WAEC Literature in English 2016 Theory — Question 1

Model answer

Nii Kpakpo Yartey's relationship with Maa Tsuru is one of drudgery, exploitation and eventual abandonment. He deceives her from the start, promising a decent life while planning to use and dispose of her. Kpakpo relies on Maa Tsuru sexually and instrumentalises Baby T in the transportation of drugs. He abuses her sexually, gets her pregnant and further impregnates her, leaving her with even more children (two boys and two girls). Maa Tsuru and her children live under conditions of poverty made worse by Kpakpo, who does not stay to provide for or father his children. Afterwards, Kpakpo goes further to destroy her life by seducing Baby T and instrumentalising Baby T in the perpetration of Naa T's sexual exploitation. Kpakpo plays a crucial role for the age difference between his and Maa Tsuru's household, which engages Yaremi Moye's culpable in loneliness — this illustrates how a corrupt man like Kpakpo exploits vulnerable women and their children in the novel.