Things Fall
Apart
Literary Comparison

Background: Achebe took the title for this story from
a Poem called “The Second Coming” by William
Butler Yeats. Viewing the destruction and
catastrophe of World War I, Yeats feared a rise in
communism and future global tragedy. He wrote his
poem as a glimpse into the world that could arise
from the results of the war.
Instructions: As you read the poem, underline
examples of imagery. In the
Analysis box, write three
complete sentences using
words from the word bank to
describe the mood.
Literary Comparison
Underline Images in the Poem
“The Second Coming”
Turning and turning in the widening gyre1
The falcon cannot hear the falconer2;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and
everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Mood
Word Bank
Light-hearted
Enlightened
Warm
Peaceful
Trustful
Idyllic
Dignified
Tense
Insidious
Cold
Nightmarish
Foreboding
Desolate
Barren
Playful
Optimistic
Hopeful
Welcoming
Awkward
Sympathetic
Empowered
Gloomy
Pessimistic
Hopeless
Hostile
Painful
Merciless
Heartbroken
Tender
Liberating
Nostalgic
Harmonious
Confident
Joyous
Inclusive
Violent
Confining
Haunting
Suspenseful
Threatening
Terrifying
Lonely
Literary Comparison
Underline Images in the Poem
“The Second Coming”
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming3 is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi4
Troubles my sight: a waste of desert sand;
A shape with lion body and the head of a man5,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Wind shadows of the indignant desert birds.
Mood
Word Bank
Light-hearted
Enlightened
Warm
Peaceful
Trustful
Idyllic
Dignified
Tense
Insidious
Cold
Nightmarish
Foreboding
Desolate
Barren
Playful
Optimistic
Hopeful
Welcoming
Awkward
Sympathetic
Empowered
Gloomy
Pessimistic
Hopeless
Hostile
Painful
Merciless
Heartbroken
Tender
Liberating
Nostalgic
Harmonious
Confident
Joyous
Inclusive
Violent
Confining
Haunting
Suspenseful
Threatening
Terrifying
Lonely
Literary Comparison
Underline Images in the Poem
“The Second Coming”
Mood
The darkness drops again but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle6,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born7?
Word Bank
Light-hearted
Enlightened
Warm
Peaceful
Trustful
Idyllic
Dignified
Tense
Insidious
Cold
Nightmarish
Foreboding
Desolate
Barren
Playful
Optimistic
Hopeful
Welcoming
Awkward
Sympathetic
Empowered
Gloomy
Pessimistic
Hopeless
Hostile
Painful
Merciless
Heartbroken
Tender
Liberating
Nostalgic
Harmonious
Confident
Joyous
Inclusive
Violent
Confining
Haunting
Suspenseful
Threatening
Terrifying
Lonely
Predictions about the Novel
Look back to the words you used to describe the mood of this
poem. List 3 different predictions you think might take place in
Achebe’s novel.
1)
Things
Fall
Apart
2)
3)
The Characters:
Okonkwo
Unoka
Nwoye
Ikemefuna
Ekwefi
Ezinma
Obierika
Uchendu
(oh-kon-kwah)
(oo-no-ka)
(n-oy-eh)
(ee-kem-may-foo-nah)
(eh-kweh-fee)
(eh-zin-mah)
(oh-bier-eh-kah)
(oo-chen-doo)
Chapters 1 & 2


Describe Okonkwo. List both physical
characteristics and his personality traits.
What are his strengths and weaknesses?

Describe Unoka, Okonkwo’s father.

What are Okonkwo’s feelings toward Unoka? In what
ways does Okonkwo overcompensate for his father's
weaknesses?

Discuss some of the ways the Ibo show their wealth.

Describe some of the social customs of the Ibo.

