JAMB UTME - Literature In English - 2002

Maelezo ya Majibu

In Oliver Goldsmith's play "She Stoops to Conquer", the general picture depicted is that of chaotic value systems. The play satirizes the manners and morals of the upper-class in the 18th century, showing their vanity, pretentiousness, and hypocrisy. The characters are depicted as having skewed priorities, with a focus on superficial appearances and social status, rather than genuine connections and relationships. The play highlights the absurdity of these societal conventions and challenges them, ultimately advocating for a more authentic and genuine approach to human interactions.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

The passage above expresses the state of mind of an alienated man. The speaker expresses his frustration and disillusionment with the people he meets during his travels. He feels that he has been searching for his true people, but has only encountered caricatures of people who are not genuine. The speaker also suggests that he feels out of place, describing himself as being in the wrong skin and on the wrong planet. These feelings of displacement and alienation suggest that the speaker is struggling to find a sense of belonging and identity in the world around him.

Maelezo ya Majibu

A limerick is a type of humorous poem with a specific rhyme scheme and a total of five lines. The rhyme scheme is AABBA, meaning that the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme with each other, and the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other. Limericks often have a light and playful tone and are commonly used to tell a joke or a funny story. Therefore, the correct answer is "humour, rhyme scheme, and five lines".

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

The lines from David Diop's 'Loser of Everything' depict the displacement of innocence by violence. The use of the words 'peaceful nakedness' emphasizes the natural and innocent state of being, which is then contrasted with the 'uniform of iron and blood', symbolizing violence and war. The displacement of innocence by violence is a recurring theme in African literature, as it represents the loss of traditional values and the impact of colonialism and war on African societies.

Maelezo ya Majibu

In a picaresque novel, the protagonist typically embarks on a journey of some sort. Picaresque novels are a genre of fiction that originated in Spain in the 16th century and typically feature a rogue or anti-hero as the main character. These novels often follow the adventures of the protagonist as he travels from place to place, encountering a variety of people and situations along the way. The term "picaresque" comes from the Spanish word "picaro," which means "rogue" or "rascal." The protagonist in a picaresque novel is often a lower-class individual who engages in petty theft, deception, and other unsavory activities in order to survive. The novel may be episodic in nature, with each chapter or section detailing a different adventure or encounter. While the protagonist in a picaresque novel may slow down the narration at times to provide detailed descriptions or reflections on his experiences, he does not typically draw illustrative pictures or become an artist. The focus is on the character's journey and the situations he finds himself in, rather than on any particular artistic or creative pursuits. In summary, the protagonist in a picaresque novel typically embarks on a journey and engages in various adventures and encounters along the way.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

The statement portrays the Squire as a quick-tempered and adamant man. This is evident from the description of the Squire as an "implacable man" who makes "resolutions in violent anger" and is not moved from them even after his anger subsides. The comparison of his anger to "volcanic matters" that "cool and harden into rock" reinforces the idea of his stubbornness and inflexibility. Therefore, it can be inferred that the Squire is not a kind and generous friend or a father figure to the community, but rather a harsh and unyielding ruler.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

The novel "Witnesses to Tears" by Abubakar Gimba is a story that revolves around the life of a woman named Hussaina who was married off to a wealthy man named Al-Amin. The witnesses to the tears in the novel are the characters who witness the various trials and tribulations faced by Hussaina throughout the story. Of the options given, two characters are mentioned in common: Lahab and Hussaina. Lahab is Hussaina's childhood friend who remains a constant presence in her life, while Hussaina is the main character whose struggles and hardships are at the center of the story. Therefore, the correct answer is: Lahab and Hussaina.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The dialogue above reveals the couple's difference in lifestyle. Hardcastle is portrayed as someone who cherishes old things, including his old wife, while Mrs. Hardcastle is portrayed as someone who is not interested in being labeled old, suggesting a preference for youthfulness and modernity.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

In Abubakar Gimba's "Witnesses to Tears," Al-Amin's initial reservations about his daughter's engagement to Lahab are informed by Lahab's doubtful morality. Al-Amin suspects that Lahab is a womanizer and a drunkard, and he worries about the kind of life his daughter would have with him. These concerns are supported by Lahab's behavior at a party, where he gets drunk and makes unwanted advances towards women. Al-Amin's fears are later confirmed when Lahab abandons his daughter after she becomes pregnant.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The predominant device in Launko's "End of War" is paradox. The poem presents contrasting ideas and situations that are seemingly contradictory, yet they are true. The poem talks about the end of war, which is typically associated with peace and freedom. However, the poem describes the end of war as a time when soldiers return home, only to face poverty, hunger, and neglect. This creates a paradoxical situation where the end of war is not necessarily the end of suffering. The poem also uses other literary devices such as repetition, imagery, and alliteration to emphasize the message of the paradox.

