Core Humanities Seminar, spring 2002

Paper 4

Please write a 3-4 page paper on one of the following topics. Each of them suggests a general topic, but will need to be more refined into a specific claim by you. You may, and are encouraged to, develop your own topic; if you choose to do this, please run it by me (either in person or by email).

This paper gives you a chance to think in broad terms about the cultural project of Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. Your discussions, though, (as always) should not be themselves broad. Rather, your big claims must be framed by analytic points about the novel, and supported by fully developed discussions of specific examples from the text.

(1) Achebe says that he is answering Conrad in his novels. How does Things Fall Apart answer Heart of Darkness? Be specific, support your claims with passages from the text.

(2) Achebe tells us the Ibo have two kinds of stories, "men’s" and "women’s." What kind of story is Things Fall Apart? Be specific, support your claims with passages from the text.

(3) Things Fall Apart deals with the effects of modernization and the loss of traditional cultures. How does the structure of the book help develop its commentary on these effects? Be specific, support your claims with passages from the text.

Rough drafts are due, Monday 4/15, when we will have an in-class editing workshop. Final drafts are due in class, Wednesday 4/17.