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. 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 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. 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.
I. In both "Marriage Is a Private Affair" and "A Meeting in the Dark," the young men are concerned about their fathers' disapproval of their potential wives. However, the personalities of the young men and their fathers play a crucial role in shaping the outcomes of the stories.
In "Marriage Is a Private Affair," Nnaemeka is a modern and open-minded young man who falls in love with Nene, a woman from a different tribe. He firmly believes in the importance of love and personal choice in marriage. On the other hand, his father, Okeke, is a traditionalist who strongly adheres to tribal customs and expectations. He opposes Nnaemeka's relationship and insists that he should marry within their tribe.
Nnaemeka's persistence and determination to follow his heart ultimately lead to a reconciliation with his father. He writes a letter to Okeke, explaining the depth of his love for Nene and his desire for a modern marriage based on love. Eventually, Okeke overcomes his initial resistance, realizes his son's happiness is more important, and accepts Nene as his daughter-in-law.
Similarly, in "A Meeting in the Dark," John, a young man from a strict and religious family, falls in love with Wamuhu, a girl who does not meet his family's expectations. John's father, Jacobo, is a devout Christian who strongly disapproves of Wamuhu due to her non-Christian beliefs and lifestyle.
Unlike Nnaemeka, John lacks the courage to confront his father directly. He attempts to defy his father's wishes by secretly marrying Wamuhu, but he remains tormented by guilt and fear of disappointing his father. This internal conflict ultimately leads to tragic consequences as John's suppressed emotions drive him to despair and desperation.
The contrasting personalities of the young men and their fathers play a crucial role in shaping the outcomes of these stories. Nnaemeka's outspokenness and conviction challenge his father's traditional beliefs, fostering understanding and acceptance. In contrast, John's timidity and inability to stand up to his father lead to a tragic outcome.
II. In the stories "No Witchcraft for Sale," "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off," and "The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses," the dynamics between white and black people are explored, highlighting moments of both connection and failure in understanding each other's perspectives.
In "No Witchcraft for Sale," white people and black people regard each other through a lens of curiosity and fascination. Gideon, a young white boy, is fascinated by the indigenous wisdom and knowledge possessed by the black cook, Gideon-feeling a deep admiration for him. Gideon's parents, although they appreciate Gideon-feeling's knowledge of healing herbs, ultimately fail to understand or respect his cultural traditions when they use a rare plant for financial gain.
"The Moment Before the Gun Went Off" explores the relationship between white and black people in the context of racial tensions and prejudice. The white landowners hold a sense of power and superiority over the black workers. When a white farmer accidentally kills a black boy, the white community closes ranks in an effort to protect their own, failing to see the inherent inequality in the situation and the value of the young boy's life.
Similarly, in "The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses," black prisoners are subjected to oppressive treatment by the white prison guards. However, there is a glimmer of hope in the relationship between Brille, a black prisoner, and the sympathetic white guard. The guard's understanding and respect for Brille's intellectual abilities transcend racial boundaries, briefly offering a sense of support and understanding.
These stories reveal the complex dynamics between white and black individuals. While there are moments of connection and attempts at support, there is also a pervasive sense of failure to truly understand and protect one another's rights and values. The white community, driven by their desire for control and societal stability, often withholds respect and acknowledgment of the dignity of black individuals.
III. The theme of pride being integral to a sense of self-worth in the poems of this unit resonates with Africa's history of colonial rule. The poems explore the struggle of African people to preserve their cultural identity and reclaim their pride after years of enduring colonization.
In "A Far Cry from Africa" by Derek Walcott, the poet examines the internal conflict of being torn between his African roots and his European education. He grapples with feelings of guilt and betrayal, questioning his own sense of pride as his identity is divided between two worlds. This struggle reflects the impact of colonial rule and how it fractured the African sense of self-worth.
Similarly, in "An Abandoned Bundle" by Mbuyiseni Oswald Mtshali, the poet explores the abandonment and neglect of a baby as a metaphor for the abandonment of African culture and heritage during colonial rule. The poem highlights the need to reclaim and preserve this cultural identity as a source of pride and self-worth.
The connection between pride and Africa's history of colonial rule lies in the notion that colonization sought to suppress and erase African cultural pride, replacing it with a sense of inferiority and subjugation. Colonial powers aimed to impose their cultural norms, values, and systems upon African societies, eroding their sense of worth. The poems in this unit emphasize the importance of reclaiming pride and asserting cultural identity as a means of healing the wounds inflicted by colonialism.
Overall, the theme of pride being essential to self-worth in these poems reflects the resilience and determination of African people to rediscover and honor their cultural heritage in the face of colonial oppression.