WAEC Literature in English 2001 Theory question 101

Theory question 101

Set Text: The Gods Are Not to Blame

Literature 2, Section A: African Drama. Ola Rotimi: The Gods are not to Blame
How does Ola Rotimi sustain the tragic interest in The Gods are not to Blame?

Show the model answer

Model answer

Prologue and dramatic irony: audience knows the end, watches Odewale move towards it.
Suspense: the slow search for Adetusa's murderer; each witness adds a piece.
Flashback of the killing at Ede.
Odewale's character (anger, pride) makes his fall believable.
Language: proverbs, curses, Baba Fakunle's riddles ('bedsharer').
Spectacle: plague, crowds, Ojuola's suicide, Odewale blinding himself.

Explanation

Name the devices and show how each keeps tension.