WAEC Literature in English 2020 Theory — Question 2

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.