Literature-In-English Paper 3 WASSCE (PC), 2019

Question 10

 

Explain the poet’s attitude to African traditional culture in “Vanity”.

 


Observation

 

A good number of candidates attempted this question. Many of them spoke generally of the African traditional culture without making reference to the poem.

The required answers should include:

  • The positive view of traditional culture represented by the ancestors.
  • The alienation that has ensued through the wilful neglect of ancestral guidance.
  • The consequence of the wilful neglect.
  • The placing of blame on the people themselves for their situation.
  • The people’s ineffective cry for sympathy.