Things Fall Apart



Things Fall Apart Honors English 2

You will complete four sets of Cornell Notes, one for each of the four sections in the novel. The sections are Ch 1-7; Ch 8-13; Ch 14-19; and Ch 20-25. Each set of notes will include the following:

• 5 Guided Reading Questions and Responses

• 5 Level Questions (a variety of L1, L2, L3) and Responses—created by you!

• 1 Self-selected Vocabulary Word, Context and Synonym or Definition for each chapter in the section; and 1 Assigned Vocabulary Word, Context and Synonym or Definition for each chapter in the section

• 1 Key Passage w/Commentary (characterization, irony, simile/metaphor, theme, foreshadowing, symbolism, allusion)

• Summary of the chapters in the section

Section 1: Chapters 1-7

Guided Reading Questions

1. How does Okonkwo’s attitude toward his father affect his life?

2. Describe the changes in Ikemefuna during his stay with Okonkwo? Describe the changes in Nwoye.

3. What does Okonkwo learn about himself after his crops fail?

4. Why is Okonkwo fined? To what extent are the criticisms of Okonkwo justified?

5. What does Okonkwo’s decision to participate in Ikemefuna’s death show about his character?

Assigned Vocabulary

improvident. plaintive, abomination, poignant, reveled, frenzied, feign

Section 2: Chapters 8-13

Guided Reading Questions

1. How might the conversation about marriage customs foreshadow events to come?

2. Ekwefi blames herself and her evil chi for the deaths of her first nine children. How does her relationship with Ezinma reflect this pain?

3. How do the egwugwu settle the wife-beating case? What is your opinion of the settlement?

4. How are Ibo wedding rituals similar to our own? What do the differences indicate about Ibo society?

5. After Ezeudu’s funeral, Obierika recalls the deaths of his innocent twin children. What does this moment of reflection suggest about the changing values of Ibo society? Explain.

Assigned Vocabulary

copiously, esoteric, approbation, notorious, sullenness, inadvertent

Section 3: Chapters 14-19

Guided Reading Questions

1. Why is Okonkwo banished? How does he react to his banishment?

2. What does Obierika’s story of Abame foreshadow?

3. Contrast the ways Okonkwo and Uchendu define a fool. Which definition do you feel is most accurate?

4. What reasons might Nwoye have for rejecting his father and embracing Christianity?

5. How does Okonkwo respond to the coming of the missionaries?

Assigned Vocabulary

requisite, ominous, derisive, impudent, ostracize, amends

Section 4: Chapters 20-25

Guided Reading Questions

1. What do Okonkwo’s marriage plans for Ezinma and Obiageli reveal about him?

2. Why does Obierika feel it is useless to fight the Christians and their new government?

3. Compare Mr. Brown’s and Mr. Smith’s methods of dealing with Umuofia culture. How might events have differed if Mr. Smith had been the first missionary to arrive?

4. Do you agree with Obierika’s judgment that Okonkwo was a great man? Explain.

5. Why do you think the novel ends with the District Commissioner’s thoughts about this book?

Assigned Vocabulary

resilient, expedient, imminent, superfluous, resolute

Journal Questions

1. The main character in this book places a great deal of importance on being “manly.” What strengths is this character likely to have? What weaknesses do you expect to see in him?

2. This book is set in Nigeria in the late 19th century, during the time when the country had just become a British colony. One of the British authorities, the District Commisssioner, considers the native Ibo people to be “primitive.” What stereotypes might he have about the Ibo and their culture?

3. Think about what you know about colonization throughout history. What effects do you think colonization will have on the main character’s warrior culture?

4. Why do people resist change? What amount of change are you most comfortable with. Explain by describing examples.

5. How important are traditions to keeping your family together?

6. What pressures are creating or forcing changes in our culture today? Discuss one or two examples.

7. What questions do you have about the book or the time period and issues it might cover?

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