Why does Ikemefuna come to the village of Umuofia?
Unoka
What characters have you encountered in books,
movies or T.V. that behave like Unoka? Name 3
Cowries
Kola Nut
Do we have any
customs like this?
Proverbs
Proverb: a short popular saying, usually of unknown and
ancient origin, that expresses effectively some commonplace
truth or useful thought; adage.
Biblical Proverb
Explanation
Faith Moves Mountains .
Cultural Proverb
Explanation
The old horse in the stable still yearns
to run.
Literary Proverb
Explanation
Love all, trust a few, do wrong to
none. -- Shakespeare
Proverb of Experience
A little stone may overturn a great
wagon.
Explanation
Group Challenge
Time Challenge: Copy the three category chart and see
how many proverbs you can come up with in 2 minutes!
Literary Proverb
Cultural Proverb
“As the elders said, if a child washed
his hands he could eat with kings.”
(chap 1)
Proverb of Experience
Chapter 2

What types of feelings does Okonkwo have when thinking of his
father Unoka? In what ways does Okonkwo try to hard to make
up for his father's weaknesses?
“He was a man of action, a man of war. Unlike his father he
could stand the look of blood.” (8)
“Okonkwo ruled his household with a
heavy hand. His wives, especially the
youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his
fiery temper, and so did his little
children. Perhaps down in his heart
Okonkwo was not a cruel man. But his
whole life was dominated by fear, the
fear of failure and of weakness.” (9)
Social Customs
“Then the crier gave his message, and at the end of it
beat his instrument again. And this was the message.
Every man of Umuofia was asked to gather at the market
place tomorrow morning.” (7)
Do we have any social rituals or customs like the example above?
“In Umuofia's latest war he was the first to bring home a
human head. “ (8)
“it never went to war unless its case was clear and just
and was accepted as such by its Oracle - the Oracle of
the Hills and the Caves.” (9)
Chapter 2
Discuss some of the ways the Ibo show their wealth.
1) “Agbala was not only another name for
a woman, it could also mean a man who
had taken no title.”
2) Large compound, huts for each wife.
3) # of Children (8)
Page 9 (War)
Ultimatum
(offer a young
man and a
virgin or war)
Sons of Mbaino
kill a daughter
of Umuofia.
Town speech
the next day to
instill anger &
thirst for blood.
Why does Ikemefuna come to
the village of Umuofia?
p.12
Sketch Okonkwo’s compound using details from the
paragraph on page 12 beginning with
“Okonkwo's prosperity was visible in his household. He
had a large compound enclosed by a thick wall of red
earth…”
Chapter 3

Why, according to the oracle, is Unoka unable to grow
sufficient crops?

How did Unoka die? How did his death bring disgrace
upon him and his family?

What is Okonkwo’s greatest fear?

What does Okonkwo ask of Nwakibie? How does he
approach him?

How is rank observed in the drinking of the palm wine?

