Things Fall Apart- Objectives

Things Fall Apart

Objectives
By the end of this Unit, the student will be able to:
1. understand how African literature and literary traditions influence Achebe’s writing style.
2. offer a close reading of Things Fall Apart and support all assertions and interpretations
with direct evidence from the text, from authoritative critical knowledge of the genre, or
from authoritative criticism of the novel.
3. discuss the dramatic development of the narrative in terms of exposition, conflict, climax,
and resolution.
4. demonstrate a literal, personal, interpretive, and critical understanding of the text.
5. explain the importance of the title as a theme in the novel.
6. explain the central conflicts in the narrative, and explain the nature of the internal and
external conflicts with which various characters cope.
7. understand the novel as an exploration of the ramifications of Colonialism.
8. examine Okonkwo as a tragic hero.
9. analyze the importance of literary elements like dramatic irony, foreshadowing, and suspense
on the development of the story.
10. trace and discuss recurring imagery.
11. discuss the use of proverbs in the narrative and how they contribute to the overall effect
of the novel.
12. analyze how point of view influences the literary narrative.
13. explain how Achebe uses character foils to illuminate the differences between the principal
characters.