*WAEC GCE LITERATURE*
(SECTION C)
(9)
The language of the poem is simple and straightforward which is a form of hymn of praise to the black woman-not only as an individual, but also as a symbol of African woman and as a representative of her race. There is also the poet’s response to this beauty, as the black woman is perceived in both sensory and emotional ways. He seems to summarize her qualities, beginning with a description for the natural woman, who is seen in the terms of ripe fruit, black wine, a Savannah that shudders beneath the caresses of the east and an object – a sculpted drum that responds to touch. The poem is therefore written in free verse.
The expression “Naked woman”. Takes our minds to a woman who is completely naked or nude whereas the poem is not about a woman who does not wear any clothes. Also, “Jealous fate” in the line is a euphemism for “death”.
black woman” is repeated throughout the poem for emphasis and to buttress the tone of the poem.
*WAEC GCE LITERATURE*
_(SECTION A – BONUS)_
(3)
The play examines the idea of courtship and marriage from two perspectives. African tradition and European ideas of marriage and same was achieved by the use of lakunle which views in an european life style while baroke in a traditional culture. The former is basically practical which involves the payment of bride price. Sidi at first confesses to Lakunle that she is willing to marry him any day, any time, but the full bride price must be paid in full because there is a thin line between bride price and virginity. Sidi further reveals that marriage without the payment of bride price sells her shame and signifies that she’s not a virgin. Lakunle who does not welcome the idea of payment of bride price describes such custom as outdated, savage, and barbaric. he opposes this idea because of his influence on the western concept of gender equality. He thinks that bride price is uncivilized and outrageous custom.
Lakunle envisages a society that will respect and not see women as a beast of burden or use and dumped commodity, but one which will see women as companions and their rights are equally protected by men, unlike Baroka who feels that women have no say in the affair of marriage and the home front.
Sidi’s two eligible suitors (Lakunle and Baroka) are driven by different ideas. Lakunle wants to woo Sidi with empty, unrealistic, imaginary, and vague western ideas; for he promises her sophisticated life of western cultures which involves eating with cutleries (knives and forks), walking side by side in the street, kiss her as all educated men do but Sidi dislikes such practices.
Baroka on his part is devising a special plan to woo and win her. Firstly, he sends Sadiku to woo her on his behalf but Sidi turns down the offer of marriage. Baroka then deceives Sadiku that he is impotent in order to lure Sidi into his shady plan. Sid visits Baroka to mock him for his impotence but ends up in his seduction trap. In the end, Sidi rejects Lakunle’s western ideas and chooses the traditional lifestyle championed by Baroka. Baroka is polygamous in nature whereas the latter belives in one woman to one man.
In African society, bride price is considered to be the most important part of a marriage rite such that any married woman without it is branded as illegal and unrecognized. In some African communities, children raised or given birth to in such marriage are taken away from their father.
*WAEC GCE LITERATURE*
(SECTION C)
(9)
The language of the poem is simple and straightforward which is a form of hymn of praise to the black woman-not only as an individual, but also as a symbol of African woman and as a representative of her race. There is also the poet’s response to this beauty, as the black woman is perceived in both sensory and emotional ways. He seems to summarize her qualities, beginning with a description for the natural woman, who is seen in the terms of ripe fruit, black wine, a Savannah that shudders beneath the caresses of the east and an object – a sculpted drum that responds to touch. The poem is therefore written in free verse.
The expression “Naked woman”. Takes our minds to a woman who is completely naked or nude whereas the poem is not about a woman who does not wear any clothes. Also, “Jealous fate” in the line is a euphemism for “death”.
black woman” is repeated throughout the poem for emphasis and to buttress the tone of the poem
