Essay Revision, Colonialism, and Postcolonialism: Part II
Tue 4/24 Heart of Darkness pp. 188-202 (“He was silent for a long time.”) Vocab: pate (193), incontinent (195), pensive, precarious, recondite (196), shoal (198). Why is “the worst of it” Marlow’s “suspicion of [the Africans] not being inhuman” (192)? Why does Marlow think his listeners won’t be able to understand his story?
Final draft Position Essay due by 4pm via google docs
Wed 4/25 Heart of Darkness pp. 202-207. Vocab: prodigious, wraith (203), peroration (204, if you can’t find “peroration,” check “perorate”). What does Marlow mean when he says “All Europe contributed to the making of Kurtz” (203)? (Consider his specific meaning and more general possible meanings). Why is it ironic that Kurtz has been assigned to write a report for the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs? What does Marlow find “ominous” about the report?
Thu 4/26 Heart of Darkness pp. 218-end (Ms. Linder will summarize what happens pp. 207-218). Vocab: inexorable (218), infernal (219), abject, fidelity (223); Why do you think Marlow sees himself as having entered into an “unforeseen partnership” with Kurtz? In what sense has he “remained loyal to Kurtz to the last”? What does Marlow seem to think Kurtz means by his exclamation “The horror! The horror!”? What do you think Kurtz is referring to? What lie(s) does Marlow tell Kurtz’s “intended,” and why?
Fri 4/27 Book talks and independent reading
Mon 4/30 Read Chinua Achebe, “An Image of Africa: Conrad’s Heart of Darkness” (Story and Its Writer 827-832). Vocab: ponderous (827), felicity (828), vignette (829), epitomize (830). Prepare for short, in-class writing discussing Achebe’s essay, considering his arguments in light of your reading of Heart of Darkness. Does Achebe have some valid points? Is he misreading Conrad? Some of both? Explain your perspective, and be prepared to support your argument with examples and/or quotes from Conrad’s novel.
Tue 5/1 Introduction to Things Fall Apart and student teacher assignment / Time to read and prep lessons
Wed 5/2 Essay revision workshop
Thu 5/3 Essay revision workshop
Fri 5/4 Book talks and independent reading
Mon 5/7 Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart, chaps. 1-4. Vocabulary: harmattan (3), plaintive (6), incipient (13), oracle (16), brusqueness (26), valediction (32), arduous (34). Pay attention to the proverbs Achebe uses in his story. How are they used? Do they seem important? Pay attention to the narrator. What kind of narrator is he, and what seems to be his attitude toward the Ibo (does he seem like an insider or an outsider?) Toward Okonkwo and other characters?
Tue 5/8 Things Fall Apart, chaps. 5-7. Vocab: harbinger (56), elusive (59). What is the difference between men’s and women’s stories in this community? How are men’s and women’s roles different in Umuofia? Are these roles any different in other villages?
Wed 5/9 Things Fall Apart, chaps. 8-10. Vocab: specious (80), esoteric (88), raffia (89). What kind of names does Ekwefi give her children, and why? Why does everyone in the village assume that Ezinma is an ogbanje child, and why is this significant? Essay revision and reflection essay due by 4pm via google docs
Thu 5/10 Read Things Fall Apart, chaps. 11-13. Vocab: sinister (104), incipient (106), tremulous (121). Why do you think the priestess Chielo takes Ezinma to the cave? After Ezeudu’s son is shot, the narrator tells us “violent deaths were frequent, but nothing like this had ever happened” (124). What do you think he means by this? How is this incident exceptional? What effect does it have on Okonkwo’s life?
Fri 5/11 Book talks and independent reading
Mon 5/14 Things Fall Apart, chaps. 14-19. Vocab: evangelist (143), callow (147), miscreant (152), abomination (153), emanation (157). Think about the questions Uchendu asks Okonkwo after he and his family arrive in Mbanta. Why is Okonkwo unable to answer these questions, and what do you think this says about him? What answers does Uchendu offer? Does his explanation complicate the very patriarchal culture and the hierarchal gender roles we’ve seen so far in Things Fall Apart, or not? What effects do the Missionaries have on this village? Who among the Ibo is attracted to Christianity, and who is not, and why?
Tue 5/15 Things Fall Apart, chaps. 20-25. Vocab: dispensation (178), zeal (178), desecrate (186). Why do you think Okonkwo constantly regrets that Ezinma is a girl? How has Umuofia changed since Okonkwo and his family have been gone? How are Mr. Brown and Mr. Smith different, and how do these differences affect the Ibo? After you finish the book, consider it in relation to Heart of Darkness – do you see any parallels? In what sense might this book be a response to a book like Heart of Darkness?
Wed 5/16 Book talks and independent reading
Thu 5/17 Wrap up discussion of Things Fall Apart. (Awards Ceremony?)
Fri 5/18 Half day—time to review for final exam
Mon 5/21 Review day for Final Exam
Wed 5/23 Final Exam 11:00am-12:15pm
