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SECTION A: ANSWER ONE QUESTION FROM THIS SECTION.
(1)
In Let Me Die Alone by John K. Kargbo, Governor Samuel Rowe contributes significantly to the theme of colonial manipulation and betrayal. The play explores how colonial powers used and abandoned African leaders, and Yoko’s downfall reflects this destructive influence. Initially, Rowe appears supportive of Yoko’s leadership, encouraging her loyalty and endorsing her rule. In return, Yoko sacrifices personal happiness, adopts British customs, and works to maintain peace and unity in her chiefdom. However, Governor Rowe later betrays her by excluding her from important decisions, such as the campaign against Bai Bureh, revealing the superficiality of their alliance.
Governor Samuel Rowe is the British colonial representative who symbolizes the imperial system’s use of indigenous leaders as tools for control. While Yoko believes she is a valued ally, Rowe’s actions show he sees her only as a convenient figurehead. His betrayal leaves her isolated and powerless, contributing to her mental and emotional decline, which ultimately leads to her death.
Literary techniques like dramatic irony and symbolism highlight this betrayal. The audience sees Yoko’s growing disillusionment, even as she remains unaware of the depth of Rowe’s manipulation. Her isolation symbolizes the loss of true authority and the failure of colonial promises. Key moments in the play, such as her exclusion from military plans, underline her fall from influence.
This betrayal is significant because it reflects the broader collapse of traditional authority under colonial rule. Governor Rowe’s role in Yoko’s fall is not just personal, it represents how colonial powers systematically undermined indigenous leadership. Her tragedy warns against blind trust in foreign authority and captures the complex realities faced by African rulers under imperialism.
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(2)
In Let Me Die Alone by John K. Kargbo, Lamboi’s ambition highlights the theme of betrayal and internal power struggles. While Yoko faces threats from colonial powers, the play shows that danger also comes from within. Lamboi’s desire for power drives him to betray Yoko, revealing how ambition can destroy leadership and loyalty.
Lamboi is a nobleman of the Kpa Mende chiefdom and Yoko’s relative. Though he pretends to support her, he resents her position and believes the throne should belong to a man. Driven by envy and greed, he conspires with Musa, the chief priest, to eliminate Yoko through deceit and poison. His ambition is self-serving, not for the good of the people.
Through literary elements like characterization and foreshadowing, Lamboi is shown as deceitful and manipulative. His private meetings with Musa and secret plots contrast with his public loyalty, creating dramatic irony. Yoko’s trust in him deepens the tragedy, as her downfall comes partly from someone she considers family.
Lamboi’s ambition is significant because it exposes the internal weaknesses in traditional leadership. His betrayal reflects not just personal envy but also resistance to female authority. Alongside colonial interference, Lamboi’s actions contribute to Yoko’s fall, showing that both external and internal forces can destroy a leader. His ambition adds to the play’s tragic weight and underscores the complex challenges faced by rulers like Yoko.
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(3)
In The Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka, the use of music and dance is closely tied to the themes of tradition, cultural identity, and the conflict between modernity and traditional African values. Music and dance are not merely decorative elements in the play; they serve as powerful tools of storytelling, cultural expression, and resistance. Through them, Soyinka emphasizes the vibrancy of African oral traditions and how they preserve communal values and history.
The characters involved in music and dance include the villagers of Ilujinle, led by figures such as the Bale, Baroka, and the village girls including Sidi. These characters participate in dances and mimes that re-enact important events, such as the arrival of the stranger (the photographer), and Sidi’s rise to fame. These performances serve as a living record of the community’s values and experiences. Music and dance in the play reflect the village’s communal spirit and their connection to tradition.
Soyinka uses literary devices such as mime, dance drama, and musical interludes to break the boundaries of conventional Western theatre. For example, the dance of the lost traveler and the dance of Baroka’s defeat are stylized performances that blend narration, physical expression, and satire. These scenes are not only entertaining but also rich in symbolism and commentary. The dances act as a form of mockery or celebration, often carrying deeper meanings about pride, power, or deception. Soyinka fuses dialogue with Yoruba cultural performance styles, making music and dance a narrative force rather than mere background.
The significance of music and dance in the play lies in how they celebrate and protect cultural heritage. While Lakunle dismisses these traditions as primitive, Soyinka presents them as dynamic and meaningful. Music and dance affirm the villagers’ identity and challenge the influence of Western ideas. They also allow the audience to engage emotionally with the story and reflect on the strength of indigenous expression. Overall, music and dance in The Lion and the Jewel enrich the play’s structure, deepen its themes, and honor the power of African tradition in shaping society.
