TFA+Reflections+Erin

After each literature circle discussion, please complete the following reflection in complete sentences on your page. (Clearly label each discussion reflection.) **What were the two most interesting ideas or insights that were discussed in your group meeting today?** Describe the ideas and insights in as much detail as you can, noting the ideas and connections various members came up with as well as any follow-up questions that were asked. (This reflection needs to be a paragraph in length.)

page and evaluate your performance in your literature circle. Have you been a strong discussion participant? Why or why not?
 * Note**: After discussion #4, please add an evaluation of your discussion performance. Review the Literature Circle Discussion Skills

Discussion #4 Reflection Today we talked mostly about Okonkwo's suicide. After being released from the prison in the District, Okonkwo is in even more hate of the whites than before. Then when the white men come to stop the meeting, Okonkwo kills one of the messenger, and receives an odd response from his own town people. That evening, he is found dead hanging on a tree. Why did he commit suicide? Is it because he finally realizes that what he did was over the line? Or was he just tired from the 'womanized' society? After his exile, Okonkwo can't seem to adjust to the so much changed society. He lost everything he had before :the titles, the power, the respect. Our group discussed that he just ended up lifeless and had no more objectives in living. It was very interesting to discover how much violence, power, and strength was such a big part of one man's life and how he could die because of it. I considered myself as a good participant in this discussion. When I was the discussion director for two times, I thought I provided the opportunities for our group to discuss interesting topics in many perspectives.

Discussion #3 Reflections The two major ideas we talked about today were the conflicts between the missionaries and the Igbo people and the contradiction between Reverend James Smith and Mr. Brown and what conflicts they brought. First, the major plot that covered this part of the story was the entry of the missionaries and what changes they are bringing to the Igbo society. Although the people of Igbo don't want to accept the beliefs of the missionaries, they do not reject them for first, the missionaries don't really bring a direct influence into their lives for they live in the Evil Forest, and second, the systems that the missionaries brought into the society brings in money for their town. Secondly, the differences between the beliefs of Mr. Brown and Reverend James Smith also bring conflict into the Igbo society. While Mr. Brown concentrated more in creating peace throughout the town and try to get along with the people and embrace them, Reverend James Smith was more an exotic missioner where he was acknowledging the differences between the white and the native men. This eventually brings conflicts, and with the help of Enoch tearing off the mask of one of the egwogus, the church in the Evil Forest is burnt down.

Discussion #2 Reflections The two major ideas we talked about were the event that was hold by the Evil Forest and the death of Ikemefuna. The first idea was how Okonkwo reacted when he heard the news about the killing of Ikemefuna and how he reacted after he killed him for himself. We thought he changed after the boy was let in his household, showing how fond he was of the boys. However when he was in the situation where he killed the boy just because of the fact that he didn't want to look weak and like a woman, we discussed how much of an impact his father should've been on to him and how we hope for him to change with talking to Obierika although he is now fleeing from the town. Secondly, the event that was hold to judge the fault of the household of Uzowulu and his wife. It was very new and interesting for us because in our society today, it is not where people have to listen to a dictator like Evil Forest. It was interesting to discuss about how the people, especially women, were very afraid of them when they know that all of those nine figures are just people, even neighbors, from their village.

Discussion #1 Reflections The two most interesting ideas or insights that we discussed were how Okonkwo expresses, or rather hides his emotions, and how the women are getting treated or discriminated in this society. First, we figured that Okonkwo has two reasons for expressing his strong feel for anger : to defend himself unconsciously, and to express all the suppressed anger inside him. For he knew what a failed life is, Okonkwo has built up on himself not to get weak or soft like his father. Also, he always has this anger inside of him that grew ever since his childhood due to his father, which Okonkwo seems to express to his own family. Secondly, we discussed how interesting it was for us to see how the way the women are treated is so different. How men's prosperity equals the increasing number of their wives, and how it is just for a man to abuse his wife however he wants to. We considered this a sexist society and denounced it quite a bit.