NAME: DEEPER LIFE HIGH SCHOOL

ADDRESS: IBTC, AYOBO IPAJA, LAGOS.

WEBSITE: www.dlhschools.com

E- MAIL: wwwdlhsexams@yahoo.com

SUBJECT: LITERATURE-IN-NGLISH CLASS: SS S 1 SECOND TERM

SCHEME OF WORK
SSS 1- SECOND TERM

WEEK TOPIC

1. Revision of last term’s work, background study of Harvest of Corruption by Frank

Ogodo Ogbeche and the author’s biography.
2. The plot (story line) and setting of Harvest of Corruption.
3. Subject matter, themes, characterization and characters in Harvest of Corruption.
4. Literary devices, language and style of the author of Harvest of Corruption.
5. Introduction to the poem “The Proud King” by William Morris. The author’s
background, plot, subject matter, themes, poetic devices, language and style in the
poem.
6. The biography of Amma Darko; the background study and the plot of the text-
Faceless.
7. The setting, subject matter and the themes of the text Faceless.
8. The characters, characterization, literary devices, language and style used in Faceless.
9. Introduction to the poem ‘Vanity’ by Birago Diop: The author’s background, plot,
subject matter, themes, poetic devices, language and style in the poem.
10. Revision
11. Revision
12. Examination

WEEK 1

SUBJECT: LITERATURE -IN- ENGLISH TERM: 2ND TERM

CLASS SSS: 1

TOPIC: BACKGROUND / AUTHOR’S BIOGRAPHY...

CONTENT 1: REVISION OF LAST TERM’S WORK.

2: BACKGROUND OF THE BOOK

SUB-TOPIC 1: REVISION OF LAST TERM’S WORK AND EXAMINATION QUESTIONS.

SUB-TOPIC 2: BACKGROUND OF THE BOOK

“HARVEST OF CORRUPTION”

“Harvest of corruption” by Frank Ogodo Obeche is a tragic drama. It is all about a

young female university graduate desperately looking for a job to make ends meet and
to also change her social status in the life. In the cause of getting a job, she got into
serious criminal activities and ended up in police detention after being arrested for
pushing hard drugs.

The serious and continuous warning from her friend (in scene Two .pg 10) to flee from
the dangerous Ochuole her former schoolmate could not yield positive reaction and the
result is an unwanted pregnancy and loss of her life.

The play mirrors the subtle betrayal of people’s trust leading to huge embezzlement of
public funds, drug peddling, human right abuses, forgery, moral decadency, hatred etc.
Presenting these ills in the society in the text is the Honorable Minister of External
Relations, a position that is supposed to portray a good and positive image of the nation
abroad.

The message in the book exposes and narrates the experiences of the total breakdown
of law and order in all facets of the public and political office holders. The play at a
glance suggests that moral rebirth can only be restored through the legislation and
implementation of relevant laws. This is Frank’s fulfillment of prophecy in the play.

BACKGROUND OF THE AUTHOR

Frank Ogodo Obeche hails from Yala area in Cross River state. He attended Awori-
Ajeromi Grammar school, Agboju in Lagos and the Federal school of Arts and Science,
Ogoja.

Frank obtained his first degree in communication Arts from the University of Cross River
state in 1989. Frank is a man of many parts i.e. he is a poet, a novelist, dramatist, a
journalist and a civil servant.

A dynamic playwright and an activist, his desire and aspirations are clearly shown in his
works. He has written a number of plays and poems, among which is the “Harvest of
Corruption” the book in question. His use of literary devices in his works e.g. “Harvest
of Corruption” Xtrays and drives home the message to his audience. His use of
characters such as chief Ade-Amaka the Hon. Minister, Ochuole –Admin Officer,
Andrew – the commission of police and Aloho-applicant just to mention but a few in
scene 2 pg 18-21 clearly expose the rottenness, devilish activist and the moral
decadence that exist in the Nigerian Public Officer in the play.

EVALUATION

1. From the brief background intermitted in the book, what is the role played by Chief
Ade- Amaka?
2. Mention some moral decadence evident in our society today?

GENERAL EVALUATION

Objective test

 A literary work in which actions and characters represents an idea is A) an

allusion B) an epigram C) an allegory D) an innuendo
 A writer’s choice of words is his - A) diction B) mood C) tone D) setting
  A piece of writing which teaches moral is -- A) playful B)serious C) analytical
D) didactic
 When characters talk to each other, this is referred to as A) soliloquy B)
dialogue C) monologue D) recitation
 The protagonist is the ----- A) hero B) speaker C) villain D) author

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT.

(1) Read chapters 1 -4 of the Novel “Harvest of Corruption”

(2) Narrate the story line in your own words.

PRE-READING ASSIGNMENT.

Read the text ‘Harvest of Corruption’ and comment on the plot.

WEEKEND ACTIVITY

Write the biography of your best friend.

REFERENCE TEXT

‘Harvest of Corruption’ by Frank Ogodo

WEEK 2

SUBJECT: LITERATURE-IN-ENGLISH

CLASS: SS 1

TOPIC: PLOT AND SETTING IN “HARVEST OF CORRUPTION”

CONTENT 1: Plot of the text

2: Setting of the text

Sub-topic 1: Plot of the text

‘Harvest of Corruption’ is a literary text and it is written in eight scenes and well
arranged chronologicaly. The plot revolves around Chief Ade-Amaka, Aloho and
Ochuole.

The play opens at the office Corridor of the Honorable Minister. Aloho wandering in
search of a job met Ochuole her old school mate at the end of the office corridor.
Both girls discuss their past lives, the old good days in the university and the new found
life, what they have been able to achieve. All issues discussed by the two characters
Aloho and Ochuole ends positively.

Aloho, a born again Christian was unhappy with the present state of her life. She sees
and rates Ochuole as a fulfilled lady working in a big office of a Hon. Minister in the
Federal Capital, Abuja, Nigeria. Ochuole promised to help Aloho get a job in the
Minister’s office which she did, but with a dubious, deceptive and corrupt mind to use
Aloho make money. Illustration is on page 33-36.

The entire atmosphere seems comfortable and welcoming, scene 1 pgs. 3-4.

The journey into real life situation for the mischievous plan to hatch started with an
invitation to go for relaxation in a hotel with Chief Ade-Amaka- the Hon. Mnister,
Achuole and Aloho.

