WAEC Literature in English 2022 Theory — Question 10

Model answer

Points to develop: i. Relation to theme; ii. Character identification; iii. Gbanya's achievements; iv. Gbanya's pragmatism; v. He shows care and love; vi. Gbanya's weak side. The thematic thrust of the play is that of a traditional African society faced with an internal struggle for power and an external aggression by the colonial government. Governor Rowe who represents colonial power wields such power to influence the affairs of the African people being colonized in the play. Gbanya who is the chief of Mende Land exhibits traits of laudable achievements, pragmatism, good leadership and affection. Gbanya is the Chief of Mende Land. He is married to thirty seven wives and Yoko the queen is the favourite of them all. Being his favourite wife, Gbanya treats Yoko as a mere sex object of a man's pleasure. This is evident in his confession, 'Of what use is a woman to a man?' Gbanya's achievements resonate throughout the play, even after his death. His governance enables Mende land to boast of 'the richest wine and the biggest cattle'. His reign wins many wars which are described by Ndapi as 'honourable and brave ventures'. Yoko inherits his stable leadership as she confesses that Gbanya is 'the man who made Senehun into a great chiefdom.' In fact, Gbanya has the most courageous warriors in Mende Kingdom. His pragmatic approach to leadership manifests in several ways. He says 'a chief must be ruthless and 'must never be seen as weak...' He confesses to Yoko that 'if Senehun is to survive, a man must lead, not a woman'. This is premised on the fact that patriarchy is practised in Mende Kingdom. Gbanya has the courageous band of fighters or warriors. The fact that Yoko models Gbanya's 'virtues and qualities of undying love' in both her governance and life points to his mark of good leadership. Lavalie also describes him as 'a finer man and a braver man'. Gbanya's care and love manifest in the play. He shows affection for his wives through his concern. For example, he dispatches Lavalie, one of his warriors, to tell his wives to put on their best clothes so as to warmly receive the visiting Governor Rowe. He loves and cares for Yoko because of her vision and contribution to the affairs of the kingdom. However, Gbanya is not without his weak sides. One is his misjudgement in sending his warriors to fight on John Caulker's side as against the Governor's brother. Eventually, Governor Rowe humiliates him in the presence of his subjects. Gbanya's weakness also reflects in his excessive love for Yoko; he is oblivious of the treacherous plans by Musa and Lamboi. He allows himself to be killed in the interest of peace in the kingdom.