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(4)
Sidi’s role in The Lion and the Jewel is closely connected to the central themes of tradition versus modernity and the negotiation of gender and power within Yoruba society. Through her interactions with Baroka and Lakunle, the play explores contrasting attitudes toward cultural change, social roles, and personal ambition. Sidi embodies the tension between these forces, as she navigates her identity as both a traditional village belle and a young woman intrigued by new ideas and status.
Sidi is the beautiful and vain young woman at the center of the play’s conflict. She is courted by two very different men: Baroka, the traditional and cunning village chief, and Lakunle, the modern, Western-educated schoolteacher who rejects customary practices like the bride price. Sidi initially shows some openness to Lakunle’s modern views but insists on traditional customs such as the bride price, reflecting her complex position between old and new values. Her vanity grows when her photograph appears in a magazine, which inflates her sense of self-importance and influences her behavior toward both suitors. Ultimately, she is seduced by Baroka’s charm and cunning, choosing tradition over modernity.
Literarily, Sidi functions as a symbol of beauty and desire-the “jewel” of the village-whose presence reveals the characters and values of Baroka and Lakunle. Her interactions expose Baroka’s shrewdness and ability to manipulate tradition to maintain power, as well as Lakunle’s awkwardness and superficial embrace of modernity. Sidi’s vanity and naivety are key to the plot’s development, especially when she mocks Baroka after hearing he is impotent, only to be outwitted and seduced by him. This dynamic highlights themes of power, gender roles, and cultural identity, with Sidi’s character acting as a mirror reflecting the strengths and weaknesses of both men.
The significance of what Sidi brings out in Baroka and Lakunle lies in how she exposes their true natures and the societal values they represent. In Baroka, she reveals a traditional leader who is both cunning and charismatic, able to use cultural customs to his advantage and maintain his authority. In Lakunle, she exposes the limitations and contradictions of modernity-his rejection of tradition is half-hearted and often patronizing, showing that his modern ideals are not fully grounded. Through Sidi’s choices and interactions, Soyinka critiques both blind adherence to tradition and uncritical acceptance
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SECTION B: ANSWER ONE QUESTION ONLY FROM THIS SECTION
(5)
Jimmy Porter’s character in Look Back in Anger is closely tied to the central themes of frustration, alienation, and the search for identity in post-war British society. His anger and bitterness reflect the disillusionment of a generation caught between a rigid class system and a changing social landscape. Beneath his harsh exterior, the play suggests that Jimmy is at heart a caring person, struggling to express his emotions in a world that he feels has denied him dignity and respect.
Jimmy is a working-class man, educated but stuck in a menial job, which fuels his sense of injustice and anger. He is married to Alison, who comes from an upper-middle-class background, and this class divide intensifies his feelings of insecurity and resentment. Despite his abrasive behavior-often verbally and physically aggressive toward Alison and others-Jimmy’s actions stem from deep emotional pain and a desire for connection. His cruelty can be seen as a misguided attempt to provoke reactions and break through the emotional numbness of those around him.
Literarily, Jimmy is an anti-hero whose complexity lies in his contradictory nature. His anger is a form of social critique, but it also masks vulnerability and a desperate need for love and understanding. For example, his constant verbal assaults and physical outbursts-such as twisting Cliff’s ear or burning Alison’s hand-are not simply sadistic but reflect his frustration at the indifference he perceives in others. His repeated calls for loyalty and his pain at Alison’s emotional distance reveal his underlying care, even if expressed destructively. The play’s use of monologues and sharp dialogue exposes this inner turmoil, showing that Jimmy’s anger is inseparable from his capacity to care deeply.
The significance of viewing Jimmy as a caring person beneath his anger is that it humanizes a character often dismissed as merely bitter or cruel. It highlights the emotional complexity of those marginalized by society and the difficulty of expressing care in a fractured world. Jimmy’s contradictions embody the struggles of post-war Britain, where personal and social conflicts intertwine. Recognizing his caring nature invites sympathy and a deeper understanding of the play’s critique of class, identity, and emotional repression.
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(6)
Jimmy Porter’s character in Look Back in Anger relates strongly to the themes of frustration, alienation, and the search for identity in post-war British society. His anger and bitterness reflect the disillusionment of a generation caught between social classes and struggling with personal and societal conflicts. Despite his harsh exterior, the play reveals deeper layers of his emotional complexity, suggesting that beneath his rage lies a caring nature, particularly toward those close to him.
