Subject: Literature-in-English Duration: 1hr 45mins
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Table of Contents: Weekly Scheme of Work
- Week 1–2: Reading and Analyzing of Non-African Poetry – “The Birches” by Robert Frost
- Week 3–5: Reading and Textual Analysis of Non-African Drama – She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith
- Week 6–8: Reading and Analyzing African Poetry – “Vanity” by Birago Diop
- Week 8–10: Reading and Textual Analysis of Non-African Prose – The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole
Section A: Objective Question
- The theme of “The Birches” revolves mainly around:
A. Childhood imagination
B. Agricultural labour
C. Political corruption
D. Religious doubt - In “The Birches,” Robert Frost uses birch trees as a symbol of:
A. Death
B. Industrialization
C. Escape and return
D. Friendship - The tone of “The Birches” is:
A. Humorous
B. Nostalgic and reflective
C. Sarcastic
D. Cold and detached - The style of Frost’s poetry can be described as:
A. Dramatic and exaggerated
B. Conversational and descriptive
C. Poetic and illogical
D. Monotonous and unstructured - “He learned all there was to learn about not launching out too soon…” illustrates:
A. Conflict
B. Foreshadowing
C. Irony
D. Imagery - In “She Stoops to Conquer,” the main theme is:
A. Class conflict
B. War and peace
C. Love and disguise
D. Crime and punishment - The play “She Stoops to Conquer” is a:
A. Tragedy
B. Comedy
C. Melodrama
D. History - The character who pretends to be a barmaid is:
A. Constance Neville
B. Miss Hardcastle
C. Mrs. Hardcastle
D. Betty - The dramatic irony in the play occurs when:
A. Tony discovers a secret
B. Marlow mistakes the house for an inn
C. Hastings elopes
D. Kate confesses - The primary conflict in the play is:
A. Tony vs Hastings
B. Kate vs her father
C. Marlow’s shyness vs his love interest
D. Constance vs her cousin - In “Vanity” by Birago Diop, the poet criticizes:
A. Traditional culture
B. Western education
C. The abandonment of ancestors’ wisdom
D. Religious leaders - The poetic device heavily used in “Vanity” is:
A. Hyperbole
B. Irony
C. Repetition
D. Pun - The tone of “Vanity” is:
A. Cheerful
B. Mocking
C. Solemn and reflective
D. Romantic - Birago Diop emphasizes the importance of:
A. War and power
B. Nature
C. Listening to the voice of the dead
D. Wealth - The poem “Vanity” was written to:
A. Celebrate beauty
B. Mock elders
C. Warn against ignoring traditions
D. Demand justice - The literary period of The Castle of Otranto is:
A. Romanticism
B. Modernism
C. Gothic
D. Neoclassicism - The author of The Castle of Otranto is:
A. Oliver Goldsmith
B. Horace Walpole
C. William Shakespeare
D. John Milton - The supernatural in The Castle of Otranto includes:
A. Talking animals
B. Ghosts and giant helmets
C. Invisible people
D. Flying dragons - The protagonist of The Castle of Otranto is:
A. Manfred
B. Theodore
C. Jerome
D. Conrad - A key theme in The Castle of Otranto is:
A. Rationality
B. Justice
C. Power and tyranny
D. Education - In The Castle of Otranto, the marriage of Isabella is opposed because:
A. She is poor
B. She is already married
C. She runs away
D. It was politically motivated - Gothic fiction often features:
A. Happy endings
B. Scientific facts
C. Dungeons and mysterious settings
D. Dialogue only - One common feature in both “Vanity” and “The Birches” is:
A. Use of satire
B. Strong female voice
C. Reflection on human behaviour
D. Courtroom setting - The function of dramatic irony is:
A. To confuse the audience
B. To make the plot boring
C. To create suspense and humour
D. To develop antagonist - “He seemed terrified of upper-class women.” This describes:
A. Tony
B. Hastings
C. Marlow
D. Diggory - The castle in Otranto represents:
A. Joy
B. Ancient heritage and decay
C. Freedom
D. Childhood - Birago Diop’s “Vanity” uses repetition to:
A. Confuse the reader
B. Emphasize warning
C. Introduce humour
D. Promote religion - A symbol of hope in “The Birches” is:
A. The boy
B. The swinging trees
C. The snow
D. The forest - The poetic persona in “Vanity” represents:
A. A political leader
B. A confused child
C. A reflective elder
D. A rebellious youth - In Literature, a protagonist is:
A. The villain
B. The comic character
C. The main character
D. The supporting actor - The expression “She Stoops to Conquer” suggests:
A. Pride
B. Humility used as strategy
C. Defeat
D. Arrogance - Who disguises herself to win love?
A. Isabella
B. Constance
C. Kate Hardcastle
D. Helena - The poetic device in “And yet they ignored the moaning” is:
