JAMB UTME - Literature In English - 1995

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In Oliver Goldsmith's play She Stoops to Conquer, the writer's satire is most biting when applied to Mr. Hardcastle. Hardcastle is portrayed as a man who values his wealth and social status above all else, leading him to act foolishly and pretentiously. Goldsmith uses satire to mock his behavior and highlight the absurdity of his actions, particularly in his interactions with the upper-class characters. The play is a satire of 18th-century society, but Hardcastle's character serves as a particularly sharp target for Goldsmith's criticism.

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The branch of knowledge that places emphasis on beauty is aesthetics. Aesthetics is the study of beauty and taste, especially in the arts. It is concerned with understanding the nature of beauty and art, as well as our responses to them. Aesthetics also deals with the creation and appreciation of beauty in art and literature, as well as in nature and everyday life. It explores how we perceive and evaluate the qualities of objects, experiences, and ideas that we find beautiful or sublime.

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In Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge, Henchard and Farfrae represent a contrast between the old and the new. Henchard is a traditional and stubborn character, who clings to his old-fashioned ways, while Farfrae is more progressive and embraces modern ideas. This contrast is evident in their different approaches to business, relationships, and leadership. Henchard is ultimately undone by his inability to adapt to changing circumstances, while Farfrae thrives by being flexible and innovative. The characters of Henchard and Farfrae therefore serve to highlight the clash between tradition and progress in the novel.

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The literary device used in the play She Stoops to Conquer, where the audience knows more about the situation than the characters themselves is called dramatic irony. This creates a sense of tension, humor, and suspense, as the audience watches the characters make mistakes or act in ignorance. In this case, the audience is aware of the true identities of the characters, their relationships, and the misunderstandings that arise from their actions, while the characters themselves remain unaware.

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The figure of speech that implicitly compares an object or idea with another totally different object or idea is called a metaphor. In a metaphor, the poet does not use "like" or "as" to make the comparison explicit, but instead uses words or phrases that suggest the comparison. Metaphors can be used to create vivid and memorable images, and can help to convey complex ideas and emotions in a more accessible way.

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A character who remains unchanged in a work of art is called a "flat character". Flat characters are typically minor characters in a story who do not undergo significant growth or change throughout the course of the narrative. They are often used to provide contrast to the more complex, dynamic "round" characters, who do undergo changes and developments. Flat characters tend to be defined by a single trait or characteristic, and their behavior is predictable and consistent. They may serve a variety of functions within a story, such as providing comic relief, advancing the plot, or highlighting the traits of the more fully developed characters.

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For Young Marlow in She Stoops to Conquer, the most objectionable aspect of marriage is the rigours of formal courtship. Marlow is shown to be very uncomfortable around women of his own class and feels awkward in their presence, which makes it difficult for him to engage in formal courtship rituals. He expresses a preference for women of lower classes because he believes that they will be more accommodating and less demanding. Therefore, he fears the demands that come with formal courtship and prefers to avoid it altogether.

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The narrator that tells his story as if all actions in the story revolve around him is a first person narrator. In a first person narration, the narrator is a character in the story and tells the story from their own perspective, often using "I" and "we". The reader experiences the events of the story through the narrator's point of view, and the narrator may have limited knowledge about other characters and events happening outside of their immediate perception.

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The dominant poetic technique employed in the lines above is simile. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two things using the words "like" or "as". In the excerpt, the speaker compares passing his fingers through the strands of hair to the tide passing through weeds of the sea, which is an example of a simile. Although there is also some alliteration (repetition of consonant sounds) in the lines (e.g. "wind the tall fern-fronds through the strands of your hair"), it is not the dominant technique used.

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The main feature that sustains the reader's interest in Thomas Hardy's novel "The Mayor of Casterbridge" is the creation and resolution of conflicts. This includes conflicts between characters, such as the ongoing struggle between Henchard and Farfrae, as well as internal conflicts within characters, such as Henchard's struggle with his past actions and their consequences. These conflicts create tension and drama that keep the reader engaged and invested in the story. The sale of Henchard's wife and the wheat business in Casterbridge are important plot points, but they are not the main feature that sustains the reader's interest in the novel.

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In Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge, characterization is designed to show that a man's fate is determined by his character. The novel portrays the tragic life of Michael Henchard, whose impulsive decisions and flawed character traits, such as his pride and temper, lead to his downfall. The other characters in the novel also have their own distinct personalities and moral values, which influence their actions and shape their fates. Thus, the novel suggests that a person's character, rather than external forces or circumstances, plays a significant role in shaping their destiny.