Jimmy is a working-class man, educated but trapped in a low-status job, which fuels his resentment toward the upper class and the society that limits his opportunities. He is married to Alison, who comes from a more privileged background, and this class divide intensifies his feelings of inadequacy and anger. His relationships with Alison and his friend Cliff are marked by conflict and tension, but also moments that hint at his underlying care and desire for connection, even if expressed in a flawed and often destructive way.
Literarily, Jimmy can be seen as an anti-hero whose anger serves as a mask for his vulnerability. His frequent outbursts and verbal attacks are a form of emotional expression that exposes his pain and frustration. For example, he deliberately hurts Alison physically and emotionally, yet these actions stem from his inability to communicate his feelings healthily. His relentless criticism of society and those around him is both a rebellion against injustice and a cry for understanding. This complexity is highlighted in his moments of tenderness and his struggle to maintain relationships despite his flaws.
The significance of viewing Jimmy as a caring person lies in understanding the depth of his character beyond his anger. His care is often hidden beneath his harshness, revealing the contradictions of a man shaped by personal loss, social alienation, and a desperate need for meaning. This perspective allows the audience to see Jimmy not just as a figure of rage but as a tragic character whose caring nature is obscured by his struggle with identity and frustration in a changing world.
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(7)
Alberta’s death in Fences profoundly affects Troy and connects directly to the play’s central themes of responsibility, mortality, and the consequences of personal choices. The tragedy forces Troy to confront the repercussions of his actions-his extramarital affair-and the new responsibilities he must shoulder with the birth of Alberta’s child. This event intensifies the play’s exploration of how past mistakes and moral failings impact family dynamics and individual identity.
Troy Maxson is a complex character-a former baseball player whose dreams were thwarted by racial discrimination, now working as a garbage collector. His affair with Alberta represents a moment of escape from the pressures of his life and marriage to Rose. Alberta’s death during childbirth leaves Troy with an illegitimate daughter, Raynell, and shatters his illusion of control. This loss triggers a mix of anger, guilt, and defiance in Troy, as he struggles to reconcile his actions with their consequences.
Literarily, Alberta’s death acts as a pivotal plot device that exposes Troy’s vulnerabilities and catalyzes his confrontation with mortality. Troy’s reaction-challenging the personified figure of Death and vowing to build a fence to keep death out-symbolizes his refusal to accept the inevitability of loss and change. His anger spills over onto Rose, illustrating how grief complicates relationships and reveals underlying tensions. The imagery of the fence also gains new meaning here, representing both protection and isolation as Troy grapples with his failures and the demands of fatherhood beyond his marriage.
The significance of Alberta’s death lies in how it forces Troy to face the consequences of his choices and the limits of his control over life and death. It marks a turning point in the play, highlighting themes of accountability and the complexity of human flaws. Moreover, it deepens the emotional and moral conflicts within the family, setting the stage for eventual reconciliation and growth. Through this event, August Wilson underscores the painful realities of life’s unpredictability and the enduring struggle to find meaning and connection amid loss.
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(8)
August Wilson’s Fences portrays African-American life in the 1950s by focusing on themes of racial discrimination, family dynamics, and the struggle for identity and dignity within a segregated society. The play highlights the social and economic barriers faced by African Americans during this era, as well as the internal conflicts that arise from these external pressures. Central themes include the quest for personal responsibility, the impact of systemic racism, and the tension between preserving cultural identity and adapting to societal change.
The main characters, especially Troy Maxson, his wife Rose, and their son Cory, represent different facets of the African-American experience. Troy is a former Negro League baseball player whose dreams were stifled by racial discrimination, now working as a garbage collector. His bitterness and sense of failure reflect the limited opportunities available to black men of his generation. Rose embodies the traditional African-American woman, balancing strength and sacrifice within the family. Cory represents the younger generation, facing new opportunities but still constrained by racial realities. Through these characters, Wilson captures the complexities of African-American life, including generational conflicts and evolving aspirations.
Literarily, Wilson uses symbolism, dialogue, and character development to explore these themes. The fence itself is a powerful symbol representing both protection and division-physically marking the Maxson family’s space and metaphorically illustrating the social barriers imposed by racism. The play’s realistic dialogue and vernacular speech ground the story in its cultural context, while the characters’ struggles and interactions reveal the psychological and emotional effects of systemic oppression. For example, Troy’s frustration is evident when he questions why white men hold better jobs while he is stuck in menial labor, highlighting institutional racism. The interplay of personal and societal conflicts enriches the narrative, making the African-American experience tangible and relatable.
