Question 2
JOHN K. KARGBO: Let me Die Alone
To what extent do men feel threatened in the play?
Observation
The question is on the extent to which the men in the play feel threatened.
A correct answer should contain:
- A discussion on the theme of struggle for leadership involving the succession to power in the face of external aggression. A sub theme is the power struggle between men and women in the play.
- A clear character identification of Gbanya, Lambio, Musa and Ndapi who are the leading male characters.
- Quest of Yoko to be ruler of Mende land, Gbanya’s unwillingness to hand over power to her and Musa and Lamboi’s treachery.
- Subversion of Yoko’s authority and her death: the men; Lamboi, Musa, Ndapi and Lavalie, criticize Yoko’s expansionist warfare. Ndapi describes Yoko as greedy, insolent and power-drunk. Lamboi and Musa kidnap and murder Jeneba and frame Yoko as the murderer.
- External threat: Mende men under Yoko being forced to go to war against their wishes to satisfy Yoko’s greed for more lands.
The candidates’ performance was good.