UNIT 6: AFRICA –OVERVIEW

ENG10ADownload the Unit Test Study Guide from the Class Website

Unit Assignments

• The unit test is heavy with serval questions regarding the readings and its elements.

• Portfolio (U6L6 & L16) – DROPPED

• It will still show up in your lessons, but know that you are NOT doing the portfolio. Instead, focus

on redoing any final draft portfolios from Units 2 and 3.

Literary Elements

• Types of Humor

• Irony

• A recognition and heightening of the difference between appearance and reality.

• Irony occurs when an event turns out differently from what is expected.

• Sarcasm

• an expression of contempt; witty remark; wisecrack

• Hyperbole

• use of exaggeration or overstatement

• Incongruity

• Meaning out of place or inconsistent

• Occurs when an event or action in a story doesn’t quite fit. Often the event or action is so ridiculously out of place, it triggers a humorous tone.

• Speaker's Attitude

• Tone

Regions of Africa

• Throughout this unit, you will discover the diversity among African languages and the influences they have on the literature of the continent.

• As you read, keep in mind that each region of the country has a different cultural influencebased on earlier colonization of the region and have connections to other countries.

• African writers face a unique problem: over 800 languages are spoken on the continent.

An African Classic SUNJATA

• Sunjata, Retold by Djanka Tassey Condé, pages 271–279

• The epic Sunjata tells the story of the hero of the title, who founded the Mali Empire in the early 13th century.

• The story begins with Ma Sogolon Wulen Condé (Sunjata’s mother) giving birth to the hero, who is born crippled. At the age of seven, he learns to walk and demonstrates his superhuman strength by uprooting a tree.

• When his father dies, Sunjata is denied his inheritance by his half-brother, and he and his motherare forced to flee the kingdom. While they are gone, the Susu king Sumanguru overthrows Sunjata’s kingdom.

• Sunjata later demonstrates his superior intellect and generosity when he saves his life by offering a group of sorceresses, who are planning to kill him, a better offer than his rival.

• Epic Poem

• Epic poems are long, narrative poems. They share certain common characteristics such as a foundation in historical facts or legends, a courageous and noble hero who is almost superhuman, a dangerous journey the hero must make, supernatural creatures, and universal themes.

• The 1994 animated movie The Lion King is similar to both Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Sunjata.

• Be able to identify the tone.

The Literature of SENEGAL

• “Africa” by David Diop, pages 281–282

• This poem, addressed to Africa, recalls the continent’s history of

colonization. But “a grave voice” assures the speaker that the true nature

of Africa is found not in slavery but in a tree that grows despite all

obstacles until its fruit “acquires / The bitter taste of liberty.”

• Author reminds Africans that slavery is not their heritage, and that

freedom is their destiny.

• Africa has been ravaged by colonization and the slave trade. European

colonizers “divided up” the continent and looted the resources.

• African citizens were abused politically and often physically.

• Be able to identify the tone.

The Literature of SENEGAL, cont’d.

• "I Will Pronounce Your Name“ by Léopold Sédar Senghor, p. 299

• Using the structure of a traditional praise song, the speaker exalts his beloved.

• The poet indicated that this poem in praise of his first wife should be read to the beat of

a tama, a small “talking drum” shaped like an hourglass.

• The work follows the structure of a praise song, in which a griot, or storyteller, describes a

person or an object by giving it several praise names that express its admirable qualities.

• “Shining coal” is an example of a praise name.

The Literature of NIGERIA

• “Telephone Conversation” by Wole Soyinka, pages 302–303

• An African who needs lodging has a telephone conversation with a

London landlady who does not want to rent to dark-skinned lodgers.

• After trying to describe the color of his skin, the potential lodger asks

the landlady if she wouldn’t rather see for herself.

• As you read, examine how the spoken word, as well as silence, are

modes of communication.

• Be able to identify the tone.

The Literature of NIGERIA, cont’d.

• “Marriage Is a Private Affair” by Chinua Achebe, pages 304–310

• Experience a collision of modern and traditional ways of a culture.

• When Nnaemeka wants to marry Nene, his father Okeke objects. Okeke believes he has

chosen a good wife for his son and disapproves of Nene because she does not speak Ibo and

dares to teach although she is a woman.

• Taking a stand on principle, Okeke refuses all contact with the young couple until Nene sends a

letter saying his grandchildren want to see him. As a rainstorm marks the change of seasons,

Okeke undergoes a change of heart.

• Be able to identify the speaker's attitude.

• Mentioned in essay question on unit test.

The Literature of NIGERIA, cont’d.

