WAEC (WASSCE) 2023 May/June LITERATURE IN ENGLISH (OBJ & PROSE) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

2023 WAEC LITERATURE OBJ;-ExamgrandComNg

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2023 WAEC LIT-IN-ENG QUESTIONS;-Examgrand.com.ng

QUESTION 1

In Buchi Emecheta’s novel “Second Class Citizen,” the main character, Adah, begins attending the Methodist School on her first day in London. This event contributes significantly to the development of the plot in several ways.

Firstly, Adah’s enrollment in the Methodist School marks a significant shift in her life. Prior to this, she had been living in Nigeria, where she faced discrimination and limited opportunities because of her gender. By starting school in London, Adah gains access to education and the possibility of a better future. This sets the stage for her personal growth and development throughout the novel.

Secondly, the Methodist School serves as a microcosm of British society. Adah encounters cultural differences and racism from her classmates and teachers, which reflects the larger societal issues she will face as a black immigrant in England. Her experiences at the school highlight the challenges she will face as she tries to navigate life in a new country.

Finally, Adah’s time at the Methodist School introduces her to new people and experiences that will shape her future. She befriends a classmate named Mary, who becomes one of her closest friends, and she also develops a crush on a boy named Francis. These relationships will play significant roles in Adah’s life as she grows older.

Overall, Adah’s first day at the Methodist School is a pivotal moment in “Second Class Citizen.” It sets the stage for the novel’s exploration of themes such as immigration, discrimination, and personal growth, and introduces characters and experiences that will shape the plot as it unfolds.

QUESTION 2

In Buchi Emecheta’s novel “Second Class Citizen,” Mr. Noble is a landlord who finds it difficult to evict his tenants for several reasons.

Firstly, Mr. Noble is portrayed as an absentee landlord who does not take an active role in managing his properties. He lives in Nigeria and relies on a middleman to collect rent and manage the properties in his absence. This lack of direct involvement makes it difficult for him to handle issues that arise with his tenants, including eviction.

Secondly, Mr. Noble’s tenants are mainly immigrants who have come to London looking for a better life. They often struggle to pay rent on time due to financial difficulties and the challenges of living in a new country. Mr. Noble is sympathetic to their struggles and is reluctant to evict them, even when they fall behind on rent.

Additionally, Mr. Noble is a Christian and feels a moral obligation to help those in need. He believes that providing affordable housing to immigrants is a way of fulfilling this obligation, and he is hesitant to evict tenants who are struggling.

Finally, Mr. Noble’s own financial situation is precarious. He has invested heavily in properties in London and relies on rental income to support himself and his family. Evicting tenants would mean losing rental income, which would put him in a difficult financial position.

Overall, Mr. Noble’s difficulty in evicting his tenants is a complex issue that reflects the challenges faced by both landlords and tenants in a changing society. It highlights the difficulties of managing property from a distance, the challenges faced by immigrants in a new country, and the moral and financial struggles of those who own property.

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QUESTION 3

Mama Orojo is a character in the novel who is the matriarch of the Orojo family. She is portrayed as a wise and respected elder in her community who is deeply committed to her family. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks in her life, she remains steadfast in her faith and is a source of strength and inspiration to those around her. Mama Orojo is also depicted as a strict disciplinarian who values hard work and education, and she encourages her children and grandchildren to strive for success in their lives. Overall, Mama Orojo is a complex and multifaceted character who plays an important role in the novel’s portrayal of Ghanaian family life and culture.

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QUESTION 4

“Unexpected Joy at Dawn” by Alex Agyei-Agyiri features several characters who contribute to the development of the plot, including Massa and Marshak.

Massa is a young woman who is introduced early in the novel as a love interest for the protagonist, Kofi. Her presence in the story drives much of Kofi’s character development, as he struggles with his feelings for her and his desire to provide for his family. Massa is also instrumental in the novel’s exploration of themes related to gender roles and cultural expectations, as she challenges the traditional roles assigned to women in Ghanaian society.

Marshak, on the other hand, is a more complex character who plays a key role in the novel’s plot. He is introduced as a wealthy and successful businessman who befriends Kofi and offers him a job at his company. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Marshak has a hidden agenda and is not the benevolent mentor he appears to be. His actions drive much of the conflict in the novel’s second half, as Kofi struggles to extricate himself from Marshak’s web of deceit and corruption.

