This article is designed to serve as a comprehensive revision guide for SS3 students studying Literature-in-English in their second term. With a focus on key literary works, this guide will ensure that students have a thorough understanding of each topic, helping them prepare for their examinations effectively. Through detailed breakdowns, analysis, and sample questions, students can navigate their revision with ease. The topics covered include William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, African and Non-African prose, drama, and poetry.
1. Revision of William Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Plot Overview:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a comedic play by William Shakespeare, set in Athens and a nearby enchanted forest. The plot intertwines the lives of four young lovers and a group of amateur actors with the magical interventions of fairies. At its core, the play explores themes of love, magic, and mistaken identity.
Themes:
- Love and its complexities: The play explores different forms of love, including romantic love, unrequited love, and the folly of love.
- Magic and transformation: The role of magic in the lives of the characters, especially the effects of Puck’s mischievous spells, highlights the theme of transformation.
- Reality vs. illusion: The play questions what is real and what is illusion, particularly through the magic-induced events in the forest.
- Social order and disorder: The shifting relationships between the characters disrupt the social norms of the Athenian court.
Key Characters:
- Theseus: The Duke of Athens.
- Hippolyta: Queen of the Amazons and fiancée to Theseus.
- Lysander and Hermia: A young couple in love.
- Demetrius and Helena: Another couple involved in a love triangle.
- Puck (Robin Goodfellow): A mischievous fairy who plays a central role in the magical confusion.
- Oberon and Titania: The king and queen of the fairies.
Sample Questions:
- Discuss the role of magic in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. How does it affect the characters?
- Analyze the character of Puck and his impact on the story.
- Explore the theme of love in the play, using specific examples.
- How does the play explore the concept of reality versus illusion?
- What role do the mechanicals (the amateur actors) play in the story?
- Examine the relationship between Theseus and Hippolyta. How does it reflect the social norms of the time?
- How does Shakespeare use humor in the play? Provide examples.
- Discuss the significance of the forest setting in the play.
- Compare and contrast the love relationships of Hermia and Lysander with those of Helena and Demetrius.
- What message do you think Shakespeare is conveying about the nature of love in the play?
2. Revision of African Prose: Second Class Citizen by Buchi Emecheta, Unexpected Joy by Alex Agyei-Agyiri (2018 Edition)
Second Class Citizen (Buchi Emecheta):
This novel tells the story of Adah, a Nigerian woman who moves to London in search of a better life. It addresses themes of race, gender, and the immigrant experience. The novel also highlights the challenges faced by African women in a foreign land, as Adah struggles with both cultural assimilation and personal empowerment.
Themes:
- Gender oppression: Adah faces the societal challenges of being a woman in a patriarchal society.
- Immigration and identity: The novel explores the experiences of African immigrants in Britain, emphasizing the complexities of adapting to a new culture while maintaining one’s identity.
- Personal growth: Despite the hardships, Adah’s journey is one of self-discovery and empowerment.
Unexpected Joy (Alex Agyei-Agyiri):
This story centers on a young Ghanaian man, Kofi, who dreams of a better life in a foreign land. The novel delves into his struggles with societal expectations and personal desires, capturing the hopes and challenges of African immigrants.
Themes:
- The pursuit of happiness: Kofi’s quest for a better life mirrors the aspirations of many African immigrants.
- Cultural conflict: The conflict between Kofi’s Ghanaian heritage and his new life abroad is a major theme.
- Dreams vs. reality: The novel highlights the tension between dreams of success and the reality of hardship.
Sample Questions:
- In what ways does Buchi Emecheta address the theme of gender oppression in Second Class Citizen?
- Discuss the immigrant experience in Second Class Citizen.
- How do the themes of personal growth and self-empowerment play out in the novel?
- Explore the character of Kofi in Unexpected Joy. What does he represent in the context of African migration?
- How does Alex Agyei-Agyiri use the theme of dreams versus reality in Unexpected Joy?
- What is the significance of the cultural conflict in Unexpected Joy?
- Compare and contrast the experiences of Adah and Kofi in their respective novels.
- Discuss the role of family and community in both Second Class Citizen and Unexpected Joy.