Maelezo ya Majibu

In the passage above, the conch symbolizes authority. It is presented as a delicate and powerful object that sets Ralph apart from the other boys. The fact that it was blown by the being who sat waiting for them on the platform, and the way it is balanced delicately on his knees, suggests that it is a symbol of order and control. The conch is used to call the boys together and is a symbol of the power to speak and be heard. This reinforces the idea that it is a symbol of authority, as the ability to call people together and have them listen is a key aspect of leadership.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

The novel Witnesses to Tears by Abubakar Gimba is largely set in Sabonville city. The city serves as the primary setting for the novel, and the story revolves around the lives of the characters in this city. The author describes the city in vivid detail, highlighting its landmarks, streets, and neighborhoods, as well as the social, economic, and political issues affecting its inhabitants. Through the characters and events in the novel, Gimba explores themes such as corruption, poverty, love, betrayal, and the clash between tradition and modernity in Sabonville city.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

A poem written to celebrate one's wedding is an epithalamium. An epithalamium is a poem written specifically for a bride and groom on their wedding day, usually to celebrate their love and wish them happiness in their marriage. It is a form of occasional poetry that has been popular throughout literary history, with examples found in works from ancient Greece to the Renaissance to modern times.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

The term for an irredeemable reversal of the hero's fortune in a tragedy is "peripeteia". Peripeteia is a sudden and unexpected turn of events in a story, usually in a tragedy, which results in a reversal of the hero's fortune. It is often referred to as a "twist" in the plot, where the hero's situation changes from good to bad, or from bad to worse, due to a character flaw, a tragic mistake, or a twist of fate.

Maelezo ya Majibu

An iambic metrical foot consists of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. It is a common metrical foot in poetry and is sometimes referred to as a "rising meter" because it creates a rising rhythm or cadence. For example, the word "above" is an iambic word because the first syllable "a-" is unstressed and the second syllable "-bove" is stressed.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Based on the given information, the persona of the novel sees death as a welcome event provided one has fulfilled one's destiny on earth. The persona's perspective on death is not tied to leaving a legacy or having someone remember them, but rather it is about achieving a sense of completeness in life. This is evident in the phrase "A man can only die once; it would be foolish to die with a sense of unfulfillment," which suggests that the persona believes in the importance of living a full life and achieving one's purpose before death.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

Empathy is achieved when the audience vicariously participates in the stage experience. This means that the audience is able to emotionally connect with the characters and situations on stage, and feel what they are feeling. It involves understanding and sharing the emotions and experiences of the characters, which in turn can create a deeper emotional connection between the audience and the work of literature or performance. This is important in creating a meaningful and impactful experience for the audience, as it allows them to relate to the characters and situations on a personal level.

Maelezo ya Majibu

In the plot of a novel, emphasis should be placed on showing the causal connection of incidents. This means that events in the story should be connected in a way that makes sense and leads the reader to understand the cause and effect of the actions taking place. It's important that the plot follows a logical sequence, with each event having an impact on the next. The vivid and accurate presentation of incidents is also important, but without a clear causal connection between events, the plot can become confusing and disjointed, leading to a less engaging reading experience. Narrating the truth of incidents is also important, but this should not come at the expense of the plot's coherence and readability.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The given quote is from Robert Frost's poem "Wild Grapes". The quote speaks of the speaker's relationship with a tree. The speaker says that he had the tree, but in reality, the tree had him. This quote suggests the speaker's realization that nature is more powerful than humans and can hold a deeper meaning than what meets the eye. Therefore, the correct option is not about the adventures of wild children or the successful climbing of an adventurous boy, but instead, it speaks of man's transcendentalism and his connection with nature.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The play "She Stoops to Conquer" is essentially about the comedy of errors that occurs in one night, involving mistaken identities, miscommunications, and misunderstandings between characters. The play is known for its witty dialogue and humorous situations that arise as the characters try to navigate their way through the misunderstandings. While there are other plot points, such as the theft of Miss Neville's trinket box and the incompatibility of Mr. and Mrs. Hardcastle, the central focus of the play is the comedy of errors. Additionally, the play features a love story between Kate and Marlow, which adds to the humor and misunderstandings that occur throughout the play.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The execution of some of the animals on the orders of Napoleon in George Orwell's Animal Farm is to pave the way for Napoleon to become an absolute ruler. The animals who were executed were accused of working with Snowball, Napoleon's political rival, even though some of them were innocent. The execution shows Napoleon's ruthless and authoritarian nature, and how he uses violence and fear to consolidate power and suppress opposition. It also marks the beginning of the pigs' transformation into a special class, which enjoys privileges and exemptions that the other animals do not.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

