igbo society. (minimum of 5 entries on a T-Chart)
Extended Projects (3 Short Reponses)
1. Okonkwo’s view does not represent the “norm” of Igbo thought in this text; there are many illustrations of how
his distorted interpretation of gendered roles is what leads to trouble in his life. Find at least three passages in
the text where Okonkwo’s view is challenged or contradicted in the novel. Then, use this list to discuss the larger
role gender plays in the novel, and what it means to the story. What is the message that these contradictions
reveal?
2. Compare and contrast the relationships Okonkwo has with his son, Nwoye, and his daughter, Ezinma. Of Ezinma,
Okonkwo thinks: "She should have been a boy" (p. 64). Why is it necessary to the story that Okonkwo's most
favored child be a girl?
3. Women suffer great losses in this novel but also, in certain circumstances, hold tremendous power. What role
do women play in Okonkwo’s life? Is there any difference between his interaction with specific women and his
understanding of women and femininity in general?
Culminating Response (1 Essay)
1. Explore the role of women in the Igbo society. Using examples and quotes from the novel, argue in a fiveparagraph essay whether or not the Igbo beliefs, rituals, and practices regarding women are positive or
negative.
Real World Connection (Extra Credit)
1. Find an advertisement that uses gender roles to describe or promote a product. Do you agree or disagree with
the way gender is represented here? Why/why not?
NAME: _______________________________________________
PER:_______
Group 2: Plot Analysis in Things Fall Apart
Components of Plot:
 Plot— the order of events in a story. Also
called the “storyline.”
 Theme— the main idea of a story.
 Protagonist— the leading character, hero,
or “good guy.”
 Antagonist— the adversary of the
protagonist.
Track (2 Concepts):
1. Major events in the novel. (Minimum of 5
dialectical style journal entry)
2. Major themes in the novel. Pay specific
attention to the following 5 themes - clash
of cultures, change vs tradition, destiny,
yams, fire (minimum of 15 dialectical style
journal entries – you may write all 15 on 1 theme or 5 entries on 3 different themes)
Extended Responses (3 Prompts):
1. How is the concept of change and the response to change presented in the novel? What is the significance of
the song sung at the end of Chapter Twelve? How does this new song convey the theme of change?
2. In what ways does the idea of progress shape the novel? If Unoka, Okonkwo, and Nwoye are symbolic of three
successive generations, how does society in Umuofia change over the course of their lifetimes? Where does
Ikemefuna fit into this picture?
3. Throughout the novel, drums, music, and the town crier’s voice punctuate the narrative at key moments. When
does silence occur and what does it mean? Is there more than one type of silence? Can silence be characterized
as a positive or negative occurrence? What are the implications of the fact that Unoka takes his flute with him to
the Evil Forest when he dies?
NAME: _______________________________________________
PER:_______
Culminating Essay (1 Prompt):
The conflict is the central problem or problems in a literary work. There are 6 major types of conflict as outlined below.
Type of Conflict
Character vs. Self— the main character has a problem
with him/herself, also called
“internal conflict.”
Character vs. Character— the main character
(“protagonist”) has a problem with another character
(“antagonist”).
Character vs. Society— the main character or main
group of characters has a problem
with social traditions or institutions.
Character vs. Nature— the main character has a
problem with nature.
Character vs. Supernatural— the main character has a
problem with supernatural
beings like ghosts, monsters, or demons.
Character vs. Machine/Technology— the main
character has a problem with technological
advancements or artificial intelligence.
Example
An example of this would be a character trying to decide
what’s right or wrong, like in the movie Aladdin, when
Aladdin has to decide whether or not to tell Princess
Jasmine the truth about himself.
Superhero stories are very good examples of Character
vs. Character.
A good example is 1984 by George Orwell
Survival stories like “To Build a Fire” by Jack London or
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen are examples.
Ever seen the movie Ghostbusters?
Examples include I, Robot by Isaac Asimov and
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.
In your essay, analyze the various conflicts that are developed throughout the story. You should identify and
analyze at least 3 different types of conflict in your novel. Then, determine which source of conflict is most
important/influential in the novel (supernatural, nature, machine, etc). Defend your selection with thorough
analysis and support.