- How do both novels address the idea of identity in a foreign land?
- What do you think the authors are trying to convey about the African immigrant experience?
3. Revision of Non-African Prose: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Invisible Man (Ralph Ellison):
This novel follows an unnamed African American narrator who struggles with identity and invisibility in a racially segregated America. Through his experiences, the novel addresses the psychological and social impacts of racism.
Themes:
- Racism and identity: The narrator’s journey represents the struggle for identity in a world dominated by racial prejudice.
- Social invisibility: The theme of being overlooked and marginalized is central to the novel.
- The search for self-identity: The narrator’s internal conflict and his search for a personal and social identity are explored deeply.
Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte):
This classic novel tells the story of Heathcliff and Catherine, two lovers whose passion leads to destruction. It is a dark tale of obsession, revenge, and the destructive power of love.
Themes:
- Love and obsession: The intense, destructive love between Heathcliff and Catherine is central to the plot.
- Revenge and social class: Heathcliff’s desire for revenge is tied to issues of class and social standing.
- Isolation and nature: The isolated setting of Wuthering Heights plays a key role in the novel’s atmosphere.
Sample Questions:
- Discuss the theme of racism and identity in Invisible Man.
- How does Ralph Ellison portray the concept of invisibility in the novel?
- Analyze the relationship between the narrator and the white characters in Invisible Man.
- Compare the themes of love and obsession in Wuthering Heights with those in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
- Discuss the role of social class in Wuthering Heights.
- How does Emily Bronte explore the theme of isolation in the novel?
- What is the significance of the setting in Wuthering Heights?
- Discuss the role of revenge in Wuthering Heights and its impact on the characters.
- How does Ralph Ellison’s portrayal of African American experience resonate with modern readers?
- Examine the narrative structure of Invisible Man. How does it contribute to the themes of the novel?
4. Revision of African Drama: The Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka, Let Me Die Alone by John Kargbo
The Lion and the Jewel (Wole Soyinka):
This play is set in a fictional Nigerian village and explores the conflict between tradition and modernity. It revolves around the rivalry between the young and dynamic Baroka and the charming but modern Sidi.
Themes:
- Tradition vs. modernity: The play focuses on the tension between traditional African values and the influences of modernity.
- Power and manipulation: Baroka’s manipulation of Sidi represents the theme of power dynamics.
- Feminism: Sidi’s role in the play touches on themes of gender and the expectations placed on women in society.
Let Me Die Alone (John Kargbo):
This drama focuses on a young man named Alieu, who is torn between his personal desires and the expectations placed upon him by society.
Themes:
- Tradition and identity: The play explores how tradition shapes the identities of individuals in African society.
- Generational conflict: There is a clear division between the older and younger generations in their views on life and duty.
Sample Questions:
- How does Wole Soyinka explore the theme of tradition vs. modernity in The Lion and the Jewel?
- Discuss the role of gender in The Lion and the Jewel. How is Sidi portrayed?
- How does Baroka manipulate Sidi in the play?
- Compare the themes of power and manipulation in The Lion and the Jewel with those in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
- How do generational conflicts manifest in Let Me Die Alone?
- Discuss the role of tradition in shaping identity in Let Me Die Alone.
- How does John Kargbo address the theme of duty
Look Back in Anger (John Osborne):
This play, set in post-war Britain, focuses on the frustrations and disillusionment of its central character, Jimmy Porter. Jimmy’s angry and rebellious nature reflects the emotional and societal struggles of the working class during that period.
Themes:
- Anger and frustration: Jimmy’s anger is a central theme, symbolizing the discontent of the post-war generation.
- Class struggle: The play portrays the conflicts between the working class and the upper class, particularly through the character of Jimmy.
- Marriage and relationships: The tension in Jimmy’s relationship with his wife, Alison, is symbolic of broader societal struggles.
Fences (August Wilson):
Fences is a poignant drama that examines African American life in the 1950s through the lens of Troy Maxson, a former baseball player who is now working as a garbage collector. The play explores themes of family dynamics, race, and personal aspirations.
Themes:
- Racial discrimination: Troy’s struggles with race and the limitations placed on him due to his race are central to the play.
