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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the delegation from Abazon say they want?

2. Who must appeal to Idemili?

3. What does the President wish to be called?

4. What does Ikem think of the President, Sam?

5. Where is Beatrice educated?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who calls Beatrice with an anonymous tip about Chris, and what is the apparent purpose of the calls?

2. What is Ikem's attitude toward women, according to Chris?

3. Why is Chris's death ironic, considering the news the group has just heard?

4. Whom does Okong warn the President about?

5. What is meant by the "Desdemona complex," and how does it apply to the President's behavior at the party?

6. What does the "Sun of April" represent in Ikem's allegory, and what does the allegory imply about the state of affairs in Kangan?

7. Describe the male chauvinism in Beatrice's childhood home.

8. Describe Mad Medico's relationship to the President and his attitude toward him.

9. Why do the Abazon leaders fail to support the President's bid to become dictator-for-life, and what does the President do in response to their lack of support?

10. Why is Mad Medico deported?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of hope for Africa's future expressed in the novel Anthills of the Savannah.

1) What is the significance of the name of Elewa's baby?

2) How is it significant that the baby was named by a group of people from different backgrounds, classes, and faiths--military, worker, academic, market-girl, Muslim, Christian, etc.?

Essay Topic 2

Examine Ikem's theory of "New Radicalism" as presented in his speech at the university.

1) What is the problem with the idea of a proletarian-led democracy?

2) Who needs to clean up their act before democracy can be achieved?

Essay Topic 3

Anthills of the Savannah has something in common with a traditional tragedy, in which pride brings about the downfall of a tragic hero. Write an essay examining Ikem, Sam, and Chris as tragic heroes who bring about their own downfall.

1) What does each man do that shows he is prideful or obstinate?

2) At what point could any of the three men have acted differently or made better choices to avoid their ultimate downfall?

3) Reflect on the inscription "Ife onye metalu" or ("What a man commits...") which is painted on the bus Chris escapes on. What significance does Chris see in this quote?

4) Consider Chris's choice of nominating Okong, a man he knew to be unscrupulous, as a minister in Sam's government. To what extent does this implicate Chris in the injustice of Sam's rule?

(see the answer keys)

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