• “Loyalties” by Adewale Maja-Pearce, pages 317–320

• A short story that offers a perspective on the war between Nigeria and Biafra.

• When Biafra declares independence, the narrator’s father is overjoyed, but his mother simply

tells her son to take good care of their Biafran goat.

• Then Nigerian soldiers come to the village, and everyone flees to the bush, emerging after the

soldiers promise not to harm them. As things return to normal, the mother tells her son to take

good care of their Nigerian goat.

• Be able to identify the type of humor.

The Literature of Kenya

• “A Meeting in the Dark” by Ngugi wa Thiong’o, pages 322–338

• A longer story that highlights the emotional conflict that can result from trying to merge traditional and modern values.

• The main idea is related to the clash between modern and traditional values.

• As John prepares to leave for college in Uganda, he cannot decide what to do about Wamuhu, who is pregnant with his child.

• If he admits he is the father, he will disgrace his preacher father and risk losing his scholarship.

• If he stands by Wamuhu, he will face opposition.

• Maddened by his dilemma, John breaks Wamuhu’s neck during an argument. He runs away, realizing that soon everyone will know what he has done.

• Mentioned in essay question on unit test.

The Literature of ZIMBABWE

• “No Witchcraft for Sale” by Doris Lessing, pages 349–357

• Many of the author’s stories are set in Rhodesia and depict the harsh

treatment of black Africans by whites.

• The Farquars feel close to Gideon, their black cook, who shares their Christian

beliefs and loves their son Teddy.

• When a tree snake spits venom into the child’s eyes, Gideon uses a plant to

save the child’s sight.

• But when a scientist visits to learn about the miraculous plant, Gideon reacts

as if the Farquars have betrayed him and refuses to cooperate.

• Mentioned in essay question on unit test.

• Examine how white people and black people regard each other for your short

response question on the test.

The Literature of South AFRICA• “The Moment Before the Gun Went off” by Nadine Gordimer,

pages 359–365

• Author uses irony to emphasize her theme and add emotional value.

• A young black man dies when his employer’s gun accidentally

discharges.

• The narrator says that people will misunderstand the incident as

another example of white South Africans’ brutality toward blacks.

• Gradually, the reader learns that Marais Van der Vyver grieves not just

because he has caused a death but because the dead man was his

illegitimate son.

• Mentioned in essay question on unit test.

• Examine how white people and black people regard each other for

your short response question on the test.

The Literature of South AFRICA, cont’d.• “The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses” by Bessie Head pp. 366–373

• Author focuses on the character of Brille.

• The setting of the story is a prison in South Africa. African prisons were notorious for their brutality,

not only between the warders and inmates, but among inmates themselves.

• The black political prisoners in Span One have managed to intimidate all of their white jailers

except Warder Hannetjie.

• The sharp-eyed newcomer makes their lives miserable until Brille catches him stealing fertilizer.

Then the tables are turned until the warder asks for a truce.

• In exchange for humane treatment, Span One agrees to keep the warder’s secret; they even

help him steal more fertilizer.

• Mentioned in essay question on unit test.

• Examine how white people and black people regard each other for your short response

question on the test.

Unit Test Essay Question & Portfolio Redo• Deadline is December 14, 2018

• Portfolios:• Unit 2 Lesson 13: Compare-and-Contrast Essay Portfolio (Personal Narrative) Essay FINAL DRAFT

(Portfolio Directions)

• Unit 3 Lesson 8: Multimedia Project Final Draft Portfolio (Literary Analysis) FINAL DRAFT (Portfolio Directions)

• Unit Test Essay Questions:• Unit 1: The Literature of the Americas Unit Test (Study Guide)

• Unit 2: The Literature of the Americas II Test (Study Guide)

• Unit 5: Europe II Unit Test (Study Guide)

• Unit 6: The Literature of Africa Unit Test (Study Guide)

• You are only allowed ONE opportunity to redo your final draft portfolios and unit test essay questions, so make sure you revise and edit carefully.

• For EVERY redo, you are required to send a new CheckMyWork link.

Looking ahead…

• Next LiveLesson

• November 14th @ 11:00am – U6 Test Review

• Lesson Completion - 71% overall

• Reminders

• Veteran's Day (No School) – November 12th

• Fall Break (No School) – November 19-23

• Unit Test Essay Question & Portfolio Redo Work DUE December 14th

• End of Semester is December 21st

• Winter Break is December 24th – January 6th

• Escalation - Make sure you are staying out of alarm

• Contacts: call a teacher (me!)

• Attendance: get 28 hours a week and enter daily

• Participation: go do a lesson!