This is a controversial question, but I think you all are mature enough to have an intelligent discussion about it. It is one of the central questions I’d like to focus on for this novel: Is it possible for one culture or society to be better than another? To answer this you must explain what you mean by “better.”
(Please be aware that I may comment as a “devil's advocate.” My goal is not to argue my personal opinion but to get you to think and develop your thoughts about this ultimate issue.) "If you only hear one side of the story, you have no understanding at all," (Chinua Achebe, The Atlantic Online, Aug 2, 2000).
Achebe wrote this novel because he was tired of reading novels about Africa written only from a Western perspective. These books often portrayed African cultures as stupid and homogeneous, and he wanted to show that these cultures (though flawed) had an organized government with a rich way of life. Until this novel, people only read about one side of the story. Things Fall Apart changed that. With that in mind, what does the quote above mean and where have you seen this idea illustrated in your own life? Look up the definition of humility. An important theme one could take from the novel we are about to read is that humility is an essential trait for human beings to have: we must be humble in how we interact with people, particularly people who are different from us. (I think of Micah 6:8, which calls for us to walk humbly with God.) What do you think about this? Can you describe a situation in which you or a loved one learned how to exercise humility (or should have)?
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Non-Western LiteratureGuidelinesThe whole purpose of this assignment - whether you're reacting to an idea, sharing your own story, or analyzing the reading - is to discuss the ultimate issues of life. With that in mind, make sure that you: Archives
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