Question 51
NECO
•
2024
•
LITERATURE_IN_ENGLISH
•
objective
Read the following passage from Chinua Achebe's *Things Fall Apart*: "Okonkwo was a man of great stature; his fame rested on his wrestling victories. He never smiled at the thought of weakness; even his son Nwoye's love for stories made him uneasy. When the night fire crackled, Okonkwo stared at the flames, seeing in them the fierce spirit of his ancestors. The village elders warned that the new missionaries were bringing strange customs that would erode the old ways." Identify the central theme of the passage and explain how (i) the characterization of Okonkwo and (ii) the motif of fire support this theme.
Answer Options
Correct Answer
A.
The central theme is the clash between tradition and change. Okonkwo's proud, inflexible character shows resistance to new customs, while the fire motif represents the powerful, potentially destructive force of tradition, both highlighting the tension between preserving the old ways and confronting new influences.
B.
The central theme is the loss of cultural identity through colonization. Okonkwo's resistance illustrates the erosion of indigenous values, and the fire motif signifies the burning away of tradition, underscoring the impact of external forces on cultural survival.
C.
The central theme is the inevitability of fate versus free will. Okonkwo's actions demonstrate a predetermined destiny, and the fire motif represents the uncontrollable forces of destiny, highlighting the tension between predetermined outcomes and personal choice.
D.
The central theme is the struggle between personal pride and familial love. Okonkwo's stubbornness reflects his desire for personal glory, while the fire motif symbolizes the warmth of family bonds, emphasizing the conflict between ego and affection.
Correct Answer
A
Correct Option:
The central theme is the clash between tradition and change. Okonkwo's proud, inflexible character shows resistance to new customs, while the fire motif represents the powerful, potentially destructive force of tradition, both highlighting the tension between preserving the old ways and confronting new influences.
About This Question
This is
Neco
2024
Literature In English
Question 51.
It is one of the
objective
questions from the
2024
Neco
Literature In English
examination.
Difficulty level:
Medium
.