A. Alliteration
B. Simile
C. Irony
D. Onomatopoeia - “The Castle of Otranto” begins with:
A. A wedding
B. A coronation
C. A tragic death
D. A war - In “The Birches,” the speaker prefers:
A. Harsh reality
B. Escaping into fantasy
C. Political discussions
D. Social parties - Horace Walpole is best remembered for:
A. Humorous plays
B. Gothic novels
C. Religious poetry
D. Political essays - The structure of “Vanity” is:
A. Prose
B. Narrative
C. Lyric and free verse
D. Ballad - In Literature, setting refers to:
A. Character’s name
B. Dialogue
C. Time and place of a story
D. The climax - The theme of ancestral guidance is evident in:
A. The Castle of Otranto
B. She Stoops to Conquer
C. Vanity
D. The Birches - The lesson in “She Stoops to Conquer” is:
A. Pride wins
B. True love conquers all
C. Money is everything
D. Men are weak
Section B: Theory Question
- The Birches by Robert Frost
Discuss how the poet uses imagery and symbolism to reflect his desire to escape the hardships of life. - Robert Frost’s Style
Identify and explain three literary devices used by Robert Frost in “The Birches.” - She Stoops to Conquer – Themes
Discuss the theme of mistaken identity in She Stoops to Conquer and how it drives the plot. - Characterization in She Stoops to Conquer
Examine the character of Kate Hardcastle and her role in resolving the conflict in the play. - Vanity by Birago Diop
Discuss how the poet uses the concept of ancestral voices to criticize the neglect of African traditions. - Poetic Devices in Vanity
Identify and explain two major poetic devices used in Birago Diop’s poem Vanity and their effects. - The Castle of Otranto – Setting and Atmosphere
Describe the role of the castle setting in developing the Gothic mood in The Castle of Otranto. - Horace Walpole’s Prose Techniques
Analyze two narrative techniques used by Horace Walpole in The Castle of Otranto. - Compare African and Non-African Literature
Compare the thematic concerns of Vanity and The Birches, noting similarities and differences. - Moral Lessons
What moral lessons can be learned from She Stoops to Conquer and how are they presented?
Section C: Objective Answers
- A — The poem centers on childhood imagination and nostalgia.
- C — The birch trees symbolize an escape from reality and eventual return.
- B — The tone is reflective, showing longing for simpler times.
- B — Frost’s poetic style is conversational and rich in imagery.
- D — This line uses vivid imagery to describe an action.
- C — The play’s main theme involves disguise and love strategies.
- B — She Stoops to Conquer is classified as a comedy.
- B — Kate Hardcastle pretends to be a barmaid.
- B — Marlow thinks he is in an inn, not a private house.
- C — Marlow’s internal struggle drives the main conflict.
- C — The poem criticizes neglect of ancestral guidance.
- C — Repetition is a major poetic device in “Vanity.”
- C — The tone is solemn, reflecting on lost traditions.
- C — Diop urges readers to value their cultural roots.
- C — The poem warns readers against abandoning culture.
- C — The Castle of Otranto falls under Gothic literature.
- B — Horace Walpole wrote The Castle of Otranto.
- B — The novel features ghosts and giant supernatural elements.
- A — Manfred is the central character and tragic figure.
- C — The novel explores power abuse and tyranny.
- D — Manfred plans Isabella’s marriage for power gain.
- C — Gothic stories often include dungeons and creepy castles.
- C — Both poems explore human actions and consequences.
- C — Dramatic irony adds suspense by revealing truths to audience.
- C — Marlow struggles with upper-class women due to his shyness.
- B — The decaying castle reflects themes of ruin and heritage.
- B — Repetition strengthens the poem’s warning message.
- B — The trees symbolize escape and peace.
- C — The persona speaks like an elder reflecting on values.
- C — A protagonist is the main focus of the story.
- B — The phrase means Kate stoops in class to gain love.
- C — Kate Hardcastle disguises herself to win Marlow’s heart.
- A — The line repeats the consonant sound for poetic effect.
- C — The novel opens with Conrad’s sudden death.
- B — The speaker prefers imagining childhood over adult stress.
- B — Walpole is credited for pioneering the Gothic genre.
- C — The poem uses lyrical style without a strict pattern.
- C — Setting gives time and place, important for context.
- C — The poem urges attention to ancestors’ advice.
- B — The lesson is that humility and love can win hearts.
