Advanced level 2026 northwest regional mock literature in English guide
Advanced level 2026 northwest regional mock literature in English guide
PAPER II
Question 1
- Candidates are expected to identify the contrasting attributes/elements between Ruth and Walter and show how these attributes contribute to the plot development, thematic concern etc.
In terms of temperament and personality, Ruth could be seen as being calm, patient and enduring. She does not shout or complain about her situation. Her emotional maturity is very visible especially the way she reacts to the cheque. She considers the insurance money to belong to Mama who can do anything with. She even feels Mama should use the money to live a better life, travel and enjoy. This is unlike Walter Lee who is impatient and complains about his situation and position as a chauffeur and thinks the insurance money should be handed entirely to him to upgrade his status. Walter is emotional an explosive, easily irritated and argumentative, often quarrels with Ruth and Beneatha, feels oppressed and lashes out. His pride makes him impulsive while Ruth is calm and patient, gentle, tolerant and enduring, avoids confrontation, acts as peace maker in the family, and handles stress quietly. Generally. Ruth is steady and composed while Walter is volatile.
Looking at their approaches to family responsibility, we see that,
- Ruth is hard working and enduring. She wakes up early, cooks, cleans and irons tirelessly without complaining. This is a true reflection of the American dream – hard work equals success. Walter Lee on his part is lazy and proud. He considers his position as a chauffeur to be so mean. He demonstrates pride when he offers money to Travis when the mother tells Travis that she has no money.
Ruth even responds gently when Walter nags
Walter is so quick tempered. This is because he feels trapped and resentful. This justifies why he easily lashes out at others especially Mama, Ruth and Beneatha. E.g. “Damn my eggs – damn all the eggs that ever was” Walter therefore is a good example of the misinterpretation of the American dream unlike Ruth. Walter is self- focused at first
- preoccupied with his business dreams
- -Sometimes neglects Travis and Ruth emotionally
- drinks and complains instead of providing solutions while
Ruth is self-sacrificing
- works as a domestic servant
- -manages the house despite exhaustion
- Thinks of what is best for everyone – Walter seeks personal success while Ruth prioritizes family welfare
- Walter considers manhood with power while Ruth demonstrates strength through hard work and endurance.
- In terms of character,
Walter is idealistic and obsessive
- Walter dreams big: owning a liquor store and becoming wealthy
- Believes money equals dignity and manhood
- Constantly talks about investment and business while
Ruth is realistic and modest.
-Ruth’s dreams are simple and practical – a stable home, peace, and family survival
– Less concerned with wealth than with every day comfort
– Supports Mama’s plan of buying a house, rather than chasing risky ventures.
- Walter epitomizes frustrated and rebellious black male ambition under racial and economic oppression while Ruth represents the suffering and resilient black women who sustain the families.
Through the contrasting characterization of Walter and Ruth, Hansberry exposes the theme of poverty and its effects on characters. Walter’s ambitions clash with Ruth’s quiet realism which creates tension in the family. At the end Ruth’s stability and Walter’s eventual growth help the family to move towards unity and hope. Their differences enrich the play and underline its central message about dignity, dreams and family strength. (2×5)
Question 2
Candidates are expected to discuss Hansberry’s effective use of songs in A Raisin in the Sun, that is, bring out the role of music in the play. Music in this play helps to express cultural identity, x-ray Characters’ emotional states and also helps to highlight themes such as heritage vs assimilation.
- Music helps to express African heritage and identity. Beneath dances the African music (a Nigerian record) with Joseph Asagai. This symbolizes her search for her roots and the desire to connect with her ancestral heritage. The African beats and dance represent pride, liberation and resistance against the assimilationist spirit of the whites. Thus, by dancing to the rhythm of African music, Beneatha seeks to embrace that rich African culture which the American society historically wanted to erase e.g., Beneatha’s singing of the African chant (“OCOMOGOSSIAY”)
- Music also creates contrast between characters’ world views. Different characters listen to different kinds of music for obvious reasons. Mama Lena listens to older, more traditional, blues and spiritual music which helps her reflect her deep ties to the past and her black history in America
- Beneatha refers Afrocentric music which represent political and cultural awakening
- Ruth often hums or listens quietly expressing her exhaustion after a long day’s work. This is also to express her emotional burden. Through these characters, we see that music helps to distinguish generational and ideological differences within the Younger families.
- Music symbolizes hope and resilience
Many of the song, especially Beneatha’s Afrocentric songs are a celebratory moment where she claims identity despite the racial oppression. This helps to momentarily transcend hardship and assert joy, hope and human dignity.
- Songs deepens characterization
- Walter’s singing brings out sarcasm and his frustration e.g., “Aunt Jemima”. It also brings out his unfulfilled ambitions and desire to escape an economic bondage while Beneatha’s joyful African songs highlights her independence and desire to shape her destiny.
- Songs often serve as irony and social critique as they contrast sharply with painful realities thereby creating dramatic irony. Walter enjoys “Aunt Jemima’s” song which ironically contrasts with his crushed dreams and sense of failure. Ruth hums lightly during moments of tension which x-rays how working – class black women carry emotional burdens quietly and gracefully
- Music helps to either connects or disconnect characters.
Beneatha and Asagai share music thereby deepening their cultural and emotional bond unlike Walter whose sarcastic singing alienates him from Ruth and Beneatha portraying emotional distance in the family. (2×5)
Question 3
Question on short notes where candidates are expected to write on any three of the following. The Fon, The Sacred Grove of Nyombom, Violence, Costume Variety and Humour.
These five aspects embody characterization, setting, theme, stage craft and style. NB candidates should note that short notes are not synonymous to sketchy notes. Their answers should therefore be related to literary elements such as setting, style, themes etc.
The Fon
He is the main authority in Ewawa. He plays an important role in character revelation, edifying of themes, setting, etc.
At the beginning of the play, The Voice introduces the Fon to us as the lion of Ewawa. This brings out his authoritative, harsh and predatory tenets
- He intimidates Shey Ngong, the chief priest, the only person in Ewawa who challenges his rule of tyranny and wants to right some of his wrongs. He surrounds himself with greedy yes- men. This brings a sharp contrast in characters between the Fon and Shey Ngong. The Fon being greedy corrupt rash and authoritative as opposed to Shey Ngong who is patriotic and dedicated to serving people. He is honest and serviceable.
The ideological clash between the Fon and Shey Ngong helps to develop the plot. What the Fon wants is exactly what Shey Ngong stands against. The Fon wants Shey Ngong to come to the palace and worship him, but the latter dedicates his life to serving the people and the gods. The tension mounts until the Kibaranko, the earth goddess and the women cult fight the Fon to death.
- The Fon is an epitome of dictatorship a predominate theme in the play. He represents nepotism, corruption and favoritism.
- Through him the setting of the palace is clearly brought out. Ironically, the palace instead of being a uniting ground where solutions and good governance could be sought becomes a corrupt place marked by gluttony and moral decay.
- The don symbolizes post-colonial dictator.
- b) The sacred grove of Nyombom
This is the sacred office of Shey Ngong which is elaborately decorated. It contains masks that are used for disguised by either the tapper or kwengong as kibaranko and earth goddess respectively
