Waec 2024 literature in English Language Answer and History Answer
(1)
Racial prejudice is a prevailing theme in Buchi Emecheta’s novel, “Second Class Citizen.” The story follows the life of Adah, a young Nigerian woman who moves to London in search of a better life but faces numerous obstacles due to her race. Through the experiences and challenges she encounters, Emecheta explores the impact of racial prejudice on Adah’s identity, opportunities, and relationships.
One of the most striking instances of racial prejudice occurs when Adah applies for a job as a librarian in a college library. Despite her qualifications and experience, Adah faces discrimination during the interview process. Emecheta highlights this discrimination through Adah’s inner thoughts, describing how the interview panel members dismiss her simply based on her Nigerian accent and dark skin. This incident illustrates how racial prejudice denies Adah equal opportunities and denies her the chance to improve her socio-economic status.
Furthermore, Adah consistently faces racial mockery and derogatory comments throughout the novel. In one instance, her husband, Francis, belittles her cultural heritage by renaming her “Victoria” and ridiculing her Nigerian accent. This constant chipping away at Adah’s identity due to her race contributes to her feeling like a “second-class citizen.” Emecheta emphasizes the detrimental effect of racial prejudice on individuals, as it erodes their self-confidence and perpetuates a sense of inferiority.
Adah’s experiences with racial prejudice also extend beyond her personal life. Her children are subjected to racial discrimination at school, where they face taunts and isolation from their peers due to their Nigerian heritage. Adah confronts this prejudice by empowering her children to embrace their cultural roots, but it remains a persistent challenge for them. Through this, Emecheta highlights the intergenerational impact of racial prejudice, as children are also subject to its negative consequences and struggle with their cultural identity.
Additionally, Emecheta presents the theme of racial prejudice by exploring Adah’s relationships with individuals of different races. Adah faces discrimination within her own marriage as Francis continually asserts his superiority as a white man. This power dynamic is further exacerbated when Francis has an affair with a white woman, using Adah’s race to justify his infidelity. Emecheta portrays the intersectionality of race and gender and underscores how racial prejudice intersects with other forms of discrimination.
5)
One of the primary ways in which African disunity is portrayed in the novel is through the protagonist’s experiences in Harlem. Despite being a predominantly African-American neighborhood, Harlem is depicted as a fragmented community, divided along multiple lines: socio-economic status, political ideologies, and personal ambitions. The novel depicts a range of African-American characters with differing agendas and perspectives, from the integrationist Dr. Bledsoe to the radical Ras the Exhorter. These contrasting voices reflect the diverse ideologies within the African-American community and underline the lack of a unified front against racism and oppression.
Furthermore, Ellison explores the theme of African disunity through the protagonist’s encounters with organizations such as the Brotherhood. The Brotherhood’s purported mission is to uplift African-Americans and fight against racism. However, as the protagonist becomes more involved with the organization, he realizes that it is an instrument of control rather than true unity. The Brotherhood, with its internal power struggles and manipulative tactics, serves to further divide African-Americans and perpetuate a sense of disunity within their ranks. The protagonist gradually experiences disillusionment with the organization, recognizing that true unity cannot be achieved through a hierarchical and exploitative structure.
In the Invisible Man’s quest for identity and visibility, he encounters other African-American individuals who have also been marginalized and rendered “invisible.” Despite their shared experiences of oppression, these encounters highlight the lack of solidarity among African-Americans. The protagonist’s interactions with characters such as Brother Tarp and Sybil emphasize the disunity within the community. Brother Tarp, a former laborer who carries a chain as a symbol of resistance, represents the determination to fight against oppression. Sybil, on the other hand, embodies the conformist and assimilationist tendencies within African-American society. These contrasting characters reflect the divergent paths taken by individuals in response to their marginalized status, further fracturing the African-American community.
Through the exploration of African disunity in “Invisible Man,” Ellison underscores the complexity and challenges faced by African-Americans in their struggle for equality and recognition. By presenting a multifaceted portrayal of the African-American community, Ellison emphasizes that unity cannot be achieved through singularity of thought or experience. Instead, he suggests that understanding and overcoming disunity requires embracing the diversity of perspectives within the community and working towards a common goal of liberation and empowerment. Only by recognizing and addressing the factors that contribute to African disunity can true progress be made.
LITERATURE-OBJ
01-10: EADEDDDEEA
11-20: BACCAEBACB
21-30: BAAEDECDCB
31-40: CEDEEDEADB
41-50: BADACCACAA
51-60: ABBDEBDCAB
Completed!!!!!!!
*History*
(9)
(i) Loss of Lives: The civil war resulted in a significant loss of lives, with estimates ranging from one to three million people. This tragic loss of life had a profound impact on families and communities across Nigeria.