Describe Okonkwo’s first year as a farmer. How does
Okonkwo react to "the worst year in living memory”?
Compare and Contrast
Topics for
Comparison:
What they are
known for
Personalities
Achievements
Appearances
Respect
Gender Roles
Wealth
Fears
Jobs
You must include at least 5 differences and 2
similarities.
Chapter4
What is Okonkwo’s attitude towards men who are less
successful than him?
"This meeting is for men."
Why do you think Okonkwo responds in
this way? What adjectives would you use
to characterize him?
What do you think of the elder’s reason for
siding with the other man? What does this
example show us about the values of Ibo
Culture?
Chapter4
What is chi? What does this proverb mean, "When a man
says yes his chi says yes also"? How does the village
decide if someone has good chi?
Chapter4
 Describe
him?
Ikemefuna. How does Okonkwo feel about
Indirect Characterization
He could fashion out flutes
from bamboo stems
He knew the names of all the
birds and could set clever
traps for the little bush rodents.
Adjectives to Describe
Character
Chapter4
What is the crime that causes Okonkwo's to be
reprimanded? Why are Okonkwo’s actions considered
wrong by the priest?
Destroy
Stereotypes
Accurately
tell the
African
Story
Achebe’s
Goals
Respect Igbo
People as
Complex,
Thinking
People with
Traditions
Recognize
Western
Arrogance
Help to
understand
Africa’s
Notion of
Duality
Chapter4
 What
does the yam represent in the Ibo culture?
What do you think about the way Okonkwo treats
Nwoye and Ikemefuna when saying…
”If you split another yam of this size, I shall
break your jaw.”
Does the example support or refute Achebe’s
previous characterization: “Perhaps down in
his heart Okonkwo was not a cruel man.”
Chapter 5
What is Okonkwo’s attitude toward feasts?
But he was always uncomfortable
sitting around for days waiting for a
feast or getting over it. He would be
very much happier working on his
farm.
Yam Foo Foo
Who is almost shot by Okonkwo? Why is he so angry?
Chapter 5
Describe how Ekwefi became Okonkwo’s second wife.
How do the Ibo people answer to calls from outside?
Why?
How do the sayings and proverbs
below help Achebe reach his goals?
Write a paragraph explanation, be
prepared to share your response.
"Is that me?" Ekwefi called back.
That was the way people
answered calls from outside. They
never answered yes for fear it
might be an evil spirit calling.
"Looking at a king's mouth," said
an old man, "one would think he
never sucked at his mother's
breast."
But the Ibo people have a proverb
that when a man says yes his chi
says yes also.
Chapter 4 & 5
Destroy
Stereotypes
Accurately
Tell the
African
Story
Achebe’s
Goals
Respect Ibo
people as
complex,
thinking people
with traditions
Recognize
Western
Arrogance
Help to
understand
Africa’s
notion of
duality
Chapters
4&5
Writing Challenge:
A) Create a horoscope
Or
B) Write a news article
Chapters
4&5
Chapter 6
Sporting Event:
Destroy
Stereotypes
2. How are spectators
arranged
for Chielo
the event?
Describe
in
this
chapter.
3.
How
is order maintained
among the crowd?
4. Describe the team(s)
What is the outcome
ofDescribe
the final
5.
the wrestling
day’s events.
match?
6. What role does music play
in the events?
7. How does the outcome
affect the participant(s)?
Accurately
tell the
African story
Achebe’s
Goals
Respect Ibo
people as
complex,
thinking people
with traditions
Recognize
Western
arrogance
Help to
understand
Africa’s
notion of
duality
Exodus 10:12 – 15
Chapter 7
12 And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine
hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that
they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and
eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail
hath left. 13 And Moses stretched forth his rod over
the land of Egypt, and the Lord brought an east
wind upon the land all that day, and all that night;
and when it was morning, the east wind brought
the locusts. 14 And the locusts went up over all the
land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt:
very grievous were they; before them there were
no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be
such. 15 For they covered the face of the whole
earth, so that the land was darkened; and they
did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of
the trees which the hail had left: and there
