1. How does cultural conflict manifest in the novel?

   Answer

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   How does cultural conflict manifest in Second Class Citizen:

   In Nigerian society, women are expected to stay home, take care of children, and support their husbands. Adah, the main character, wants more than this. She want education and independence, which creates tension with her community and her husband.

   In her marriage to Francis, Adah faces a conflict between the Nigerian belief that the husband is the head of the family. Francis expects her to be a submissive wife, but Adah wants more control over her life.

   When Adah moves to the UK, she struggles with the differences between Nigerian and British values. As an African woman, she experiences racism and feels out of place, trying to fit in while staying true to her Nigerian roots. This causes her a lot of stress and conflict.

   As an immigrant in the UK, Adah experiences discrimination not just because she's a woman, but also because she is seen as a "second-class" citizen. She has to fight against the belief that Africans are inferior to Europeans.

   Adah faces racism in both Nigeria and the UK. In Nigeria, her goals make her different from other women, and in the UK, racism makes her feel unsure of who she is and where she belongs.

   
   
   
   

2. Discuss the significance of the encounter between Mr. Okpara and Adah.

   Answer

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   The encounter between Mr. Okpara and Adah is significant in Second Class Citizen for the following reasons.

   Mr. Okpara represents traditional views that women should only be wives and mothers. He criticizes Adah for wanting an education and independence.

   Adah expresses her desire to be more than just a wife. She wants an education and a future of her own, showing her determination to defy cultural expectations.

   Their interaction highlights the clash between old, patriarchal values and the new generation’s desire for change, with Mr. Okpara holding onto traditional views and Adah challenging them.

   Mr. Okpara’s attitude shows the power imbalance between men and women in Nigerian society. He tries to control Adah, but she refuses to accept it, standing up for her choices.

   This moment marks Adah’s growth, as she remains firm in her ambitions despite Mr. Okpara’s criticism, reflecting her strength and independence.

   
   
   
   




ALEX, AGYEI-AGYIRI: Unexpected Joy at Dawn

3. Comment on the tragic death of Tally O.

   Answer

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   Comments on the tragic death of Tally O.

   
   

   Tally O. dies suddenly in a tragic accident when he is hit by a car while walking, leaving his mother, Mama Yaa, and the community devastated.

   His death represents the loss of youth and potential, taking away the hopes his family and community had for his future.

   Mama Yaa feels powerless against the fate that took her son. The randomness of his death highlights how little control people have over life's harsh realities.

   Reflection of Societal Issues: Tally O.'s death highlights how external forces, beyond personal control, can tragically impact the lives of the youth.

   Mama Yaa's sadness over Tally O.'s death makes her think about her beliefs and what lies ahead. This tragedy helps her grow and think more deeply about life and loss.

   
   
   
   

4. Consider Linda's attempt to seduce Nii.

   Answer

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   Linda's attempt to seduce Nii.

   Linda tries to seduce Nii to gain control over him and manipulate the situation for her own advantage. She seeks power in their relationship.

   Linda's seduction is driven by self-interest, using her physical appeal to manipulate Nii for personal gain, rather than genuine affection.

   By pursuing Nii in this way, Linda challenges societal norms and expectations about relationships and women’s roles in them.

   Linda’s actions create a moral conflict, as her desire contrasts with Nii’s sense of decency and respect for boundaries.

   Despite Linda's attempts, Nii resists her advances, showing strength and commitment to his values and moral integrity.

   
   
   
   





SECTION B
NON-AFRICAN PROSE

Answer one question only from this section.


RALPH, ELLISON: Invisible Man

5. How does the prologue prepare the reader for the main story?

   Answer

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   How does the prologue prepare the reader for the main story?

   The prologue prepares readers for the themes of racial and personal identity, alienation, and the struggle for recognition.

   The prologue introduces the idea that the narrator is "invisible" because society ignores him. This prepares readers for his ongoing struggle to find and understand his identity.

   The narrator talks about feeling isolated and misunderstood, which creates a sense of loneliness and paranoia. This shows the challenges he will face in the story as he deals with a world that overlooks him.

   The narrator looks back on his past from where he is now, suggesting that the story will be about him learning more about himself over time.

   The prologue uses light and darkness as symbols to represent the narrator's battle with his identity and how society oppresses him. This hints at the book’s focus on race and power.

   It also shows how society tries to force the narrator into certain roles, hinting at his ongoing fight against these expectations. This sets up the main conflict between who he is and what society wants him to be.

   
   
   
   
   

6. Comment on the portrayal of the Black Nationalist Movement.

   Answer

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   The portrayal of the Black Nationalist Movement.

   The Black Nationalist Movement is shown as a way for Black people to fight against racism. It gives the narrator a sense of strength, but it also complicates his search for true freedom.

   The movement is divided, with different groups and ideas fighting within it. This shows that the path to unity and equality isn’t easy or straightforward.

   The movement focuses on the power of the group, but the narrator’s personal journey is about finding his own identity. This creates a struggle between fitting in with the group and staying true to himself.

   The movement promises strength and freedom, but it doesn’t always deal with the real problems that people face. This shows that the ideas of the movement don’t always match the harsh realities of racism.

   Some leaders in the movement are shown as using the cause for their own benefit. This highlights how people can be manipulated, even within a movement meant to help the community.

   
   
   
   
   




EMILY, BRONTE: Wuthering Heights

7. Discuss Heathcliff's behaviour after his return to Wuthering Heights.

   Answer

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   Heathcliff's behaviour after his return to Wuthering Heights.

   Heathcliff left Wuthering Heights after being treated badly by Hindley and spent several years away, likely working and traveling. When he returned, he was rich and ready to get revenge on those who had hurt him.

   After returning, Heathcliff uses his money and power to control people, especially Hindley, making him poor and weak. He also takes advantage of Cathy’s feelings to gain power over her.

   Heathcliff wants to get back at Hindley for treating him badly in the past. He makes Hindley’s life worse by ruining his finances and making him suffer emotionally.

   Heathcliff tries to control Cathy by making her marry Linton, even though she doesn’t love him. He wants to own Cathy and her inheritance rather than love her.

   Heathcliff uses Linton’s sickness and weakness to make Cathy marry him. This marriage is just part of his plan to get control of the family’s land and property.

   Heathcliff becomes obsessed with being with his dead love, Catherine. He no longer cares about life, becoming increasingly unstable and consumed by his sorrow and desire for revenge.

   
   
   
   
   

8. Why does Hindley hate Heathcliff?

   Answer

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   Why does Hindley hate Heathcliff?

   Hindley hates Heathcliff because he is jealous, feels insecure, and sees him as a rival. His anger comes from feeling that Heathcliff is treated better than him in the family and from wanting to stay in control after his father’s death.

   Heathcliff is adopted by Mr. Earnshaw, who shows him a great deal of affection, treating him almost like his own son Hindley. This favoritism causes jealousy from Hindley.

   Hindley is jealous of how close Heathcliff and his sister Catherine are, as he feels left out.

   After their father dies, Heathcliff becomes part of the family, which makes Hindley angry because he feels Heathcliff is now his equal.

   Hindley feels weak and insecure compared to Heathcliff, who is smart and strong, making Hindley dislike him even more.

   When Heathcliff returns rich and powerful, Hindley fears losing control of the family, making his hatred grow.

   
   
   
   
   

END OF PAPER