In S.I Osammor's novel "The Triumph of the Water Lily," the metaphor of the Water Lily symbolizes victory over tribulation. The Water Lily represents the triumph of good over evil, hope over despair, and success over adversity. The character of Odibe, who is compared to the Water Lily, overcomes numerous obstacles and setbacks to achieve his goals, just as the flower emerges from the murky waters to bloom beautifully. The Water Lily also represents the resilience of the human spirit and the ability to rise above challenging circumstances. Therefore, the metaphor of the Water Lily in the novel is indicative of victory over tribulation.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

Yusuf Kassam's 'Maji Maji' is presented as a narrative poem. The poem tells the story of the Maji Maji rebellion, a historic event that took place in Tanzania in 1905-1907. The poem follows the journey of a young boy who witnesses the rebellion and its aftermath, and the narrative structure of the poem serves to tell the story of this historical event in a poetic and engaging way.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The sonority and rhythmical structure of the lines above are achieved through a pause pattern called caesura. Caesura is a pause or break in a line of poetry, usually occurring in the middle of a line, which is used to create a rhythmical effect or to emphasize certain words or phrases. In the lines above, the use of pauses after "innocent tendrils," "helpless eunuchs," and "modern witches," among others, creates a distinct rhythm and emphasizes the images being described.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

John Donne's 'Death be not Proud' is informed by a metaphysical persuasion on the immortality of man. The poem argues that death should not be proud of its power over human beings, because it is only a temporary state that leads to eternal life. Donne's use of paradox, wit and metaphysical conceits (such as the comparison of death to sleep and a short rest) supports this central theme. The speaker affirms that death is not the end of life, but rather a passage to an afterlife where the soul will enjoy a greater and more perfect existence.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Maelezo ya Majibu

The event described in the dialogue above happens in J.P. Clark's play, The Wives' Revolt, in the third act, specifically in the second scene of the act, in Erhuwaren. Okoro expresses his intention to kill someone, and Idama tries to calm him down and persuade him not to do so. He then pushes Koko, who is present in the scene, gently but firmly towards her room, indicating that he wants her to leave the room and stay safe. Therefore, the correct answer is "Erhuwaren when Okoro suspects Koko of infidelity". This is the point in the play where Okoro has become suspicious of Koko's fidelity and is contemplating taking drastic action against her. The dialogue between Okoro and Idama shows the tension and conflict that arises when infidelity is suspected in a relationship, and the emotions that can lead to violence.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Old Major ends his speech to the animals with a song in order to spur them to action. The song, "Beasts of England", becomes the anthem of the animal rebellion and inspires them to work towards a better future. By ending his speech with a rousing song, Old Major seeks to instill in the animals a sense of purpose and motivation to work towards their shared goals. The song serves as a unifying force for the animals, bringing them together and giving them hope for a brighter future.

Maelezo ya Majibu

A body of imaginative men and women of letters is generally referred to as "literati". This term is used to refer to people who are well-educated and knowledgeable in literature, and who are often regarded as intellectuals. The literati may include writers, critics, scholars, and other individuals who are engaged with literary pursuits. The term is often associated with a certain level of cultural elitism, and may imply that the literati are more refined and sophisticated than the general population.

Maelezo ya Majibu

From the question, it is apparent that Oliver Goldsmith makes use of a variety of sets to suit the subject matter. This means that the different sets used in the play are chosen to correspond with the setting and mood of each scene, and not necessarily a single set throughout the play. This helps to create a realistic and engaging atmosphere for the audience, as they can easily imagine and relate to the different settings portrayed in the play.