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A figure of speech in which an absent person or an object is addressed as if present is called an apostrophe. It is often used in literature to add emotional appeal or to emphasize the importance of the absent person or object being addressed. For example, in William Wordsworth's poem "Ode: Intimations of Immortality," the speaker addresses the idea of childhood as if it were a person: "Thou, whose exterior semblance doth belie / Thy soul's immensity."

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In Wole Soyinka's poem 'Telephone Conversation', the phrase 'location indifferent' refers to the speaker's non-concern for the space and location of the apartment, as he is more preoccupied with the landlady's racial prejudice towards him. The phrase conveys his detachment and resignation to the discrimination he experiences, rather than a positive willingness or critical need for accommodation.

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The repetition of the line 'They Too Are Earth' has the effect of making us more conscious of the earth. By repeating the line throughout the poem, the author emphasizes that everything, including human beings, is made of the earth and will return to it eventually. This repetition is a technique known as anaphora, which draws the reader's attention to the repeated phrase and reinforces its importance in the poem. Therefore, the repetition of the line 'They Too Are Earth' helps to emphasize the poem's theme of interconnectedness and the idea that all living things are connected to the earth.

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"She Stoops to Conquer" is a play written by Oliver Goldsmith which is mainly concerned with presenting the problems of social class and British mannerism. It portrays the clash between two different social classes, the upper class and the middle class, and satirizes the hypocrisy and artificiality of the upper class. The play also highlights the importance of truth and honesty in human relationships, and how misunderstandings and misinterpretations can lead to confusion and chaos. The construction and handling of situations and incidents in the play are designed to evoke humor and entertain the audience.

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In Zaynab Alkali's The Stillborn, Li got more accustomed to her home because she became closer to tradition. As she spent more time in her hometown, she began to understand and appreciate the customs, traditions, and values of her people. She also became more connected to her family and community, which helped her feel more at home. Additionally, she started to see the beauty and importance of the simple rural life, which she had once rejected. Through this process, Li found a sense of belonging and purpose in her hometown, which made it easier for her to adapt and feel more at home.

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The speakers X and Y are Mr. Hardcastle and his daughter Kate, respectively. They are discussing the qualities of a man whom Kate is interested in, and X is listing the man's attributes, including his youth, bravery, and handsomeness. When Y expresses uncertainty about liking the man, X mentions his good qualities, and Y jokingly says she will have him, indicating her interest. The man they are discussing is Marlow, whom Kate is later revealed to have been promised to in marriage by her father.

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The writer of the lines above uses repetition for emphasis. The repeated lines are meant to emphasize the cultural differences between the speaker and the subject, specifically highlighting how the subject follows the customs of white people, while the speaker does not. The repetition helps to drive home this point and make it more memorable to the reader.

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A satire is a literary work that employs sarcasm, irony, and humor to criticize and ridicule human behavior or societal conventions. It uses wit and humor to expose and criticize human vices, follies, or shortcomings, with the aim of correcting them. Therefore, option D, "sarcasm and humor for social criticism," is the correct answer. While satire may contain elements of comedy and farce, its main purpose is not merely to amuse or entertain, but to provoke thought and stimulate change.

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The inherent quality of a lyric is that it must express the poet's subjective emotions. A lyric is a type of poem that is usually short and expresses personal emotions or feelings. It often has a musical quality and is meant to be sung, but it does not necessarily have to be accompanied by a musical instrument. The success of a lyric depends on its ability to convey the poet's emotions in a simple and effective way, but simplicity is not an inherent quality of a lyric. Therefore, the correct option is "express the poet's subjective emotions."

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In the play "The Trials of Brother Jero", Jero is aptly described as "suave". The word "suave" means charming, confident and elegant, which is an accurate description of Jero's character in the play. Jero is a charismatic and manipulative self-proclaimed prophet who uses his charm and smooth talking to lure people into his church and extract money from them. His suave personality makes him an effective con artist, allowing him to maintain his power over his followers and deceive them with his false prophecies.

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The goal of the novel is to expose the influence of environment and morality in human conduct.

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The literary term that describes the angle at which a writer tells his story is called "point of view." This refers to the perspective or position from which the story is being told. The point of view can affect how the reader perceives the story, the characters, and their actions. There are various types of point of view, such as first person, second person, and third person, each offering a unique viewpoint and level of closeness to the characters and events of the story.

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