Question 1
DELE CHARLEY: The Blood of a Stranger
Examine the significance of Wara’s encounters with Soko.
Observation
A good number of candidates attempted this question. Candidates only narrated the encounter of Wara and Kindo.
The following points were expected from the candidates:
- Relation to the themes of colonial exploitation, deception and greed.
- Character identification: Wara is Kindo’s woman, regarded as a stranger which she is not, Soko is the Priest of the shrine, wielding enormous spiritual power over the people.
- First encounter: the abduction of Wara. Maligu and Soko tied Wara’s hands and feet, gagged her and deliver her to Whitehead who has expressed interest in her.
- Wara’s second encounter with Soko: Wara runs away from Whitehead and encounters Soko, Soko urges Wara to run away to a neighbouring village to conceal their aborted plan.
- Significance: Wara being used to spite Kindo and subdue his influence in the land.
Candidates’ performance was fair.
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