At the hotel, assorted strong drinks were served. Aloho an epitome of the Christian
faith held unto her faith, not to taste any strong drink as is illustrated on pgs. 40-42.

Warnings from Ogeyi Aloho’s friend and land lady not to have anything to do with the
notorious Ochuole fell on deaf ears. In no distant time, Aloho came to trust and rely on
the Hon. Minister not knowing that the man was a vampire politician, corrupt, a drug
trafficker and a cultist, who is ready to use her for money?
She was asked by the Hon. Minister to travel to the U.S.A. with some documents
whose details she was unaware of. To her greatest surprise, the said documents in
the bag turned out to be a pack of cocaine. She was later caught at the Airport with the
dangerous substance by the law enforcement agents, and was detained in police
custody on pg. 46-49 i illustrate the shameful scene.

The Minister’s influence on the law enforcement agents paves way for Aloho’s release.
She is left with shame, despite, anguish and she lost peace with God. She later
discovered, she was pregnant for Chief Ade- Amaka, the Minister. She sought to
commit abortion from different clinics, but to no avail. This painful moment is illustrated
on pgs 65-77.

The news of Chief Ade-Amaka and Aloho’s secret affairs spread like wild fire in the
community. Aloho went back to the village empty and defiled. She later died during
child birth.

The Honourable Minister had to bribe the commissioner of police, the Chief Judge and
all who were involved in the case, to retain his position. Luck however was not on his
side as the case came up in court and he was found guilty of all the charges against him.
At the end, he and all his cohorts went to jail.

EVALUATION

1. (a) Who is the heroine in the literary text ‘Harvest of Corruption’?

(b) Who is the hero?
2. How was Aloho deceived?
3. Can we say that Ochuole is justified by her actions?

Sub. Topic: 2 – Setting in the “Harvest of Corruption”

“HARVEST OF CORRUPTION “is a contemporary social issue of our time which runs in all
facets of the public service. It is set in Abuja the Federal Capital of Nigeria in 1997 to
expose the evils of our present day leaders in the country.

The play revolves around a highly placed personality, (who is supposed to preserve our
traditional norms,) policy makers and law enforcement officers at the Federal level.
Characterization is tailored to reflect injustice in the country’s seat of government and
the corruptions inherent in our public offices.
It is set during the political era. The actions in the play took place in the office of the
Minister in the most popular hotel in the Federal Capital territory (real name of hotel
withheld) and in the house of Ogeyi the poor receptionist
Visible also in the play is the pandemonium that took place at the airport, where Aloho
was arrested with the substances. The market woman is not left out in the story as she
uses her language of communication to express her prices in the local market.

EVALUATION.
Objective test.
 Aloho was arrested because… (a) She is the Minister’s girlfriend. (b) She is a
drug pusher. (c) She uses bad language at the Airport. (d) She is a beautiful
girl from the city.
 The play “Harvest of Corruption” is set during. (a) A military regime (b)
colonial rule (c) Deeper Life High School (d) political era.
 Chief Ade-Amaka and Aloho were involved in ………………….. (a) Party
affair (b) secret affair (c) class affair (d) political affair.
 What are the duties of our law enforcement agents? (a) To collect money
from people and run away. (b) To enforce law and order in the country. (c)
To encroach into secret affairs (d) to look after ministers.
 GENERAL EVALUATION

Objective Test

(1) Briefly narrate the story line in the “Harvest of Corruption”.

(2) Ochuole is an epitome of ___________ comment.
(3) Honourable Ministers live and work at the _____________
(a) At the local government area
(b) Federal capital territory
(c) At the development area.
(d) In the classroom.

Essay Test

Discuss the genre of literature with reference to literary work.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

 Comment on the incidence that took place at the Airport in the book, “Harvest of
Corruption” by Frank Ogodo Obeche
 According to the story line, what are the main issues in the “Harvest of
Corruption

PRE-READING ASSIGNMENT

Read notes on plot and setting only.

WEEKEND ACTIVITY

Justify the setting in ‘Harvest of Corruption’.

REFERENCE TEXT

‘Harvest of Corruption’ by Frank Ogodo Ogbeche

WEEK 3

SUBJECT: LITERATURE-IN-ENGLISH

TOPIC: SUBJECT MATTER / THEMES, CHARACTERIZATION / CHARACTERS

CONTENT 1: SUBJECT MATTER / THEMES

2: CHARACTERIZATION / CHARACTERS.

SUB. TOPIC 1: SUBJECT MATTER/ THEMES

The subject matter in the “Harvest of Corruption” runs through the play. The play
focuses essentially on sexual immorality, bribery, large scale embezzlement in official
quarters, drug trafficking and smuggling involving highly placed personalities. More to
these, young and innocent Nigerians are introduced to criminality in the name of
money-making and high standard living.

THEMES

Themes in the play “Harvest of Corruption”

 The theme of corruption shows how desperate and corrupt are leaders on
the top cadre in the government. The theme illustrates the highest level of
atrocities our leaders are involved in. These atrocities are visible in the
characters of the Hon. Minister, the Commissioner of Police and the Chief Judge.
 The theme of deception: In the quest to make money, Ochuole, who is supposed
to be a friend, turns out to be a foe to her friend. She is deceptive as she exhibits
the attributes of the devil to make Aloho to believe a lie and deceit.
 Theme of social degeneration: This theme evolves from the central theme of
corruption. It stresses that social rebirth can come only after the pervasive decay,
 rot and corruption in the land has been uprooted and replaced by a virtuous upright
and honest leadership. This virtue depicts the mind of the writer Frank Ogodo.
Theme of harvest. This theme fits into the popular adage that says, “what a man
sows, he shall surely reap” We see the evil deeds of those involved in devilish
activities in the play, such as Chief Ade- Amaka – the corrupt Hon. Minister, Ochuole
– the deceptive Admin. Officer, Andrew the corrupt commissioner of police, the
corrupt Chief Judge and the desperate Aloho all had their reward of punishment.
They sowed wickedness and corruption, and got their harvest of doom, shame and
death.

