Take out your novels/reading journals and
pick up your Springboard book from the
front of the classroom
Sophomore World Literature
and Language Arts
Students will be exposed to note taking strategies.
Learning Targets
Lead-in + Quote + Citation
Commentary
During the Feast of the Yam
Okonkwo became angry at his
second wife, “Okonkwo gave
her a sound beating and left
her and her only daughter
weeping” (Achebe 38)
Okonkwo demonstrates that
he is quick to anger when he
beats his second wife for
removing leaves from a
banana tree. He is very
prideful and when she went
against his wishes he punished
her.
“Okonkwo never showed any
emotion openly, unless it be
the emotion of anger. To show
affection was a sign of
weakness; the only thing worth
demonstrating was strength”
(Achebe 28)
Okonkwo’s character is
warped by his desire not to
appear weak like his father.
The only emotion he is willing
to show is anger.
Things Fall Apart
Last class we filled in the chart on page 203 evaluating Okonkwo as a
tragic hero. We used Aristotle’s definition of tragic hero as your base
for this discussion. Review your answers and the groups answers on
your chart.
In a well developed paragraph answer the following:
To what degree does Okonkwo fit Aristotle’s definition of a tragic
hero? What flaw leads to his downfall? Be sure to include:

Include a strong topic sentence that defines a tragic hero

Provide supporting details and textual evidence (use the
chart/book for information

Strong Commentary that explains how the evidence shows he
is a tragic hero
Okonkwo as a tragic hero
Aristotle’s definition of a
tragic hero
Examples of Okonkwo
Examples of Brutus in
Julius Caesar
Mixture of good and bad
He is a hard worker but he is
cruel to his children
Brutus is Caesar friend but
allows himself to be
persuaded to go against
Caesar
Fatal flaw
Okonkwo’s violence is his
fatal flaw
Pride
journey
Okonkwo is exiled to his
motherland
Flees Rome
Large capacity for suffering
He suffers visibly over his
Portia kills herself/Antony
father’s laziness, Ikemefuna’s demands justice/sees the
death, his exile
ghost of Caesar
Downfall is preceded by selfrealization
At the end he understands
what he has done and ends
his life
Activity 3.15 – Tragic Hero
Prompt: In a well developed essay discuss why Okonkwo is a tragic hero according to Aristotle’s
definition (Activity 3.15). Analyze how this downfall and its contributing factors lead to an understanding
of the meaning of the work as a whole.
Reminders:
You must include at least four quotes per paragraph to support your statements (evidence!).
All quotes should have lead-ins and proper citation.
Include ample commentary to avoid summary. Analysis is key!
Write at least two sentences of commentary. Think SPIES
You must write in formal voice.
Follow expository structure.
Use transition words.
Steps::
• In class pre-write analyzing each element of Aristotle’s definition (April 17 th)
• Pre-write (April 21st)
• Timed write/1st draft of essay (April 23rd)
• Edit and revise essay (April 27th)
• Type final draft. To earn full credit you must turn in all pre-work and the typed final draft (April 27th)
Embedded Assessment 3.2
Attention Grabber/Hook: An inflexible nature can lead to one’s
destruction
Background: Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart is the story
of a Nigerian tribal leader, Okonkwo, that has the characteristics of a
tragic hero. The reader is introduced to the cultural customs of precolonial Ibo culture and the transition into post-colonial Ibo through
the perspective of Okonkwo.
Connecting Idea: Aristotle defines a tragic hero as a character that
has both good and bad qualities, has a fatal flaw, goes on a journey or
is exiled, has a large capacity for suffering and their down fall is
preceded by self-realization.
Thesis: The character of Okonkwo has many of the aspects of a tragic
hero as defined by Aristotle
Introductory Paragraph
BODY PARAGRAPH
Claim/Topic sentence (with controlling idea/focus): Refer back to Thesis/ Okonkwo is a tragic hero
because he has both good and bad characteristics
Support A (because): Fact/Assertion about Okonkwo that shows the element/Okonkwo shows good
characteristics in his relationship with Ikemefuna.
Evidence 1 (details/supporting fact): evidence from the novel – include lead-in and quote/
Evidence 2 (details/supporting fact):
Commentary (significance/importance of evidence): This shows/the significance of the
quotes
Transition
word/phrase/sentence:_______________________________________________________________
Support B (because): Fact/Assertion about Okonkwo that shows the element/Okonkwo shows bad
characteristics in his relationship with his family.
Evidence 1 (details/supporting fact
Evidence 2 (details/supporting fact
Commentary (significance/importance of minors
Transition word/phrase/sentence:
Concluding Sentence (rewording of topic sentence):
Body Paragraphs
Reflect on the learning targets for today. Do you feel you met the
targets?
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•
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Students will be exposed to other cultures and time periods, quality literature and
effective/varied writing styles
Students will begin to understand key facts that influenced and developed literature
Students will write effectively in expository mode to examine/analysis a complex idea
1. What is one thing that you completed or learned today
that you found interesting?
2. What is one thing that you feel you can improve in future
classes?
3. What are the three choices for your project? List them in
order of preference.
Exit Task