WAEC Literature in English 2022 Theory — Question 2

Model answer

Points to develop: i. Relation to theme; ii. Character identification; iii. Attitude to life; iv. Attitude to marriage; v. Attitude to childbirth and child upbringing. The theme of marriage and the struggle for survival in a male dominated society is paramount in the novel. This theme plays in the relationship between Ada and Francis in their marriage. Ada and Francis are both Igbo descent and are brought up in Lagos. They both travel abroad. Ada is the daughter of Pa and Ma. She is Boy's sister. She educates herself despite intimidating constraints. She marries Francis early and joins him in the United Kingdom. Francis on the other hand is a young man aspiring to become an accountant. He and Ada marry early. He proceeds to the United Kingdom to pursue his accounting ambition with the support of his wife, Ada. Ada proves to be hardworking while Francis is downright lazy. This is evident in Ada being the family's breadwinner. In Lagos, she works as a librarian with the American consulate. On getting to the United Kingdom she continues as a librarian. She takes care of the family's finances and becomes successful in the United Kingdom. Francis on the other hand is a failure. He fails in his academic pursuit in the United Kingdom. He banks on Ada's wealth. Ada is sensitive and affectionate but her husband, Francis is rather opportunistic, insensitive and selfish. Their attitude to marriage differs. Ada is committed to the marriage while Francis cares little about his wife and children. Sometimes he goes to Pa Noble's house to watch TV while he leaves his family uncared for. His abandoning his wife in the hospital after her childbirth also attests to this. Francis plays the male chauvinist while Ada resists the oppression of male domination. Ada respects the institution of marriage while Francis does not seem to comprehend the union of husband and wife. While Francis regards marriage as all sex, Ada favours some control and moderation in sex in the marriage. Their attitude to childbirth also differs. Ada sees children as gifts that should be cared for, protected and brought up in a disciplined mental and psychological regulation. She sees child upbringing as a mandatory parental responsibility that cannot be waived, relinquished or passed on to third parties. She is bent on getting a conducive accommodation that can help her nurse and raise the children. Francis is unconcerned about all these. Ada wants the best for her children while Francis does not care about them.