I. In both "Marriage Is a Private Affair" and "A Meeting in the Dark," the young men and their fathers play significant roles in shaping the eventual outcomes of their relationships. In "Marriage Is a Private Affair," Nnaemeka is deeply in love with Nene and wants to marry her, but he is afraid his father will disapprove because she is from a different tribe. Nnaemeka is torn between his love for Nene and his respect for his father. On the other hand, in "A Meeting in the Dark," John desperately wants to marry Wamuhu, knowing that his father would not approve because she is from a different social class. John is determined to defy his father's expectations and be with Wamuhu. The contrasting personalities of the fathers also contribute to the outcomes. Nnaemeka's father, Okeke, initially refuses to accept Nene as a potential daughter-in-law due to his traditional beliefs. However, as time passes, Okeke begins to understand the importance of his son's happiness and eventually accepts Nene. In contrast, John's father is portrayed as a strict, authoritative figure who puts his family's reputation above his son's happiness. This leads John to extreme measures to rebel against his father's expectations. Overall, the young men's determination and the fathers' eventual acceptance or rejection of their sons' choices shape the outcomes in these stories.
II. In "No Witchcraft for Sale," "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off," and "The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses," the interactions between white and black people showcase both moments of support and moments of failure. The relationships between the two groups are complex and are influenced by power dynamics and cultural differences. In "No Witchcraft for Sale," the Gideon family, who are white, initially seek the help of Gideon, a black traditional healer, to cure their son Teddy from a venomous serpent's bite. Here, the white family relies on the knowledge and expertise of the black healer, highlighting their support for each other. However, later in the story, the Gideon family refuses to share the knowledge of the plant that could cure the serpent bite, withholding something from the black community. Similarly, in "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off," the white landowner accepts Lucas, a black farm worker, as a surrogate son and treats him equally. However, when Lucas accidentally shoots his white owner, the white community turns against him, failing to support him in his time of need. In "The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses," the black prisoner, Brille, is mistreated by the white prison officials, highlighting the failure of the white people to protect and support the black community. The interactions between white and black people in these stories reflect a complex interplay of support and failure, with each group trying to protect their own interests and sometimes withholding assistance from the other.
III. The theme of pride being important to a sense of self-worth connects closely to Africa's history of colonial rule in the poems of this unit. In "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" by Langston Hughes, the speaker explores the deep connection between African civilization and rivers, symbolizing the rich heritage and historical significance of Africa. The pride in African history and culture is juxtaposed against the backdrop of colonial rule, emphasizing the importance of preserving and embracing one's identity. Similarly, in "A Song in the Front Yard" by Gwendolyn Brooks, the speaker challenges societal expectations and asserts her own sense of pride and self-worth. This theme reflects the need to reclaim African identity and pride in the face of colonization, which sought to diminish and erase cultural heritage. The poems in this unit highlight Africa's history of colonial rule as a backdrop against which the importance of pride and self-worth is emphasized, encouraging individuals to reclaim their heritage and assert their identities.
Choose two of the following essay prompts. Respond to each in a paragraph. Write your answer in complete sentences.
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.
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 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.
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.
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