Additional Assignments:
1. __________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________________
4. __________________________________________________________________
5. __________________________________________________________________
NAME: _______________________________________________
PER:_______
Group 3: Character Analysis in Things Fall Apart
Character development is central to the development of a wide range of issues in the novel, and one could easily teach
the entire book in a six‐week session focusing only on characters, and how they relate to family, friendships and identity
as they develop the other themes. Okonkwo himself is such a complex character, and most of the other themes in the
novel are developed by exploring the relationships between Okonkwo and other characters.
Track (5 Concepts):
1. The relationship between Okonkwo and Unoka. Make a T- chart of all of their differences (minimum of 5 entries
on each side).
2. The relationship between Okonkwo and Obierika (minimum of 5 dialectical journal style entries)
3. The relationship between Okonkwo and his children (minimum of 5dialectical journal style entries)
4. The relationship between Okonkwo and Ikemefuna (minimum of 5dialectical journal style entries)
Extended Responses (3 Prompts):
1. Why is Okonkwo unhappy with his son and heir? How do his feelings toward Nwoye compare with his feelings
toward Ikemefuna? How do Okonkwo's feelings affect Nwoye?
2. Fear is pervasive throughout the novel. How does fear affect the actions of Okonkwo? Of Nwoye? How does fear
influence Okonkwo's relationship with others?
3. Write an indirect AND direct character analysis of the character of your choice. Be sure to include: a description
of the character, his/her relationship to the protagonist and his/her main function in the novel, and the various
elements of the STEAL analysis along with what it represents. Support your analysis with quotes from the book.
Culminating Response (1 Essay)
1. Is Okonkwo a traditional tragic hero as defined by Aristotle? Aristotle says that a traditional tragic hero should
be superior to other men, have a tragic flaw (hamartia), and experience a reversal of fortune (peripeteia) that
leads to recognition of fault (anagnorisis). In a five-paragraph essay that uses examples from the book, argue
whether or not Okonkwo meets this definition.
2. Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart illuminates the complexity of evaluating an individual’s moral, actions,
and ultimate “greatness.” At the close of the novel, Obierka says of Okonkwo, the novel’s protagonist, “that man
was one of the greatest men in Umofia.” Write an essay in which you first present and examine one framework
for determining an individual’s greatness. Then, examine how Achebe presents Okonkwo relative to this lens. Is
Okonkwo “great,” and what language does the author use to support this interpretation? Consider the following
in developing your framework for evaluating greatness: gender, Ibo morality, Christian morality, Okonkwo’s
motivations, Ibo traditions, internal/external pressures
Additional Assignments:
1. __________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________________
4. __________________________________________________________________
5. __________________________________________________________________
NAME: _______________________________________________
PER:_______
Group 4: Language Analysis in Things Fall Apart
Proverbs are a very important part of African oral culture, and therefore prominent in Things Fall Apart. Proverbs are the
glue that binds the whole book together, and their significance often spreads above and beyond their original context.
The language that is employed in the novel is a direct rebuttal to Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” and the portrayal
of Africans as primitive and uncultured.
Track (2 Concepts):
1. Proverbs and their meanings( minimum of 10 dialectical journal style entries)
2. Language of men vs. the language of women and what it reveals(minimum of 5 entries on each side of the TChart with quotations)
Extended Responses (4 Prompts):
1. How does the language of the women and children differ from that used by the priests, diviners, and titled men?
What is the significance of this difference?
2. Think about language and translation. Why does Achebe include so many Igbo words? Why does he provide
“translations” for them? What does this say about his intended or assumed audience?
3. The villagers used the words “white skin” when talking about leprosy. How was the coming of the white man like
leprosy to the Africans?
4. Select a proverb from the provided list. Explain what it means and why it is important to the text.
Culminating Writing Assignment (1 Essay):
1. What is the significance of the three proverbs in Chapter One? What is Achebe's purpose in using Igbo proverbs
in the novel? How do proverbs promote the narrative action in the novel? What do they reveal about Igbo
culture?
