Honors Day 17: Things Fall Apart

1. Honors Day 17: Things Fall Apart • Journal #6: At the beginning of the novel, we are told that Okonkwo’s “fame rested on solid personal achievements,” yet by the end of Part one, he was banished from the community. What do you see as Okonkwo’s strengths and weaknesses(think in terms of comparison and contrasts—are any of his weaknesses related to his strengths, or vice versa?), and how do you explain his change of fortune and how he has dealt with that change? • In groups of 3, brainstorm themes for Part 2 and predict the outcome of Part 3. • As a large group, brainstorm instances when an outside group of people has come into a society and changed it. Discuss pros and cons for each of these historical occurrences. • Find a quote in the novel describing Okonkwo’s banishment. Ask different kids to share what they found with the large group. • Discussion: What purpose did Okonkwo’s banishment serve in the story? How did it affect his growth as a character? What effect did his banishment have on the society he left behind? Is he still a strong man and a leader now that he has returned? • Homework: Read chapters 21-25 • Novel Test next Tuesday, Dec. 11 • Topic/Thesis due Tues. Dec. 11 • Outline due next Thursday, Dec. 13 • Draft due Tues. Dec. 18

2. With these green guests around Who says that drought was here? The rain has robed the earth in vests of verdure the rain has robed an earth licked clean by the fiery tongue of drought With these green guests around Who says that drought was here? Palms have shed the shroud of brown cast over forest tops by the careless match of tinder days when flares flooded the earth and hovering hawks taloned the tale to the ears of the deafening sky With these green guests around Who says that drought was here? Aflame with herbal joy trees slap heave’s face with compound pride of youthful leaves drapering twigs into groves once skeletal spires in the unwinking face of the baking sun With these green guests around Who says that drought was here? and anthills throw open their million gates and winged termites swarm their welcome of compassionate twilights and butterflies court the fragrant company of fledgeling flowers and milling moths paste wet lips on the translucent ears of listening windows and the swallow brailles a tune on the copper face of the gathering lake and weaverbirds pick up the chorus in leafening heights… soon crispy mushrooms will break the fast venturing soles With these green guests around Who says that drought was here? Who says that drought was here? By Niyi Osundare