TFA Part I Name:_________________________________Period:__________

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Author BackgroundChinua (Chin-oo-ah) Achebe (Ah-chay-bay) is one of Nigeria’s most celebrated authors. Born into the Ibo tribe in 1930, Achebe was educated in English and has composed many novels, short stories, and essays. Most notably, he wrote his first (and best known) novel, Things Fall Apart in 1958. In addition, Achebe has lead an extensive teaching career in Nigeria and the United States as an English Literature professor.

Cultural Background The Ibos live in Iboland in central Nigeria.

The language of the Ibos is based on pitch, vocal inflections, and context when defining the meaning of a word. A single word can have numerous meanings depending on these factors. Proverbs play an important role in the Ibo language.

Ibos live in villages that have anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand people comprised of numerous extended families. There is no single ruler or king, instead, decisions are made by including almost everyone in the village.

The Ibos are profoundly religious. These polytheistic people worship many gods. They believe that there are three levels of divine beings: the highest level is the supreme god, or “Chukwu.” Underneath Chukwu are lesser gods, called “Umuagbara”, and under these are the “Ndi Ichie,” the spirits of dead people. The Ibos also believe in reincarnation.

Each village has priests and priestesses who help in all spiritual matters, conducting ceremonies and rituals.

Unfortunately, since the British invaded and settled Iboland in the beginning of the 16th century, things have changed drastically, mostly to the disadvantage of women. Today, women are considered second-class citizens, and subservient to men, and sometimes treated as slaves. Women are also forced to study certain “womanly” subjects in school

http://www.africaguide.com/culture/tribes/ibo.htm

1

TFA Part I Name:_________________________________Period:__________

Difficulties in reading: LANGUAGE! One of the beauties of the novel is Achebe’s commitment to using authentic Igbo Language.

Character Name Pronunciation:

Okonkwo (Oh-kawn-kwoh) Unoka (Ooh-no-kah)Ekwefi (Eh-kweh-fee) Nwoye (Nuh-wah-yeh)Ikemefuna (EE-keh-me-foo-nah) Umofia (Oo-moo-oh-fee-ah)Obierka (Oh-bee-air-ee-kah) Ezinma (Eh-zeen-mah)

Vocabulary:Agbala Woman, also used for a man who has taken no titleAni Earth goddessChi Personal godEfulefu Worthless manEgwugwu Masked tribe member who impersonates an ancestral spirit of the villiageEkwe Type of drum made from woodFoo foo Food made from yams that serves a major role in the annual feastsIlo Village green where assemblies are heldIyi-uwa Special stone that connects the obanje and spirit worldJigida String of waits beads worn by womenKola nut Food used to greet visitors and guestsKwenu Shout of approval and greetingNdichi EldersObi Large living quarters for the head of a familyochu Murder or manslaughterOgbanje Changeling; a child who repeatedly dies and returns to its mother to be

rebornOgeneOgene A gonglike musical instrumentOsu Outcast (having been dedicated to a god, the osu was baboo and not allowed

to mix with the freeborn)Oye One of the four market dayspalm wine Fermented palm sap used for celebration and ceremonyudu Musical instrument; a type of drum made from potteryYam Edible root; most valuable cash crop grown in the village

2

TFA Part I Name:_________________________________Period:__________

Venn diagram Okonkwo vs his father (Ch. 1-2)

3

CULTURE

LAW

Sports and Games

Religion

CeremonyFood, Music, Art, Dance

Gender Roles

Clothing

Language

TFA Part I Name:_________________________________Period:__________

Academic VocabularyFoil:

Motif:

While reading chapter 1, pay special attention to the details about Okonkwo and his father, Unoka. When you are finished, please fill out the venn diagram below.

Okonkwo’s Characteristics Unoka’s Characteristics

Extended Thinking: In what ways does Unoka influence Okonkwo’s character traits?

In a well-organized, two chunk paragraph, please answer this question using. (Think Hamburger)

Okonkwo: Achievements, and Flaws ch. 2, 3, 4

4

TFA Part I Name:_________________________________Period:__________

Throughout the novel, you will notice that although Okonkwo is a brave man of high status in the tribe, he also has many character flaws. When you notice one of the three, please write down your examples in the appropriate column.

Okonkwo’s Achievements and Status(example, pg #, context)

Character Flaws(Example, pg#, context)

Your Achievements/Strengths Your Character Flaws

5

TFA Part I Name:_________________________________Period:__________

Ch. 7 Activity: As you read and take notes, be on the lookout for answers to the following questions. Be ready to discuss in class! Make sure to record the pg # you found the info.

1. How has Nwoye changed and what has caused his changes?

2. Describe the arrival of the locusts. How do the people of Umuofia react?

3. Do you thin that Ikemefuna suspects that he is going to be killed? Why or why not?

4. How does Okonkwo feel about Ikemefuna’s death? How does Okonkwo feel?

5. How do you think the death of Ikemefuna will affect the relationship between okonkwo and Nwoye?

6. Okonkwo does not heed the advices of the old man, Ogbefi. What consequences do you think there may be for his part in the death of Ikemefuna.

Ch. # Summary Characters introduced Questions you have

6

TFA Part I Name:_________________________________Period:__________

(main events) (physical personality trait and relationship to “O”)

1

2

Ch. 3

7

TFA Part I Name:_________________________________Period:__________

Ch.4

Ch. 5

8

TFA Part I Name:_________________________________Period:__________

Ch. 6

Ch. 7

9

TFA Part I Name:_________________________________Period:__________

Ch. 8

Ch. 9

10

TFA Part I Name:_________________________________Period:__________

Use the following space for your entry tasks:

11