Things Fall Apart

The story of my first marriage. . .

Preconceptions of Africa In your notes, free-write for two minutes on

what comes to mind when you listen to the excerpt about Africa from Joseph Conrad’s novel, The Heart of Darkness

What images do you see? What words leap out at you? What conclusions can you draw based on

the descriptions?

Be prepared to share your thoughts during class discussion

Chinua Achebe Born in southern

Nigeria 1930 Raised by Christian

parents Learned English in the

missionary schools Dissatisfied by

Colonialist’s account of Africa

Published Things Fall Apart in 1958 through a company in England

The Igbo People Southeastern

Nigeria One of several

peoples in the region

Over eight million people today

Igbo Religion and Beliefs Ancestry Worship The Oracle/Diviner Masks and

Egwugwu Week of Peace Feast of the New

Yam Polytheistic “Chukwu” “Chi”

Igbo Culture Foods Yams, palm oil, kola

nut Yams = men’s work Polygamy Proverbs “If one finger brought

oil, it soiled the others” “If a child washes his

hands, he can eat with kings”

American samples?

Christian Missionaries Arrived in Nigeria in

late 19th Century Some were comprised

of former British slaves 1792:1000 ex-slaves

Established schools, hospitals, and churches

Sometimes used harsh governing methods

Ex: slaughter entire communities; take village elders hostage; pay Africans to rule harshly

Reading Strategy: Predict

Make three predictions as to what will happen in this story. You may comment on setting, character, conflict, or plot.