Overall, both Massa and Marshak are important characters in “Unexpected Joy at Dawn” who contribute significantly to the novel’s plot and themes. Massa’s presence drives much of the novel’s exploration of gender roles and relationships, while Marshak’s actions provide the impetus for much of the story’s conflict and suspense.

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QUESTION 5

In Ralph Ellison’s novel “Invisible Man,” the narrator’s grandfather plays a significant role in shaping his actions and worldview. The grandfather’s advice, which is imparted to the narrator in the form of a deathbed speech, emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and individuality in the face of racial oppression.

The grandfather’s words haunt the narrator throughout the novel, and he constantly grapples with their meaning and implications. At times, the narrator embraces his grandfather’s advice and seeks to assert his own identity in the face of societal pressure to conform. For example, he joins the Brotherhood, a political organization that seeks to empower African Americans, but eventually leaves the organization when he realizes that it is not aligned with his own principles.

At other times, the narrator resists his grandfather’s advice and feels trapped by societal expectations. For example, he is forced to participate in a “battle royal,” a brutal boxing match, as part of a white men’s club’s entertainment. He initially protests the event, but ultimately participates in order to secure a scholarship for college.

Overall, the narrator’s grandfather’s advice serves as a constant reminder of the importance of individuality and self-respect in the face of racism and oppression. The narrator struggles to reconcile this advice with the realities of his life, but ultimately comes to understand that his grandfather’s words are a call to action, urging him to fight against the forces that seek to define and control him.

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(7)

Heathcliff’s marriage to Isabella is a tumultuous one, characterized by a lack of love and respect on both sides. Heathcliffonly marries Isabella as a means of gaining control over her brother, Edgar Linton, and the wealth and property that comes with their family’s name. Isabella is enamored with the idea of marrying Heathcliff, both for his perceivedonly marries Isabella as a means of seeking revenge on her brother, Edgar. Heathcliff’s plan is to marry Isabella and then mistreat her so as to hurt Edgar, whom she is infatuated with.

Once they are married, Heathcliff treats Isabella cruelly, both physically and emotionally. He has no love for her and sees her simply as a pawn in his game of revenge. Isabella, for her part, is foolish to marry Heathcliff in the first place, as she knows little about him and is drawn to him by his dark and brooding nature.

Despite her mistreatment by Heathcliff, Isabella remains in love with him and refuses to leave him for some time. It is only when she becomes pregnant with his child that she finally sees him for the monster he truly is and decides to leave him and the dangerous surroundings of Wuthering Heights.

In the end, Heathcliff’s marriage to Isabella serves only to demonstrate his cruel and vengeful nature and to further emphasize the toxic relationships that exist throughout the novel.

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QUESTION 8

In the novel, “Wuthering Heights,” the weather, windows, and setting are all used as powerful symbols to represent various themes and ideas. Firstly, the weather is a significant symbol throughout the novel. The harsh and tumultuous weather on the moors represents the wild and tumultuous emotions of the characters. For example, when Heathcliff is in despair, the stormy weather outside reflects his inner turmoil. The winter snows and bitter cold reflect the hostility and cruelty of the characters during their quarrels, as well as the harsh living conditions of the setting. Thus, the weather serves to underline the key themes of love, hate, and passion, as well as the idea that nature itself can be a force with which to be reckoned.Secondly, the windows in the novel are used as symbols to show the divide between the characters. The windows also represent the way characters are separated from each other and unable to fully understand or communicate with each other. For example, when Catherine is dying, she yearns to be outside in the open air and sees the window as a barrier between herself and the freedom she desires. The window also represents the division between the two families, the Lintons, and the Earnshaws. The Linton’s mansion is described as having many windows, and the openness allows one to see out and observe the natural world. However, the Heights has few windows, and those it does have are small and narrow, implying their occupants are separated from nature, and the larger world.Thirdly, the setting is central to the novel and is itself a symbol of the characters’ emotions and desires. The remote, isolated, and eerie setting of the moors reflects the characters’ emotions and ideas in the book. The rugged landscape reveals the characters’ fierce and untamed natures and echoes their tragic relationships. The landscape has its own moods, reflecting those of the characters. The setting also serves to highlight the idea that nature is indifferent to human suffering and that the turbulent, wild landscapes underline the natural cycle of things. In summary, the novel is full of symbols that are used to represent various themes and ideas. The weather is a powerful symbol of the characters’ emotions, while the windows represent the barriers between the characters and their inability to understand each other. Finally, the setting is central to the novel’s themes, reflecting the characters’ nature, desires, and the indifference of nature to human suffering.