The novel is set in Ibuza and Lagos, Nigeria.  Igbo cultural background is reflected through the characters.  However, the author uses the novel to examine certain negative cultural practices and beliefs.  These include the undue emphasis placed on the male child, the lack of free choice in marriage, the practice of polygamy, the burying of slave with owner, the belief in dibia and reincarnation.

Few candidates attempted this question, candidates performed fairly well.