remained not any green thing in the trees, or in
the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.
Mood
Attitudes of People:
Unwelcome,
form of punishment,
bring death
Author’s Tone:
Description of Locusts:
Symbolism:
What do the locusts
represent?
Compare Chapter 7 to the Bible
Exodus 10:12 – 15
Chapter 7
12 And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine
hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that
they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and
eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail
hath left. 13 And Moses stretched forth his rod over
the land of Egypt, and the Lord brought an east
wind upon the land all that day, and all that night;
and when it was morning, the east wind brought
the locusts. 14 And the locusts went up over all the
land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt:
very grievous were they; before them there were
no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be
such. 15 For they covered the face of the whole
earth, so that the land was darkened; and they
did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of
the trees which the hail had left: and there
remained not any green thing in the trees, or in
the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.
Mood
Attitudes of People:
Unwelcome,
form of punishment,
bring death
Author’s Tone:
Description of Locusts:
Symbolism:
What do the locusts
represent?
Revelation 9:1 -11
1And
Chapter 7
the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall
from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given
the key of the bottomless pit.
Mood
Attitudes of People:
Unwelcome,
form of punishment,
2And
he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose
Author’s Tone:
a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great
furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by
Does the author
reason of the smoke of the pit.
perceive this as
good or bad?
3And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the
earth: and unto them was given power, as the
Description of Locusts:
scorpions of the earth have power.
4And
it was commanded them that they should not
hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing,
neither any tree; but only those men which have not Symbolism:
the seal of God in their foreheads.
What do the locusts
5And to them it was given that they should not kill
represent?
them, but that they should be tormented five
months: and their torment was as the torment of a
scorpion, when he striketh a man.
Things Fall Apart Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Mood
Attitudes of People:
Author’s Tone:
Description of Locusts:
Symbolism:
“Breakout” game
Ranking
Breaks out = Great
summary
If it is not a break out
summary you must
discuss what is missing, or
wrong.
Mostly out = pretty good,
missing some criteria.
Mostly in = mediocre
(below expectation)
missing a lot of criteria.
Summarize the last
chapter in 2 to 3
sentences.
Stagnant = this will
remain inside the circle.
It is incorrect or not
attempted.
Chapter 7
Why does the village decide to kill Ikemefuna?
“That boy calls you father. Do not bear a hand in his death." … Yes,
Umuofia has decided to kill him. The Oracle of the Hills and the Caves
has pronounced it.”
Why does Ogbuefi Ezeudu tell Okonkwo not to take part in the
killing of Ikemefuna? But I want you to have nothing to do with it. He
calls you his father."
Why does Okonkwo kill Ikemefuna?
Think of the beginning of the chapter. What does Okonkwo tell stories
about? What is success and manhood to Okonkwo?
How does Nwoye react when his father returns that evening?
“Then something had given way
inside him. It descended on him
again, this feeling, when his father
walked in that night after killing
Ikemefuna.”
Chapter 8
How is Okonkwo affected by Ikemefuna’s death?
“his eyes were red and fierce like the eyes of a rat when it
was caught by the tail and dashed against the floor...”
What does Okonkwo say about his children to Obierika?
“"If I had a son like him I should be happy. I am worried
about Nwoye. A bowl of pounded yams can throw him in a
wrestling match. “
What is the subject of the argument between Okonkwo and
Obierika?
But if the Oracle said that my son should be killed I
would neither dispute it nor be the one to do it."
Consider Obierika and Nwoye,
