JAMB UTME - Literature In English - 2021

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When two statements or comparisons appear to contradict each other, it is an example of a paradox. A paradox is a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or absurd but in reality, expresses a truth. Paradoxes are often used in literature and other forms of communication to grab the reader's attention, create tension or surprise, and stimulate deeper thinking. They can be used to challenge conventional wisdom or to highlight the complexities of a situation. For example, the statement "less is more" is a paradox because it seems to contradict itself. How can less be more? But the paradoxical statement actually expresses the idea that simplicity and restraint can often be more effective and powerful than excess or extravagance. In literature, paradoxes can be found in poems, stories, and other forms of writing. They can also be found in everyday language and conversation, where they are often used for rhetorical effect or to make a point.

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In Femi Osofisan's play, "Morountodun," social change is achieved through collectivism. The play portrays a community that has been plagued by a curse for generations, and the people are resigned to their fate. However, the arrival of a new schoolteacher named Teacher brings a new perspective and hope for change. Teacher encourages the people to come together and work collectively to break the curse, rather than relying on individual efforts or sectionalism. Through collective action, the community is able to identify the source of the curse and take the necessary steps to break it. This demonstrates the power of collectivism in achieving social change, as the people are able to overcome the challenges they face by working together towards a common goal.

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In the novel "Witnesses to Tears" by Abubakar Gimba, Al-Amin's initial reservations about his daughter's engagement to Lahab are formed by Lahab's doubtful morality. Al-Amin had concerns about Lahab's character and reputation. He had heard rumors about Lahab's immoral behavior, including his involvement with other women. Al-Amin feared that Lahab's behavior might have a negative influence on his daughter, Hussaina. However, as the story progresses, Al-Amin's reservations begin to fade, and he gradually accepts the engagement.

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The play "The Wives Revolt" by J.P. Clark is primarily preoccupied with women's liberation from male domination. The story follows a group of women who revolt against their husbands and the patriarchal society they live in. Through their actions, the women seek to assert their independence and challenge the traditional gender roles that limit their freedoms. While the play also touches on themes of power, politics, and the influence of money, the central focus is on the women's struggle for agency and self-determination in a male-dominated world.

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An elegy is a poem that mourns for the deceased. It is a type of poem that expresses sadness, sorrow, and grief over the loss of someone who has died. The purpose of an elegy is to honor and remember the person who has passed away, often by describing their life, accomplishments, and the impact they had on others. Therefore, the correct option from the given choices is "deceased" as an elegy is a poem that is written to mourn the loss of someone who has died. The other options, such as "bereaved," "accused," and "king," do not accurately represent the subject of an elegy.

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The literary device used in the line "If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?" from Shelly's "Ode to the West Wind" is a rhetoric, specifically a rhetorical question. A rhetorical question is a figure of speech where a question is asked not to get an answer but to make a point or emphasize an idea. In this case, the speaker is using a rhetorical question to suggest that even though winter may be harsh and difficult, it is a sign that spring is coming soon, and better times are ahead. The question itself, "If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?" is not meant to be answered directly, but rather to encourage the listener or reader to consider the idea that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for something better.

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After Snowball was expelled from the farm, the group that ran the farm was composed of Squealer, Napoleon and Boxer. Squealer was the propaganda minister and was responsible for spreading false information to the animals to keep them in line. Napoleon was the leader of the farm and made all the important decisions. Boxer was a strong horse who worked hard and was loyal to Napoleon. These three animals were the main leaders of the farm after Snowball's expulsion.

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Criticism is the activity of analyzing and evaluating a literary work. It involves looking at the elements of the work, such as its themes, characters, style, and language, and making judgments about its quality and significance. Criticism can involve pointing out faults or weaknesses in a work, but it can also involve highlighting its strengths and exploring its meaning and impact. The goal of criticism is to gain a deeper understanding of a literary work and to help readers appreciate its value and craftsmanship.

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The statement "She bore a mind that envy could not but call fair" characterizes Olivia in William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. This means that Olivia has a beautiful and admirable personality, and even those who are envious of her cannot help but acknowledge her fairness.

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Persona refers to the image or personality a character presents in a literary work, such as a play, novel, or poem. It's how the character is perceived by others and how they present themselves to the world. The persona is often not the same as the character's true self, but rather a mask they wear to hide their true emotions, motivations, or intentions.

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In drama, a conspicuous weakness in the character of the protagonist contributing to his downfall is referred to as a "tragic flaw." This refers to a character trait or habit that ultimately leads to the character's downfall and tragedy. It's often considered to be a key component of classical Greek tragedy, where the protagonist's flaw is a central aspect of the story and contributes to the character's ultimate fate. In a simple way, a tragic flaw is a character's weakness that causes their downfall and leads to a tragic ending.

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These lines illustrate the use of euphemism. A euphemism is a mild or indirect expression used in place of one considered to be too harsh or blunt. In this case, the speaker is using the phrase "gone to the worms" as a way of referring to death in a less direct and less shocking way. By using this phrase, the speaker is softening the impact of the statement and making it easier to bear. The use of euphemism is a common technique in literature, and it can help to convey emotions and ideas in a subtle and nuanced way.