Section D: Theory Answer
1. The Birches by Robert Frost
Question: Discuss how the poet uses imagery and symbolism to reflect his desire to escape the hardships of life.
Answer: In “The Birches,” Robert Frost employs vivid imagery and deep symbolism to explore the universal human desire to escape reality and seek solace in imagination. The birch trees, central to the poem, serve as a powerful symbol of both reality and the poet’s yearning for transcendence. Frost opens with a realistic description of the ice-laden branches, bent under the weight of a storm. This image symbolizes the burdens of adult life-hardships, responsibilities, and emotional heaviness.
However, the tone shifts as Frost imagines a boy swinging from the birches, escaping the world by climbing trees. This boy symbolizes youthful innocence and freedom. The act of swinging upward reflects the poet’s desire to ascend from the harshness of life into a more carefree and imaginative realm. When the boy climbs the trees and swings down, he returns safely to earth, symbolizing that such escape is temporary but refreshing.
Frost uses visual imagery, “trailing their leaves on the ground,” “crystal shells”, to heighten the contrast between the harsh winter landscape and the imaginative escape he longs for. The swing through birches becomes a metaphor for spiritual and mental reprieve. Thus, through natural symbols and sensory images, Frost channels a deep psychological need to retreat from adult pressures into a world of childhood wonder and simplicity.
2. Robert Frost’s Style
Question: Identify and explain three literary devices used by Robert Frost in “The Birches.”
Answer: Robert Frost’s “The Birches” is rich in literary devices that enhance both its aesthetic appeal and emotional depth. Three notable devices he employs are:
- Imagery: Frost vividly paints pictures in the reader’s mind using sensory descriptions. For instance, he describes how “the inner dome of heaven had fallen,” evoking a powerful visual of branches bent by ice storms. This image captures both the beauty and severity of nature and serves to contrast imagination with reality.
- Symbolism: The birch trees symbolize the duality of life, reality versus imagination. The bending of the birches represents life’s struggles, while the boy swinging on them symbolizes a return to innocence and spiritual escape. Climbing the birches reflects the human desire to rise above challenges, and coming back down shows the necessity of returning to reality.
- Blank Verse: The poem is written in unrhymed iambic pentameter, known as blank verse. This form allows for a conversational tone and fluid rhythm, matching the reflective mood of the speaker. It also helps in presenting philosophical ideas naturally.
Through these devices, Frost creates a lyrical yet profound meditation on life’s burdens and the healing power of imagination.
3. She Stoops to Conquer – Themes
Question: Discuss the theme of mistaken identity in She Stoops to Conquer and how it drives the plot.
Answer: The theme of mistaken identity is central to the comedic structure and plot development of Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer. The main plot revolves around Marlow’s misperception of Mr. Hardcastle’s home as an inn. This misunderstanding, orchestrated by the mischievous Tony Lumpkin, sets the stage for a series of humorous and revealing encounters.
Marlow, believing he is at an inn, treats Mr. Hardcastle with rude familiarity, thinking him an innkeeper. The dramatic irony, where the audience knows more than the character, heightens the comedic effect. Furthermore, Marlow’s dual personality becomes evident: he is confident with lower-class women but shy around upper-class ladies. Kate Hardcastle cleverly exploits this by pretending to be a barmaid, allowing her to interact with Marlow freely and eventually win his affection.
This deliberate deception reveals deeper truths about class, gender roles, and personal growth. The resolution of the mistaken identities leads to character development, especially in Marlow, who learns humility and honesty. Overall, the theme serves as both a source of humor and a vehicle for character transformation.
4. Characterization in She Stoops to Conquer – Kate Hardcastle
Kate Hardcastle is one of the most dynamic characters in She Stoops to Conquer. She is intelligent, witty, courageous, and plays a key role in resolving the central conflict in the play. Her decision to disguise herself as a barmaid is both strategic and revealing.
Kate’s motivation stems from her desire to truly understand Marlow, the man she is supposed to marry. When she learns that Marlow is shy around upper-class women but confident with lower-class ones, she uses this knowledge to her advantage. Disguising herself allows her to break through his social barriers and evaluate his sincerity.
Unlike typical women of her time who were expected to be passive, Kate is proactive. She takes control of her romantic situation, showing that she values both emotion and intellect in a relationship. Her patience, grace, and humor enable her to maneuver through the complex situations caused by Marlow’s mistaken assumptions.
Kate also demonstrates loyalty to her family. Despite the confusion and frustration caused by Marlow’s behavior, she never lashes out or creates unnecessary conflict. She maintains respect for her father while cleverly guiding the situation to a satisfying resolution.