does this passage suggest that
showing compassion is
shameful for males?
Chapter 8
Look at the passage discussing the death of Ogbuefi Ndulue and
his wife. What does Okonkwo’s comment tell us about his views on
manliness? What are his feelings about women?
"It was always said that Ndulue and Ozoemena
had one mind," said Obierika. "I remember when I
was a young boy there was a song about them. He
could not do anything without telling her."
"I did not know that," said Okonkwo. "I thought he
was a strong man in his youth."
"He was indeed," said Ofoedu.
How do the men finally agree to the bride price?
Chapter 8
Discuss foreshadowing. Look back to chapter one. How does the
author let the reader know that something bad is going to happen
to Ikemefuna? What clues, in this chapter, give the reader hints of
future events?
How is the notion of white men first introduced into the story? Why
might Africans suppose that they have no toes? What sorts of
attitudes are associated with white men in this passage?
Chapter 8
Interestingly, Obierika’s manliness is never questioned. The fact that
Obierika is skeptical of some Igbo practices makes us regard
Nwoye’s skepticism in a different light. We understand that, in
Umuofia, manhood does not require the denigration of women. Like
Nwoye, Ikemefuna is not close to his biological father. Rather, his
primary emotional attachments to his natal village are to his mother
and little sister.
Although he is not misogynistic like Okonkwo, Ikemefuna is the
perfect clansman. He eagerly takes part in the community
celebrations and integrates himself into Okonkwo’s family. Okonkwo
and Ikemefuna love one another as father and son, and Ikemefuna
is a good older brother to Nwoye. Most important, he is protective
rather than critical. He does not allow Nwoye and his brothers to tell
their mother that Obiageli broke her water pot when she was
showing off—he does not want her to be punished. Ikemefuna
illustrates that manliness does not preclude gentleness and
affection.
Chapter 9
Author’s Purpose: Revealing a Complex and Civilized People
1) By this point in the novel, we have read and discussed several of
the customs of the Ibo tribe and have learned that this is a means
of the author to get us interested in the story.
2) Achebe’s ability to realistically present a civilized and complex
African people is a stark contrast to popular stereotypes and
previous images of primitive societies without culture, balance or
sophistication. We see evidence of a civilized group throughout
the book and in this chapter through rituals, customs and beliefs.
Challenge: See how many you can list from the book up to this point.
Custom, Belief, Ritual
Chapter 9
What do the customs tell us about the
Igbo society?
Are they similar to our customs?
Chapter 10
Writing Challenge: in this chapter‚ there is a lot of discussion
between the Umuofian villagers and the egwugwu. There is a sense
of festivity and excitement that goes along with mystery surrounding
the respected governing body of the tribe. When the Egwugwu
hears a case, their decisions are final. Notice that not one person
questions the decisions made by the Egwugwu, they are a body to
be respected and even feared.
Write a scene using the characters from chapter ten with dialog that
communicates the excitement and anticipation of the clan.
Chapter 10
What is the role of the Egwugwu at the hearing?
What is the purpose of the hearing?
Why do you think the leader of the Egwugwu
had the name Evil Forest? What does the place
called the Evil Forest represent?
Chapter 10
Writing Challenge Rubric
Stage Directions (x4) – (5 points)
Faces Audience, Faces Crowd, Turns to ______,
shakes head, raises hands, etc.
Accuracy and Dialog - (5 points)
Mgbafo: “Today is a great day.”
Length – 1 page minimum (5 points)
Chapter10 -13 Reading Groups
Group1:
15
13
11
9
8
6
You will be
graded on
your ability to
read and stay
on task.
You start with
15 points and
move down
the point
ladder if you
fall off track.
Group2:
15
13
11
9
8
6
Group3:
15
13
11
9
8
6
Group 4:
15
13
11
9
8
6
Group5:
15
13
11
9
8
6
TFA Class Reading Assignment (Chapters 10 - 13)
Complete one for each Chapter
Questions /Discussion Topics (x 3) Text to text, self or
world connections (x 3)
Themes :(3 quotes)
Gender
Fear of Failure
Respect/ Reputation
 Tradition/ Customs
Sin
Religion

