a. In this ceremony, it was decided that the clan would immediately pay the two hundred and fifty bags of cowries to the court messengers in order to set their leaders free. This shows how important the leaders are to the clan. - 3. The morning after Okonkwo’s release from the white man’s
- prison, another ceremony took place to decide what Umuofia
- was going to do about the missionaries that were disrespecting
- them and their culture (Things Fall Apart).
Outline II. The missionaries were determined not to be run out of Umuofia by the people of the clan. They were there in order to convert those in Umuofia, and they were not going to leave until they had finished what they had started.- A. Achebe shows the reader the determination of the missionaries
- in converting the clan through the building of the church, school,
- trading store, and new government.
- 1. When the missionaries built the church earlier in the story,
- it became evident that they planned to stay. When the
- Umuofians began to attend the church, it became evident
- that the missionaries were becoming convincing.
- 2. When Mr. Brown built his school, he wanted the people of
- Umuofia to send their children there, claiming that the
- future leaders had to be educated (Things Fall Apart).
- 3. The trading store that was built allowed more money to
- flow into Umuofia, convincing some members of the clan
- that maybe the missionaries were not so bad (Things Fall
- Apart).
- 4. The new government that the missionaries established in
- Umuofia was supported by the Christian religion, but did
- not necessarily have the Ibo culture in its best interest.
Outline III. The turning point in the story shows how the new religion marks the start of the clan’s downfall.- A. Mr. Smith’s negative attitude causes the disruption of the clan’s
- order because of his implementation of religion.
- 1. The obvious differences between Mr. Brown and Mr.
- Smith’s treatment of the clan causes a shift in feelings on
- the clan’s part.
- 2. Mr. Smith does not show any respect to the Umuofians.
- 3. Mr. Smith shows how different he is from Mr. Brown when
- the Umuofians attempt to bargain with him but he is
- arrogant, and Okeke (his interpreter) is forced to try to
- patch things up between the opposing groups.
- 4. He is shown the amount of dislike the Umuofians have for
- him when his church is burned down in front of his eyes.
Outline IV. The ‘white men’s’ indirect motives were to harm the Umuofians, along with their beliefs, and force them into accepting the Christian religion. A. The ‘white men’ claim to have offered a “peaceful administration” (194), but this ‘motive’ is continuously ignored. This is evident in more than one situation. 1. Mr. Smith tries to find a way in which he can put the Umuofians under their control without their realizing it, which causes the Umuofians to lose their trust in the ‘white man.’ 2. When the District Commissioner calls the six leaders of Umuofia for a meeting, he says it is because of their actions towards people. However, he refrains from mentioning the ‘white man’s’ actions towards the clan. 3. The sending of the five men shows the ‘white man’s’ belief that he is in control of the Umuofians and will eventually convert them to his religion. a. Five white men are sent from the court in order to stop the ceremony from continuing. The head messenger says “The white man whose power you know too well has ordered this meeting to stop” (204).
Outline V. The destruction of religion and culture in the Ibo society is symbolized with the death of Okonkwo. A. Towards the end of the story, Okonkwo, who symbolizes the strength and power of the clan, gives up hope of winning against the Christian missionaries. 1. In the Ibo culture, the act of suicide is an offense to the tribe, and the person who committed this crime cannot be buried by his clansmen. 2. The District Commissioner shows no sympathy for driving Okonkwo over the edge, which can symbolize that the District Commissioner did not care for people who opposed his religion. Concluding Statement: In conclusion, with the initiation of new religion and culture in Umuofia comes destruction. The people of Umuofia cannot handle change so quickly, and their foolishness ends in their defeat. With Okonkwo’s death comes the symbol of the death of the clan, and proof that the story lives up to its name; Things really did fall apart.
Summary of Criticisms
Bloom’s Taxonomy Knowledge - What happened after the six leaders of Umofia were captured?
- Can you tell why Okonkwo planned the feast for his mother’s kingdom?
Comprehension- What differences exist between Mr. Brown and Mr. Smith?
- Who do you think was to blame for Okonkwo’s death: him for killing himself, the clan for never fighting back against the missionaries, or the missionaries for coming to Umofia in the first place?
Do'stlaringiz bilan baham:
|