In conclusion, Kate Hardcastle is not just a romantic heroine but a symbol of female agency and cleverness. Through her actions, Goldsmith critiques societal expectations of women and promotes the idea that love should be based on understanding, not just social status.
5. Vanity by Birago Diop – Ancestral Voices and African Traditions
In “Vanity,” Birago Diop emphasizes the importance of ancestral wisdom and criticizes modern Africans for neglecting their cultural heritage. The poet uses the voices of the ancestors those who have passed on as a metaphor for tradition, knowledge, and spiritual guidance.
The poem opens with the haunting lines “If we tell, gently, gently / all that we shall one day have to tell.” These ancestral voices are portrayed as patient and persistent, warning the living to return to the values and beliefs that once guided them. However, the living are depicted as stubborn, ignoring these voices in favor of Western influences.
Diop believes that disconnection from one’s roots leads to spiritual emptiness and societal decay. The ancestors are not simply ghosts but represent moral authority. Their presence in the poem is symbolic they “moan” and “lament” because the living no longer listen to them. This idea mirrors the African worldview, where the dead continue to play a role in the affairs of the living.
The poet’s use of repetition reinforces the urgency and sadness of this neglect. The repeated phrase “what eyes will watch our last moment?” asks whether anyone will care when we are gone just as we ignored those before us.
By invoking ancestral voices, Diop calls for a return to African values, customs, and spirituality. He warns that without this connection, future generations will suffer the same fate of being unheard and forgotten. “Vanity” is not just a poem about the past it is a wake-up call for cultural consciousness and self-preservation.
6. Poetic Devices in Vanity
Identify and explain two major poetic devices used in Birago Diop’s poem Vanity and their effects.
Birago Diop’s Vanity is rich in poetic devices that convey his deep message about the abandonment of African traditions and values. Two major devices he employs are repetition and rhetorical questions, which serve to emphasize the importance of ancestral wisdom and the consequences of ignoring it.
Firstly, repetition is used throughout the poem, particularly in the recurring line, “If we tell, gently, gently…” and “What eyes will watch our large mouths…”. This repetition underscores the persistence of ancestral voices and how often they try to reach the living. By repeating phrases, Diop gives the impression that the ancestors are patient but urgent in their plea, warning the living about the dangers of neglecting tradition. The echo of these lines throughout the poem creates a haunting effect, reminding readers that the past is always present.
Secondly, the poet makes use of rhetorical questions, such as “What eyes will watch our large mouths when we lie to them?” and “What heart will listen to our clamouring lies?” These questions do not expect answers; instead, they prompt introspection. They force readers especially Africans who have embraced Westernization at the expense of their heritage to reflect on the cost of abandoning traditional values. The rhetorical structure challenges the audience to consider their role in the cultural decline and whether they still acknowledge the guidance of the dead.
Together, these devices create a reflective and solemn tone, effectively communicating the central theme of the poem: the importance of respecting and preserving African traditions. They engage the reader emotionally and intellectually, urging a return to cultural roots.
6. Poetic Devices in Vanity
In Vanity by Birago Diop, poetic devices are central to delivering the poem’s message about ancestral neglect and cultural erosion. Two major devices used are repetition and personification, both of which give the poem its haunting and reflective tone.
Repetition is one of the most dominant devices in the poem. Phrases like “If we tell, gently, gently…” and “what heart will listen to our clamourings?” are repeated with slight variations. This technique mimics the persistent voice of the ancestors and gives the poem a meditative rhythm. Repetition emphasizes the idea that the warnings of the ancestors are being ignored over and over again, generation after generation. It also reflects the cyclical nature of African oral tradition—where stories and wisdom are passed down repeatedly through retelling. This structure mirrors the poet’s cry for a return to cultural roots.
Personification is another powerful device. The dead are not just remembered; they are “clamouring”, trying to communicate, “groaning in the recesses of the earth.” The poet gives these ancestral spirits human traits, making their silence more painful because they are not truly silent they are simply unheard. This personification reinforces the idea that African ancestors are always present, offering guidance and wisdom, but the living have tuned them out in favour of modernity and westernisation.
These devices, coupled with a solemn tone, reinforce the poet’s message: the erosion of traditional values and the spiritual consequences of ignoring ancestral voices. The poem mourns a lost connection and warns that until people return to their roots, they remain spiritually empty. The devices thus not only enrich the poem aesthetically but also deepen its emotional and cultural resonance.
7. Gothic Setting in The Castle of Otranto
The castle in The Castle of Otranto is more than just a backdrop; it is a character in its own right. Horace Walpole uses the castle setting to create a mysterious, dark, and terrifying atmosphere, which is characteristic of Gothic literature.
