Things Fall Apart Discussion Questions by VALERIE LAW https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3 Write your 3 questions in a post; then respond to any 2 students' questions. en-us 2020-01-15 16:16:52 UTC 2020-01-21 20:05:17 UTC hello@padlet.com Nitin Chikkodi nitin_chikkodi_401 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434143423 1)  If Okonkwo views the term agbala as a sign of weakness because he associates it with his father, how does he view the Oracle? (Chapters 1 - 4)
2) Why does Okonkwo break the Week of Peace against the Oracle's wishes but also allow the killing of Ikemefuna as per the Oracle's wishes? What is the reason for this hypocrisy? (Chapters 5 - 8)
3) What are the similarities and differences between Okonkwo's village and our society in regards to the egwugwu? (Chapters 9 - 11)]]> 2020-01-21 17:49:22 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434143423 Aashish Kambala aashish_kambala_975 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434143535 1. How does Okonkwo's behavior display common gender roles in his society?
2. Why does Okonkwo treat his son very strictly in regards to farming?
3.How does the characterization of the priestess who takes away Enzima for a little time portray Ibo culture?]]> 2020-01-21 17:49:31 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434143535 Omar Siddiki omar_siddiki_497 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434144182 1) Why is Okonkwo throwing the cat important to himself and the village
2)Why does Okonkwo treat his family so poorly? What is the significance of this?
3)What is the significance of Women being treated like property and belonging to their husbands?]]> 2020-01-21 17:50:17 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434144182 Kayla Schlotman kayla_schlotman_685 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434144463 How does Okonkwo’s relationship with his father positively and negatively impact him?
What is the significance of Okonkwo’s first wife’s name not being revealed?
What is the significance of Okonkwo’s close relationship with his daughter, Ezinma?]]> 2020-01-21 17:50:36 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434144463 Emma Dahl emma_dahl_389 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434144707 1. What does the Ibo peoples use of proverbs demonstrate?
2. Why does Okonkwo wish Ezinma was a boy?
3. What does the story about the tortoise and the birds symbolize?
]]> 2020-01-21 17:50:55 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434144707 Kai Castellanos kaiee_castellanos_007 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434144923 How does Okonkwo’s determination determine his personality?

Do you believe that Okonkwo meant to miss his shot when he shot his gun?

At the end of Chapter 11, Okonkwo accompanies Ekwefi outside the cave, which shows the admirable and caring part of him, do you think that Okwonko might act differently to different wives?
]]> 2020-01-21 17:51:16 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434144923 Dhriti Barnwal dhriti_barnwal_880 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434145334 1-4) Why were Unoka’s skills in music and language looked down upon by the clan? 
5-8) What are the various restrictions faced by women in these chapters and what are their significance?
Al queda) How does the story of the tortoise and the bird relate to the overarching theme of colonialism? ]]> 2020-01-21 17:51:53 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434145334 Aanchal Singh aanchal_singh_077 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434145389 1.Since the real name of Nwoye’s mother is unknown, what does this say about the wife’s role in society? 

2. Do you think the village of Umuofia has a good sense of community using the evidence in chapter 5-8? 

3. In the Ibo culture, do you think fear and respect go hand in hand as seen in Agbala, Okonkwo, and Evil Forest? ]]> 2020-01-21 17:51:58 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434145389 Sonika Podduturi sonika_podduturi_868 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434145608 1) What is the significance of the vast difference in characterization of Okonkwo and his father, Unoka?
2) In what ways has the author changed Okonkwo’s characterization and what is the importance of this change?
3) In the culture referred to in the novel, what role does superstition play and what is the significance?]]> 2020-01-21 17:52:16 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434145608 Amanda Sun amanda_sun_510 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434146091 What is the relationship between Ikemefuma’s 3 year stay with Okonkwo and his age? What other elements that are similar to age restriction are found in the book and/or African culture? Why would a youth/offender’s son be sacrificed but not the offender? What does this have to do with the cultural hierarchy and a youth’s position in African culture?]]> 2020-01-21 17:53:01 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434146091 aman_deva_524 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434146157 1. How would Okonkwo's life be different if his father was like the current him and not lazy?

