Proverbs and Fables of Things Fall Apart

1. Proverbs and Fables of Things Fall Apart Tuesday January, 19th

2. Warm up: Date • Describe your favorite children’s story. What was it about? Why did you like it?

3. Targets • To understand how and why Achebe uses proverbs in Things Fall Apart

4. activities • Warm up • Proverbs Lecture • Proverbs Worksheet • Activate Prior knowledge • To understand the literary element Proverbs • To analaze how Achebe uses Proverbs in TFA

5. What is a proverb? • A short pithy saying • frequent and widespread use • Expresses a basic truth or precept about life • A popular saying which provides advice or states a generally held truth

6. What is a proverb? “ a proverb is a horse which can carry one swiftly to the discovery of ideas” -Yoruba Proverb

7. What is a proverb? • Proverbs are a very effective mode of communication • their correct and persuasive use in speech is always taken as a sign of sound education, maturity, cultural sophistication and wisdom. • Achebe uses of proverbs counters western portrayals of native as gibberish or speaking in pidgin

8. What is a proverb? Among their many uses we can discern the following: To Express Abstract Truths. • truths may be abstract and difficult to grasp. • dramatizes and configures the bare truths in the facts of everyday life and world. • In the proverb form the truths become so substantial that they stimulate the imagination and challenge the understanding.

9. What is a proverb? Among their many uses we can discern the following: To Express Abstract Truths. Examples: Abstract Idea Proverb: There is no quarrel between the eye and sleep. Learn to tolerate each other--Tolerance

10. What is a proverb? Among their many uses we can discern the following: To Express Abstract Truths. Examples: Abstract Idea Proverb: The freedom that comes from ignorance enslaves the one who entertains it. Knowledge is freedom

11. What is a proverb? Among their many uses we can discern the following: To Express Abstract Truths. Examples: Abstract Idea Proverb: It is only the stupid slave who says that his condition of bondage is good after a heavy meal. The freedom of self-determination is better than material well-being

12. What is a proverb? Among their many uses we can discern the following: Guide to Conduct. • Many proverbs are used as bases for judging unacceptable modes of behavior • function as general guides to conduct.

13. What is a proverb? Among their many uses we can discern the following: Guide to Conduct. Examples: Principles Proverb: You do not use the left hand to point the way to your father’s village. Learn to appreciate what you have

14. What is a proverb? Among their many uses we can discern the following: Guide to Conduct. Examples: Principles Proverb: Once you have made up your mind to cross a river by walking through it, you do not mind getting your stomach wet Be firm in carrying out your resolutions

15. What is a proverb? Among their many uses we can discern the following: As commentary on human behavior • Careful observations or commentary • Provide useful insight in to human behavior

16. What is a proverb? Among their many uses we can discern the following: As commentary on human behavior Examples: Commentary Proverb: A person who does not lick his lips cannot blame the charlatan for drying them People who are not prepared to help themselves are usually misrepresented and badly treated by others

17. What is a proverb? Among their many uses we can discern the following: To express values • moral, spiritual, humanistic, economic, intellectul

18. What is a proverb? Among their many uses we can discern the following: To express values Value-Orientation Proverb: There is no wealth where there are no children the importance of children

19. What is a proverb? Among their many uses we can discern the following: To express values Value-Orientation Proverb: Goodness sells itself; badness walks around The value of a thing is in the inherent power that it has to satisfy human needs and it is that power that attracts people to it

20. What is a proverb? Among their many uses we can discern the following: To express values Examples: Value orientation Proverb: A person who does not lick his lips cannot blame the charlatan for drying them People who are not prepared to help themselves are usually misrepresented and badly treated by others

21. Fable • A short narrative or story • Usually teaches a lesson or • Makes a warning • Frequently uses animal or non human characters or that speak and act like humans

22. Examples of fables • Lion King (before Disney) • The Emperor's New Clothes • The Little Engine That Could

23. Proverbs and fables worksheet • “Among the Ibo, the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten” p.7

24. Proverbs and fables worksheet For each Proverb and Fable: • Explain the proverb by identifying the basic truth or message it is delivering • Provide the context of the proverb or fable by explaining to whom it is directed and how the advice applies to that person’s situation in the novel In addition, for each fable create an illustration of the fable that includes: • The characters • A dramatization of the lesson or advice given in the fable