I. Introduction

A. Introductory Information about Individuation, Persona, Anima

B. Thesis: Okonkwo's determination to deny the traits he identified in his father causes Okonkwo to be unable to adapt to changes in the Igbo tribe's way of life.

 

II. The Okonkwo that is seen (Persona)

A. Descriptions from first Chapter of the Book

B. The Killing of Ikemefuna

C. 1. His Property

2. His Plans on return from Exile
3. Feast in Motherland

 

III. The Hidden Okonkwo

A. The relationship with Ikemefuna

B. The Internal Response Around the First Beating of one of His Wives.

C. The night the prophetess takes Ezinma

 

IV. Causes/Effects

A. Projection onto his Son, Nwoye

B. Attitude Around Holidays and other Fits of Rage

C. Unable to Adapt as the Tribe changes (Transition to the Conclusion)

 

V. Conclusion

A. Discussion of the Tribes changing

B. Effect on Okonkwo's world

C. Resultant Suicide (End result same as Father's)

My response:

Good to go as far as I can see!

Student 2

Paper Outline

In the book Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe creates tension through the internal and external conflicts of the main character, Okonkwo, an African warrior, who's own world falls apart because of his personal obsession to be strong.

1st Main Point:

Describe and support the internal conflicts Okonkwo has such as his fear of weakness, inability to express love, and his ultimate failure. Okonkwo's father, Unoka is everything Okonkwo doesn't want to be and this fact dominates Okonkwo's world.


2nd Main Point:

Define and describe the conflicts between the secondary characters and Okonkwo specifically Ikemefuna and Ezinma. Ikemefuna becomes like a son to Okonkwo but Okonkwo kills him despite his love, because of his fear of appearing weak. Ezinma is the closest thing Okonkwo comes to expressing love yet he, and she, fall short.

3rd Main Point:

Describe the conflicts between Okonkwo and his tribe, and between Okonkwo and the British Colonizers. Define how the author uses the fact that the tribe is collective in nature causing tension for Okonkwo who is often striving as an individualist. Discuss the White man and his religion and how it causes conflict.


Conclusion

My response:

The first sections look fine...beginning with internal conflicts, moving to interpersonal conflicts within family and friends and then larger conflicts makes sense.

You have to think about the last section, however, since Okonkwo's conflict with the colonists also overlaps with the conflict between the Igbo culture in general and the colonists. This could be accomplished with a transition mid paper..."When the level of conflict moves from those associated with Okonkwo's character or those falling within his personal life to those he has with his culture and the colonist forces, a doubling of conflict occurs, involving internal conflict of the Igbo and the intercultural conflict between the Igbo and the colonizing forces." I'm not suggesting this, of course, but something in this spirit.

Do you see what I mean? In the first section, Okonkwo is the center of conflict, while in the second there are multiple centers of conflict.

Student 3

Outline for TFA
Language and Its Importance

I. Igbo Language

A. Overview of and known history

1. Cultural Significance and of Igbo Language
2. Colonial Influences and Implication
3. Oral Tradition and Pedagogical Value

B. Achebe's use of Igbo in TFA

1. Impact on Reader
2. Igbo Words
3. Igbo Proverbs or Lessons
4. Igbo Folktales
5. Igbo Song and Poetry

C. Achebe as Teacher

1. Closer Look at Igbo Culture
2. All the Components
3. Case for Relativism

II. English Language

A. Author's Reasons for Writing in English

1. Consideration of Audience
2. Alter Western Misconceptions about Igbo Culture
3. Educate and Impart a Fist-Hand Account of Nigerian Colonization
4. Correct Historical Perversions of Colonialist Accounts

B. Imposition of Igbo Language on English

1. Changing History
2. Turning Axioms Upside-Down

C. Author's Use of Figurative Language

1. The Locusts
2. The Python
3. The Yam

D. Messages to Western World

1. Political
2. Cultural
3. Historical

My response:

This is an interesting approach to the discussion of language. It looks as if you will provide some backdrop on Igbo in general (that the language had a purely oral tradition prior to colonization, probably?) and they're storytelling...then go into some of the stories, proverbs, etc. in the book.

With the English, you seem to be discussing Achebe's rationale for writing the book in English. Did you see Achebe's thoughts on Joseph Conrad? I think he cited this and other Western literature, in which he found a skewed view of Africa, as part of his inspiration for writing his books.

In any case, this looks good although there is another possibility:

1) Introduction to Igbo language and language culture
2) Introduction to Achebe's thoughts on English and Western portrayals of Africa
3) The product of these two factors coming together in the book (i.e., discussion of Igbo proverbs, stories, religion in the book).

Slightly different organization. You can think it over as you prepare!
 

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