2. If Okonkwo tried to save Ikemefuna's life, how would it potentially change his village?

3. If these villages in Nigeria didn't believe in so many Gods they believe in, for example the Evil Forest, the Earth Goddess, etc. how would it affect their living habits?
]]> 2020-01-21 17:53:07 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434146157 Alisha manzoor https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434146457 1. Why do you think the women of Umofia didn’t have any say in the decision of the murder of a women in their clan ?
2. At the end of chapter 8, what historical event is foreshadowed and what is the belief expressed behind it ?
3. When Okonkwo gets mad at the priest, what do his actions reveal about the kind of person he is ?]]> 2020-01-21 17:53:37 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434146457 Anvesh Kanipakam https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434146497 1) What significance does the character foil of Unoka have on the characterization of Okonkwko?

2) What role does the death of Ikemefuna play in the progression of the story and on Okonkwo?

3) How do the cultural beliefs of the people such as the egwugwu shape the lives of Umofians?]]> 2020-01-21 17:53:40 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434146497 Amanda Sun amanda_sun_510 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434146668 What is the significance of the musical instruments with each special occasion? Why would specific instruments be used for these particular occasions, and what could they symbolize? ]]> 2020-01-21 17:53:52 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434146668 Max Straub Max_Straub https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434146765 1-4: What is the Okonkwo’s motivation to be the man he is? Why does he feel the need to show a gruff exterior and be so aggressive/assertive with his peers?

5-8: How does the author represent the importance of woman within Ibo society? What are their roles within society?

9-11: How have the deaths of Ekwefi’s children impacted her views on child birth and her overall attitude?]]> 2020-01-21 17:54:02 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434146765 Andrew Ly andrew_ly_112 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434146786 1. What are the positives and negatives of Okonkwo's dedication to being nothing like his father? Whose life would you rather live?
2. Why is it that Okonkwo does not have the same respect for celebrations and tradition as the rest of the Ibo people?
3.What is the importance of chi in Things Fall Apart? More specifically, what effect does it have on Ekwefi's outlook on life and childbirth?]]> 2020-01-21 17:54:03 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434146786 Kabir Kapai https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434147029
1.) How do the values of the Igbo community keep Okonkwo grounded?
2.) Why did Achebe include the fact that Nwoye often questions traditions? How does it add to his character and the plot?
3.) How did Achebe emphasize the role of women in these chapters (9-11), and what does it indicate for the future?]]> 2020-01-21 17:54:25 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434147029 Naisha Gupta naisha_gupta_567 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434147186 1. How does Okonkwo’s relationship with his father affect his parenting skills? Who’s parenting skills do you believe are more affective?
2. How are women in the novel portrayed differently than in today’s society? Are their any similarities?
3. How does Enzima’s relationship with her family differ from the other children? What factors into her relationships that differ from her siblings?
]]> 2020-01-21 17:54:38 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434147186 maya kemp https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434147328 do you believe Okonkwo’s fear of laziness is just from his father or someone else?
why do you think Ikemefuna and Nwoye’s relationship is so strong?
why do you think chapter 10 was included?]]> 2020-01-21 17:54:53 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434147328 Ella Fariss ella_fariss_069 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434147465 Chapters 1-4: What do you think the author’s reasons for Okankwo’s aggressiveness is? Do you think it’s because of his father?
Chapters 5-8: What would’ve happened if Okankwo didn’t go to the killing Ikemefuna?
Chapters 9-11: Do you think that the stories the kids are told are important or, as all the men say, they are silly stories for women and children, or do they teach important lessons?
]]> 2020-01-21 17:55:05 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434147465 Kaavya Jampana 2B https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434147911 What role does wrestling play in Umuofian Culture?
How is the New Yam festival important to the Igbo society?
Describe the symbolism and significance of the tortoise tale.]]> 2020-01-21 17:55:40 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434147911 Hinata Kitahama hinata_kitahama_029 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434148157 1.) How does religion impact the daily lives of Ibos?

