TFA 2.2

DO NOW- DISCUSS a, b, c and d below in small groups (10 minutes):

1. What are some of Achebe’s most compelling arguments?
2. According to Achebe, what is the colonialist single story of Africa, and how does Conrad’s novel contribute to that view?
3. Find 3 quotes that support Achebe’s argument that Conrad is a “thoroughgoing racist”- read closely and discuss their importance to the meaning of the article.

Objectives:

• identify problems with the colonialist single story of Africa;
• describe the writing style of Chinua Achebe.
• explain  how Achebe works to create a counter-colonialist story of Nigeria.

Agenda:

1. do now
2. “[T]he question is whether a novel which celebrates this dehumanization, which depersonalizes a portion of the human race, can be called a great work of art.” (6)
3. Full Class Discussion- Can a racist work (or work with an underlying racist tone) be considered a “great work of art”? Why or why not?
4. Colonialism Crash Course (3:25)
5. Small group discussion :  Base these on your 3-2-1 Journal questions, observations, quotes- appoint a Facilitator (12 min)
6. Class Discussion:

• How would you describe the story’s narrative voice?
• How would you describe Okonkwo’s character? How is he complex? Strong/admirable? Flawed? What is his relationship to masculinity and to weakness?
• How is Igbo society described as complex?

5. Summarize: How is Achebe creating a uniquely counter-colonialist story of the Igbo people?

HW: Ch 4-5 in TFA+ 3-2-1 Discussion Journal for NEXT TUESDAY (we will work on this in-class TOMORROW)