EngL1401W - Fall 2006: Introduction to "Third World" Literature

In the begining of the book it seems like actions are more important than words because Achebe told a story of warriors that never backed down. Whoever was willing to fight was considered to be strong. The stronger men looked down upon men who knew how to use language. But in the end words are more important because the clan is starting to use words because they realize that when they fight the white men they get punished with ways that they are not familier with. They become willing to make a compromise all but Okowonko that is.

- How is Achebe responding to Conrad in TFA and what is he saying?

- Why do Okonkwo and the Ibo people fall apart (possibles: missionaries, disrespect for Goddesses/women, blind spots)?

- Compare and contrast Conrad and Achebe within the two stories we have read.

Excellent suggestions! Andrew, great questions...perhaps the last one could be refined to compare and contrast the authorial presence of Conrad/Achebe, since they don't make themselves actual characters in the book. (Although, as you'll find out when reading Foe, it happens.)

-Consider different relationships, their growth, significance and their impact in TFA:

* From Unoka to Okonkwo to Nwoye. How do each of these fathers affect their sons actions and outcome?

*Then, consider relationhips similar to a "father-son" relationship. Okonkwo and Ezinma have a very unique bond. It could be compared and contrasted with Okonkwo and Nwoye and even Ikemefuna.

*Also consider the type of "father-son" relationship between the missionaries and the people of Umuofia. How does Mr. Browns role compare to Mr. Smith? Could Mr. Brown be considered more feminine in the Igbo culture and Mr. Smith more mascline? Interesting then that Mr. Brown was received better.

Good ones, Danielle. Further on the last one, you could compare and contrast Mr. Brown/Smith with the different white folks of "Outpost."

How is Africa and its people portrayed in Outpost of Progress? And how does this differ in Things Fall Apart?

In what way are the events of Things Fall Apart foreshadowed? Would the book have had the same effect with a different ending?

How is suicide used by the two authors to convey a fall from grace?

How does Achebe's/Conrad's background affect their overall perspective of the world? Does bias come into play in Things Fall Apart or An Outpost of Progress? Are there any inferences of racism or negritude in either textx?

How does Achebe's/Conrad's background affect their overall perspective of the world? Does bias come into play in Things Fall Apart or An Outpost of Progress?
Are there any inferences of racism or negritude in either texts?

-How does the prospect and reality of change affect various characters (within themselves and within the society/culture)? Would this be determined by a person's status? Should change be privileged over tradition (or vice versa)?

-We've been talking lately about music/language in Things Fall Apart. How about silence? When does it happen and what does it mean? Are there different types of silence? Should silence be explained as positive or negative? Why? Why do you think Unoka took his flute with him to the Evil Forest when he dies?

-What role does the weather have in the novel? Does rain or draught have significance? Explain how the weather affects the characters' emotionally and spiritually.

-Why are animals always used in the proverbs/folktales? What's the importance of some of the animals that are mentioned? What does this convey about the Ibo culture? What goals does Achebe gain from adding animal imagery (i.e., what does he want us to know/understand?

Does Achebe mean to praise the culture of the Ibo or discredit it?

Compare or contrast Okonkwo to his father or Nwoye to Okonkwo.

What significance did Ikemefuna have in the story. Was this a turning point for Okonkwo, or was he just following the same path.

- Why is there something called “Week of Peace” and why is it prohibited for a man to beat his wife during that week? Does that imply that the culture admits that not beating one’s wife creates peace and harmony between the couple?

- “Never kill a man who says nothing” (Achebe 140) What does Uchendu mean by this passage? Does it imply that silence means less power because killing a powerless man (the silent man) is an evil upon the killer?

- Why does Ekwefi have the most power out of all of Okonkwo’s wives? Is Achebe trying to tell us something about women’s power? Note: Ekwefi is the only wife of Okonkwo who doesn’t have a son, yet both her and her daughter are very outspoken and her daughter is more beloved to Okonkwo than his sons. Does this show us that even if at least theoretically, women can have more power than men in the Igbo culture?

- Why is it that the head of the Egwugwu is named Evil Forest when the culture implies rules that state that any person who is ill or expelled from the tribe for having an evil spirit shall be thrown into the Evil Forest? Doesn’t the Egwugwu tell the tribe what is good to do and what is not so good in some cases? How can something that represents Evil Spirits issue rulings on what is right and what isn’t? Note that the Evil Forest has a lot of power because it supposedly kills all the expelled people. Therefore, does this imply that power is more important than evil spirits' possession in the Igbo culture?

Comparing Wedding At The Cross to Things Fall Apart, what similarities do you see?

or

Comparing Miriamu to the women in Things Fall Apart what similarities or differnces are there?

Who does Wariuki represent later in his life to in Things Fall Apart? Compare and Contrast.

Does the events that happen foreshadow Okonkwo's death?

Does the fact that Achebe introduces many characters in the book which even make the reader forget who was who have any importance? Is there a purpose behind this?
Why does Okonkokow love Ekwefi more than others. She wasn’t even his wife to start with. She was simply a run away. She did not have any sons and even her daughters kept dieing.
Why does Achebe choose Okonkow’s life style? Because his actions were influenced by his past and psychologically made him not want to me like his father. This character was mentally struggling within himself.

Why does Achebe form characters with extreme personalities in TFA (Okonkwo vs. Unoka)? Is he trying to relay some sort of message?

What is Achebe signifying when he talks about "Mother is Supreme?"(133) Is he trying to portray an underlying theme of the importance of women?

Why does Achebe choose to give Okonkwo his tragic fate? What message is Achebe trying to express?

How does Achebe's use of Ibo words change the way the reader understands or interprets what Achebe is trying to do in Things Fall Apart?

Does the strictness of the Ibo culture (or any culture) lead to its downfall?