EVALUATION

1. What was the dream of Frank Ogodo in his book “Harvest of Corruption”.
(a) To eradicate corruption and wickedness in our society
(b) To love all the politicians of our time.
(c) To judge the Hon. Minister.
(d) To strengthened the police.
2. Mention the themes discussed in the text and write brief notes on two of them.
3. The act of deception can be compared to the activities of …
(a) Police (b) principal (c) devil (d) the Hon. Minister.

Sub-topic 2: CHARACTERIZATION/CHARACTERS

CHARACTERIZATION

Characterization in “Harvest of Corruptions” is carefully and well formed to suit the

situation and the people they represent...

Characterization is tragic; as we see in the play all those who started the journey to get
the best in life met their doom either by death or being jailed because of over ambition.
The characters are used to conform and attempt to correct the ills and to expose moral
and social decadence in the society.

The writer employs other characters who are faithful, honest and responsible to reveal
to his audience that positive changes are possible. This he illustrates in the character of
Yalabu the Asst. Commissioner of police pg. 64-65 who expose his corruptive boss and
brought him to book.

The madman on pg. 23-24 is not left out as he appears to be a symbol of correction. He
laments and makes reference to the attitudes of the social leaders.

CHARACTERS

Below are the major characters in Harvest of Corruption:-

1. ALOHO
She is a flat character because there is no real change in her social status. She is
from a poor family and a village girl who is not exposed to the prevalent social
maladies and corruptive activities, in the city. This is revealed in the way she accepts
errands without minding the consequences of such actions. This is illustrated on
page 45-49. Though a village girl, she is over ambitious, intelligent and is ready to go
for any kind of job. She is cheap and easy going. Aloho represents the poor and the
innocent.
2. CHIEF ADE-AMAKA
Chief Ade-Amaka is a great politician and holding a very sensitive post in the play.
His character depicts and represents the top government office holders of our time.
Though important personnel, he is mischievous and ready to go to any level to bribe
his way through. He sponsors and lures young innocent girls abroad to push hard
drug for him. He is a drunkard, corrupt and irresponsible politician who breaks the
law of the land to fulfil his evil desires. On page 39-42 illustrates his activities with
 Ochuole, Aloho and the commissioner of police. The play ends with all of them
thrown into jail as the law of the land caught up with them.

3. OCHUOLE
Achuole is a complete contrast to Aloho’s behaviour in the play. She is gregarious
and an extrovert. In the play, she is out going and mixes up with all kinds of
behaviours. Ochuole’s personality is to expose the working class ladies in the city.
She is mischievous has a character of a double sides of a coin. She is deceptive as
she portrays the attributes of a good friend physically but inwardly is a ravening wolf
in sheep clothing.
EVALUATION
1. Briefly comment on the character of Achuole.
2. Aloho in the play is an epitome of a------ (a) hostile girl (b) innocent girl (c) city girl
(d) High school girl.
3. Ochuole and Aloho are friends. True or False.

GENERAL EVALUATION

(i) Among the three characters discussed who among them is the most outgoing?
(ii) A character in “sheep’s clothing” means: (a) being (b) deceiver (c) double
standard (d) friendly
(iii) Discuss briefly the driving force behind Chief Ade-Amaka’s drug pushing.
(iv) What is the main issue in the “Harvest of Corruption”?
(v) Give account of the three major characters in the “Harvest of Corruption”.

(vi) What is the subject matter in the “Harvest of Corruption”?

(vii) Mention two characters that went to jail?

(a) Ochuole and Aloho

(b) Ogeyi and Aloho
 (c) Chief Ade-Amaka and Ochuole
(d) Andrew and Yakubu.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

(i) Write short notes on four characters in the “Harvest of Corruption”

(ii) What is characterization?

PRE-READING ASSIGNMENT

Read the notes and character and characterization.

WEEKEND ACTIVITY

Comment briefly on two themes in the ‘Harvest of Corruption’.

REFERENCE TEXT

‘Harvest of Corruption’ by Frank Ogodo Ogbeche

WEEK 4

SUBJECT: LITERATURE-IN-ENGLISH

CLASS: SS 1

TOPIC: LITERARY DEVICES / LANGUAGE /STYLE

CONTENT 1: LITERARY DEVICES

2: LANGUAGE/ STYLE

Sub-topic 1: LITERARY DEVICES

Frank Ogodo writes in the norm of literary devices of his locality and period. He employs the
techniques of dialogue, suspense and soliloquy in “Harvest of Corruption” to illustrate all
points of view and themes discussed.
His use of dialogue in the book, clearly illustrates how characters converse and act their roles
on stage for clear comprehension of his audience. Scene one opens with Aloho and Ochuole an
stage exchanging pleasantries and throwing questions at one another as we hear comments
such as :”where have you been all these years” “What is the matter? “Ochuole my dear, what
is really happening?”

Another notable device used is soliloquy. This the writer uses to express serious events in the
play. This is revealed in scene three pg.55-57 as Yakubu, the Assistant commissioner of police
laments and mutters inaudible words.

Another device Frank Ogodo uses is suspense to sustain interest. The audience wanders what
will be the fate Aloho after she has been caught with the dangerous substances at the Airport.

He also employs the use of colloquial language to satisfy and meet the needs of the less
privileged, the illiterate and the downtrodden as we see in words like “a begi”“gu afjunu ma
daughter” “Ah hope an dan helep you ma pikin?” to create humor.

EVALUATION

(i) Why does Frank use literary devices such as dialogue and suspense in his book?
“Harvest of Corruption”.
(ii) Give examples of a colloquial language in the “Harvest of Corruption”

SUB-TOPIC 2: – STYLE AND LANGUAGE

The play is structured into eight scenes. The structure of the sentences are simple, choice
of words are familiar and easy to comprehensible by all levels of people.

He employs lots of stylistic varieties to make his work interesting. Mostly, his work is
structured in simple and compound sentences to give direct and first-hand knowledge and
information to his audience, as we see in sentences like: “Look at me” “What have I done?”
“I am a change woman now” “Be bold and god understands everybody.” “She tried
desperately to commit abortion which I dissuaded her” These are sentences that the
primary school child and the drop out can comprehend.
 The language and diction are satisfied to denote their social classes as we hear in the
language of the market woman, the police, the Hon. Minister, the lawyer and even the
madman. Generally, the author of the book is able to serve all categories of the audience.