The significance of Wilson’s portrayal lies in its honest and multifaceted depiction of African-American life, emphasizing both hardship and resilience. The play challenges stereotypes by presenting fully realized characters who grapple with universal human issues within a specific historical and cultural framework. It underscores the importance of cultural identity and the need to confront and overcome social injustice. By doing so, Fences not only documents a critical period in African-American history but also offers insight into the enduring struggles and strengths of the community.
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SECTION C: ANSWER ONE QUESTION ONLY FROM THIS SECTION.
(9)
Agostinho Neto’s poem The Grieved Lands of Africa centers on the theme of colonialism, portraying it as a devastating force that inflicted deep wounds on the African continent. Colonialism is depicted as a continuation of slavery, described as “modern slave(ry),” where European powers exploited Africa’s land, people, and culture under the guise of bringing “civilization” and “Christianity.” The poem mourns the destruction of African identity and sovereignty, highlighting the grief caused by the arbitrary partitioning of lands and the brutal suppression of resistance. This theme underscores the historical trauma and ongoing psychological impact of colonial domination on Africa.
Colonialism in the poem is symbolized through powerful imagery and metaphorical figures. The “flower” represents the beauty, culture, and youth of Africa, which are “crushed in the forest” by the “wickedness of iron and fire.” These phrases symbolize the violent imposition of colonial rule, with “iron and fire” referring to the superior weaponry and destructive force used by colonizers to subdue African peoples. The “jailer’s keys” evoke imprisonment and political oppression, reflecting how many Africans, including the poet himself, suffered incarceration during struggles for independence. The repeated use of the word “grieved” throughout the poem emphasizes the persistent sorrow and pain inflicted by colonialism, both physically and psychologically.
Literary devices such as symbolism, imagery, and repetition are employed to convey the effects of colonialism. Symbolism is evident in the “flower” and “forest,” which stand for African culture and land being destroyed. The “iron and fire” metaphor captures the brutal means by which colonial powers enforced their control. Repetition of “grieved” reinforces the ongoing anguish experienced by the continent. The poem’s free verse form and vivid imagery, such as “tearful woes of ancient and modern slave” and “corpses thrown up by the Atlantic,” evoke the historical suffering of Africans through slavery and colonial exploitation. These literary elements work together to create a powerful lamentation of Africa’s pain and resilience.
The significance of these explanations lies in how they deepen understanding of colonialism’s multifaceted impact on Africa. The poem not only highlights physical violence and economic exploitation but also the cultural destruction and psychological trauma endured by Africans. By portraying colonialism as a continuation of slavery and a “wickedness,” Neto emphasizes the enduring legacy of oppression. The poem serves as both a remembrance of past injustices and a call to recognize African resilience and hope, symbolized in the “dreams” and “dances” that persist despite suffering. This portrayal invites reflection on the historical consequences of colonialism and the ongoing struggle for identity and liberation.
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(10)
The poem The Song of the Women of My Land by Oumar Farouk Sesay explores the theme of time’s erosive effect on memory, particularly the fading remembrance of the women’s lives, struggles, and cultural contributions. Time is portrayed as a force that gradually strips away the “lyrics” and “song” that once vividly narrated the experiences of these women, leaving only faint echoes of their existence. This theme reflects a broader concern with how history and cultural identity can be lost or diminished over generations if not actively preserved.
The key literary terms relevant here include metaphor, personification, and imagery. Metaphor is used when time is compared to a sculptor “chipping away bits of wood,” symbolizing how memories are gradually eroded. Personification appears as time “strips away the lyrics of the song,” attributing human action to an abstract concept, emphasizing the destructive power of time. Imagery is vivid throughout the poem, with phrases like “fading tune echoing the song” and “forlorn fields” evoking a sense of loss and desolation.
These literary devices illustrate the gradual fading of memory and cultural heritage. The metaphor of time as a sculptor highlights the slow but relentless nature of forgetting. Personification makes time an active agent in erasing history, deepening the sense of inevitability. The auditory imagery of the “song” and “lyrics” symbolizes the oral traditions and stories that once kept the women’s experiences alive but are now disappearing. For example, the poem states, “It strips away the lyrics of the song of the women of my land,” showing how the essence of their lives is being lost to time.
