Theory question 203
Other Set Texts: African ProseLiterature 3. Elechi Amadi: The Concubine
Either (a) Comment on the character and role of Ihuoma in the novel
Or (b) Discuss the role of supernatural beings in the novel
Show the model answer
(a) Ihuoma: beautiful, gentle, modest, hardworking, respectful; ideal wife of Emenike.
Avoids quarrels (with Madume); keeps up her husband's compound after his death.
Role: central figure; each man who loves her dies (Emenike, Madume, Ekwueme): she is the sea-king's wife.
Shows fate and the power of the gods over human life.
(b) The Sea-King is the jealous husband of Ihuoma in the spirit world; destroys her suitors.
Amadioha, Ojukwu, other gods punish wrongdoing (Madume's blindness by the cobra).
Dibias (Anyika, Agwoturumbe) interpret the gods; attempt to bind the sea-king fails.
Supernatural drives the plot and tragic ending.
Choose one and support with incidents.