EVALUATION

1. Is the madman, one of the characters in the Harvest of Corruption? (a) No (b) yes (c)
not certain (d) all of the above.
2. Among these sentences, one is the sentences of the market woman. (a) Prices are
cheap (b) an hope ah den helep you (c) what have I done? (d)
3. How many styles as discussed Frank uses, in his book “Harvest of Corruption” (a) 3
(b) 4 (c) 6 (d) 2
4. Who was caught at the Airport? (a) Ochuote (b) chief Ade-Amaka (c) Aloho (d) the
police

GENERAL EVALUATION

1. Discuss the literary devices use in the “Harvest of Corruption” by Frank

2. The play is structured into: (a) 8 scenes (b) 5 scenes (c) 2 scenes (d) 10 scenes.
3. The play opens with two characters on stage, who are they? (a) Chief and Ade-
Amaka
(b) Andrew and Yakubu.
(c) Ochuole and Aloho
(d) Aloho and Madam Hoha.
4. Give examples of a dialogue as used in the book “Harvest of Corruptions”

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

Read the book “Harvest of Corruption” and give a full account of the literary devices as used in
the book.

PRE- READING ASSIGNMENT

 Read the notes on stylistics analysis.

 WEEKEND ACTIVITY

Read the notes on literary devices.

REFERENCE TEXT

‘Harvest of Corruption’ by Frank Ogodo Ogbeche

WEEK: 5

SUBJECT: LITERATURE-IN ENGLISH

TOPIC: NON AFRICAN POEM “THE PROUD KING” BY WILLIAMS MORRIES

CONTENTS 1: BACKGROUND/AUTHOR/SETTING /PLOT.

2: SUBJECT MATTER/ THEMES/ POETIC DEVICES/ LANGUAGE AND

STYLE

SUB-TOPIC 1: BACKGROUND/AUTHOR/SETTING /PLOT

THE BACKGROUND, AUTHOR, SETTING AND PLOT OF THE POEM.“ THE PROUD KING” BY
WILLIAM MORRIES

THE BACKGROUND/ AUTHORORISATION OF THE PROUD KING.

William Morries (1834-1896) was born at Walthamstow and educated at Marlboro Rough and
Oxford. While at the university he began to write narrative verses. He developed his talent for
poetry after he made acquaintance of the Rosseths in London.

His hatred of ugliness of commercial Victorian England led him to oppose the capitalist system
under which, he considered, ugliness had flourished. He became socialist and befriended
writers of his time like John Burns, Sidney Webb and George Bernard Shaw. In his tight
schedules, he yet found the time and energy to write a great deal of prose and verse. He greatly
loved Chaucer’s narrative skill and it was one of his aims in poetry to recapture the story-telling
power of the old master.

The whole of the life of this warm-hearted and vigorous man was devoted to a crusade to
bring back beauty to England. He campaigned ceaselessly against the ugliness of
commercialism. He got his inspiration from the titled ‘the earthly paradise’ to write about the
‘proud king’.

THE SETTING

The poem is set during the Middle Ages when the kings or emperors held enormous power over
their realm. One of their past times hobby is hunting which they did with whole state’s
paraphernalia.

The actions in the play moves from the palace and the forest where his ordeal begins and
enroute the Hermit’s hut.

PLOT

In this poem, William Morries tells the story of a proud king named- Jovinian, whose success
makes him compare himself to God. George traces the story of the king from birth to how God
advanced him so much above his predecessors.

He had large realms, more numerous titles and became most powerful. Above all was hale and
hearty from his youthful days.

Then came an evening in May, when he began to muse over his authority, power and
possession and began to imagine if he was not God, at least while alive. He even imagined that
he may not even die because of the health had bestowed with. He thought about all of these
and slept off.

The next day he calls his lieutenants together to go hunting. Soon, he cites a game (a hart) and
gives chase, because his horse is so powerful. He outruns all the others and soon finds himself
all alone beside a river. He decides to wait for the others and take that time to refresh himself
in the river.

Coming out of the river, he found his royal garments missing and his horse gone. He shouted
and called to no avail. He decides to go to the nearest lord’s abode- a ranger. The gateman in
the premises is incredulous, that this naked nonentity man calls himself a king. The Lord came
around and turns him away from his house.

He goes to another ranger, his direct minister who will rather cloth and feed him, only that he
ceases to address himself as king. He storms away from the premises in annoyance.

In the mid-night, the new king (impersonator) passes by with a routine of soldiers; he accosted
the king claiming that he is a usurper. The king decided to forgive his rudeness and toss him a
coin to buy items of clothing with a warning not to come into the city.
By now, Jovinian is totally frustrated. He lies down by the side of the road and sleeps off. The
next day, he walks towards the city. He joins himself to a florist taking his ware to the city. He
hides himself among the flowers and is taken to the palace. He rushes through the gate and
towards the king’s court. He is however arrested by the guards and taken to the king. He
challenges the king again.

The king brings out his wife who does not recognize him, same with every member of his
supposed household. The king decides not to kill or punish him and is pushed out of the palace.

As he comes out of the city, he beholds the hut of a wise man that he used to go whenever he
had problem. He goes into the hut, perhaps the hermit will recognize him, but alas, the man
becomes annoyed for taking himself to be the king.

It is then, the king is completely broke down. He falls on his knees and begins to supplicate to
God, confessing his sins right from youth. He prays to be restored back to his estate, and if not,
for grace to manage his present situation so that he will not be made a monster.

Hardly has he finished prayer than the Hermit comes back to him and expresses his recognition.
The hermit gives him food and clothing to put on, and then releases him to go to his palace.

Surprisingly, nobody stops him as he enters the city. He enters the palace for everybody to be
making allegiance to him. He meets his wife asleep in the inner court. Besides her, was an angel
who begins to tell Jovinian the reasons for his plight and that he has learnt his lesson and is
restored back to his estate.

The angel departs and the servants enter to announce that the lords are waiting for his lordship
in the court room.

So, Jovinian the proud king is humbled and keep ruminating about the incidence almost all the
rest of his life, until later in his life, he decides to put the experience down in a record so that
his offspring can learn.

Unfortunately, the new king takes no heed; he goes about with same pride that his predecessor
is chastised for. As for wether God will punish the new king or not, the writer confesses he
does not know. He only appeals to whoever is in power to know and acknowledge the
sovereignty of God over his creatures.

