Week 5 Syllabus: November 18
UNOKA DIES A POOR MAN, YET HE IS CULTURED nonetheless. He is a drunkard, yet he also is talented, and his musical abilities are appreciated in his village. Unoka is likewise lazy, but he knows how to greet his guest, offering him kola nut and welcoming him into his home. In contrast, Okonkwo has great physical prowess, but words fail him when he becomes angry. He is respected as a leader, yet he struggles to show affection to his children. It seems nobody is perfect according to Achebe…but because these men are flawed, does it follow that they are failures? Achebe notes in The Novelist as Teacher “that [Africa’s] past—with all its imperfections—was not one long night of savagery from which first Europeans acting on God’s behalf delivered them (Achebe 45). Where is there good in Unoka? And in Okonkwo?
MONDAY, November 18
Starting with review of the posted quotes and observations about Okonkwo.
In small groups, discussing the trends you see in Okonkwo. What conclusions do you draw about him? Then, discussing Umofia, and how their societal values are similar to and different from Okonkwo’s.
Watching part two of the Netflix documentary on the foundation of the Crown Colony of Nigeria.
HW: Read chapters 3 and 4 for class on Wednesday.
WEDNESDAY, November 20
Period 1 will review the documentary with the new, improved note sheet/questions.
Period 3 will read two selections from an AP history textbook about the colonialism in Africa, and the European partition of the African continent.
HW: Reading chapters three and four for class tomorrow.
THURSDAY, November 21
Reading an article on the Festival of the Yam.
Discussion of chapter three’s visit to the oracle, and the brotherhood of Nwoye and Ikemefuna in chapter four.
Period 1 will work on the two textbook articles that they missed yesterday.
Vocabulary Friday! We will have our first crossword from the novel, due by the end of period.
HW: Read chapters 5 and 6 for homework. Pre-read and post-review the annotation guide questions.