2.) How is Okonkwo influenced by his family members?

3.) Why do you think women are treated unfairly in the Ibo culture?]]> 2020-01-21 17:55:59 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434148157 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434148212 1-4
why does okonkwo let his pride/fear interfere with his relationships 
5-8
Why does okonkwo rather feel nothing to feel love 
9-11
Can a mothers love keep a dying child alive ]]> 2020-01-21 17:56:02 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434148212 Amanda Sun amanda_sun_510 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434148733 What is the relationship between the egwugwu, Okonkwo’s status, and the nine villages? Are there any immediate similarities and what do they suggest? How is the line of egwugwu similar to modern society in America?]]> 2020-01-21 17:56:43 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434148733 Shraddha shraddha_gangaram_852 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434148747 The villagers believe that their “Supreme Court” is made up of ancestral spirits when they are actually men in disguise. What does this tell u about the Igbo understanding of law and justice? ]]> 2020-01-21 17:56:44 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434148747 Sammy Senthilkumar https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434149550 1) why does unoko consult the oracle? what does the oracle tell him?
2) how long ikemefuna been with the family? who does decides his fate? what does ezeudu tell okonkwo about this decision? 
3) why does ekwefi have a bitter attitude about life? describe her relationship with ezinma? what does okunkwo do to help ezinma? ]]> 2020-01-21 17:57:52 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434149550 Shraddha shraddha_gangaram_852 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434150537 Okonkwo makes constant remarks about Ezinma having to been born as a boy. Why is it necessary to the story that his favored child is a girl? ]]> 2020-01-21 17:59:08 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434150537 ashwati_chandrakiran_376 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434150981 Do you think that the way that Okonkwo built his character opposing to his father’s character is affecting Okonkwo’s life in a positive or a negative manner?

Who gained and who lost from Ikemefuna’s death?

What conclusions can you draw about why the author decided to include the story of the tortoise?]]> 2020-01-21 17:59:43 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434150981 Xavier https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434151230 1. What do the Kola nuts symbolize to the tribe and what does this reveal about their culture?

2. What do the locusts symbolize/foreshadow (specifically the shadow they bring upon the tribe)?

3. How does Ekwefi and Ezinma’s relationship convey the status of women on the tribe?]]> 2020-01-21 18:00:03 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434151230 Kemarian Chaildz https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434151665 Is it healthy to hate everything someone else loves, even your enemies?

Are you allowed to feel bad for something you wanted to do?]]> 2020-01-21 18:00:40 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434151665 William Leggs william_leggs_855 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434152131 1-4).If Ikemefuna was killed when he first came do you think that Nwoye would have became the son that Okonkwo wanted without the help of Ikemefuna?
5-8).If you were Okonkwo would you beat the youngest wife and break the week of peace? If not what would it take for you to break the week of peace ?
9-11). Do you believe that karma is going to come to Okonkwo for doing wrong to Ikemefuna (or do you even believe in the quote from the tortoise story about doing harm)?]]> 2020-01-21 18:01:18 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434152131 Shraddha shraddha_gangaram_852 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434152808 Okonkwo rejects his father Unoka’s way of living and consequently Nwoye rejects Okonkwo’s ways. Is this an inevitable nature of a father - son relationship in their village? ]]> 2020-01-21 18:02:18 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434152808 answering Andrew Ly’s second question shraddha_gangaram_852 https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434167337 Okonkwo does not show any signs of love or affection as he thinks it symbolizes weakness, a trait he does not associate himself with nor does he want his kids to.]]> 2020-01-21 18:22:28 UTC https://padlet.com/lawv/hvjklbmlz2n3/wish/434167337