Things Fall Apart

Lesson 11
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ELA

Unit 2

11th Grade

Lesson 11 of 25

Objective


Analyze the importance of children to the lives of women in Umuofia.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe  — Chapter 9

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Target Task


Question 1

What do we learn about Okonkwo through his interactions with Ezinma in this chapter?

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Sample Response

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Question 2

Explain how Achebe develops the idea that relationships between women and their children are important in Umuofia. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Key Questions


  • How does Okonkwo react to Ezinma’s illness? What does this reveal about him? 
  • What do we learn about Ekwefi from the flashbacks included on pp. 76–80? About the role of women and the importance of children in women’s lives?
  • How is Ekwefi and Ezinma’s relationship unique? How does the author communicate this?
  • What is ogbanje? How have the ogbanje impacted Ekwefi?
  • What is Ezinma’s tone toward the hunt for her iyi-uwa? (playful) What diction and imagery does the author use to establish this tone on pp. 82 and 83? (“sprightly,” etc.) How is her tone different than Okonkwo’s? What accounts for the difference?
  • What is the message in the tale of the snake-lizard on p. 83?
  • What is the significance of the lengthy flashback to the iyi-uwa? How does it connect back to and deepen our understanding of the idea expressed in chapter 6 that Ezinma has “come to stay”?
  • Trace examples of the strength of relationships between women of Umuofia and the ways in which they support each other.
  • Trace examples of the importance of children to the lives of women in the Igbo culture.

Next

Explain the role of the egwugwu in the Umuofian judicial system.

Analyze the role of women in Umuofian society.

Lesson 12
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