Prompt I. In both "Marriage Is a Private Affair" and "A Meeting in the Dark," young men fret that their fathers will disapprove of their potential wives. Compare these two stories by looking at how the personalities of the young men and their fathers help to shape the eventual outcomes.%0D%0A%0D%0APrompt II. Examine how white people and black people regard each other in "No Witchcraft for Sale," "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off," and "The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses." How do they help to both teach and support each other, and how do they fail? Think about what each group is trying to protect and when it withholds something from the other.%0D%0A%0D%0APrompt III. A theme that runs through the poems in this unit is that a sense of pride is important to a sense of self-worth. What do you think is the connection between this theme and Africa's history of colonial rule? Support your view with details from at least two of the selections you have read.
Prompt I: In both "Marriage Is a Private Affair" and "A Meeting in the Dark," the young men fret over their fathers' disapproval of their potential wives. However, the personalities of the young men and their fathers in each story shape the eventual outcomes in different ways.
In "Marriage Is a Private Affair," the young man named Nnaemeka ultimately stands up to his father's disapproval of his chosen wife, Nene. Nnaemeka is portrayed as a more progressive and independent thinker who values love and personal happiness over traditional values and expectations. He refuses to let his father's narrow-mindedness dictate his own happiness. Nnaemeka's father, Okeke, on the other hand, is seen as traditional and stuck in his ways. He believes in the importance of obeying tradition and maintaining the family's reputation. Despite his initial disapproval, Okeke eventually realizes the error of his ways and comes to accept Nene as his daughter-in-law.
In "A Meeting in the Dark," the young man named John also worries about his father's disapproval of his potential wife, Wamuhu. John, however, is portrayed as a much weaker character compared to Nnaemeka. He lacks the confidence and assertiveness to stand up to his father's expectations. John's father, on the other hand, is a strict and authoritative figure who believes in maintaining societal norms and traditions. He insists on arranging a marriage for John with a more suitable woman from the Kikuyu tribe. Ultimately, John gives in to his father's wishes and breaks off his relationship with Wamuhu, leading to a tragic outcome.
In both stories, the personalities of the young men and their fathers play a significant role in shaping the outcomes. The strength and determination of Nnaemeka, as well as his father's eventual realization, lead to acceptance and a more positive outcome. On the other hand, John's weakness and his father's rigid beliefs result in the suppression of personal happiness and a tragic ending.
Prompt II: In "No Witchcraft for Sale," "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off," and "The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses," white people and black people have complex relationships which both teach and support each other but also fail at times. These stories highlight the dynamics of power, privilege, and race in a colonial context.
In "No Witchcraft for Sale," the white family, the Farquars, and their black servant, Gideon, have a relationship that is initially characterized by a power imbalance. The white family is ignorant of the traditional African knowledge possessed by Gideon, particularly regarding the healing properties of a specific plant. However, through a series of events, the white family learns to value and respect Gideon's knowledge. Gideon, in turn, learns to trust the Farquars with the secret of the plant. In this story, both white and black characters come together to learn from each other, challenging preconceived notions and defying stereotypes.
In "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off," the relationship between the white landowner, Van der Vyver, and his black servant's son, Lucas, showcases the failures of understanding and support between the two races. Van der Vyver initially sees himself as benevolent and caring towards Lucas. However, when Lucas accidentally kills himself with Van der Vyver's gun, the latter feels a sense of shame and covers up the incident to protect his own reputation. This demonstrates how Van der Vyver fails to truly support Lucas on an equal level, fueled by the racial dynamics in the society.
In "The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses," the white prison superintendent, Colonel Lathbury, and the black prisoner, Brille, share a complicated relationship. At first, Brille sees Colonel Lathbury as an oppressor and refuses to cooperate. However, as the story progresses, both characters find common ground through their shared love for literature. Colonel Lathbury recognizes Brille's intelligence and potential, and ultimately supports him by protecting him from the other inmates who want to harm him. Through their connection, both white and black characters challenge the racial divide and the unjust treatment of prisoners.
These stories illustrate that while there are instances of teaching and support between white and black characters, there are also moments of failure due to underlying power dynamics and racial prejudices. The stories highlight the complexities of relationships in a colonial context, where one group tries to protect its power and privilege while withholding certain knowledge or understanding from the other.
Prompt III: The theme of pride being important to a sense of self-worth is deeply connected to Africa's history of colonial rule in many of the poems in this unit. Two poems that particularly demonstrate this connection are "Negritude" by Leopold Senghor and "Vultures" by Chinua Achebe.
In "Negritude," Senghor explores the importance of reclaiming and celebrating Africa's identity and cultural heritage. The poem celebrates the pride in being black and African, against the backdrop of a history of colonial subjugation. Senghor asserts that through embracing and celebrating their African roots, Africans can regain a sense of self-worth and resist the oppressive forces of colonization. The poem emphasizes the link between pride, identity, and resistance against the erasure of African culture.
In "Vultures," Achebe explores the complexities of human nature and the legacy of colonial rule. The poem uses the metaphor of vultures to represent the brutality and inhumanity prevalent during colonization. However, the poem also highlights that even amidst such darkness, there is still a glimmer of hope and redemption. Achebe suggests that while pride in one's heritage is crucial, it is also important to acknowledge the potential for darkness and cruelty within human beings, including within one's own culture. By acknowledging this, Africans can learn from their history and strive for a better future.
Both "Negritude" and "Vultures" reveal the link between pride, self-worth, and Africa's history of colonial rule. They suggest that reclaiming pride in one's heritage is a form of resistance against the oppressive forces of colonization. The poems encourage Africans to celebrate their cultural identity and acknowledge the complexities of their history in order to move forward with a greater sense of self-worth and unity.