Doodle:
Chapter 13
Who has died? Why does Okonkwo get a cold shiver when he hears
who died?
“Drums and cannons sound and women wail, signaling
the death of the oldest man in the village, Ezedu. He
was the man who warned Okonkwo to “bear no hand
in [Ikemefuna’s] death.”
What are some of the activities that took place at the funeral?
Egwugwu, come to pay their respects
Drums sound loudly and guns
and cannons are fired
Why was the dead man so respected in the community?
What tragedy occurs? Who is responsible?
Ezedu’s sixteen-year-old son falls dead from a gunshot through
the heart. (Okonkwo)
What is the punishment?
receives the punishment of exile from the Umuofia villages for seven
years.
Chapter 14-15
Things Fall Apart
Character Diary
Imagine for a moment that Things Fall Apart is a true
story and that the characters involved maintained
personal journals. These journals would increase the
realism of the story by providing various points of
view. Your task is to write 2 separate reaction diaries as
Okonkwo. You should try to convince me that You are
the character you have chosen. Write as if you are
experiencing the events in the novel first hand. Each
diary should be three -fourths to one page long, and
include a quote from the text. (80 pts.)
Character Diary
Imagine for a moment that Things Fall Apart is a true
story and that the characters involved maintained
personal journals. These journals would increase the
realism of the story by providing various points of
view. Your task is to write 2 separate reaction diaries as
Okonkwo. You should try to convince me that You are
the character you have chosen. Write as if you are
experiencing the events in the novel first hand. Each
diary should be three -fourths to one page long, and
include a quote from the text. (80 pts.)
Chapter Summaries
12- enzima returns safe, bridal ceremony—skip
13 ***Ogbuefi Ezeudu’s death is announced to the surrounding villages
with the ekwe, a musical instrument. Okonkwo’s gun accidentally goes
off and kills Ezeudu’s sixteen-year-old son.
14 – O is exiled and must move to his mother land-- Okonkwo’s uncle,
Uchendu, and the rest of his kinsmen receive him warmly.
15 – 2nd year of exile  It seems that a white man arrived in Abame on
an “iron horse” (which we find out later is a bicycle) during the planting
season. The village elders consulted their oracle, which prophesied that
the white man would be followed by others, who would bring
destruction to Abame.
Chapter 16
1. What does “efulefu” mean?
They were mostly the kind of people that were called efulefu,
worthless, empty men.
Find 2
Metaphors
Chielo, the priestess of Agbala, called the
converts the excrement of the clan, and the
new faith was a mad dog that had come to
eat it up.
2. Why does Obierika make this second visit to Okonkwo?
In the last chapter it was to give Okonkwo Cowries for his
abandoned fields. In this one, it is to discuss Nwoye’s conversion.
3. Why does the interpreter make mistakes when he is translating?
He was raised between 2 cultures, his dialect is a little off
from lack of use.
Chapter 16
4. What do the missionaries say about the Ibo gods?
He told them that they worshipped false gods, gods of wood
and stone. Followers of these gods would be cast into a fire that
burned like fire and palm oil.
5. What part of the Christian religion captures Nwoye’s attention?
“It was the poetry of the new religion, something
felt in the marrow.” Nwoye also approves of the
morality in terms of killing innocents like twins and
Ikemefuna.
Achebe provides
an interesting
reversal of
ethnocentrism by
showing Westerners
peculiarities about
their own religion
when being taught
to foreign people.
List a few peculiarities of both the
Chapter 17
1. Where are the missionaries allowed to build their church?
An evil forest was, therefore, alive with sinister forces and powers of
darkness. It was such a forest that, the rulers of Mbanta gave to the
missionaries.
The next morning the crazy men
actually began to clear a part of
the forest and to build their house.
The inhabitants of Mbanta
expected them all to be dead
within four days. The first day
passed and the second and third
and fourth, and none of them died.
Everyone was puzzled. And then it
became known that the white
man's fetish had unbelievable
power.
Which goal does Achebe
accomplish here?
Destroy
Stereotypes
Accurately
tell the
African Story
Achebe’s
Goals
Respect Igbo
People as
Complex,
Thinking People
with Traditions
Recognize
Western
Arroganc
Help to
understand
Africa’s
Notion of
Duality
Chapter 17
2. Who is in charge of the new church in Mbanta?
Mr. Kiaga
3. What happened after Okonkwo found out that Nwoye had been
meeting with the Christians?
Chapter 17
Recognizing Africa’s Notion of Duality
Duality: The quality or character of being
twofold; dichotomy.
Africa is influenced by
the Western World
