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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. As stated by the praise-singer in the play, what does a man forget when he approaches a brand new bride?

2. The masks in Act 1, Scene 2, signify what?

3. Which genre of literature does Soyinka's work fall under?

4. In what style is the dialogue of the play written?

5. The characters in the play are _________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the Yoruban people maintain their link to the king?

2. Why does Olunde decide to take his father's place as the messenger and end his life?

3. Describe Elesin's reaction when Jane attempts to plead with him in the last scene of the play.

4. How does Elesin become aware that it is time for his own death?

5. What is Elesin doing when Amusa comes to arrest him?

6. How does Olunde react when he finally sees his father, alive?

7. What is it that moves Pilkings out to stop Elesin's death ritual?

8. What are Jane and Pilkings doing as Act 1, Scene 2 opens and the two are introduced? What are they wearing?

9. Why does Soyinka claim (in the author's note) that the play is not a clash between two cultures (Yoruban and British)?

10. Olunde is inspired by an English captain. Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does the idea of cultural relativism play an important role in understanding and interpreting the play?

Essay Topic 2

How does Elesin Oba rationalize marrying the young girl to the women of the Market? Why does Iyaloja specifically believe marriage is a bad idea for Elesin, considering the journey he must make?

Essay Topic 3

The role of women within the story is very muted, except for Iyaloja, who plays a critical role in the play as the voice of reason. What does the play suggest about the women's roles in each culture? How does Iyaloja's role deviate from the typical social construct of the time?

(see the answer keys)

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