Library Units > Things Fall Apart




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About this Unit

This unit is designed to acquaint you with the culture, customs, and history of Nigeria as it relates to the reading of Chinua Achebe's masterpiece, Things Fall Apart.

Achebe's book takes place in what is present-day Nigeria during the late 1880s. Part of the novel is written about a time before missionaries and other outsiders have arrived while the second part tells the story of their presence and subsequent influence on the local population.

It is important to note that the customs, traditions, and other aspects of African life that are depicted in Things Fall Apart no longer reflect the current development of Nigeria. Today it is an oil rich nation that contains Lagos, one of the mega-cities of the world. It is coping, just as we are, with many of the socio-economic, demographic, and environmental concerns that afflict all developed nations. Things Fall Apart portrays a slice of their rich and cultural heritage.

Directions for Unit

As part of this unit you will:

  1. Research information in the library on your topic.
  2. Use NoodleTools.com to create note cards and a bibliography for your sources. Watch these videos for more information on how to use Noodle Tools.com.
  3. Prepare an appropriate number of note cards and bibliographic cards concerning your research topic.
  4. Develop and give a 3-4 minute talk to be presented to the class. Part of your presentation must include a visual.
  5. Submit original note cards and bibliography at the time of your scheduled talk.

Syllabus

  • Day 1: NoodleTools.com instruction, assignments distributed
  • Day 2: Introduction to research sources, time to research, find overview of topic
  • Day 3: Continue research on topic, hand in 2 sources that you will use
  • Day 4: Continue research on topic
  • Day 5: Finish research on topic

After you return to the classroom, the following process will complete the unit:

  1. Class presentation
  2. Hand in note cards and bibliography.

Unit Mechanics and Research Hints

  1. Reference books do not leave the library. You may photocopy appropriate pages for free.
  2. Find an 1-3 page overview of your topic, explaining the who, what, where, when, and how
  3. Identify key search terms in the overview and in book indices, Web sites and other materials that give information.
  4. Type in the word "achebe" in Eagle Eyes for a list of related Web sites.

Questions

  1. Chinua Achebe is one of Africa's premiere authors who has been considered for and won some of literature's highest awards. Write a three-page biographical sketch of Chinua Achebe that covers his entire life, specifically his early to mid life. Be sure to include his major accomplishments, such as books published, awards received, degrees completed, etc.

    Sources:
    Chinua Achebe: Home and Exile NU026057
    Ezenwa-Obaeto, Chinua Achebe: A Biography NU023990.
    African Authors NU015859
    African Writers Volume I NU024571
    Database: Wilson Biographies

  2. After receiving its independence from Great Britain in 1960, Nigeria experienced many conflicts. The most serious occurred when the Igbo people chose to separate from Nigeria. They intended to call their new country Biafra and fought a civil war from 1967 to1970 with Nigeria that killed more than one million Nigerians. Briefly Explain why the Igbo wanted to secede from Nigeria and form Biafra. Be sure to mention the discovery of vast oil reserves in their area. Create an annotated timeline of the causes, major events and outcome of the Biafran Civil War.

    Sources:
    Falola, Toyin. The History of Nigeria, NU026251, pp. 122-126
    Uzokwe, Alfred. Surviving in Biafra NU032728.

  3. Chinua Achebe used a line from a Yeats poem, "The Second Coming", to title his masterpiece novel, Things Fall Apart. Read the poem and some of the criticisms/commentaries of the Yeats poem. Write an explanation of the poem and show how it relates to Achebe's book, Thing Fall Apart.

    Sources:
    Neice, Mac. The Poetry of W. B. Yeats, SU007013, pp.132-133.
    Allison, Jonathan. Poetry for Young People, William Butler Yeats NU028702, pp.42-43.
    Magill, Frank N. Critical Survey of Poetry: English Language Series, Authors Sti-Z, pp.3194-3199.

  4. Nigeria has a rich literary culture including authors such as Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, and Buchi Emecheta. Research some of their work and explain what they have in common.

    Sources:
    Wole Soyinka: An Anthology of Recent Criticism NU032004, pp. 13-14 (introduction) and pp. 31-32.
    Perspectives on Wole Soyinka: Freedom and Complexity NU032005, pp. 91-102. Soyinka, Wole. The Sore of an Open Continent NU022982 and Writing Across Cultures Gender Politics and Differences in Fiction of Buchi Emecheta NU032006
    Database: Wilson Biographies

  5. Nigeria is a vast country abundant in natural resources that are exported all over the world. The geography of the country ranges from rain forests to desert areas. Find a map of Nigeria and design a Google Maps Geotrip complete with short descriptions about important geographical features such as rivers, oil deposits, rain forests, and other valuable resources.

