Things Fall Apart

Lesson 16
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ELA

Unit 2

11th Grade

Lesson 16 of 25

Objective


Trace the author’s continued development of the importance of strong harmonious ties within a community.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe  — Chapters 14 & 15

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Target Task


Question 1

Over the course of chapter 14, the main focus shifts from a(n)

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Question 2

The main purpose of the final paragraph on p. 134 (“’Then listen to me’…waved at his sons and daughters.”) is to

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Question 3

Achebe continues to show us that Okonkwo’s fear of weakness and femininity are counter to traditional Igbo beliefs. Provide examples from chapter 14 and/or 15 to support this statement. 

Key Questions


  • How does Achebe show the value Igbo people place on community in pp. 129 and 130?
  • What is the significance of the setting as described on p. 130? What might it represent?
  • What is Okonkwo’s mood in this chapter? Why? How does it relate to his fear of being weak/feminine?
  • How does Uchendu respond to Okonkwo’s mood? 
  • What does Uchendu want Okonkwo to understand on pp. 133–135? What is his most likely purpose for having this conversation with his entire family, and not just with Okonkwo?
  • Okonkwo’s self-pity in chapters 14 and 15 represents an affront to the Igbo value of community. Agree or disagree?
  • Describe the setting change from chapter 14 to 15.
  • What kind of mood is created when Okonkwo asks his wife to send the children to play on p. 136?
  • Who do we know the white men are? What do the characters know about the white men at this point? (dramatic irony)
  • What happened in Abame according to Obierika?
  • What is Okonkwo’s response to this occurrence? What makes his reaction slightly ironic?
  • What is Uchendu’s reaction based on his story? Compare the two reactions and what they reveal about Okonkwo.
  • What differences do we learn about between Uchendu’s generation and Okonkwo and Obierika’s generation of Igbo in Chapter 15? Why might Achebe have included this description in the novel?

Notes


Students will best be able to answer all of the target task questions if they have read at least through the bottom of p. 140. If necessary, they can read the final few pages for homework.

Next

Analyze the shift in tone toward the missionaries over the course of chapter 16.

Analyze the symbolism of fire as it relates to Achebe’s characterization of Okonkwo’s relationships.

Lesson 17
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