12 AP English Burnett Things Fall Apart Socratic Seminar Points of Discussion 1. Achebe begins the novel with an elaborate description of the central character Okonkwo. What do we learn about the values of Umuofians through this characterization? 2. Discuss Okonkwo as an Igbo heroic character: how does he work to achieve greatness as defined by his culture? How does he differ from Western heroes? What are Okonkwo’s strengths and weaknesses? 3. Describe
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In “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe‚ Achebe demonstrates how family brings the Ibo culture together and how it causes it to fall apart. Achebe uses point of view to develop and support how family can bring Ibo culture together but just as easily tear it apart. The purpose of this novel was to show the impact family has in Ibo culture in order to demonstrate the effects to western cultures. Things Fall Apart Is a novel about a man Okonkwo and his village. From a very young age Okonkwo was known
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The idea that "things do not change‚ we do" is incorrect. Although it can be the case at times‚ it is entirely inaccurate as the phrase "we do" in this view can be easily replaced by "circumstances". "Things" may not change‚ but circumstances‚ which we usually have no control over‚ certainly do change. Also‚ this view can be rearranged to state "things change‚ we don’t"‚ showing that people may be resistant to change. The main focus of the book Things Fall Apart is on the changes that not only take
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Notion of Balance in Things Fall Apart The notion of balance in Achebe’s novel is an important theme throughout the book. Beginning with the excerpt from Yeats’s poem‚ "The Second Coming‚" the concept of balance is stressed as important‚ for without balance‚ order is lost. In the novel‚ there are many systems of balance which the Ibo culture seems to depend upon. It is when these systems are upset that "things fall apart." Okonkwo‚ the Ibo religion‚ and ultimately‚ the Ibos’ autonomy were brought
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directly from religions such as Judaism‚ Christianity‚ and Islam. Currently‚ there exists a feud between people who believe in a god‚ and of those who do not. Eventually those who believe in a higher power will fight against each other. In “Things Fall Apart”‚ Chinua Achebe brings to light the differences and similarities of Christianity and Animism in order to demonstrate the effects of religion upon one’s society‚ which is exemplified by Okonkwo and his people. This is noticed in the lives of the
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slavery and converting the local people to Christianity. In the book Things Fall Apart‚ the author‚ Chinua Achebe‚ tells the story of Europe’s presence in Africa through the eyes of a man named Okonkwo‚ native to the tribe of Umuofia‚ located in Nigeria. Achebe creates a poignant story by making Okonkwo a tragic hero‚ who goes through many trials of will strength‚ but in the end loses his pride and hits rock bottom. In Things Fall Apart‚ Okonkwo becomes a tragic hero through the series of events which
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Chinua Achebe’s novel‚ Things Fall Apart‚ illustrates several relationships between parents and their children. In most of these relationships‚ conflict arises that separates the two individuals and creates discord. In creating such a conflict between Okonkwo and Unoka‚ as well as between Okonkwo and Nwoye‚ Achebe creates a much deeper and accessible piece of literature. Unoka‚ Okonkwo’s father‚ is depicted as a weak‚ unmotivated‚ and lazy figure. Okonwo‚ on the other hand‚ is a zealous‚ hard-working
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There are numerous things that cause Okonkwo’s downfall‚ depending on one’s viewpoint and beliefs. Overall‚ Okonkwo’s fear of being weak‚ of being like his father or thought of this way‚ leads to his downfall. This causes him to constantly wish to project a strong solid image and never be weak. Okonkwo is rash‚ and intemperate‚ which may have caused him to offend the gods‚ who might have correspondingly punished him. On several occasions might Okonkwo have offended the gods: 1. Beating Ojiugo
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In the historical fiction novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe‚ the social issues of the maltreatment of women and the upkeep of the masculinity of men are prominent and are illustrated by the characters and events in the story. In the village‚ wrestling matches signal rite of passage and masculinity of boys. The whole village attends these matches since‚ in Umuofia culture‚ masculinity and strength are highly valued. The protagonist‚ Okonkwo‚ established his power in the village as a young man
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The Ramifications of Ignorance From the perspective of a non-African reader‚ the novel‚ Things Fall Apart‚ by Chinua Achebe‚ is the story of a seemingly uninviting character‚ named Okonkwo‚ who struggles to secure his status and masculinity within himself and his culture during the time of European colonialism. His continuous struggle leads to his downfall and ultimate death‚ in which the District Commissioner orders his messenger to retrieve Okonkwo’s body and bury him‚ on account of the villagers
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