    Sources:
    Nnoromele, Salome. Nigeria NU026856, pp. 9-17.
    Lerner, Harry Jones. Nigeria in Pictures (Visual Geography Series) NL009562, pp. 5-18.
    Bowden, Rob and Maconachie, Roy. The Changing Face of Nigeria SL019219, 12-15.
    Database: CountryWatch.com

  6. Colonial rule caused a major upheaval to the indigenous people's way of life in Africa, specifically Nigeria. Give a short history (from 1884-1960) of the British rule in parts of Nigeria and the Africans' response to the colonization.

    Sources:
    General History of Africa VII: Africa Under Colonial Domination 1880-1935 NU020096, chapter: African Initiatives and resistance in West Africa 1880-1914, pp. 115-116, 134, 137, 472, 491-492.
    Wepman, Dennis. Africa: The Struggle for Independence NU024342, pp. 8-19.
    Jones, Constance. Africa: 1500-1900 NU019828, pp. 112-126
    Database: CountryWatch.com – under "Political View", click on History

  7. All societies have ways of explaining the most important and intimate beliefs they hold as a common group and individually. African folklore and mythology is a vast exploration of the world. Read some African folktales, identify characters that are repeated or appear in several tales. Select two folktales and summarize them.

    Sources:
    Oliver, J. The Wisdom of African Mythology NU021386.
    Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales NU032378.
    Gerson, Marie-Joan. Why the Sky is Far Away NL009351.
    Aardema, Verna. Misoso: Once Upon a Time Tales from Africa NL010491.
    Mbachu, Richard. African Tales in Igbo Proverbs NU032738.

  8. Nigeria, along with many other nations, has been plagued with war and corruption leaving much of the population in poverty because of the squandering of wealth and resources. Nigeria has had difficulty maintaining an internal peace within their nation as they look to remain an independent, democratic society. Write a three-page newspaper article that gives the history of Nigeria from 1980-2010. Be sure to include information about regional and sectarian tensions. What advice would you give Nigeria to reduce tensions and corruption?

    Sources: Foloa, Toyin. The History of Nigeria NU026251, pp. xv-xviii, 1-16.
    Rickovick, J. Tyler. Africa 2009 NU032369.
    Jones, Constance. Africa: 1500-1900 NU019828, pp. 127-134.
    Dickovick, J. Tyler Africa 2010 NU032369
    Database: CountryWatch.com – under "Political View", click on History

  9. According to Chinua Achebe, "Among the Ibo the art of conversation is regarded very highly and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten." Research the proverbs of the Igbo/Ibo and share some of the proverbs that strike you as the most essential or "words to live by." Explain how many of these proverbs are universal in nature.

    Sources:
    Mbachu, Richard. African Tales in Igbo Proverbs NU032738.
    Ogbaa, Kalu. Understanding Things Fall Apart NU025587, pp. 108-110

  10. The cuisine of Nigeria is considered an ancient art by those who have prepared these dishes for their families. Recipes are rarely written down, so each dish becomes a new experience for those eating the meal. Research the ingredients used in the many dishes of Western Africa, specifically Nigeria. Be sure to include the basic spices. You may wish to prepare a small sample of a dish to share with your classmates.

    Sources: Nabwirw, Constance. Cooking the African Way NL010031.
    Nigeria (Fiesta Series) NL015838.

  11. Nigeria is renowned for its visual arts in the form of sculpture, woodworking, and weaving. Describe some of their visual arts including all of the above. Be sure to include some samples that you can download and cite from the Internet.

    Sources:
    Nnoromele, Salome. Nigeria Modern Nations of the World. NU026856, pp. 78-81
    Kittler, Glenn D. Let's Travel in Nigeria and Ghana NU007417, p. 22
    Murray, Jocelyn ed. Cultural Atlas of Africa NU015995, pp. 82-89

  12. Oral literature, folklore and music are part of the ancient culture of Nigeria. Research how these types of literary traditions and music enrich Nigerian culture. Prepare a podcast that incorporates an example of Nigerian story-telling, folklore or music for your classmates to listen to.

    Sources:
    Nnormele, Salome. Nigeria Modern Nations of the World, NU026856 pp. 82-91
    Kittler, Glen Let's Travel in Nigeria and Ghana NU007417, p. 29
    Murray, Jocelyn ed. Cultural Atlas of Africa NU015995, pp. 90-97

  13. Things Fall Apart is set in the mid 1800s when European countries were colonizing Africa and imposing their religion and customs on various African tribes, including the Igbo (sometimes spelled Ibo). Many of the Igbo practiced their own form of religion and as such obeyed its various tenets. Describe some of the religious rites and ceremonies that were practiced by the Igbo people during this time period.

