literature Past Questions And Answers

Literature Past Questions And Answers

1441

Hamartia, in a literary work refers to a hero's_________

A. Tragic flaw
B. Inordinate ambition
C. strength of character
D. Good works

View Discussion (0)WAEC 2018 OBJ

1442

This question is based on Wole Soyinka's

The Trials of Brother Jero.

The most immediate service that Jero wishes to saddle MEMBER with at the end of the play is to

A. make him finance the building of a church
B. use him to obtain land allocation
C. use him to arrest Chume
D. pay for his velvet cape

View Discussion (0)JAMB 1995

1443

This question is based on General Literary Principles.

A mistake committed by the hero which leads to his downfall is known as

A. climax
B. tragic flaw
C. comic relief
D. terse

View Discussion (0)JAMB 2013

1444

Pick the odd item out of the options listed

A. Euphemism
B. Oxymoron
C. Hyperbole
D. Rhythm

View Discussion (0)WAEC 2010 OBJ

1445

This question is based on Camara Laye's The African Child.

The novel is a mixture of

A. fiction and fantasy
B. the objective and the absurd
C. pessimism and optimism
D. the real and the supernatural

View Discussion (0)JAMB 1999

1446

NON-AFRICAN DRAMA

Lorraine Hansberry: A Raisin in the Sun

Examine the youngers as a close -knit family?

Explanation

The home setting of the Youngers throws light upon them as a close-knit family. Though they share facilities with neighbours and are cramped in, Mama, their pillar of unity, believes in the importance of family and this drives her to ensure that all the members toe the line, one way or the other. As individuals, they have their dreams but in the background is a well-bonded family and no one is left out of the fold. Ruth does her bit by making sure the family wakes up early to use the shared bathroom on time before others encumber it. Travis's hope is restored when his father (Walter) satisfies him with the fifty cents for school. Travis also gets an extra fifty cents for fruits from his father.

This shows that there is always someone who cares for the rest, even Travis, in times of need. No one acts alone in the Younger family. Walter craves for his wife's (Ruth's) support to convince Mama that his request for a share of the insurance money for establishing a liquor store is worthwhile. To keep the family united, Mama relents in her criticism of Walter's business proposal. Thus, when Walter is duped of his money, he is not left to bear the sorrow alone. Indeed the family's unending arguments and different views do not break them apart as they pursue their individual dreams.

The Younger family's closeness is anchored on Mama's attitude to everyone. She insists, for instance, that Beneatha put on a robe in the cold morning; she offers to help Ruth in her ironing and does not forget to seek assurance that Travis has had hot oats for breakfast instead of cold cereal. Mama's habit of noticing how Ruth feels and behaves makes Ruth feel like Mama's own daughter. She admonishes Ruth to eat well and makes excuses for her to "stay home from work". Also Mama shares the joy of the expected cheque with Ruth first.

The Youngers' closeness as a family is expressed in the way Mama uses her discretion and goodwill in putting the ten thousand dollar-insurance money to use to make everyone happy. Beneatha's dream of attending medical school as well as Walter's longing to own a store are all catered for by the cheque. Buying a bigger house at Clybourne Park is also a dream come true as it keeps the family together. It moves them up a little higher. For the first time, Mama is happy that she gets a gift of gardening tools and a hat even though it isn't Christmas time. But the unity of the Younger family is brought under severe stress and strain as the family confronts and rejects Mr. Karl Lindner's offer to buy them off their new acquisition of the house at Clybourne Park. By this act they prove that together, they can fight the racial bigotry and prejudices of their white counterparts.

Points to note:

(1) The Younger's background and setting.

(2) Mama as the pillar/anchor/fulcrum on/around which the family rest/revolve.

(3) Their togetherness in spite of their individual differences and aspirations.

(4) The family's ability to resist the racist offer to keep them out of Clybourne Park.

View Discussion (0)WAEC 2017 THEORY

1447

Will college make you a better Olokun priest?

Will it make you serve our ancestors better?

Look at me.

An able-bodied, strong- hearted priest of Olokun.

Did I go to college? Grace Osifo: Dizzy

The literary device used in the passage above is

A. onomatopoeia
B. metaphor
C. simile
D. parallelism

View Discussion (0)JAMB 2013

1448

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: The Merchant of Venice

Read the extract below and answer the question

If I can catch him once upon the hip,

I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.

He hates our sacred nation, and he rails,

Even there where merchants most do congregate,

On me, my bargains, and my well-won thrift,

Which he calls interest;......

(Act 1 Scene Three, lines 39-)

The speaker is

A. Tubal
B. Antonio
C. Shylock
D. Bassanio

View Discussion (0)WAEC 2005 OBJ

1449

This question is based on General Literary Appreciation.

Weep not child, weep not my darling

With these kisses let me remove your tears

The ravening clouds shall no long be victorious

They shall no longer possess the sky....

The speaker of the lines is

A. optimistic
B. carefree
C. helpless
D. pessimistic

View Discussion (0)JAMB 2020

1450

This question is based on William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

'Farewell.- God knows when we shall meet again, I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins,

That almost freezes up the heat of life.

I'll call them back again to comfort me.

Nurse!-What should she do here?

My dismal scene i need must act alone. Come, vial'.

The intention of the speaker above is to

A. commit suicide
B. commit murder
C. escape from harsh realities of life
D. take a temporary harmful substance

View Discussion (0)JAMB 2011