Things Fall Apart

1. Things Fall Apart An Overview English III / Vaughn

2. Setting

3. Introduction • Change is a part of life … but when drastic changes transform the world you know, how do you deal?

4. Okonkwo • A well-respected member of the Ibo people in the African country of Nigeria in the late 1800s • A wealthy farmer and looked up to as a leader of his clan

5. Okonkwo • Has a big family that follows the traditions of the Ibo people • 3 wives • A son, Nwoye • 2 daughters – Obiageli and Ezinma • He also cares for Ikemefuma (brought to the village as hostage)

6. Okonkwo • Believes hard work is the key to success • Values strength and looks at compassion as a weakness • Will do anything to be considered different than his father, who died a debtor, failure, and embarrassment to Okonkwo

7. Okonkwo & His Outlook • But his narrow view of success and his desire to stamp out weakness lead him to commit violent acts • Some of which bring him into conflict with his own clan

8. Turning Point • One day, a senseless act changes his life so he and his family are sent away

9. Changes • While Okonkwo and his family are away, drastic changes take place in his village • Christian missionaries arrive determined to change the thinking, philosophies, and way of life of the Ibo people

10. 7 Years Later… • After 7 years, Okonkwo and his family return to his village • What changes have taken place? • Will Okonkwo be able to adjust to a world where things have fallen apart?

11. Background • To fill in some of the blanks… • Things Fall Apart is set during a period of British colonial rule of Nigeria in the late 1800s • Nigeria became a British colony in 1886

12. More history… • Christian missionaries arrived in Nigeria in the mid-1800s, and by the end of the century had begun a strong conversion campaign … they wanted to African people to embrace Christianity.

13. Ibo Background • The traditional Ibo religion was based on an earth goddess and a creator god. • Many other deities and spirits were also honored. • Animal were often sacrificed as offerings in religious ceremonies.

14. Ibo Background • The Ibo were subsistence farmers, which means they grew crops to survive. • Men = yams (the manly crop) • Women = other

15. Ibo Background • The Ibo village was part of a clan network made up of about five thousand people who were • Led by a council of men that made decisions democratically • Shared a common market and meeting place

16. Discussion Questions • Okonkwo believes that strength and toughness are more important than compassion and gentleness. • In what circumstances might this attitude help a person succeed? • When could it cause problems? • The European missionaries want the Ibo to change their way of life. • Why do some people want to impose their culture on another? • Can one culture judge another by its own standards? • When do you think it’s acceptable to encourage a group of people to change their way of life? When is it not acceptable? • Is this an African novel?