EVALUATION

1. Experience is the best teacher how is this common saying true in the poem “The proud
king”?
2. The proud king is a didactic poem. Discuss.
 3. Narrate the plot of the poem “The proud king by William Morries.
4. Explain how the poem “the proud king” fits into the age it was written?
5. What factors influenced William Morries in his poem the proud king?

Sub-topic 2: THEME/POETIC/LANGUAGE/STYLE.

THEMES IN ‘THE PROUD KING’

1. Disgraceful outcome of pride.

2. The supremacy of God over creation.
3. The incorrigible nature of man.
4. God’s intervention in the affairs of man.
5. The deceitfulness of riches.

DISGRACEFUL OUTCOME OF PRIDE

True to the saying,” pride goes before a fall” king Jovinian is brought down from his high tower
of pride by God almighty. He has earlier mused on his bed how great he and his wonders if he
were no God while he lives. God hears it and sets to humble the so proud king. The man that is
born in royalty, who has never seen affliction, finds himself naked, and hungry in the course of
a day. All the people he has ever helped and even people in his own household deny him. He
becomes a cast away and a destitute begging for food and clothes until he comes to himself
and acknowledges God as the only savior.

SUPREMACY OF GOD OVER CREATION

God is supreme, and has power over his creation. When he decides to deal with king Jovinian,
he does it without any outside help. He strips him off whatever swells his head and nobody
recognizes him at all, even his own wife. Even after the incident, nobody knows that the king is
ever away from them. The rangers and their servants will swear they have never insulted the
king. The wonderful thing of all, is that nobody can hardly believe Jovinian if he tells them about
it. After his restoration nobody remembers any poor person that lays claim to the throne just
the previous day nor does his wife believe that she has ever denied her dear husband. Indeed,
it is only the hermit who God opens his eyes after he has first denied the king to acknowledge
him and take him in. God is indeed sovereign.

THE INCORRIGIBLE NATURE OF MAN

Although the king put down the experience of his disgrace in black and white, the king that
succeeded him fails to take heed. He goes in the same path of pride and ego, centeredness.
The writer, while confessing that he doesn’t know whether any punishment come upon him
shows that man is incorrigible. He does not learn from history until he becomes a victim.
GOD’S INTERVENTION IN THE AFFAIRS OF MEN

God truly intervenes in the affairs of men. We see the moment king Jovinain realizes his
destitution, nothingness and prays to God to help him. So that he will not be a monster. He
confesses his sins from youth; it is there that God use the hermit to restore him to the throne.
So God intervenes in the affairs of his creatures if we acknowledge him.

THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES

We see how deceitful riches can be. The rangers, the king requests help from, turns him away
and is satisfied with the riches in his estate and domain. Again, even king Jovinian, before this
experience is so satisfied that he never believes there is any power or circumstances that can
prevail over him.

EVALUATION

 “No mortal man wields absolute power. How is this saying true in the poem” the proud
king” by William Morries?
 Outline the themes in the poem and write on any two.

SUB-TOPIC 2: POETIC DEVICES /LANGUAGE AND STYLE.

POETIC DEVICES

The proud king is a metaphysic poem which relies on clever or surprising comparison to make a
statement. This type of poem is characterized by simple verse forms and octo-syllabic couplets,
quatrains and stanzas in which length of line and rhyme scheme enforce the sense with that
aura of sublimity.

It is a narrative poem made up of eight hundred and nine lines divided into 7-line stanzas,
making one hundred and seven stanzas in all.

DICTION: Despite being a prosaic poem, the words in conformity to the metaphysic poem are
simple and straightforward. The increase given to poets is judiciously used by William Morries
in the form of inversion of sentence structure. This he does to ensure that the poem rhymes as
intended.

However, some archive and obsolete words are used that can pose a problem (example
between got, give, ere, gain etc.)

RHYME: The end words are skillfully schemed in such a way that all of the stanzas rhymed in
the same scheme i.e. ababbcc.
ALLITERATION: To accentuate the rhythmic quality of the poem, alliteration is widely employed
throughout the poem.

Dread or doubt (L.22)

Flesh or fell (L.127)

Visage-vanished (L141)

Great- gifts to thee may give (1.378).

RHETORICAL QUESTIONS: A lot of these are used as expected from a troubled mind, a
frustrated person asking questions why so much has come against him.

Example: thou may not/ rise higher yet, nor like poor wretched die?

“What need we have for temple or for priest?”

Am I not God, whiles that I have at least?

SIMILE: A few of comparisons are made in the novel in simile. Example. And richer than the
emperor is today. “Nor like poor wretches die. A sleep, as one a spell binds suddenly.

METAPHOR: A few of this is also put to use. Example

A scanty crop had spring from that good seed.

Take thou thy wages too.

If thou will give me of thy forest weed.

ALLUSION: The poem is a whole lot of allusion to the Bible. It reminds one of the Bible story
about king Nebuchadnezzar who uttered similar words of pride and God turned him to an
animal. He remained an animal for a better part of seven years before he is restored back to his
throne.

Further references to the Bible can be found in the poem. In his lines 203 Noah’s flood is
mentioned. The story of the good Samaritan is also attended to in lines 369 -370 of the poem.

EVALUATION

 Write briefly on the language and style of the poet “the proud king”.
 With close reference to the poem “the proud king” pick out five (5) poetic devices used
by the author.
GENERAL EVALUATION

OBJECTIVE TEST

1. What type of poem is the proud king?

(A) Pastoral poem (B) narrative poem (C) pastoral elegy (D) Ballad.
2. William Morries got his inspiration from a book titled------------
(A) Paradise lost (B) Anthology of poems (C) “The earthly paradise (D) complete works of
Shakespeare.
3. One of the great writers that mentored William Morries in his narrative skill is--------------
(A) Bernard Shaw (B) John Burns (C) Chaucer (D) Rossettis.
4. At the Hermit hut, the king Jovinian was given food and clothing and---------- (A)
Restored (B) Ran after a game hart. (C) Stopped to refresh by the river side. (D) Sent
away by the new king.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT:

Read pageant of longer poems edited by E. W Parker “The proud king” (pages221-244).

PRE-READING ASSIGNMENT

Read about ‘vanity’ by Birago Diop from African verse ( pages 107).

