Character Analysis Topics for Things Fall Apart
Help Students Prepare to Write an Analysis Essay for Achebe's Novel
May 29, 2009
What do cheerleaders and teachers have in common? Teachers instinctively know it’s their unofficial duty to rally students’ enthusiasm toward academics. After all, if you’re not excited about the material, how can they be? By providing students with a variety of topic choices focused on one primary essay structure, the character analysis, you can heighten student interest as well as apply the same grading rubric to several different essays. This simple lesson plan allows students to select their own essay focus, prepare for their topic, and work independently.
Prepare Students in Advance for Essay Writing
Students appreciate forewarning. For this reason, you should consider informing students of an upcoming essay assignment well in advance. When teaching Things Fall Apart, you can provide students with a range of essay topics as early as the first chapter of the novel. Why? Character analysis essays often focus on the changes a character undergoes throughout the duration of a novel. Students can prepare for their essay while they read the novel, highlighting and annotating as they progress. Rather than trying to remember specific details after finishing the novel, students will likely produce a much more focused, specific essay brimming with relevant examples to further their argument if they can prepare as they read.
Provide Multiple Essay Topics Centered on a Similar Theme
Whether you pose a character analysis prompt in the form of a question or an arguable statement, you can centralize several topics on one theme. The benefits are obvious: students feel a sense of control over and connection with an assignment, they can brainstorm with their peers but still explore original ideas, and teachers can utilize the same holistic rubric to expedite and enhance grading. Here are some sample essay topics and possible responses that relate to how the main character, Okonkwo, develops throughout Things Fall Apart.
If you had the option, what would you change about this character?
Okonkwo has some honorable qualities, such as being goal-oriented and hard-working. However, these strengths double as weaknesses since he displays them to the extreme. Okonkwo might be a more likable character if he was less consumed by this results-driven focus. Further, he is unkind to his wives and children. He does not show any warm emotions toward anyone.
Is Okonkwo primarily admirable or despicable?
Okonkwo possesses admirable qualities; however, students are more likely to focus on his impatience, spontaneity, cruelty and desire to fight.
How does Okonkwo’s capricious nature lead to his downfall?
Okonkwo often does not think before he acts. A prime example is the sudden murder of Ikemefuma, a child he loved better than his own son.
How can Okonkwo be considered a tragic hero?
Okonkwo possesses noble traits; however, his personal flaws bring about his downfall.
How does Okonkwo offend his tribe? How do these offenses further reveal his character?
Okonkwo beats his wife during the Week of Peace; he kills Ikemefuma; he accidentally shoots Ezeudu’s son; he decapitates a message of the District Commisioner and puts his entire tribe at risk.
After each of these topics, you should include the following instruction: Be sure to cite several specific textual examples. This will encourage students to engage in active reading as they complete the novel. Asking students to analyze a character can be a bit like asking them to scale Mount Everest. By scaffolding their writing experience, you can guide them toward self-discovery in their writing while providing motivation to help students get the job done.
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