The significance of these explanations lies in their illumination of the poem’s meditation on memory, history, and cultural preservation. By portraying time as a force that diminishes the women’s song, the poem warns of the fragility of cultural memory and the importance of remembering the sacrifices and stories of past generations. It also evokes a sense of mourning-not only for the women themselves but for the fading legacy they represent. This understanding invites readers to reflect on the need to honor and preserve cultural histories before they vanish completely.
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SECTION D: ANSWER ONE QUESTION ONLY FROM THIS SECTION.
(11)
John Donne’s The Good-Morrow explores two types of love: the immature, superficial love experienced before true connection, and the mature, spiritual love that unites two souls. The poem’s central theme revolves around the transformative power of love, which awakens the lovers to a deeper reality and creates a perfect, harmonious union. This theme reflects the metaphysical tradition of elevating love beyond mere physical attraction to a profound, almost sacred experience.
The literary terms relevant here include metaphor, conceit, and imagery. A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes one thing as if it were another, highlighting similarities. Conceit is an extended metaphor that draws an elaborate comparison between two unlike things, often intellectual or surprising, typical of metaphysical poetry. Imagery involves vivid descriptions that appeal to the senses, helping readers visualize and feel the poem’s emotions.
In the poem, Donne uses metaphor and conceit to contrast the two types of love. The first stanza questions the lovers’ past, comparing their previous pleasures to childish “country pleasures” and a long sleep in the “Seven Sleepers’ den,” symbolizing immature, unreal love. The second and third stanzas develop the mature love through the conceit of two hemispheres forming a perfect globe, representing the lovers’ souls united without division or decline: “Where can we find two better hemispheres, / Without sharp north, without declining west?” The imagery of “my face in thine eye, thine in mine appears” emphasizes mutual reflection and equality in their relationship. The poem’s progression from awakening to spiritual unity illustrates the evolution from superficial to true love.
The significance of these explanations lies in how Donne portrays love as a journey from ignorance to enlightenment and completeness. By treating the first type of love as incomplete and the second as perfect and eternal, the poem elevates love to a spiritual plane where two individuals become one harmonious whole. This treatment challenges conventional ideas of love as merely physical or fleeting, suggesting instead that true love is transformative and enduring. Donne’s use of metaphysical devices deepens the reader’s appreciation of love’s complexity and its power to reshape human experience.
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(12)
Gerard Manley Hopkins’ diction in Binsey Poplars is closely tied to the poem’s central theme of loss and the destructive impact of industrial progress on nature. The choice of words conveys a deep sense of grief and urgency, emphasizing the violent felling of the trees and the resulting damage to the natural world. Hopkins uses language that evokes both tenderness and harshness, reflecting the tension between the beauty of the trees and the brutality of their destruction.
Diction refers to the poet’s choice of words and style of expression, which shapes the tone and meaning of the poem. In Binsey Poplars, Hopkins employs a mix of simple, everyday words alongside inventive and archaic terms, as well as compound adjectives and repetition. This varied diction enhances the emotional intensity and musicality of the poem. For example, words like “felled,” repeated three times in succession, create a heavy, lamenting rhythm that mimics the sound of falling trees and the toll of a funeral bell. The use of invented words like “unselve” (meaning to destroy or ruin) and playful compounds such as “dandled” and “sandalled” add freshness and vividness to the imagery.
Hopkins’ diction also includes alliteration and assonance to heighten the sensory impact. Phrases like “quelled or quenched in leaves the leaping sun” use soft ‘q’ and ‘l’ sounds to evoke the gentle, life-giving qualities of nature, while harsher consonants in “hack and rack the growing green” emphasize violent destruction. The personification of nature as “her” and metaphors such as the “sleek and seeing ball” (the earth or an eye) deepen the emotional connection and suggest fragility. The inversion of word order, as in “My aspens, dear,” draws attention to the trees as beloved entities, intensifying the tone of mourning.
The significance of Hopkins’ diction lies in its ability to convey both the beauty of the natural world and the tragedy of its loss with immediacy and emotional power. Through his carefully chosen words and inventive language, Hopkins invites readers to feel the pain of environmental destruction as a personal and spiritual wound. The diction supports the poem’s message about the need for respect and care for nature, transforming the simple act of tree-felling into a profound symbol of human disregard for the environment. This makes Binsey Poplars not only a lament but also a call to awareness and preservation.
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