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LITERATURE OBJECTIVE
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*WAEC GCE LITERATURE*
(1)
Francis’ work as a printer in the novel portrays a stark contrast between his potential and his reality. As a printer, Francis holds a job that could symbolize progress, creativity, and contribution to society, but instead, his actions and attitudes reflect his lack of ambition, irresponsibility, and parasitic dependence on Adah. His work—or lack of dedication to it—reinforces his character as one who consistently fails to rise above his circumstances or to support his family in a meaningful way.
Francis’ role as a printer could have been an avenue for him to better his financial situation and contribute to his family’s welfare. However, his inability to embrace his work with seriousness portrays him as a visionless and unmotivated individual. Rather than taking pride in his labor, Francis shows no interest in pursuing professional or personal growth. His lack of initiative suggests his resignation to mediocrity and his contentment with depending on Adah’s hard work and determination.
Moreover, his work as a printer underscores his inferiority complex and laziness. Despite having a skill that could allow him to make a decent living, Francis remains uninterested in using it to elevate his family’s standard of living. His reliance on Adah’s income while he drifts through life reflects a troubling sense of entitlement and selfishness. This paints him as a person who does not value the significance of hard work or the role he could play in building a better future for his family.
Francis’ destructive behaviuor—such as burning the manuscript of Adah’s first novel—shows a deeper level of insecurity and resentment. While his work as a printer could symbolize creativity, his act of destroying Adah’s manuscript reflects a need to stifle her success, possibly stemming from feelings of inadequacy in comparison to her ambition and achievements. This act highlights his failure to be a supportive partner and further emphasizes his antisocial behavior and irresponsibility.
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(2)
In “Second-Class Citizen,” the encounter between Mr. Okpara and Francis is significant as it serves to highlight the differences in attitudes towards ambition, education, and the roles of men and women within the Nigerian community, both in Nigeria and among immigrants in the United Kingdom. Mr. Okpara represents a more progressive viewpoint that values education and the empowerment of individuals, regardless of gender. His perspective contrasts sharply with that of Francis, who embodies traditional patriarchal views that prioritize male authority and often disregard the aspirations of women.
The encounter between Mr. Okpara and Francis in Buchi Emecheta’s “Second-Class Citizen” is a moment that underscores the clash between progressive and traditional values within the Nigerian community. This interaction is significant as it highlights the stark contrast in attitudes towards education, gender roles, and personal ambition. Mr. Okpara is portrayed as a character who values education and sees it as a tool for empowerment and social mobility.
His perspective represents a more modern, egalitarian viewpoint that challenges the status quo. In contrast, Francis embodies traditional patriarchal norms, placing little importance on Adah’s aspirations and educational pursuits. He views his role as the unquestioned head of the household, with little regard for the potential or desires of his wife.
This encounter is crucial as it reflects the broader societal tensions between maintaining traditional gender roles and embracing change that allows for the empowerment of women.
Mr. Okpara’s encouragement of Adah’s educational ambitions stands in stark opposition to Francis’s dismissive attitude, highlighting the internal and external conflicts Adah faces in her quest for self-actualization. Furthermore, this interaction serves to demonstrate the importance of allies and supportive figures in the journey toward gender equality.
Mr. Okpara’s progressive stance offers a vision of what could be possible for women like Adah, suggesting that change is attainable through education and the support of forward-thinking individuals.
In essence, this encounter not only emphasizes the personal struggle of the protagonist but also reflects the broader societal discourse on education, gender roles, and the potential for transformative change within communities. Through this narrative, Emecheta invites readers to consider the impact of cultural and societal attitudes on individual aspirations and the pursuit of equality.
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(3)
(i) Massa’s Sickness:
Massa’s illness can be seen as a direct manifestation of her personal and emotional struggles. Her sickness is not just a physical ailment but an expression of her internalized pain and unspoken fears. In the context of the novel, Massa’s condition symbolizes the broader societal pressures placed on women, especially in patriarchal societies where their roles are often limited to caregiving and subservience. Her sickness can be interpreted as the emotional toll of these societal expectations, representing both personal and collective suffering. It reflects the weariness and emotional exhaustion many characters experience as they try to cope with their daily realities. Massa’s journey toward healing can be seen as symbolic of the potential for personal growth and self-empowerment. The novel hints that to overcome personal and social illnesses, a holistic approach, embracing both emotional and physical well-being, is essential for transformation.
