Lesson 4

Lesson Goals

Texts

Core

• • Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe, Penguin Random House, 1994

Materials

Tools

• Mentor Sentence Journal

• Vocabulary Journal

Reference Guides

• Style Reference Guide
• Tone Reference Guide

Editable Google Docs

• Mentor Sentence Journal

• Vocabulary Journal

Activity 1: Discuss – Write

We will review the words we wrote down for homework in our Vocabulary Journals and cement our understanding of their meanings.

In your group, compare the words you wrote down in your Vocabulary Journals. Select one word from each group and respond to the vocabulary exercises provided by your teacher.

Activity 2: Discuss

We will share our mentor sentence analyses with partners.

With a partner, discuss the mentor sentences you identified in your Mentor Sentence Journals during the homework reading. Use the following questions to guide your discussion:

1. Why did you select this sentence?

2. What is unique about the word choices in this sentence?

3. What is unique about the syntax in this sentence?

4. What mood does the author create in this sentence? How do you know?

5. What tone is conveyed by the author in this sentence? How do you know?

6. How does the sentence contribute to your understanding of the ideas in the text?

Activity 3: Read

We will examine how an author can use diction to develop a character.

Step 1

Read the following sentence describing Mr. Smith:

He saw the world as a battlefield in which the children of the light were locked in mortal conflict with the sons of darkness. (p. 184)

Consider the following words and phrases:

• battlefield

• children of the light

• mortal conflict

• sons of darkness

With your group, discuss the following questions:

1. What do the words and phrases connote about Mr. Smith?

2. What conclusions can you make about Mr. Smith based on this word choice?

Step 2

Find another example in which the author’s words or a character’s dialogue gives the reader insight about the character, and respond to the following questions:

1. What do the words and phrases you have identified connote about your character?

2. What conclusions can you make about your character based on these word choices?

Activity 4: Read

We will discuss text-specific questions to better understand how Achebe uses tone to develop characters.

Step 1

In your Learning Log, respond to the following questions and provide evidence from the text to support your answers:

1. How would you describe Okonkwo’s attitude toward the missionaries?

2. How would you describe Mr. Brown’s attitude toward the villagers?

3. What is Enoch’s overall attitude toward the village?

4. What is the District Commissioner’s attitude when he talks to the tribal leaders? How does his real attitude compare to the attitude he presents?

5. Which characters’ attitudes shift over the course of the novel? Which characters’ attitudes remain the same?

Discuss your responses with your group and pick one response to share with the class. Add to or modify your answers as you deepen your understanding of tone.

Step 2

Analyze Okonkwo, Mr. Brown, Enoch, or the District Commissioner more critically. For the character you have chosen, respond to the following questions:

1. What tone do you associate with Achebe’s development of the character?

2. Does Achebe’s tone ever shift for your character? If so, when and how? Use the Tone Reference Guide to find the best words to label the author’s tone for your character.

Activity 5: Read

We will look for examples of tone and diction for our character study.

Review Part 3 of the novel to find quotations that best represent the character you are studying. Analyze the diction and tone used to develop your character by responding to the following questions for each quotation:

1. What do the word choices in this quotation tell you about the character?

2. What is the author’s attitude toward the subject or character?