Real World Connections (Extra Credit):
1. Write a letter to Chinua Achebe listing at least 3 specific things you enjoyed about the style or form of his book,
explaining why they appealed to you.
Additional Assignments:
1. __________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________________
4. __________________________________________________________________
5. __________________________________________________________________
NAME: _______________________________________________
PER:_______
Select Proverbs from Things Fall Apart
Directions: Answer the questions for each proverb in complete sentences.
PAGE
PROVERB
"A man who pays respect to the great
paves the way for his own greatness."
QUESTION
How does this sound in retrospect to Okonkwo's
downfall?
"An old woman is always uneasy when dry
bones are mentioned in a proverb."
"The lizard that jumped from the high iroko
tree to the ground said he would praise
himself if no one else did."
"Those whose palm-kernels were cracked
for them by a benevolent spirit should not
forget to be humble."
Is there any fear in Okonkwo? Does he ignore his
own proverbs?
What is the role of honor and praise in this novel?
Is this a good or bad feature of a culture?
"The Earth cannot punish me for obeying
her messenger."
"A child’s fingers are not scalded by a piece
of hot yam which its mother puts into its
palm”
"As the elders said, if one finger brought oil
it soiled the others."
What role does guilt and punishment play in this
story? Can you relate this to Okonkwo's later
crimes also?
151
"Living fire begets cold, impotent ash."
158
A man danced so the drums were beaten
for him."
203
"Whenever you see a toad jumping in
broad daylight, then you know that
something is after its life."
Eneke the bird was asked why he was
always on the wing and he replied: "Men
have learned to shoot without missing their
mark and I have learned to fly without
perching on a twig."
In final analysis, is there any irony in this quote?
What does this say about Ibo civilization?
What does this say about cause and effect? Who is
the cause or effect of the story - Okonkwo or the
colonizers?
Who is doing the metaphorical jumping in this
quote?
19
21
21
26
67
125
204
Is Okonkwo himself humble? Who is the most
humble character in the book? What relationship
does humble have with femininity and death?
How does this relate to Okonkwo's own family
situation? To Africa and Europe as a whole?
How does this relate to Okonkwo's life? Are there
any problematic assumptions in this proverb?
NAME: _______________________________________________
PER:_______
Group 5: Structural Analysis in Things Fall Apart
Track (3 Concepts):
1. Narrator’s commentary (minimum of 10 dialectical journal style entries)
2. At least 5 examples of flashbacks and their importance (dialectical journal entry style)
3. At least 5 examples of foreshadowing and their importance (dialectical journal entry style)
Extended Responses (5 Prompts):
1. Achebe uses storytelling flashbacks to describe the relationship of Okonkwo and Unoka. What do the flashbacks
reveal about their relationship? What is the effect of the use of storytelling to illustrate the flashbacks?
2. In Chapter One, how does Achebe foreshadow the presence (and ultimate fate) of Ikemefuna?
3. The novel is structured in three parts. What do the divisions reflect about the stages of life of the protagonist?
How do the divisions move toward and illustrate the collapse of Igbo society?
4. Compared to earlier chapters, the story of Okonkwo’s time in exile moves very quickly. Why do you think
Achebe changes the novel’s pace? Does the change of pace detract from or enhance the narrative?
5. When and how is the white man introduced? Trace the chronology of the Igbo people's responses to the arrival
and settlement of the white man. What attitudes toward the Igbo people do the white men bring and how do
their attitudes determine their treatment of the Igbo people?
Extended Projects (1 Essay):
 While the traditional figure of Okonkwo can in no doubt be seen as the central figure in the tale, Achebe
chooses to relate his story in the third person rather than the first person narrative style. How does the point of
view contribute to our understanding of the conflicting cultures? (Think about: What benefits does he reap by
adopting this approach? What does the reader miss by having the story told in third person?)
Additional Assignments:
1. __________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________________
4. __________________________________________________________________
5. __________________________________________________________________
6. __________________________________________________________________
7. __________________________________________________________________
8. __________________________________________________________________
9. __________________________________________________________________
10. __________________________________________________________________