WAEC Literature in English 2019 Theory — Question 6

Model answer

Points to develop: Introduction of Uncle Deyo; His assistance to Yaremi; His objection to Alani's adopted life style; His sacrifice to show Alani his late father's property; His advice to Alani. Uncle Deyo is portrayed as the bosom friend of Ajumobi when he was alive. They usually worked on their farmlands like twins. After Ajumobi's demise, he helps Yaremi with difficult chores such as mending the leaky roofs of her house and rebuilding the walls of her mud house. He assumes the role of overseeing Ajumobi's property left to Yaremi after his death. Yaremi turns to Uncle Deyo for assistance after the death of Ajumobi. He assumes the role of a father and a figure by trying to make Alani become responsible. He takes Alani on a tour of his father's farms and tells him what is expected of him as Ajumobi's son. Uncle Deyo objects to Ajumobi's adopted lifestyle. For this reason, he calls him a freak. He advises Alani to stay at Kufi and take an interest in his father's property. Unlike Lanwa who uses his position as half brother of Ajumobi to lay claim to Yaremi as a wife, Uncle Deyo remains loyal. He does not allow greed or selfish desire to take the best of him. He represents the few men in African tradition who are not motivated by desire to acquire wife and property as demonstrated by Lanwa, Ayanwale and Olonade in the novel.