Week 7 Syllabus: December 9

OKONKWO IS EXILED FOR THE ACCIDENTAL killing of a boy during Ezeudu’s funeral, his only option being to flee his village with his family, leaving all he had built up behind. How will Okonkwo respond to this tragedy which is so obviously beyond his control? In part two, we will see the arrival of European, Christian evangelists looking to convert the people of Umofia to Christianity. As you would predict, their arrival will not sit well with Okonkwo. And as we already know, English colonial rule will conquer the Yoruba speaking area and establish a colonial governor. Keep notes on how “things fall apart,” paying attention to the themes of power and individual responsibility (to one’s family, religion, rule of law, place of origin).

MONDAY, December 9

  • Today we’re looking into Achebe’s life and writing. We will start with a newspaper article, an obituary from 2013. Then we will watch an interview with Bill Moyers, keeping notes to answer the question, “What does Achebe hope that his reader gets from his novel(s)?”

  • Moving into chapter 12 and 13, ending part one.

  • Achebe ends part one with chapters that describe pivotal moments for Umofian society: the court system and justice, a wedding, a religious rite, and a funeral. Why do you suppose that Achebe includes these topics in the chapters prior to Okonkwo’s accident and expulsion from Ibo society?

  • We will read chapters 12 together.

  • HW: If you want to replace the “Chelkash” annotation grade, and submit your annotations to Binti to replace it, you should turn that in on Wednesday.

  • Read chapter 13 and 14 for class on Wednesday.

WEDNESDAY, December 11

  • I will review my annotations on chapters 13 and 14. Note, without irony, that Uchendu’s advice to Okonkwo about “[his] mother [being] there to protect you” is exactly what Ekwefi was doing, when following Ezinma and Chielo to the sacred Oracle of the Hills. That’s something that Okonkwo can’t reconcile, the earth goddess as ruler in life.

  • Reading chapter 15 in class together.

    HW: Read chapter 16 and 17 for class tomorrow (p. 143-153, only 10 pages!)

THURSDAY, December 12

  • Today, we will write a practice paragraph for the final, about Okonkwo. We are told he is born for greatness…does he achieve it? At this point in the novel, what do you think?

  • We will also get into round-robin groups and share some of your marginal notes in TFA.

  • I will also collect TFA to grade the annotations, up to and including chapter 17.

  • HW: Our final is Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 10 am. 1st period will meet in room B-311 with me. 3rd periods will meet in room xB-313 with Mr. Ortman.