    Sources:
    Basden, George Thomas. Among the Ibos of Nigeria. NU032722, pp. 163 + and 183-189
    Ogbaa, Kalu. Understanding Things Fall Apart. NU025587 pp. 127-155.

  14. Achebe's book Things Fall Apart gives a view of Africa before it was unjustly invaded and partitioned by European countries in the late 1880s. Discuss the commercial and political motives that these countries had for invading Africa. Make sure that you include information about which countries were involved, and be sure to mention the slave trade.

    Sources:
    Ogbaa, Kalu. Understanding Things Fall Apart. NU025587 pp. 22-27
    Wessling, H.L. Divide and Rule : The Partition of Africa 1880-1914 NU023033 pp. 187, 212-213
    Pakenham, Thomas The Scramble for Africa… NU023274 pp. xxi-xxiii
    Mnoromele, Salome Nigeria Modern Nations of the World NU026856, pp. 33-39.
    Boahen, A. Adu. Ed. General History of Africa VII NU020096, pp. 19-38.

  15. Things Fall Apart takes place in an Igbo village just as it is being impacted by the arrival of British missionaries and their government. What were the roles of women vis a vis men in Igbo villages during this time period?

    Sources:
    Okoroike, Columbus O. Ibos of Nigeria and Their Cultural Ways NU032726, pp. 103-112
    Basden, George Thomas Among the Ibos of Nigeria NU032722 pp. 53- 59, 71-80

  16. The life of the village is the background for Things Fall Apart. Describe what life was like in a typical Igbo village during the time the novel was written. Where did people live? What did the majority do for a living? What did they do for recreation?

    Sources:
    Basden, George Thomas. Among the Ibos of Nigeria NU032722, pp. 27-44, 95 -115
    Okwu, Augustine S.O. Igbo Culture and the Christian Missions 1857-1957 NU032736, pp. 7-8
    Ogbaa, Kalu. Understanding Things Fall Apart NU025587 pp. 92-95

  17. Achebe's masterpiece, Things Fall Apart, is set during a clash of civilizations. Europeans were establishing control of Nigeria and their laws and customs were frequently seen as a threat to Igbo justice systems. Research and explain how British laws and justice system clashed with Nigerian tribal laws.

    Sources:
    Ogbaa, Kalu. Understanding Things Fall Apart. NU025587, pp. 69-72
    Falola, Toyin. The History of Nigeria NU026251 pp. 67-80
    Nnoromele, Salome. Nigeria Modern Nations of the World NU026856, pp. 36-40
    Rodney, Walter. How Europe Undeveloped Africa. NU020100, pp. 149-201

  18. Chinua Achebe is one of Nigeria's and Africa's greatest writers. He is passionately committed to political justice especially for developing countries. For African writers, he recommends that they value their homeland, origins and use their writing to address issues such as oppression and injustice. Research Achebe's political career as an activist and choose three poems from his book, Collected Poems and describe how they express his opinions concerning activism in Africa.

    Sources:
    Obaeto, Ezenwa. Chinua Acehbe: A Biography NU023990, pp. 227-245
    Achebe, Chinua. Home and Exile NU026057, pp. choose selected pages.

  19. One theme that appears over and over in Achebe's writing is that our perceptions and the stories we tell are shaped by our social and cultural context, and he emphasizes that, "those that have been written about should also participate in the making of these stories". In 1890 Joseph Conrad took a trip down the Congo and returned to England. He wrote a novel called The Heart of Darkness that contains many demeaning stereotypes that were based upon one short visit to Africa. Research and describe what was going on in Europe and the Congo during the 1880 - 1890 that may have influenced Conrad to view Africa in the way he did. Be sure to consult Conrad's Congo Diary.

    Sources:
    Hochschild, Adam. King Leopold's Ghost NU032343 pp. 3,142-149, 229,284, 294, 140-146.
    Conrad, Joseph. Diary of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo Cultures of the World NU025465, pp. 27-28. Achebe's essay on The Heart of Darkness.

  20. The marketplace was the center of life for many areas of Africa. Villagers would travel far from home to exchange goods with other clans and tribes. This meeting place was essential for everyone to be able to trade their produce or crafts for their every day essentials. Describe an African market place and the probable goods and services that would be offered.

    Sources:
    Jenness, Aylette. Along the Niger River: An African Way of Life NL006618, pp. 111-128.


Prepared by K. Craver and L. Lennon 4/2010