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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. "Death and the King's Horseman" is a story of ____________________ rather than British colonization.

2. How many kingdoms are the Yoruba divided into?

3. Finish the sentence. The British involvement in this story is ______________.

4. What phrase do Elesin and the praise-singer use to describe the afterlife?

5. What is the author's ethnic background?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why is Elesin annoyed in the opening scenes of the play?

4. What are the fears that rule Amusa's character? Which of the two is greater?

5. Why is it ironic that Jane cares so much about Elesin's death?

6. How are the Pilkings' associated with Elesin and his family?

7. What is the conflict with the bride Elesin chooses in the first scene of the play?

8. Whom does Elesin initially blame for his failure to transition? Why?

9. What is the significance of the term, "my mother", in African culture?

10. How are Pilkings and Elesin alike?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Soyinka clearly had many purposes for introducing this play to the world. This can especially be seen within the author's note. Given the author's note, what do you believe were Soyinka's intentions for introducing this story to Western society?

Essay Topic 2

Each culture [British and Yoruban] holds varying views on death and death's meaning. How does each culture's view of death differ? Why might these differences cause conflict or confrontation between the two cultures?

Essay Topic 3

What significance does the Marketplace hold for the story? What significance does the Marketplace hold for Elesin Oba in particular? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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