WAEC Literature in English 2020 Theory Past Questions

Model answer

Points to develop: 1. Relation to theme. 2. Character identification. 3. Purpose of the visit. 4. The encounter. 5. The visit delineates characters. 6. The visit advance the plot. 7. Mother and daughter relationship. Model answer: The novel centres on the street child phenomenon and the agony of bad parenting. Fofo's visit to her mother reveals this trauma. The novel also shows the helplessness of the street child at the mercy of the forces of neglect and street oppression. Little wonder, the first chapter of the novel reveals the suffering experienced by the street children who happen to be victims of parental irresponsibility. Fofo is a street child and has recently escaped being raped by Poison, the street lord who has striven to no avail to rape her. The essence of the rape attempt is to let her continue with the prostitution which has led to the death of her sister, Baby T. Fofo is Maa Tsuru's daughter. Her mother, Maa Tsuru is a victim of oppression by men (Kwei and Kpakpo). Her first husband is Kwei, the father of Fofo, Baby T and two brothers, who sends her away before she marries Kpakpo who later deserts her. She is believed to be an accursed woman and this has led to the failure of her first and second marriages with Kwei and Kpakpo respectively. Maa Tsuru is a victim of abuse by men. After escaping Poison's rape attempt, Fofo visits her mother, Maa Tsuru to inform her of Poison's attempted rape. Perplexed about Poison's attempted rape, Fofo goes to Maa Tsuru to enquire about why Poison has attempted to rape her. This leads to further conversation between Fofo and Maa Tsuru on the reason behind Poison's rape attempt. The conversation between Fofo and Maa Tsuru reveals the condition of the family. Maa Tsuru informs Fofo that Kpakpo, her second husband and a father of two, has abandoned the family. She also informs Fofo that Maami Broni has visited her. Fofo learns that Baby T is dead and she blames her mother for the death of her sister, Baby T. She also blames her own predicament on her mother. Trying to put up a defence, Maa Tsuru breaks down. The visit reveals Baby T's death and the contribution of Maami Broni to Baby T's death. The visit also reveals how Kpakpo abandons the family and the children. Maa Tsuru feels guilty about being unable to protect the rest of the family and Fofo blames her mother for the predicament, and Fofo hates her mother the more for her predicament and that of her sister.

Model answer

Points to note: 1. Relation to theme. 2. Character identification. 3. Kwei and Kpakpo. 4. Onko and the Jujuman. 5. Adade. 6. Poison and Macho. Model answer: The novel portrays men as oppressors of women. There is no doubt that their flagrant parental irresponsibility is the cause of suffering and pain in the novel. As a result of paternal irresponsibility, children end up in the street trying to make ends meet. This leads to the violence in the society. The women are the victims of men's oppression, their feebleness and nature as feminine and care given by the men to subject them to various sufferings. While considering men as oppressors of women in the novel, the characters of Kwei and Kpakpo come to mind. They both contribute to Maa Tsuru's destitution. Kwei abandons Maa Tsuru after having several children with her. His violent disposition towards Maa Tsuru also shows in the way he beats her and later orders her out of his house. Kpakpo on the other hand is portrayed as irresponsible in the novel. He preys on Maa Tsuru, sells Baby T into prostitution after sexually abusing her and intercepts the pay packet of Baby T's enslavement. Kwei and Kpakpo are oppressors and they contribute negatively to the predicament of the women. Apart from Kwei and Kpakpo, characters that identify with oppression are Uncle Onko and the jujuman. Onko rapes Baby T, leading to her being sold into prostitution. At the request of the jujuman, Onko seeks his misfortune which serves as consequence of having sexual affair with the daughter of "an accursed" woman. This eventually leads to the murder of Baby T as she later declines to give Onko another chance to have sex with her. Another character that represents male oppression in the novel is Adade, Kabria's husband. Adade is a father of three (Obea, Essie and Ottu). His oppression shows in the way he declines in his paternal responsibilities at home. Though he pays the school fees, he refuses to lend domestic help to his children and domestic help to his wife. Adade is lazy; he is indifferent to Kabria's struggles. His attitude to Kabria regarding the refurbishing of Creamy is negative. Poison and Macho are another category of men that oppress women in the novel. They are street lords who prey on the girls like Baby T and Fofo. The two impact negatively on the girls. An instance is Poison's attempted rape of Fofo at the beginning of the novel. Poison is also responsible for the death of Baby T whom he has used to make money together with Maami Broni. Maami Broni and Maa Tsuru are terrified by Poison. Macho shows his oppression in the way he intimidates people with his position as the waste manager. Macho also drives off Fofo from nature's call and takes all her earnings for the week. In synopsis, the men are portrayed as oppressors of women in the novel.