- Family and generational conflict: The conflicts between Troy and his son, Cory, reflect the generational and ideological divide in African American families during the 1950s.
- Dreams and reality: Troy’s inability to achieve his dreams and his attempts to control his family’s future are critical themes.
Sample Questions:
- Discuss the significance of anger as a theme in Look Back in Anger.
- How does Jimmy Porter’s character reflect the social and political climate of post-war Britain?
- Compare and contrast the relationships between Jimmy and Alison with those in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
- How does Fences address the theme of racial discrimination?
- Analyze Troy’s relationship with his son, Cory, in Fences. What does it symbolize?
- Discuss the role of family dynamics in Fences.
- How does August Wilson explore the idea of dreams vs. reality in Fences?
- What role does generational conflict play in both Fences and Let Me Die Alone?
- How do the themes of personal aspiration and disillusionment compare in Look Back in Anger and Invisible Man?
- Examine how the setting influences the conflicts in both Look Back in Anger and Fences.
6. Revision of Poems: African and Non-African Poetry
African Poems:
- “Raider of the Treasure Trove” by Lade Qosrnu:
The poem explores the theme of greed and the consequences of seeking material wealth without regard for others. It critiques the idea of a “treasure hunt” in a metaphorical sense, representing the exploitation of others for personal gain. - “Black Woman” by Leopold Sedar Senghor:
Senghor’s poem celebrates the beauty and strength of African women. It touches on themes of pride, heritage, and the dignity of African womanhood in a colonial context. - “The Grieved Lands” by Agostinho Neto:
This poem highlights the pain and sorrow experienced by Africa under colonialism. It speaks to the suffering of the land and its people, yet also suggests a hope for liberation and healing. - “The Son of the Women of My Land” by Oumar Farouk Sesay:
The poem reflects on the legacy of African ancestors and the role of tradition and history in shaping individual identity. It emphasizes the importance of the land and its connection to the people. - “A Government Driver on His Retirement” by Onu Chibuike:
This poem critiques the Nigerian government’s treatment of its workers. It discusses the emptiness that comes with retirement after years of service, focusing on the disillusionment felt by a government driver.
Non-African Poems:
- “The Good Morrow” by John Donne:
This metaphysical poem explores the theme of love as a spiritual and transformative force. It discusses the idealized nature of love and the connection between the speaker and their lover. - “Caged Bird” by Maya Angelou:
Angelou’s powerful poem speaks to the theme of freedom, oppression, and resilience. It uses the metaphor of a caged bird to represent the struggles of marginalized people seeking liberation. - “The Journey of the Magi” by T.S. Eliot:
This poem reflects on the journey of the wise men to visit the newborn Christ. It delves into themes of faith, transformation, and the difficult path to enlightenment. - “Do Not Go Gentle into the Good Night” by Dylan Thomas:
This villanelle is a passionate plea to fight against death with dignity. It urges individuals to live life fully and resist the inevitability of death. - “Binsey Poplars – Felled 1879” by G.M. Hopkins:
This poem is a lament for the destruction of nature and the environment. It mourns the loss of the poplar trees and comments on the human impact on the natural world. - “Bat” by David H. Lawrence:
This poem uses the imagery of a bat to explore themes of darkness, fear, and survival. It reflects on the relationship between humans and nature, particularly in terms of fear and fascination.
Sample Questions:
- Discuss the theme of greed in “Raider of the Treasure Trove” and its relevance today.
- How does Senghor’s “Black Woman” celebrate African womanhood?
- Analyze the symbolic use of “grieved lands” in Agostinho Neto’s poem.
- How does “The Son of the Women of My Land” connect identity with tradition?
- What is the significance of retirement in “A Government Driver on His Retirement”?
- Explore the metaphysical themes of love in “The Good Morrow”.
- How does Maya Angelou’s “Caged Bird” reflect the African American experience?
- What does “The Journey of the Magi” suggest about spiritual growth and transformation?
- How does Dylan Thomas use form and repetition in “Do Not Go Gentle into the Good Night”?
- Discuss the ecological message in “Binsey Poplars – Felled 1879” by G.M. Hopkins.