Igbo Tribe is effected
positively by Western
Influence
Igbo Tribe is effected
Negatively by Western
Influence
Africa is a separate
Country with its own
values and traditions.
Role Model Characters
Topic: Authors inevitably project values in their novels through the
characters they create.
Instructions: Observe the list of characters provided to you. Label the
character as a good or bad role model and give an explanation as
to why. Next, for the characters you have labeled as good role
models, write a way you can improve your life if you follow by their
example.
Role Model Characteristics
Name
Mr.
Kiaga
Okonkwo
Nwoye
Uchendu
Ezinma
Ekwefi
Obierka
Good or Bad
Role Model
Qualities To Imitate +
(proof example of trait)
Ways This
Characteristic
Could Help Me
Chapter 18
Positive Ways Africa is Influenced
efulefu decided to live in the Evil Forest it was their own
affair.
It all began over the question of admitting outcasts.
Government
These outcasts, or osu,
seeing that the new religion
welcomed twins and such abominations, thought that it
was possible that they would also be received
Three
If they
An
adherent
converts
became
accidentally
had
more
gone
troublesome
into
kills the
the village
sacred
than they
and
python,
already
boasted
the
openly
were they
group
becomes
thatwould
all the
ostracized
simply
gods be
were
driven
from
dead
the
out
and
clan.
of impotent
the clan. and
that they were prepared to defy them by burning all
their shrines.
Negative Ways Africa is Influenced
Chapter 20
Obierika
Obierika responds to
Okonkwo upon being
asked why their people
don’t fight and take
back their original way
of life.
What reasons does
Obierika give previously
for why this effort would
be futile?
“The white man is very clever.
He came quietly and
peaceably with his religion. We
were amused at his foolishness
and allowed him to stay. Now
he has won our brothers, and
our clan can no longer act like
one. He has put a knife on the
things that held us together and
we have fallen apart."
Chapter 21 – 22 Reading Activity
Situation
Dealing with passionate
members of the clan.
Mr. Brown’s Actions
Reverend Smith’s Actions
Comparing and Contrasting of
Character Dilemmas Chapters 21-22
Teaching and Explaining
The twotomissionaries
presented in the novel are in Nigeria for
Christianity
the Ibo.
the same reason, but they approach their mission very
differently. Below is a chart of the problems and opportunities
Teaching
Explaining
facedand
by both
men. Indicate in the appropriate space‚ how
the each
Ibo Culture
to the responds or reacts to the situation through
missionary
N/A
White
men.
your own explanation or a passage from the text. Finally, in a
brief paragraph‚ explain which man you feel is more effective
Gaining
in hisrespect
missionfrom
andIbo
your reasons for the choice.
tribesmen.
Helping Ibo tribesmen.
Reading Activity
Comparing and Contrasting of
Character Dilemmas Chapters 21-22
The two missionaries presented in the novel are in
Nigeria for the same reason, but they approach
their mission very differently. Below is a chart of the
problems and opportunities faced by both men.
Indicate in the appropriate space‚ how each
missionary responds or reacts to the situation
through your own explanation or a passage from
the text. Finally, in a brief paragraph‚ explain which
man you feel is more effective in his mission and
your reasons for the choice.
Character
Physical
Traits
Review Activity
Psychological
Actor/Actress
& Test Prep
Traits
Okonkwo
Angry Proud
Exit
Slip:
Mid-forties, big, tall,
Authoritative
You are a Hollywood
bushy producer
eyebrowsand plan
to produce a film version of
Chinua
Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. Since
the novel
is a personal favorite,
Confident
Loyal
Obierika
Fifty years old
you are very concerned about how true
it is to Achebe’s original version;
Dependable
therefore, you plan to oversee the casting yourself.
Forty-five years old Loves wrestling matches
Ekwefi
Strong , hard worker Devoted mother Loving wife
Using the Character Casting Chart, identify specific physical and
Independent Older than
psychological
traits for
main
Ezinma
Tenthe
years
oldcharacters in the novel. Then, choose a
her years
modern actor for each
character. In addition
to Moody
physical and
Beautiful
psychological characteristics, also thinkAabout
howboy
the actors you
very lively
Ikemefuna
Fifteen
years
choose might interact with each other Respectful
in various events.
old
Nwoye
Mr. Brown
Reverend Smith
Thirteen years
old
White man
White man
Prefers the company of women
Emotional Dislikes his father
Friendly Non-confrontational
Teacher Compromising
Zealous Narrow-minded
Hardheaded
Racist
TFA (Chapter 23)
Questions /Discussion Topics (x 3) Text to text, self or
world connections (x 3)
Themes :(3 quotes)
Gender
Fear of Failure
Respect/ Reputation
 Tradition/ Customs
Sin
Religion

