TFA Discussion Chs 20-21/DEJ 9

By the way, if we don't talk about these questions in class, you can write about them at home to finish the second half of the DEJ.

1. What does Obierika think about the white man's presence and his actions?

2. How is Mr. Brown gaining importance in Ibo society? What is his approach (what personal strategies does he use to accomplish it)?

3. How is Okonkwo's return to Umoufia a disappointment?

4. What do you predict will happen with Okonkwo and his plans?

Over break:
1. Finish reading TFA and do DEJ 10
2. Select a topic for the soph speech and write a page explaining it to me.
3. Honors: continue reading Purple Hibiscus
4. Work on missing work in preparation for English Amnesty Day

any questions? email--jscozzaro@gmail.com

Happy Holidays!

TFA Discussion Chs 14-16/ DEJ 8

1. Why is "mother supreme" in Ibo culture?

2. What is Uchendu's message to Okonko?

3. What problems are causing things to fall apart in Ibo society? according to Uchendu? according to Obierika?

4. What news does Obierika bring in Ch. 15?


5. What is interesting about the interaction between the white missionary and the people in Ch. 10?

6. Why is Nwoye captivated by the Christian theology?

7. What are we supposed to think about all this?

Additional HW for week of 12/19

1. Keep up w reading & DEJ schedule

2. Complete the "Civil Peace" Study Guide (I & II: Vocab and Comprehension; Honors: Vocab, Comprehension & Discussion/Writing) due Thursday. If you need a copy of it, email me at: jscozzaro@gmail.com

3. Sophomore Speech HW for over break:

The purpose of the sophomore speech is to persuade people to do something or to think about something in a new way. You can write the speech about a topic of your choice. For homework, select your topic and write me a one page description of the topic. You don't have to tell me what you will argue in your speech; rather, just explain the topic, what you know about it, and why you're interested in it.

4. Amnesty Day--Wed. Jan. 4th 2012. If you are missing any work this term, have it with you (completed, of course) to hand in that day for partial credit.

5. Looking ahead to after break, everyone will have to select one story that we haven't read yet from "African Short Stories," and read it.

TFA Discussion Chs 12-13/ DEJ 7

1. Why did Okonkwo get no sleep the night before Obierika's daughter's betrothal ceremony?

2. What happens when Ezelagbo's husband's cow gets loose?

3. How many pots of wine were brought by the groom's family? What was the reaction to this number?

4. Describe the funeral ceremony for Ezeudu.

5. Why was Okonkwo banished for 7 years? Where did he have to go for that time?

6. Why did Obierika and "men from Ezeudu's quarter" destroy Okonkwo's compound?

Chapters 8-9 Discussion

Discuss the significance of the following quotations to the themes of resistance and respect for women:

1. "You know very well, Okonkwo, that I am not afraid of blood; and if anyone tells you that I am, he is telling a lie. And let me tell you one thing, my friend. If I were you I would have stayed home" (67).

2. "'It was always said that Ndulue and Ozeomena had one mind,' said Obierika...'I did not know that,' said Okonkwo. 'I thought he was a strong man in his youth'" (68).

3. "'But the law of the land must be obeyed.' 'I don't know how we got that law,' said Obierika" (69").

4. "All their customs are upside-down. They do not decide bride-price as we do, with sticks. They haggle and bargain as if they were buying a goat or a cow in the market" (73).

5. "The relationship between them was not only that of mother and child. There was something in it like a companionship of equals..." (77).

6. "Ekwefi had nothing but good wishes for he. But she had grown so bitter about her own chi that she could not rejoice with others over their good fortune" (79).

7. "'Bring me a low stool for Enzinma,' he said, ' and a thick mat'" (86).

Chapters 6-7 Discussion

In small groups of 3-4, answer all of the following. Each group member should have the answers written in notes.

1. In what ways has Ikemefuna become an important member of Okonkwo's family? find 2-3 quotes as support.

2. Who is Chielo? What does she do for a living? What's her relationship with Ekwefi? find quotes to support your answers.


3. Why does Okonkwo not listen to Ogbuefi Ezeudu's advice?


4. How does Ikmefuna's death affect Nwoye? find 2-3 quotes as support.

Outside Reading/ additional work week of 12/12/11

C1 & C2, read "Civil Peace" in African Short Stories. Due next Mon/Tues.

Honors, read "Civil Peace" due Wed 12/14.

Due Friday 12/17:
Complete body paragraph on following:
What do Okonkwo's relationships with his wives & children reveal about his character? Do his wives/kids passively acquiesce (yield or give in) to his will?

Must have at least one direct quotation & a topic sentence that answers question above.

Honors due 12/23:
Read pp 1-109 of "Purple Hibiscus"
Writing prompt to follow.

The Apprentice Study Guide

Honors English: Do the SG tonight in addition to the TFA reading and DEJ.

C1 & 2, just review the SG but it will not be collected.

1984 Test--check!

For doing such an excellent job keeping up w the 1984 schedule, tonight's HW is to relax!
Bring TFA to class from now on. New reading schedule to follow...