WEEKEND ACTIVITY:

Paraphrase the poem vanity by Birago Diop.

REFERENCE TEXTS:

1. Pageant of longer poems edited by E.W Parker, Longman.

2. The African verse.

WEEK 6
SUBJECT: LITERATURE-IN-ENGLISH
CLASS: SS 1
TOPIC: Biography of the writer/ the background study of the text and the plot of the text-
Faceless
CONTENT 1: The author’s biography and the background study of the text.
2: The plot of the text.
Sub-Topic 1: The author’s biography and the background study of the text.
Sub-topic 1: The Author’s Biography
Amma Darko is a Ghanaian. She was born in Koforidua, Ghana and grew up in Accra, the capital
of Ghana. She had her education in Kumasi where she received her diploma in 1980. Her name
‘amma’ means Saturday because she was born on Saturday. Afterwards she worked for the
Technology Consultancy Centre. Her first novel was published in a German translation in 1991
and was published in its English original in the Heinemann African Writers Series in 1995 as the
Beyond the Horizon. In between Beyond the Horizon and Faceless, there is The Housemaid, also
published in both German Translation and in the Heinemann African Writers Series in 1998. Her
books are on the fate of the deprived in the society and the male warped world.
The Background Study of the Text
In Ghana, the male world is twisted and out of place. They do not follow what is known to be a
‘man’s world’. They do not take responsibility for their home; rather the women feed the
family. They oppress their female and maltreat them. Children after school help their mother to
sell goods, clean shops and serve in so-called chop bars, where Ghanaians buy their snack. Their
education is free for the primary education, still children in the rural northern areas and
abandoned children in the cities do not attend school regularly. Such is the situation in the book
Faceless. Ma Tsuru, the tragic figure in the story suffered from her husband’s cruelty and had
her life drag in mud of shame before her society. Her poverty and illiteracy snatched her
remained joy from her when she married Kpakpo, a very dubious man.
Baby T was sent to the market of prostitution and was found dead in a slum. Wanting to know
the course of her sister’s death, Fofo went on an investigating task. It was at this time that she
met Kabria, a member of a NGO (Non Governmental Organisation) who helped her to the root
of the matter.
The fate of the women in the society is what Amma Darko concentrated on squarely. And she
successfully plays it out through the street children’s narrative which allows her the scope for
powerful social commentary that demonstrates the personal tragedy of every child that ends
up on the street. She seems to be asking if there is any hope for the nation considering the lot
of Baby T in the novel and remembering the words of assassinated US presidents John F
Kennedy which reads ‘The future promise of any nation can be directly measured by the
present prospect of its youth’.

EVALUATION
 What is the title of Amma Darko’s second literary work?
 In your own words, describe the emotional trauma of Ma Tsuru in the story.

Sub-topic 2: The Plot

The story is about the investigation of the death of Baby T. She is a child prostitute whose body
is found naked and mutilated in a market place. Darko tactfully reveals the detail of Baby T’s
death through her sister Fofo, a fourteen year old girl. She wanted to know the course of her
sister’s death and in the process of time, she comes in contact with Kabria, A Non
Governmental Organization member called MUTE.

The father, Kwei had left her mother, Ma Tsuru, after a thorough beating in an attempt to abort
her pregnancy because she is too fertile. She is left to look after herself and four children. The
boys in the family support the family with the little they get from the fishing activities. Life
continues until tragedy struck. Their mother decides to re-marry and she unfortunately gets
into the hands of a rapist; in fact, a devil. The new husband, Kpakpo, cuts the tie that binds the
family. The two boys unable to stand the nightly sound that comes from a shared bedroom
leave the house. And as they leave, the family incomes also left with them. Kpakpo gains the
advantage of their departure to rape and abuse Baby T who is now without protection. Confuse
and perplex she confides in a neighbor who further worsen the situation.

As Fofo tries to uncover the mystery behind her sister’s death, she meets with so many
challenges from the local thug. Poison, the kingpin of the local thugs threatens, but her courage
and determination with the help of Kabira carries her through. Kabria, a housewife, mother and
a member of the NGO is expected to meet up with all her activities without complaint. Her
husband expects her to wait at the door to welcome him home and collect his bag from him. He
shows her no mercy.

Baby T was actually at a strait now; she is as confused as the word confusion. Kpakpo, her step-
father is having his conscience pricking him and her presence in the house is a thorn in his flesh.
To silence his conscience he plays on Ma Tsuru’s ignorance and sends Baby T to his distant
relative who is actually a Madame. By this, Baby T is sold into prostitution. This is indeed
misery; cut off from home, left alone to face the cruel hands of her clients.

EVALUATION
 Who is the neighbour that Baby T confided in? Describe him.
 ‘The promise of any nation can be directly measure by the present prospect of its
youth’. Discuss.

GENERAL EVALUATION

Objective tests

 The term genre refers to A) literature style B) branches of literature C) plot of a

novel
D) Principles of literature
  One of the following is not a form in poetry A) trio let B) iambus C) duet D) romantic
poetry
 Stream of consciousness is not one of the followings
A) a technique that is used in writing fictions
B) a technique peculiar to story telling
C) Description of the innermost thought of a character by an author
D) A body of consciously flowing water
 One of the following poets is not an Anglophone poet. A) Christopher Okigbo B) J.
P. Clark C) Micheal Dei-Anang C) L.S. Senghor
 The writer of an autobiography is a(n)
A) 1st person narrator B) 2nd person narrator C) omniscience narrator D)3rd
person narrator

Essay test
 Explain the role Fofo played in the story.
 What are the functions of NGO in the society?

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

 Identify the setting of the story.

PRE-READING ASSIGNMENT

Read chapters 4 and 5 of the text and write short notes on the subject matter.

WEEKEND ACTIVITY

List five activities in the society of Fofo.

REFERENCE TEXT

Faceless by Amma Darko

WEEK 7

SUBJECT: LITERATURE-IN-ENGLISH

CLASS: SS 1

TOPIC: Setting, subject matter and themes

CONTENT 1: The setting of the story.

 2: The subject matter and themes.