The structure of the castle with its underground tunnels, secret passages, dungeons, and ancient relics generates a sense of entrapment and fear. These elements create suspense and suggest that danger lurks in every corner. The castle is where most of the strange, supernatural occurrences happen, such as the appearance of giant helmets and ghostly figures. These elements heighten the Gothic mood, creating a world where reason is suppressed and the irrational reigns.
Additionally, the castle represents power, decay, and ancestral curse. It is passed from one generation to another, but rather than being a source of pride, it becomes a place of doom. Its haunted atmosphere reflects the moral corruption of Manfred and his obsession with legacy and control. The setting thus mirrors the psychological states of the characters guilt, fear, obsession.
By creating a castle filled with mystery, Walpole captures the readers’ imagination and sustains tension throughout the novel. The gloomy setting not only evokes fear but also reflects the central themes of tyranny, fate, and the supernatural, making the castle a core element in defining the Gothic genre.
8. Walpole’s Prose Techniques
Horace Walpole employs various narrative techniques in The Castle of Otranto, two of which stand out: multiple narrators (framing device) and suspenseful plot development.
Firstly, Walpole begins the novel by pretending it is a translated manuscript, found in an old library in Italy. This framing device gives the story a sense of historical authenticity and mystery. By claiming that he merely translated an ancient manuscript, Walpole invites readers to suspend disbelief and immerse themselves in a tale that feels both ancient and true. This technique also connects the novel to medieval romance, enhancing its Gothic appeal.
Secondly, Walpole uses suspense and surprise to drive the plot. Events unfold rapidly and often unexpectedly: the death of Conrad, the fall of the giant helmet, Isabella’s escape, and Manfred’s descent into madness all occur with high intensity. Each chapter ends with a cliffhanger, keeping readers engaged. These fast-paced events are contrasted with deeper emotional reflections, creating a dynamic storytelling style that blends action with atmosphere.
Together, these techniques help Walpole establish The Castle of Otranto as the first true Gothic novel a blend of romance, horror, and mystery that shaped the genre for centuries.
9. Comparing Vanity and The Birches
Though written by poets from different continents and cultures, Vanity by Birago Diop and The Birches by Robert Frost share striking thematic parallels. Both poems explore reflection, disconnection from roots, and the human desire to find meaning beyond the present.
In Vanity, Diop mourns the modern African’s abandonment of ancestral wisdom. The poem critiques the blind embrace of Western ideals and the forgetting of traditional values. Similarly, The Birches captures Frost’s longing to escape adult burdens by returning to the simplicity of childhood. Climbing birch trees symbolizes a temporary escape from reality a return to innocence.
Both poems use symbolism and imagery effectively. Diop uses the voices of the dead and the imagery of winds and trees to convey ancestral presence, while Frost uses bent birch trees to symbolize the pressures of life and the longing for relief.
However, they differ in tone and purpose. Vanity is solemn, admonishing, and communal it speaks to a society losing its soul. The Birches is nostalgic and personal it’s a solitary man’s musings. Diop aims to warn and correct, while Frost seeks to soothe and imagine.
In essence, both poets use their craft to urge a return: one to ancestral values, the other to childlike wonder. The message in both is clear when we disconnect from our origins or true selves, we lose something vital.
10. Moral Lessons in She Stoops to Conquer
Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer offers several moral lessons, presented through humour and satire. One major lesson is the importance of humility and honesty in relationships. Kate Hardcastle wins Marlow’s love not through wealth or status, but by pretending to be of lower class, thereby allowing him to behave naturally. Her humility helps him overcome his shyness, teaching that love should be based on authenticity, not appearances.
Another lesson is a critique of social pretensions. Characters like Mrs. Hardcastle are obsessed with appearances and social mobility, but their plans often fail. Tony Lumpkin, who defies these conventions, ends up being more honest and helpful. This contrast suggests that character, not class, defines worth.
Goldsmith also highlights the danger of miscommunication and assumption. The entire plot revolves around Marlow mistaking a mansion for an inn. This drives much of the comedy but also warns against judging by appearances.
Finally, the play encourages reconciliation and open-mindedness. Despite misunderstandings, the characters resolve their differences, often through honest dialogue and self-realization. This moral arc reinforces the idea that truth, humility, and clear communication lead to harmony.
Student-Focused Conclusion
Students preparing for SS2 Literature-in-English exams should revise all texts covered from Weeks 1 to 12. Focus on literary terms, themes, character development, and stylistic devices. Regular revision and active reading will help deepen your understanding of both African and non-African literature.
Avoid cramming. Practice answering both objectives and theory questions regularly. Most importantly, avoid any form of examination malpractice. Your integrity is as important as your academic success.
