WAEC Literature in English 2020 Theory — Question 4

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.