Model answer

Points to note: 1. Relation to theme. 2. Character identification. 3. Change in his physical appearance and dressing. 4. Attitude towards his mother. 5. Attitude towards his father's legacy. 6. His ultimate intentions. Model answer: The novel exudes African culture and tradition in which one is expected to conform to the tradition as this is evident in the way Yaremi is expected to marry another man after Ajumobi's death. Her refusal to do this has led her to some woes. In African culture, sons are expected to inherit their fathers' property and this is portrayed in Uncle Deyo's invitation of Alani to claim his father's property. However, Alani who cherishes city life declines the offer of his father's heritage. Alani is the only son of Ajumobi and Yaremi. He lives in the city where he works as a carpenter. The purpose of his visit is to check his mother's welfare in the village after his father's death. Attention is paid to Alani's changed appearance even to the consternation of Uncle Deyo. Alani has evidently become almost lost to the city. His skin is burnt and bleached and the hair is dyed curly and dangled. He wears a "shining necklace" and a pair of springy intimidating high-heel shoes" which make Uncle Deyo disgusted. Uncle Deyo calls Alani "a freak". Alani is aloof towards his mother. This is evident in the way he gives his mother some money and a few items from the town. He promises his mother more money from time to time. Also, Alani's attitude towards his mother is not appreciative. He does not appreciate his mother's situation, ignoring her plight and her fight against the village elders. Alani cares little about his father's legacy - he exhibits a carefree attitude towards the legacy left behind by Ajumobi which includes the farmland which he thinks could be a sublet. Alani is clearly not returning to the village to tend his father's farm. Alani is ultimate intention to remain in the city, only to return occasionally to give his mother money. He also makes known his intention to relocate his mother and once his mother is relocated, Alani is likely to stop coming to Kufi. Alani is transplanted in the city which is evidently the centre of action. He despises and would better remain in the city.

Model answer

Points to develop: 1. Relation to theme. 2. Character identification. 3. Expectations of the society. 4. Reconciliation with the society. 5. Cap-picking for a new husband. 6. Yaremi's attitude to advice. Model answer: The novel centres on African traditional and cultural practices. One of the major themes in the novel is marriage and continuity and Yaremi is expected to conform to the norm and remarry after Ajumobi's death. A woman is thought to be incomplete without a man while the man is seen as the cap and glory of the woman. After the death of Ajumobi, Yaremi becomes a widow like other widows in Kufi: Dedewe, Radeke and Fayoyin. The three widows find it expedient to advise her on the right attitude to the new realities before her: widowhood and the cap-picking ceremony. The three widows: Dedewe, Radeke and Fayoyin are seniors to Yaremi who has just lost her husband. They had remarried ten years before and seem to be enjoying their present situation. Their visit a night to the cap-picking ceremony is to show their solidarity and comradeship with Yaremi and to counsel her to pick her own cap. In a traditional African society, a woman is expected to remarry after the death of her husband. A woman is seen as feeble, so she needs a man: "No woman's life is complete without a man". It is also believed that it is a sign of humility, meekness and submission for a woman to be under a man. This is the purpose of picking a cap. Widows are saddled with responsibilities. They are to "develop an open mind and forgive the ignorant ones" who humiliate them when they remarry. They are to pardon those who cut their hair. They are also to reconcile with those who force them to confess sins they did not commit. They are to reconcile with those who force them to chant widow's song of lamentation. These are the experiences of Dedewe, Fayoyin and Radeke in the novel. Cap-picking is believed to be symbolic of picking a new husband. It is designed for widows to select new husbands. Former widows are satisfied with the new husbands. This is evident in the statement "now we are savouring the aroma of a new found happiness." The three widows urge Yaremi to pick a cap courageously. However, Yaremi's attitude to the widows' advice is negative. She turns down their pieces of advice by denouncing the cap-picking. As a result of her refusal to pick cap as expected of the society, she consequently faces the wrath of elders. As the advice given to Yaremi by the three widows merely reinforces the traditional view, Yaremi's rejection points the way to a rethink of culture that is more static than dynamic.

