Observation

Few candidates attempted this question. However, most of them gave a character sketch of Eugene without relating it to his views about himself and his relationship with others.

The required answers should include:

• Eugene’s hostility towards Father Amadi because the priest is non-conformist; he also hates “heathens” like his father whom he disowns and does not permit to enter his home.
• At home, his children dare not deviate from the pattern he sets for them. He punishes them excessively for living under the same roof as their own grandfather and beats Kambili severely over the incident concerning her grandfather’s portrait.
• He beats his wife Beatrice several times even when she is pregnant. She eventually poisons him rather than leave him for another woman to take.
• Eugene’s attitude towards those he hurts fuels the passion to get rid of him.