Transcript Honors Day 11: Things Fall Apart

Honors Day 17: Things Fall Apart
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Journal #6: At the beginning of the novel, we are told that Okonkwo’s
“fame rested on solid personal achievements,” yet by the end of Part one,
he was banished from the community. What do you see as Okonkwo’s
strengths and weaknesses(think in terms of comparison and contrasts—
are any of his weaknesses related to his strengths, or vice versa?), and
how do you explain his change of fortune and how he has dealt with that
change?
In groups of 3, brainstorm themes for Part 2 and predict the outcome of
Part 3.
As a large group, brainstorm instances when an outside group of people
has come into a society and changed it. Discuss pros and cons for each
of these historical occurrences.
Find a quote in the novel describing Okonkwo’s banishment. Ask different
kids to share what they found with the large group.
Discussion: What purpose did Okonkwo’s banishment serve in the story?
How did it affect his growth as a character? What effect did his
banishment have on the society he left behind? Is he still a strong man
and a leader now that he has returned?
Homework: Read chapters 21-25
Novel Test next Tuesday, Dec. 11
Who says that drought was here? By Niyi Osundare
With these green guests around
Who says that drought was here?
The rain has robed the earth
in vests of verdure
the rain has robed an earth
licked clean by the fiery tongue of drought
With these green guests around
Who says that drought was here?
Palms have shed the shroud of brown
cast over forest tops
by the careless match of tinder days
when flares flooded the earth
and hovering hawks taloned the tale
to the ears of the deafening sky
With these green guests around
Who says that drought was here?
Aflame with herbal joy
trees slap heave’s face
with compound pride
of youthful leaves
drapering twigs into groves
once skeletal spires in
the unwinking face of the baking sun
With these green guests around
Who says that drought was here?
and anthills throw open their million gates
and winged termites swarm their welcome
of compassionate twilights
and butterflies court the fragrant company
of fledgeling flowers
and milling moths paste wet lips
on the translucent ears of listening windows
and the swallow brailles a tune
on the copper face of the gathering lake
and weaverbirds pick up the chorus
in leafening heights…
soon crispy mushrooms will break
the fast venturing soles
With these green guests around
Who says that drought was here?