Model answer

Points to note: 1. Relation to theme. 2. Character identification. 3. Bigger's crime and punishment. 4. Max's defence and Bigger's death sentence. 5. The last moment with Max. Model answer: The novel centres on racial discrimination in America and how it affects the blacks. Seen as inferior to the white majority, the blacks are subjected to all forms of maltreatment. They are stereotyped and treated with prejudice by the racist whites. Bigger's reaction to the racial practices in America lands him in jail and he heads for the electric chair. Bigger Thomas is the protagonist of the novel and Max is Bigger's lawyer. Max is a member of the Communist Party. The last meeting between Bigger and Max takes place in Bigger's cell. Bigger has been sentenced to death following his murder of Mary Dalton. Bigger has killed Mary Dalton and his own girlfriend, Bessie. After the murder, he is hunted down by the cops and he is to be tried in a Chicago court. Max offers to defend Bigger in court in spite of initial suspicion of Max and Jan. In the law court, Max pleads that Bigger is innocent. He appeals to the jury to consider Bigger as a victim of state policy and social discrimination. Against Max's appeals, Bigger is sentenced to death as Bigger is expected to "die on or before midnight of Friday, March 3rd, in a manner described by the law of this state". Bigger uses his last moment with Max to "accustom his mind to death as much as possible". He reflects on past events and how he has lived. Bigger yearns and longs to "talk to Max than ever" even though he is not sure of what to discuss with him. Max shares insightful experiences about life with him and says, "...in the work I am doing, I look at the world in a way that shows no whites and no blacks, no civilised and no savages..." Bigger clears his mind about death; he says, "I didn't want to kill but what I kill for, I am! It must've been pretty deep in me to make me kill."

Model answer

Points to note: 1. Relation to theme. 2. Character identification. 3. Purpose of the visits. 4. His first visit. 5. Second visit. 6. Significance. Model answer: The novel explores the theme of fear in a racially segregated America. It is this fear that triggers Bigger's reaction, culminating in his committing murders. As a victim of racial discrimination, Bigger's daily experiences are characterised by fear and frustration. Bigger sees sexual pleasure in Bessie as an antidote to his daily experiences of fear and frustration. Bigger's full name is Bigger Thomas. He is the protagonist in the novel. Bigger is driven to daily violence by fear. To assuage his daily frustration and depression, Bigger seeks succour in sexual relationship with Bessie Mears. Bessie is Bigger's girlfriend. She works for a white family as a domestic servant. Like Bigger, frustration and depression characterise Bessie's life. When Bigger first visits Bessie, Bessie feels a bit reluctant and cold towards him. She calls him a stranger and she is shied away from his attempt to kiss her. As they both make love, Bigger hits on the idea of demanding ransom. They go out for drinks and share stories about Loeb and Leopold. In his second visit to Bessie, Bigger is apprehensive. This occurs after the murder of Mary. Bigger and Bessie run to a hide-out in a black, looming, empty apartment building. Bigger fears that Bessie might give him away to the police arrest. For the fear of police arrest and the vulnerability of Bessie, Bigger kills Bessie Mears. Bigger's visits to Bessie are significant in the novel. They give added information about Bigger's evasive and violent nature. They also demonstrate how fear affects the black characters. The visits trigger the sub-plot of the novel. They show Bigger and Bessie's relationships as purely sexual. The visits reveal Bessie's dependence on liquor as a way to suppress her depression. The visits intensify the violence in the novel.

