Africa+Day+Five


 * Africa Day Five Period Seven **

**Review Heart of Darkness Wikispace: [|Let's take a survey about Conrad's Essay!]**

**Introduce Chinua Achebe** Read: [|An Image of Africa] While reading Achebe's essay, pay close attention. You will likely need to reread the essay about three times before you can fully recognize what specifically irks Achebe about Conrad's //Heart of Darkness//.


 * Assignment: **

Directions: Each student will be given a card explaining what group they will be serving in tomorrow’s discussion. These students are responsible for leading the class in a discussion on this particular topic so come prepared. The group will have time to meet to organize their plan for discussion, but ultimately, individuals will be graded based on the quality of their responses and ability to inspire classroom conversation. *If for some reason you were absent when I assigned groups, choose one and come prepared.

Describe Achebe's argument strategy by identifying exactly what Achebe does in each section of the essay and what he gains by using this technique. Break the essay down into five parts and give each section a title that describes what he is doing.
 * Card One: Strategy Group **

Clearly, Achebe is personally invested in African culture so it is easy to see why Achebe would be furious with Conrad. However, in what ways does Achebe ‘not’ fight fair? Identify three.
 * Card Two: Defending Conrad Group **

Achebe makes a pretty bold claim about the ability for the west to change their image of Africa at the end of the essay that he wrote over 30 years ago. Do you believe that Achebe was being pessimistic or realistic? What examples from modern culture could you use to support your position?
 * Card Three: Achebe's Prediction Group **

Identify three parts of Conrad’s novel that he has a particular problem with and explain what Achebe believes readers would infer when reading these areas.
 * Card Four: Achebe’s Pricking Points **

Identify three areas where Achebe uses direct quotes from Conrad to prove that Conrad is a racist. Do you believe these examples validate Achebe’s claim or is Achebe going too far (emotion overtaking logic)?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 20px;">Card Five: Using Conrad’s Words Against Him **

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 20px;">Card Six: Indeed Travellers Can Be Blind **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 20px;">Explain Achebe's point on page 12 and 13 about how important it is to remember that 'travellers can be blind'. How does this statement relate to his argument with Conrad and how could that statement still be true today?


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 150%;">Homework **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 150%;">"An Image of Africa" topic prepared for discussion **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 150%;">**Next Class Group Share:** Each student was given a card inviting them to start preparing their opinion on one of five topics regarding the reading. Each group will take the center of the room while the rest of the class watches as they have a conversation about this topic. Students earn credit for their contribution to the group discussion.