African Prose: Unexpected Joy at Dawn by Alex Agyei-Agyiri - SS2 Literature Past Questions and Answers - page 1
What is the central theme explored in "Unexpected Joy at Dawn"?
Education
Family and community
Superstition
Political conflict
Who is the central character through whom the novella explores themes of education and cultural clash?
Osei Tutu
Mrs. Anowa
Aku-nna
Maanan
What role does the village chief, Osei Tutu, play in the novella?
He is a teacher.
He is a midwife.
He is a village chief.
He is a farmer.
Explore the theme of education in "Unexpected Joy at Dawn" and discuss how it impacts the central character, Aku-nna. Provide examples from the novella to support your analysis.
The theme of education is a significant aspect of "Unexpected Joy at Dawn." Aku-nna's desire for an education despite societal expectations reflects her determination and the changing roles of women in the village. Throughout the novella, Aku-nna's pursuit of education and her efforts to provide it for the abandoned baby demonstrate the transformative power of knowledge. Her decision to prioritize education highlights the clash between traditional values and modern aspirations and serves as a catalyst for change in the community.
Analyze the character of Osei Tutu in "Unexpected Joy at Dawn." How does his role as the village chief influence the decisions made by the community? Discuss his interactions with other characters in the novella.
Osei Tutu is a central character in "Unexpected Joy at Dawn" and plays a pivotal role as the village chief. His character embodies traditional leadership and represents the moral compass of the community. As the chief, his decisions influence the actions of the villagers, including the decision to care for the abandoned baby. Osei Tutu's interactions with Aku-nna, Maanan, and the village elders reflect the tension between tradition and change. His character highlights the challenges of navigating cultural clash and moral dilemmas in a changing society.
Discuss the relevance of "Unexpected Joy at Dawn" to today's world.
"Unexpected Joy at Dawn" is still relevant today because it explores universal themes such as family, community, love, forgiveness, and resilience. The novel also shows how these themes can help people to overcome challenges and to create a better life for themselves.
In today's world, many people are facing challenges such as poverty, inequality, and violence. The novel "Unexpected Joy at Dawn" can inspire people to overcome these challenges and to create a more hopeful future for themselves and their communities.
Which of the following is the main theme of the novel?
The importance of family and community
The power of love and forgiveness
The resilience of the human spirit
All of the above
The novel is set in which of the following countries?
Ghana
Nigeria
Kenya
South Africa
The protagonist of the novel is
Nana Adjei
Abena Amoabeng
Kofi Agyei
Adwoa Agyei
Analyze how Alex Agyei-Agyiri uses symbolism to create a sense of meaning and depth in the novel.
Alex Agyei-Agyiri uses symbolism to create a sense of meaning and depth in the novel in a number of ways. For example, he uses the symbol of the dawn to represent hope and new beginnings. Nana Adjei and Abena Amoabeng both experience unexpected joy at dawn, which symbolizes their new and hopeful future.
Agyei-Agyiri also uses the symbol of the tree to represent family and community. The tree is a strong and sturdy symbol, and it provides shelter and support for the characters in the novel.