(ii) The State of Korle Lagoon:
The Korle Lagoon symbolizes more than just a physical location in Unexpected Joy at Dawn; it represents the environmental and moral degradation of the society depicted in the novel. The polluted state of the lagoon serves as an emblem for the neglect and indifference shown to both the environment and to societal problems. Just as the lagoon is filled with waste and refuse, the social fabric of the community is stained by corruption, stagnation, and the erosion of shared values. The pollution of the lagoon could also be a metaphor for the polluted thoughts and actions of individuals, who, like the water, have become contaminated by greed, self-interest, and disillusionment. In addition, the lagoon’s stagnant nature highlights the idea of inertia and the failure to address systemic issues, making it a powerful symbol of the need for change and renewal. The restoration of the lagoon might symbolize hope for societal or personal regeneration.
(iii) Kantamanto Market:
Kantamanto Market represents a microcosm of the urban experience, with all its contradictions, vitality, and struggles. It symbolizes the hustle and bustle of city life, where individuals are constantly trying to navigate their personal ambitions, dreams, and survival instincts within a larger economic and social framework. The market is chaotic, filled with competition, bargaining, and interactions, and serves as a backdrop for the constant negotiation of values, identity, and desires. Its diverse nature — a blend of modern and traditional goods, urban and rural people — also highlights the tensions between tradition and progress in the society. The market is not just a physical space; it reflects the way people interact with each other and the social structures that shape their lives. For the characters, the market could be seen as a place where they confront their aspirations, desires, and conflicts, mirroring the unpredictable nature of life itself.
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(4)
Nii Tackie’s work experience at Expense Bank, as depicted in Alex Agyei-Agyiri’s novel “Unexpected Joy at Dawn”, is marked by frustration, disappointment, and disillusionment.
Initially, Nii Tackie is excited to start his new job at Expense Bank, but his enthusiasm is short-lived. He soon discovers that the bank is corrupt and inefficient, with employees more interested in lining their own pockets than serving customers.
Nii Tackie’s work experience is further complicated by the bank’s toxic work environment, where favoritism and cronyism are rampant. He struggles to navigate the complex web of relationships and alliances within the bank, often finding himself at odds with his colleagues.
Despite his best efforts, Nii Tackie becomes increasingly disillusioned with his job and the banking system as a whole. He begins to question the morality and ethics of the bank’s practices, and eventually, he is forced to confront the harsh realities of corruption and exploitation.
Through Nii Tackie’s work experience at Expense Bank, Agyei-Agyiri critiques the corrupt and inefficient systems that pervade Ghanaian society. The novel highlights the challenges faced by individuals who try to navigate these systems with integrity and honesty.
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(8)
Mr. Lockwood’s dreams in Wuthering Heights are highly significant, as they serve to foreshadow key events, explore the novel’s central themes, and establish its gothic atmosphere. Occurring during his unsettling stay at Wuthering Heights, these dreams blur the line between reality and the supernatural, drawing the reader into the emotional and psychological depths of the story.
One of the most important aspects of Lockwood’s dreams is their introduction of the supernatural, particularly through the ghost of Catherine Linton. In this dream, Lockwood envisions Catherine’s ghost at the window, begging to be let in. This moment foreshadows the novel’s preoccupation with unresolved emotions and the enduring power of the past. Catherine’s restless spirit symbolizes her unfulfilled love for Heathcliff and her tragic demise, which casts a shadow over the lives of all the characters. By including Catherine’s ghost so early in the story, Brontë establishes a haunting tone and suggests that the events of the past are inescapable, lingering in the present as both memory and physical presence.
Lockwood’s dreams also reflect his subconscious reaction to the oppressive environment of Wuthering Heights. In an earlier dream, he envisions himself among a judgmental and chaotic congregation, a scenario that parallels the intense and often morally rigid conflicts between the characters in the novel. This dream symbolizes the emotional turmoil and social isolation experienced by the inhabitants of Wuthering Heights, particularly Heathcliff, whose life is defined by rejection and revenge. Through this imagery, Brontë emphasizes themes of alienation and the destructive impact of societal expectations.
Lockwood’s dreams serve as a narrative device to explore the connection between the physical environment and the characters’ inner lives. The dark and oppressive atmosphere of Wuthering Heights seeps into Lockwood’s subconscious, manifesting in his disturbing dreams. This underscores the novel’s theme of how environment and history shape individuals, with Wuthering Heights itself acting as a symbol of emotional and physical entrapment.
The dreams contribute to the gothic tone of the novel. The blend of supernatural elements, psychological unease, and vivid imagery creates a sense of dread and mystery, preparing the reader for the tragic and emotionally intense story that follows.
Mr. Lockwood’s dreams are a crucial element of Wuthering Heights, providing insight into the themes, characters, and atmosphere of the novel. They highlight the haunting power of the past and set the stage for the unfolding drama.
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