Greenbacks. Moolah. Dough. Sawbuck. C-note. Cowries? Yup, cowries. In true African style, we established a cowrie economy in class today. Students received a small amount of genuine money cowry shells (straight from Florida!) and have a chance to earn more and spend some as class continues. They can earn cowries by making insightful comments, earning high grades on weekly quizzes, and keeping up with class work. There are also costs for borrowing books, complaining, and making irrelevant comments. Students will be able to cash in their cowries for valuable items at the end of it all. So, it should be interesting. Within 15 minutes of placing value on these small shells, emotions were high and kids got very protective of their "money." The psychology student in me would really like to dive into this one!
We also had a great discussion today. Keep it up.
As for the novel, things are certainly collapsing around Okonkwo. Currently he's in exile in his mother's village and trying to get a grip on his life while his oldest son has converted to Christianity thanks to the white missionary church leaders who have come to the area. Predictions?
Consider:
- Do you think Okonkwo has made this life for himself because of his attitude and arrogance or is it all just coincidence?
- Do you feel sorry for him in any way?
- Will he and his clansmen survive the influx and influence of the white men?
- What parallels are their between gender roles in Okonkwo's tribe and gender roles in our American culture?
