Things Fall Apart - Day 5

Today we read the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac, often referred to as "The Binding of Isaac." We first explored "gaps" in the story - moments where there seems to be something important going on but is not explicitly named in the text. One example is to think about what the conversation between Abraham and Isaac might have been on the way back down the mountain, or what happens to Abraham overnight between when he speaks with God and sets out on his journey.

• Here is a link to the story

We next made a list of "unheard voices" in the story - characters, animals, physical items, concepts, feelings - anything appearing in the story that somehow played a role. The list included characters present but not named (Sarah, Ishmael), emotions (fear, anger), locations (Mt. Moriah), and inanimate objects (fire, knife). Each of you selected one of these and wrote from its perspective (e.g. "I am the knife, and I feel..."). We shared these to add to our understanding of the story - and they were great!

Then we turned our attention back to the novel, to the scene of the killing of Ikemefuna starting on page 56. I read it aloud and invited you to consider ways in which this story is similar to / different from the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac. Our discussion included how the book gave voice to Ikemefuna, which helped us to sympathize with him. We also talked about Okonkwo, and how his actions were self-focused and disrespectful of higher authority.

Over the weekend, please be sure to read through chapter 13, which will finish part 1 of the novel.