Literature-In-English Paper 2 Nov/Dec 2015

Question 2

     ASARE KONADU: A Woman in Her Prime

    Examine the relationship between Pokuwaa’s mother and her sons-in-law.


Observation

This was a popular question but candidates did not understand the demands of the question. They gave mere narrations of how Pokuwaa’s mother encouraged her to divorce her first two husbands.

The following points were expected from the candidates:

  • Pokuwaa marries three times, apparently unable to bear a child, she divorces Kofi Daafo and Kwaku Fosu to marry Kwadwo Fordwuo.
  • Pokuwaa’s mother’s relationship with these men hinges on her preoccupation of getting “her own grandchild.”
  • After two years of Pokuwaa’s marriage to Kofi Daafo, when she does not conceive, she discusses the issue with her mother and the marriage is dissolved.

 

 

                        

  • After three years of her marriage to Kwaku without childbirth, her mother presses her daughter to divorce him.
  • In her first month of meeting Kwadwo Fordwuo, Pokuwaa becomes pregnant. When Pokuwaa miscarries, the old woman is devasted and takes her to the medicine man. When

Pokuwaa decides to discontinue the sacrifice to Tano, the old woman accuses Kwadwo Fordwo of being responsible.

Candidates’ performance was poor.