Elements of a Novel

 Setting
 Plot
 Character
 Point of View
 Theme
 Stylistic choices
 What makes Achebe's work his?

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Note time and place of events
Note descriptions of locations
 Note changes of time and place
 Note local color: behavior, speech, details and other characteristics of a certain region, culture, or time depicted in a novel to add authenticity

 Note significant events that develop the storyline including: conflicts, complications, rising action, climax, falling action, resolutions, etc.
 Consider why Achebe divided the work into three parts.

 Keep a list of significant characters in the front of your text noting important page numbers for character development
 Note details of characterization and motivation
 Note the connections between characters, especially minor characters to the main character
 Pay particular attention to the character your are assigned

 What elements of a tragic hero are evident in
Okonkwo.
 Consider his hamartia, peripeteia, anagnorisis, catharsis, nemesis, etc.
 Does the novel include all the elements or are there differences from the classic definition we learned?
 Consider similarities and differences between
Julius Caesar and Things Fall Apart.

 What narrator is used?
 Note tone: consider reflective, ironic, tragic, satirical (towards missionaries?), fablelike, sympathetic, but not sentimental. Find and note examples to support these as you read.
 Pay attention to Achebe's awareness of both cultures. Is he even-handed?

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Themes: Note examples and trace at the back of your book:
Masculinity and Femininity
Fate/destiny
Fear
Change and tradition
Culture Clashes
Religion
Ambition/Success/Failure
Anger

Motifs/Symbols/Imagery
Note the repeated use of these as you read and trace:
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Yams
Rituals
Fire
Night
Drums
Wrestling
Locusts
Death culture
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Silence
Proverbs
Nature
Agbala
Titles
Spirits/gods
Animals
Folktales religion

Figurative Language/ syntax/Diction/Tense :
Note the use of:
 Similes/metaphors-tend to connect with culture/animals relevant to the Igbo
 Short simple vocabulary and syntax
 Past tense-allows reflection, retrospect (can put in bigger picture)
 Igbo words, proverbs, and folktales