Doodle:
Chapter 23
Why do you think the six Ibo leaders, including Okonkwo, put down
their weapons when they met with the District Commissioner?
Let us talk about it like friends and find a way of ensuring that it does
not happen again."
Ogbuefi Ekwueme rose to his feet and began to tell the story.
How were they treated while in prison?
Well, but they must pay a steep fine of 200 Cowries…
They do not eat but it is self imposed.
How did the men get released?
Natives decide to pay the fine.
Chapter 23
“They sat together with the men
of Umuofia, and Ogbuefi
Ekwueme began to tell the story
of how Enoch murdered an
egwugwu.
It happened so quickly that the
six men did not see it coming.
There was only a brief scuffle,
too brief even to allow the
drawing of a sheathed
machete. The six men were
handcuffed and led into the
guardroom.”
Which goal does Achebe
accomplish here? What is the
effect on the reader as a result?
Destroy
Stereotypes
Accurately
tell the
African Story
Achebe’s
Goals
Respect Igbo
People as
Complex,
Thinking People
with Traditions
Recognize
Western
Arroganc
Help to
understand
Africa’s
Notion of
Duality
Chapter 24
1.What is Okonkwo’s mood after he is released?
A. At first Okonkwo is silent, we might infer he is angry, confused or at
a loss of words to express his true sentiments. B. Okonkwo slept very
little that night. The bitterness in his heart was now mixed with a kind
of childlike excitement …
2. What does he hope the village will do?
He wants the Village to fight.
3. What did Okonkwo do at the meeting?
He kills the court messenger.
4. What are his feelings at the end of the chapter?
Disappointed, Angry---
Chapter 25
Notice the way Achebe
characterizes the
Commissioner. What type
of effect does this have
upon the reader?
The Commissioner did not understand what
Obierika meant when he said, "Perhaps your
men will help us." One of the most infuriating
habits of these people was their love of
superfluous words, he thought.
1. What happens to Okonkwo?
He has committed Suicide.
2. Do you understand his actions? Why or why not?
3. What does the final sentence tell the reader about the attitudes
of the District Commissioner and his government?
There was so much else to include, and one must be firm in
cutting out details. He had already chosen the title of the
book, after much thought: The Pacification of the Primitive
Tragedy in Umuofia
Why do
you
believe
Okonkwo
chooses to
commit
suicide?
What would
have been
his
punishment
for murder?
Were there
any warning
signs that
Okonkwo was
suicidal that
the reader
should have
recognized
before this
point?
Chapter 25
What does
Okonkwo’s
death reveal
about his
feelings
about
himself?
What does
Okonkwo’s
death reveal
about his
feelings for his
clan?
"That man was one of the greatest
men in Umuofia. You drove him to
kill himself and now he will be
buried like a dog…"
Poetry Connection
THE SECOND COMING
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: a waste of desert sand;
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
What are three connections you can make between
the poem and the book.
News Article Project
Assignment: You are a journalist hired to specifically write about the
effects of colonialism on the Ibo culture. Like Achebe, your goal should
be to destroy stereotypes, accurately tell the African story and portray
the Ibo as complex, thinking people with traditions.
(25 Points)
When
Complete
the
Prewriting
Exercise
Where
What
Who
why
Your
Headline
How
Notes: Elements of Journalism in your Article
What are the different parts of a newspaper article?
Headline: Runs across the
width of the front page
Cut: A picture
Cutline: Few lines about
the picture
Lead Story: Explains the
headline, most important
story on the front page
By-line: Name of the
reporter
Jump Line: tells the page
on which the story is
continued
Rubric:
Grammar __________________/5
Elements of Journalism ______/5
Story _____________________/5
Quotes from characters to tell story (x3) _______/10
Things Fall
Apart