Vignette 7.1. Examining Diverse Perspectives in World Literature
Integrated ELA/Literacy, ELD, and World History in Grade Ten (cont.)Tracking Themes
(include chapter and p. #)
Themes: The universal ideas explored in a literary text
The Struggle Between Change and Tradition Gender (What it means to be a man or a
woman)Language as a Sign of Cultural Difference Family and Community (Collective
existence)
Traditions and Customs Fate and Free WillThe students also track the motifs and symbols in the novel and, importantly, the Igbo
proverbs and folktales that Achebe used at strategic points in the story, referring to evidence in
the text. After the table groups add descriptions, explanations, and text excerpts, they refine
their ideas using the Google Doc template that follows.Tracking Motifs and Symbols, Folktales, and Proverbs
(include chapter and p. #)
Motifs: recurring ideas or elements that help to develop themes
Symbols: objects, characters, etc. used to represent abstract ideas or concepts
“Among the Igbo the art of conversation is regarded very highly,
and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten.” (p. 7)Motifs and Symbols:
Fire- Okonkwo’s nickname
“Roaring Flame” (Ch. 17,
p. 153): fierceness,
masculinity, warrior
Folktales:
Vulture and the Sky (Ch. 7,
pp. 53–54)- Nwoye’s mother sang it to
him - Gentle (women’s) story
about rain
Proverbs:
“If a child washed his hands,
he could eat with kings”
(Ch. 1, p. 8)- Okonkwo earned his place
as a leader
About a third of the way through the novel, Okonkwo participates in the murder of his
adoptive son, Ikemefuma. To help students write their own literary analyses, Ms. Alemi provides
many opportunities for them to examine and discuss other students’ written analyses, using
them as models for their own writing. After the murder of Ikemefuna, Ms. Alemi asks students
to discuss experts’ opinions on Achebe’s use of the literary device juxtaposition to show the
complexity of the character Okonkwo.752 | Chapter 7 Grades 9 and 10