lit circles

I think our lit circle groups have been going really well. It helps a lot to hear other people's opinions to get a well rounded view of the book. I know that when I first started reading Things Fall Apart, I absolutely hated it but once I've talked it over with my group, I am beginning to appreciate it a lot more. I think that's how it is with all books, at least with me. For some reason, books are so much better when you discuss them and get different views and ideas onto the table.

So far in the book, our group has predicted that the new English colonizers are going to break up the Ibo tribe. We think Nwoye is kind of what started the spark and will cause a domino effect, leading things to fall apart. I couldn't help but wonder during our discussion what Achebe wanted us to get out of this book. What is he trying to say? Is he criticizing Christianity? Or is he saying that it is a good thing? Mrs. Clinch was telling us today that he made Okonkwo look like a jerk on purpose to criticize him. If Okonkwo is so much the representative of the Ibo tribe, then is he criticizing them? I think I will know the answer to this once we have finished the book. More to come!