The document provides instructions for analyzing the theme and philosophical assumptions of the literary work "Civil Peace" by Chinua Achebe. It explains that a theme is the central message and can be directly stated or suggested through patterns in the story elements. A philosophical assumption reflects the author's basic beliefs about life that may be reflected in the work. The directions ask the student to identify Achebe's philosophical assumption, how three major story events reflect this assumption, and state the theme in their own words. It also asks how the universal theme applies to modern life in the United States.
The document provides instructions for analyzing the theme and philosophical assumptions of the literary work "Civil Peace" by Chinua Achebe. It explains that a theme is the central message and can be directly stated or suggested through patterns in the story elements. A philosophical assumption reflects the author's basic beliefs about life that may be reflected in the work. The directions ask the student to identify Achebe's philosophical assumption, how three major story events reflect this assumption, and state the theme in their own words. It also asks how the universal theme applies to modern life in the United States.
The document provides instructions for analyzing the theme and philosophical assumptions of the literary work "Civil Peace" by Chinua Achebe. It explains that a theme is the central message and can be directly stated or suggested through patterns in the story elements. A philosophical assumption reflects the author's basic beliefs about life that may be reflected in the work. The directions ask the student to identify Achebe's philosophical assumption, how three major story events reflect this assumption, and state the theme in their own words. It also asks how the universal theme applies to modern life in the United States.
Literary Analysis: Theme and Philosophical Assumptions The theme of a literary work is the central message it communicates. To express a theme, a writer may take one of these approaches: (1) directly state the theme of the work, or have a character directly state it; or (2) create patterns of story elements to suggest a larger meaning. Themes that appeal to all times and cultures are universal themes. In many cases, a theme reflects a philosophical assumptionthe writers basic beliefs about life. The writers literary work may reflect these beliefs. A. DIRECTIONS: Write Achebes philosophical assumption in Civil Peace. Then, explain how three major events in the story reflect this philosophical assumption. Finally, write the central theme in your own words. Philosophical assumption: _________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ First major event and how it reflects Achebes assumption: _________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Second major event and how it reflects Achebes assumption: _________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Third major event and how it reflects Achebes assumption: _________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Theme: _________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ B. DIRECTIONS: Achebes theme in Civil Peace is a universal theme. In other words, it has meaning in all times and for all cultures. Explain how this theme applies to modern life in the United States. ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________