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.
Prompt I:
In both "Marriage Is a Private Affair" and "A Meeting in the Dark," the young men in the stories are concerned about their fathers' disapproval of their potential wives. However, their personalities and their fathers' personalities shape the eventual outcomes in different ways.
In "Marriage Is a Private Affair," Nnaemeka is a young man who is deeply in love with Nene. He is willing to stand up against his father, Okeke, in order to marry the woman he loves. Nnaemeka is portrayed as courageous and determined, willing to fight for his own happiness. His strong personality plays a significant role in shaping the eventual outcome, as he decides to proceed with the marriage against his father's wishes. However, Nnaemeka's father, Okeke, initially holds conservative views and clings to traditional values regarding marriage, which causes a rift between them. In the end, though, Okeke realizes the importance of his son's happiness and accepts Nene as his daughter-in-law, showing a growth in his understanding and acceptance.
On the other hand, in "A Meeting in the Dark," John is a young man who lacks conviction and is easily influenced by his father's opinion. He is engaged to Maroa but fears his father's disapproval due to Maroa's different ethnic background. John's father, Ocholla, is portrayed as strict and unyielding. He is filled with prejudice and believes in upholding the societal norms and expectations. As a result, John lacks the strength to stand up for his love, ultimately breaking off his engagement with Maroa to please his father. The outcome is shaped by John's weak personality and his father's inflexible views, leading to the sacrifice of his own happiness.
Prompt II:
In "No Witchcraft for Sale," "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off," and "The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses," the relationship between white and black people is explored, highlighting both their teaching and support for each other, as well as their failures to understand and coexist.
In "No Witchcraft for Sale," the white family, the Fergusons, and their black servant, Gideon, have a complex relationship. The Fergusons initially regard Gideon as merely a servant, with Mrs. Ferguson believing in her superiority and asserting control over him. However, when Gideon possesses knowledge of a medicinal plant that can cure the Ferguson's son, their perception of him begins to change. Gideon becomes a teacher, sharing his wisdom and culture with the Fergusons. Although they show appreciation for Gideon's knowledge, there is still a barrier between them. The Fergusons fail to fully understand Gideon's identity and heritage, and they ultimately withhold the knowledge of the plant from him, trying to protect a valuable secret.
Similarly, in "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off," the white South African farmer, Van der Vyver, and his black employee, Lucas, have a complex relationship that evolves through a tragic event. Lucas is portrayed as supportive and loyal to Van der Vyver, and Van der Vyver values his employee's hard work and dedication. However, their friendship is limited as they navigate the racial and societal tensions of apartheid-era South Africa. When Van der Vyver accidentally kills Lucas while out hunting, he realizes the humanity and connection between them, regretting the loss of his friend. Yet, their failure lies in the perpetuation of racial divisions and the inability to truly understand and support each other beyond their respective racial roles.
Prompt III:
The theme that a sense of pride is important to a sense of self-worth runs through the poems in this unit. This theme is deeply connected to Africa's history of colonial rule, as discussed in "Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka and "Johannesburg" by Mongane Wally Serote.
In "Telephone Conversation," the speaker is subjected to racial prejudice and discrimination when trying to rent an apartment. The speaker's pride is challenged as they are constantly reminded of their blackness and forced to negotiate their worth based on their skin color. This poem highlights the impact of colonial rule, where Africans were treated as inferior and made to feel ashamed of their heritage. The theme of pride in this poem serves as a response to this historical injustice and asserts the importance of embracing one's identity.
Similarly, "Johannesburg" explores the theme of pride in the face of oppression. The poem reflects on the struggles faced by black South Africans under apartheid rule, emphasizing the resilience and determination to reclaim their self-worth and pride. The speaker describes their city, Johannesburg, as a place filled with pain and suffering, but also as a source of strength and resistance. The connection between the theme of pride and Africa's history of colonial rule is evident in the poem's depiction of the ongoing fight against oppression and the reclaiming of African identity.
Overall, the theme of pride in these poems represents a response to the historical and ongoing struggles faced by Africans under colonial rule, emphasizing the importance of self-assertion and the preservation of one's cultural identity.