Question 21
NECO
•
2021
•
LITERATURE_IN_ENGLISH
•
objective
In the excerpt from Chinua Achebe's *Things Fall Apart*, the locusts that descend on the village are described as "a cloud of black insects that filled the sky and settled on every tree and roof". Later, the yam is repeatedly referred to as "the king of crops". Identify the symbolic meaning of the locusts and the yam, and explain how these two symbols together develop the theme of cultural clash between the Igbo community and the arriving missionaries.
Answer Options
A.
In the passage, the locusts are a metaphor for the Igbo people's resilience, and the yam signifies the missionaries' teachings, indicating that the foreign influence strengthens traditional values.
B.
The locusts represent the abundance of food that the missionaries bring, while the yam stands for the economic prosperity of the Igbo people, showing a harmonious exchange rather than conflict.
Correct Answer
C.
The locusts symbolize the invasive arrival of foreign influence (the missionaries) that initially seems beneficial but ultimately threatens the community, while the yam symbolizes the heart of Igbo culture and identity. Together they illustrate the clash between the indigenous way of life and the encroaching colonial religion.
D.
The locusts are used to depict the seasonal rains, and the yam reflects the agricultural cycle, suggesting that the story focuses on natural cycles instead of cultural confrontation.
Correct Answer
C
Correct Option:
The locusts symbolize the invasive arrival of foreign influence (the missionaries) that initially seems beneficial but ultimately threatens the community, while the yam symbolizes the heart of Igbo culture and identity. Together they illustrate the clash between the indigenous way of life and the encroaching colonial religion.
About This Question
This is
Neco
2021
Literature In English
Question 21.
It is one of the
objective
questions from the
2021
Neco
Literature In English
examination.
Difficulty level:
Hard
.