Sub-topic 1: The Setting of the Story

The geographical setting is a market place in Agbobgloshie, a slum area in Accra, the capital of
Ghana. A slum area is a poor area that is always overcrowded and the housing is typically in a
bad condition. The name given to it explains the activity of the dwellers; Sodom and Gomorrah.
In the Bible, Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed by God because of their fornication. The
dwellers in this place do not regard the law of God and that is why they can engage themselves
in this cancerous deed. Unfortunately for Fofo and her sister, they find themselves in this slum
where prostitutes are raised. It is a community full of vices. Kpakpo, Onko and Poison are the
perpetrators of evil in the community, a chauvinistic community; their characters highlight the
predominant truth and nastiness of the whole streetism and gang phenomena. The character
Kabria, the middle class agency worker lives in the ‘urban posh area’, while Fofo lives in the
rural area. The location of the story allows Darko the scope for powerful social commentary
that demonstrates the personal tragedy of each and every child that ends up on the streets.

EVALUATION

 Baby T is a victim of circumstance. Discuss.

SUBJECT MATTER

The pains in Darko’s heart are the future hope of a nation that relegates the training of her
future leaders to the background and the suffering of women in a community of drifters and
hustlers. Children are the hope of any nation and if they are not taken care of, what tragedy will
befall such nation when there is no leader to rule the nation. According to her, it is children and
the way they are treated that are the true measure of how societies are judged. It is through
their eyes that the answer to the myriad moral predicament that the society finds itself in, are
to be found. But, Darko does not leave us in this confusion of ‘where do we go from here?’, she
offers hope in the form of Fofo, who at the end of the story looks set on the right road, and in
the form of MUTE, a NGO, whose members are the positive role models of the novel.

The discrimination against women is a pervasive subject in the novel and symbolically Baby T is
representative of the sins visited upon all women in a society where from birth women are
discriminated against and made responsible not only for their sins, but for those of men in
society. Ma Tsuru suffered the consequence of Kwei’s action of neglect. Ruined by the men in
her life and weighed down by poverty, illiteracy and shame, she takes money from Onko and
her daughter is deceitfully taken away from her.
THEMES

 Rape

When Baby T was deserted by her father, her step father exposes her to maltreatment when
he successfully drives her two brothers away from home. This leaves Baby T at his mercy and he
sexually abuses her. Hurt and confused, she confides in a family friend, Onko, who brutally
rapes her.

 Poverty

Poverty is a disease that eats deeply into one’s life. The beginning of Ma Tsuru‘s problem is
poverty. It was poverty that made her husband to leave her because he cannot afford to take
care of the family especially when his wife had another baby that he never wanted. After his
departure from home, Ma Tsuru had to look for another man who will help her to bear her
burden, but unfortunately she finds the one that added to her burden.

 Broken home
The effect of broken homes on children cannot be overemphasized It is the major cause
of juvenile delinquency. The children on the streets are suffering from negligence on the
part of their parents. And from the story, it is observed that broken home promotes the
parents negligence. Ma Tsuru inability to care for the family singlehandedly makes her
to breakdown emotionally and psychologically.

EVALUATION
 How does Amma Darko highlight the theme of women discrimination in Faceless, in
the background of certain character?
 How true is Faceless in relation to life experiences?

GENERAL EVALUATION
Objective tests
 The ---- is a prose form in which some events, names or date are discussed.
A) Fictional story B) non-fictional story C) biographer novel D) autobiography novel
 --------- is the literary form commonly written to judge a character against public moral
A) The satire B) pun C) subject matter D) farce
 The use of the name of a part of human body to make some literary senses is
A) symbolism B) syllepsis C) sarcasm D) synecdoche
 --------- is the arrangement of the sequence of events in a story
A) Theme B) Plot C) Setting D) Character
 The figure of speech that exaggerates a piece of information beyond proportion is called
 A) metonymy B) Rhapsody C) hyperbole D) epigram

Essay test
 Write short notes on the followings
 poetic device
 conflict
 flashback

Study the poem below and answer the questions that follow

‘Weep not child, weep not my darling

With these kisses let me remove your tears

The ravening clouds shall not long be victorious

They shall no longer possess the sky’.

 What is the tone of the poem?

 Interpret line three.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

 Discover other themes in the story and comment on them.

PRE-READING ASSIGNMENT

Read the text Faceless by Amma Darko

WEEKEND ACTIVITY

Is the action of Fofo in leaving the house for the street justifiable? Comment.

REFERENCE TEXT

Faceless by Amma Darko

WEEK 8

SUBJECT: LITERATURE-IN-ENGLISH

CLASS SS 1

TOPIC: Characterisation, Literary devices, Language and Style of Amma Darko

CONTENT 1: CHARACTERIZATION

There are many characters in this novel. None of them is developed enough into round
characters. They are all flat characters painted with a straightjacket paint brush. It is either they
are completely bad or perfectly good. Some of the characters are outlined below.

Fofo

She is the lead character. The story centres on her life in the street. She moved into the street
to beg because her family could not afford to care for her siblings. She finally abandons home
to live permanently on the street with a gang, stealing, begging and prostituting. Even up to the
point she was being rehabilitated to MUTE. Fofo had no other traits to parade outside the
stereotyped street girl vices she had grown up with. Her new resolution to quit gang life,
drinking and start scrubbing carrots in the market did little to redeem her image.

Odarley

She is a friend of Fofo. They live on the street together. Her mother sent her out of the house
because she is troublesome. According to Fofo, “Odarley’s mother sacks her like a fowl when
she goes to see her. She says Odarley is thief”. She is into all the vices associated with street
girls in the novel.

Nii Kpakpo

He is the small and deceitful step father of Fofo. His coming into the home of Maa Tsuru drove
Fofo and Baby T away from the house. Her two elder brothers had earlier left their home to
God knows where because they could not tolerate his unwelcome presence. He attempted to
rape Baby T once in their mother’s absence. He engineered Baby T’s relocation to a whore
house to make money for the family. He is a dubious man. He duped many unsuspecting
tenants of their money with his one room allocation at his family house in central Accra.

Dina

She is the founder of MUTE, an organization devoted to research and documentation of data on
social, gender and child issues. She is a graduate of the University of Ghana. She divorced her
husband of four years due to childlessness. She has a passion for work and maintains cordial
relationship with her staff.