Model answer

Points to note: 1. Relation to theme. 2. Character identification. 3. Manfred, Conrad and Matilda. 4. Father Jerome and Theodore. 5. Frederic and Isabella. 6. Significance. Model answer: One controlling theme in the novel is the relationship between parents and their offspring. The manner of relating to an offspring triggers various outcomes and is very important for the development of the plot. The novel also explores the theme of patriarchal and male dominance. The males are given more recognition while the females are treated as a margin. Manfred is the father of Conrad and Matilda. Father Jerome is the father of Theodore and Frederic, the Marquis of Vicenza is the father of Isabella. Manfred apparently loves Conrad as heir to the throne. His main concern when Conrad dies is to find a replacement to prolong his rule. Manfred is an oppressive and overbearing father to Matilda. He does have some parental feelings for her; this is shown in his regret after inadvertently killing her. Matilda is useful in Manfred's desire to perpetuate his rule. Father Jerome on the other hand works diligently to save Theodore even without knowing their relationship. This occurs when Manfred orders Father Jerome to pray for Theodore before Theodore will be executed. The true bond between father and son is revealed when Father Jerome realises their true relationship. Theirs is the only "healthy" relationship between father and son in the novel. The relationship between Frederic and Isabella is also worth considering. Frederic comes to Otranto to rescue her daughter, Isabella. Frederic defends Isabella at the initial stages leading to Frederic securing serious injury in his fight with Theodore. Frederic later reveals his true feelings by agreeing with Manfred to swap their daughters in marriage. The relationship between father and their children in the novel is of significance. Generally speaking, fathers use their children to achieve their selfish goals. Only father Jerome shows real affection for Theodore.

Model answer

Points to develop: 1. Relation to theme. 2. Character identification. 3. Incidents of their appearance. 4. Notions of their presence. 5. Characters' reactions to the presence of these phenomena (the ghosts and spirits). 6. Significance. Model answer: One of the major themes in the novel is superstition. Apart from superstition and belief in spirits, the novel can be described as a gothic or horrendous novel. This brings in the relevance of spirits, ghosts and supernatural forces in the affairs of humans in the novel. The presence of supernatural accounts for several strange occurrences. Instances of supernatural occurrences in the novel include the Gigantic leg, the mysterious shield, manifestations of apparitions and spirits. Incidents and appearances of spirits and ghosts in the novel include supernatural manifestations that followed Conrad's death and Manfred's overture with Isabella. Another instance of supernatural manifestation is Manfred's excitement at the intended inter-marriages. While praying, a spectre appears to Frederic and warns him against his marriage to Matilda. A spectre also appears to Frederic on his way to Otranto. Other instances include reports from Manfred's servants (Diego and Jacques) and the confirmation of Theodore as the true heir. The spirits and ghosts appear in the novel for certain reasons. They warn, predict and haunt. Their presences are marked by words of horror such as violent motion, evidence of resignation such as heaving, words of violence such as "enormous sabre" and rattling of armour. Their presence is also marked by images of demons such as giant, fleshless jaws, empty sockets of a skeleton, hermits, etc. Words of fear such as 'alas!', 'ravest' and the deep sigh attest to the presence of spirits and ghosts in the novel. When the servants of Manfred (Diego and Jacques) see the gigantic leg, they are filled with fear. Bianca is also filled with fear as she declares 'I had rather leave everything behind me than stay another hour under this roof'. Hippolita, Manfred's wife also submits and entreats Manfred to submit to the spirits (the heaven). As a result of the spectre's appearance, Frederic withdraws his desire for Matilda. After he has mistakenly killed Matilda, Manfred prays for mercy and accepts the reversal of his fortune. The spirits and ghosts are of significance in the novel. They are used to create suspense. The ghosts and spirits are also used to provide flashback. They also resolve the conflicts in the novel. For instance, after the declaration of Theodore as the true heir of Alfonso, all appearances of ghosts and spirits end. The ghosts signal a new beginning in the castle. Alfonso's form speaks of a new heir after it, 'appears in the centre of the ruin.' The ghosts and spirits help to bring about the fulfillment of ancient prophecy in the novel and their presence adds to the gothic setting of the novel.