Choose two of the following essay prompts. Respond to each in a paragraph. Write your answer in complete sentences. (16 pts)
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.
Prompt 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.
Prompt 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.
(16 points)
Prompt I:
In both "Marriage Is a Private Affair" and "A Meeting in the Dark," the personalities of the young men and their fathers play a significant role in shaping the eventual outcomes. In "Marriage Is a Private Affair," the young man, Nnaemeka, is a progressive and open-minded individual. He deeply loves his girlfriend, Nene, and is willing to defy his father's traditional views on arranged marriages in order to be with her. On the other hand, his father, Okeke, is a staunch believer in the old ways and is deeply hurt and angered by Nnaemeka's decision. Ultimately, their conflicting personalities and beliefs lead to a strained relationship, with Okeke disowning his son. In "A Meeting in the Dark," John is also a young man who fears his father's disapproval. However, unlike Nnaemeka, John is filled with guilt and shame about his relationship with Wamuhu, a girl from a different tribe. His father, on the other hand, is a traditionalist who believes in the power of arranged marriages and is disappointed in John for not adhering to this belief. This clash of personalities and values leads to a tragic ending, with John committing suicide. Overall, both stories depict how the personalities of the young men and their fathers can shape the eventual outcomes, highlighting the importance of understanding and acceptance between generations.
Prompt II:
In "No Witchcraft for Sale," "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off," and "The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses," the interactions between white and black people reveal both moments of teaching and support, as well as instances of failure. In "No Witchcraft for Sale," white and black people interact through the characters of Gideon and Teddy. Although there is an initial power dynamic between them, as Teddy is the son of the white employers, Gideon teaches Teddy about the importance of respecting and valuing African traditions, specifically the knowledge of the Mallya plant. However, Teddy's parents ultimately fail in understanding the value and significance of the knowledge, choosing instead to prioritize their own Western ideals. In "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off," the white farmer, Van der Vyver, harbors a paternalistic and condescending attitude towards his black farm worker, Lucas. This attitude is shattered when Lucas accidentally shoots Van der Vyver's son, prompting a moment of shared grief and understanding. Here, both white and black characters fail in their preconceived notions of each other, but also support each other in their shared experience of loss. In "The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses," the prisoners and the white prison superintendent, Colonel Lutchman, have a complex relationship. Although there is animosity and mistrust between the prisoners and the white authority figure, Colonel Lutchman, there are also moments of support and understanding. The character of Brille, a prisoner, imparts wisdom to Colonel Lutchman about the importance of fairness and justice, ultimately leading the superintendent to make a moral choice. Here, both white and black characters help teach each other important lessons and support each other in their pursuit of justice, overcoming their initial failures.
Overall, these stories demonstrate the complexities of the relationships between white and black people, showcasing moments of teaching and support, as well as instances of failure. The interactions between these groups are shaped by the desire to protect certain ideals or values, often resulting in withholding something from each other.