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An episodic play is a play in which the acts succeed one another without a probable or necessary sequence. In other words, the events in the play are not necessarily connected in a clear, logical order. Instead, they are like separate episodes or scenes that happen one after another, giving the play a fragmented or disjointed feel. This type of play is often used to show a series of unrelated events or to highlight different aspects of a character's life.

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The band of singers and dancers in a drama who act as a link between the play and the audience is called the chorus. The chorus is a group of performers who work together to comment on the action of the play, to provide context or background information, and to interact with the audience. In ancient Greek drama, the chorus had a more significant role, often singing and dancing to interpret the action of the play, and their presence helped to engage the audience emotionally and intellectually. In modern theater, the role of the chorus is often less prominent, but it still serves as a bridge between the actors on stage and the audience. To summarize, the chorus is a group of performers in a drama who provide commentary and context to the play and interact with the audience.

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The term you're looking for is "Aside." An aside is a dramatic device in which an actor speaks to the audience without the other characters on stage being aware of what is being said. This allows the actor to share their thoughts, feelings, or motivations with the audience in a way that is separate from the main action of the play. An aside is like a secret conversation between the actor and the audience, and it can be used to add depth and complexity to a character or to comment on the events of the play.

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A melodramatic play is based on a sensational plot and characters. Melodrama is a type of drama that emphasizes emotional and sensational events, often with exaggerated or simplistic characters. It typically portrays a conflict between good and evil, and often features highly emotional scenes and music to enhance the impact on the audience. The term "melodrama" comes from the Greek words melos, meaning music, and drama, meaning action or plot, reflecting the importance of music in these types of plays. So, in summary, a melodramatic play is characterized by sensationalism, heightened emotions, and a focus on a simple, conflict-driven plot.

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The technique by which a previous scene or action can be recalled in a play to shed light on the present action is called a flashback. A flashback is a narrative device used in literature and drama where the current action is interrupted, and the story is shifted to an earlier time or event. This technique is used to provide the audience with additional information, context, or insight into the current action. In a play, a flashback can be used to reveal the character's past experiences, motivations, or relationships, which can help to explain their behavior or decisions in the present. By providing a glimpse into the character's past, a flashback can also create tension, suspense, or dramatic irony, as the audience is aware of information that the characters in the play do not have. Overall, a flashback is a powerful tool for playwrights to enrich the story, deepen the characters, and engage the audience.

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Romantic poetry emphasizes the beauty of nature, intimate relationships, the love in human nature, and the romance in human aspiration. Romantic poets often focused on expressing their emotions and experiences, and they often celebrated individuality, imagination, and the power of the human spirit. They often wrote about their love for nature and their experiences of intimacy with others, as well as their reflections on the human experience, including the ups and downs of life. They also sought to evoke strong emotional responses in their readers, using vivid and imaginative language to paint pictures in the mind's eye.

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The major theme of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night is a combination of unrequited love and illusion versus reality. The play features several characters who are in love with someone who does not reciprocate their feelings, leading to feelings of heartbreak and disappointment. At the same time, the play also explores the idea of disguise and deception, with characters assuming false identities and creating illusions in order to manipulate those around them. Ultimately, Twelfth Night raises questions about the nature of love and the ways in which we see and understand the world, exploring the complex interplay between fantasy and reality and the impact that these elements have on our relationships and experiences.

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The Duke of Illyria is fascinated by the idea of love. Throughout the play, he is shown to be in pursuit of love and is often seen expressing his thoughts and feelings about it. He is depicted as someone who is passionate about love and is willing to go to great lengths to experience it.

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The repetition of a consonant sound in quick succession of sound effect is called alliteration. It is a literary device used by writers to create a pleasant or rhythmic effect in their writing. Alliteration occurs when the same consonant sound is repeated at the beginning of two or more words in close proximity. For example, "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers" is a famous example of alliteration. The repeated "p" sound creates a pleasing and rhythmic effect. Alliteration is commonly used in poetry, advertising slogans, and even in daily speech to make phrases more memorable and impactful.

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The poems that are not written in a regular meter or line length are called free verses. Unlike traditional poetry that adheres to a strict pattern of rhythm and meter, free verse is free from these constraints and allows poets to express themselves more freely and creatively. In free verse, the poet has complete freedom to choose the length of the lines and the structure of the poem. This type of poetry can be more conversational and natural, and often reflects the rhythms and patterns of everyday speech. Free verse can be a great way to express emotions and ideas in a more organic and fluid way, without the constraints of traditional poetic forms.

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The three main unities in drama are those of action, time, and place. The unity of action refers to the idea that a play should have one main plotline that is unified and cohesive. All of the elements of the play, such as characters and themes, should be related to and serve this main plotline. The unity of time refers to the idea that a play should take place within a single day or, at most, a few consecutive days. This means that the events of the play should be presented in a condensed and focused way, without any unnecessary or extraneous elements. The unity of place refers to the idea that a play should take place in a single location. This location should be consistent throughout the play, without any unnecessary changes or shifts in setting. Taken together, these three unities help to create a sense of coherence and focus in a play. They are particularly associated with classical Greek drama, but have been influential in the development of Western drama more broadly.