Onko

He is Mr. Holy-turned-devil. He is the best developed character in the novel. Upright, loving,
kind, generous, trustworthy, yet dishonest, treacherous and evil minded. He was like an uncle
to everyone in the family having been there before any of them was born. The young and old
call him Onko, a corrupt form of uncle. He is generous to all of them, especially the children
who made his room their second home. In spite of his kindness and good nature he is not a
responsible family man. He has two sons by two different women whom live in their own
respective family homes. He provided generously for them though.

He is a betrayal. He misrepresented little children’s simple trust and confidence in him for
flirtation and lured little Baby T to bed. He did not only silence the family with his money and
threats, he shamelessly wanted to continue his illicit relationship with a girl so young and so
closely related. The resultant shame and curse from Naa Yomo affected his business; he goes in
search of Baby T’s public hair as directed by a native doctor. He thus added to his crimes the
toga of a murderer when Baby T was found dead in his hands. Onko later killed himself by
hanging.

Kabira

She is the stereotype African woman who does most of the work in the family but gets little
reward, honor and satisfaction. Kabira is a mother, wife, worker and a battered car owner with
all its inconveniencies and demands. Except for the few hours she uses for sleep in the night, all
her time from dawn to dusk is spent on domestic schedules, office duties, children, husband
and her troublesome Creamy. Kabira is acaring mother. She loves her children and ensures that
they are properly catered for. She takes them to school and brings them home in spite of her
tight schedule and Creamy’s unreliability. She is diligent, dependable and trustworthy in her
office duties. Her boss and colleagues look to her for direction most of the times. She is devoted
to her husband and ensures that her domestic responsibilities are done to his satisfaction.

EVALUATION:

1. Write a character sketch on Maa Tsuru.

2. Discuss the use of flashback technique in the novel.
3. Explain the intrigues that led to Baby T’s death.
4. What is responsible for Fofo’s street life?

WEEK 9

TOPIC: AFRICAN POEM

CONTENT: (i) Author / Background (ii) Subject Matter / Theme
2: Poetic Devices, Language and Style

SUB TOPIC 1: background / Author of the poet

Vanity
The poet who authored ‘Vanity ‘is Birago Diop. He was born in 1906 at Dakar, Senegal. He had
his necessarily education in Senegal and in France. He is a veterinary surgeon by profession. He
is a lower of literacy look and took interest in folklore, and has published two collections of folk
– tales and a volume of poems.
His major pre-occupation in his themes is that of the continued presence of the ancestors

Subject Matter / Themes in the Poem.

Vanity or futility that which is vain. The use here is similar to that of one in the Bible.
‘Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, all is vanity’ (Eccle 1:2)
In this particular poem the subject matter warms that if we fail to heed the voice of the
ancestors we have lost our hope of protection, of psychological defence against the changing
fortunes of life. On a more general level of interpretation, the poet is using the traditional belief
in the spirit of the ancestor as a means of reflecting upon the continuity of human experience
and suffering. He seems to be advising that only our dead ancestors have known the whole of
life, and without their communion and relationship with the living, we are pitifully alone.
Themes
The poem expresses a lot of strong feelings of
i. Fear – in lines 3 and 5
ii. Sorrow line 6
iii. Loneliness – lines 8-10
iv. Anger – lines 20,23
There is the fear that the people have alienated themselves from the ancestors, that when
problems or sorrow will befall them they will be left alone because the dead ancestors who
should have protected them are angry because they ‘unworthy sons do not seek (them where
they have left their signs in the air, on the water. As a result they have left on earth their cries

EVALUATION
1. What is the major pre-occupation of Birago Diop in his literary work and how did he
poetry it in his work in Vanity?
2. Mention four (4) themes in vanity with close reference to the lines of the poem where
this is reflected.
3. Paraphrase the poem vanity by Birago Diop
4. According to the poet, how did the ancestors see them? Explain with close reference to
the poem.
5. Explain the various ways through which the ancestors have spoken to them yet
unneeded? (quote relevant lines)
Sub-topic 2: Literary / Poetic Devices and Style in Vanity by Birago Diop

Literary / Poetic Devices

The poet makes good use of poetic devices in the poem ‘vanity’.
 Repetition: in lines 1, 6, 27, 28 we see the repetition of the word ‘if we’ in lines 8,10 we
the sentence ‘what eyes will watch our large mouth repeated. Also in lines 21, 24 we
see the words in the air on the water where they have traced other signs repeated.
 Rhetorical Questions: in lines 5, who indeed will hear them without laughter in lines 10,
What eyes will water our large mouth? In lines 11, what heart will listen to our
clamoring? In lines 30, what ear to our sobbing hearts?
 Symbolism: The word ‘air’ ‘water’ were symbolised to mean abode of the ancestral
Spirits.
 Allusion: This is a biblical allusion to the vanity of vanities in the book of Ecclesiastes
1:2. The use of the word in the poem is similar to that as used by the preacher.
 Enjambment / Run-online: lines 21, 24

LANGUAGE AND STYLE

The diction of the poem is simple and easy to understand, but filled with rhetorical questions
and symbols to show the poet’s emotions of fear, sorrow, loneliness and anger. The tone and
stance of the poet is more of sadness.
The poem is in six (6) stanzas of 30 lines.
It is a lyrical poem. The emotions it conveys the repetition and rhetorical question lends weight
to this claim.

EVALUATION
1. Identify five poetic devices employed by Diop in his poem vanity.
2. Compare the tone of Birago Diop in vanity to that of the preacher in Ecclesiastes 1:2;
how do they share the same theme?

GENERAL EVALUATION
1. The poem ‘Vanity’ is ------ types of poem (a) sonnet (b) ode (c) lyric (d) Dirge
2. According to the poet, their ancestors have left their signs in ------- (a) air (b)
water (c) mountains (d) air / water
3. In the poem vanity the dead has spoken to them in ------ (a) laughter (b)
torments (c) anger (d) clumsy voices
4. In vanity the ancestors sees them as all theses except (a) blind (b) deaf (c)
unworthy sons (d) beggars
 5. The tone of the poet in ‘Vanity’ is that of (a) excitement (b) hope (c) expectation
(d) sadness
WEEK END ASSIGNMENT
Read the poem vanity and about the author in west African verse (pages 105,106, 229,-
251)
WEEKEND ACTIVITY
Read other poem of Birago Diop example viaticum
REFERENCE TEXTS
West African verse. An anthology chosen and annotated by Donathus Nwoga