(ii) Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis: The war also led to the displacement of many people. Families were forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in other parts of the country or neighboring countries. This created a humanitarian crisis, with many people lacking access to basic necessities like food, shelter, and healthcare.
(iii) Economic Impact: The civil war had a detrimental effect on Nigeria’s economy. Agricultural production was disrupted, leading to food shortages and famine in some areas. The conflict also damaged infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and roads, which hindered economic development and recovery.
(iv) Ethnic and Religious Tensions: The civil war deepened existing ethnic and religious tensions within Nigeria. It was fought between the Nigerian government, mainly composed of the Hausa-Fulani ethnic group, and the secessionist state of Biafra, largely made up of the Igbo ethnic group. These divisions and resentments still have an impact on the country’s social fabric today.
(v) Political Restructuring: The civil war prompted a reevaluation of Nigeria’s governance structure. It led to the adoption of a federal system, which aimed to address some of the underlying causes of the conflict. This restructuring emphasized the importance of power-sharing and inclusivity among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and religious groups.
(1)
(i) Ethnolinguistic diversity: Non-centralized communities in Nigeria are characterized by a diverse range of ethnic groups and languages. Nigeria is home to over 250 different ethnic groups, each with its own distinct language and cultural practices.
(ii) Lack of hierarchical governance structure: Non-centralized communities often lack a centralized authority or governing body. Instead, decision-making is typically done through consensus or by village or clan elders.
(iii) Communal ownership of land: In non-centralized communities, land is often communally owned and shared among community members. This communal ownership promotes cooperation and a sense of belonging within the community.
(iv) Close-knit social structures: Social relationships in non-centralized communities tend to be tightly knit. Interactions are often based on kinship, with extended families playing a central role in community cohesion.
(v) Oral tradition and cultural heritage: Non-centralized communities often rely on oral tradition to pass down historical knowledge, stories, and cultural practices. This includes oral storytelling, proverbs, music, and dance as methods of preserving their cultural heritage.
(8)
(i) Political Instability: Nigeria’s first republic, which lastedfrom 1960 to 1966, was plagued by frequent changes in government and instability. The ruling political parties were often divided along regional and ethnic lines, leading to power struggles and conflicts. In addition, there were allegations of corruption and mismanagement of public resources, which further undermined the legitimacy of the government.
(ii) Ethnic Tensions: Nigeria is a diverse country with over 250 ethnic groups, and during the first republic, ethnic tensions were significant. The country was divided into three regions, each dominated by different ethnic groups. This led to competition for resources and power, and in some cases, violence erupted between ethnic communities. The military, seeing themselves as a neutral force, believed they could restore order and protect the unity of the country.
(iii) Poor Governance: The civilian government during the first republic faced numerous challenges in governing effectively. There was a lack of accountability and transparency, resulting in widespread corruption and embezzlement of public funds. This led to a decline in public trust and contributed to the military’s argument that a strong, disciplined government was needed to restore order and promote development.
(vi) Economic Crisis: Nigeria experienced economic difficulties during the first republic, with declining revenues from oil exports and a struggling agricultural sector. The government’s inability to address these economic challenges further eroded public confidence. The military argued that they were better equipped to manage the economy and implement necessary reforms.
(v) Military’s Perception of Duty: The Nigerian military saw itself as a guardian of the nation and believed it had a duty to intervene and restore order when the civilian government failed to do so. There was a growing frustration within the military ranks about the state of the country and the perceived incompetence of the civilian leadership.
**
(5)
(i)End of Inter-tribal Conflicts: The peace treaty brought an end to the inter-tribal conflicts that had plagued Yoruba land. It helped to establish a more stable and peaceful environment for the Yoruba people.
(ii)Preservation of Cultural Heritage: The peace treaty allowed the Yoruba people to focus on preserving and promoting their rich cultural heritage. With the cessation of hostilities, there was more opportunity for the development of arts, music, and traditional practices.
(iii) Economic Growth: The peace treaty facilitated increased trade and economic growth in Yoruba land. With the restoration of peace, people could engage in commerce and agriculture without the fear of violence or disruption. This led to improved living standards and economic prosperity for many Yoruba communities.
(iv) Infrastructure Development: The peace treaty created a conducive environment for the development of infrastructure in Yoruba land. With the absence of conflict, resources could be allocated towards building roads, schools, hospitals, and other essential facilities that contributed to the overall development of the region.
(v)Social Reconciliation: The peace treaty played a crucial role in fostering social reconciliation among the Yoruba people. It provided an opportunity for healing and rebuilding relationships that had been strained by years of conflict. This helped to strengthen the sense of unity and cooperation within Yoruba communities.
