Have you got any questions about this topic? Or do you have any requests for future video topics or skills? Please put them in the Comments below. It's always great to hear from you and find out what aspects of English you're finding difficult so I can try and help. 😎
@@domitillerolland7332 Remember the key is to answer the question asked. Usually for the extract it is how the writer makes the extract 'vivid' or 'memorable' for the reader. So focus on Adichie's techniques and their effects on the reader/ you. You won't always have to include reference to themes for the extract question. However if in the extract there is a key theme then explain how Adichie is presenting it to the reader and briefly why this is important in the extract/ wider novel.
Hi Akuji. Firstly, really sorry for the slow reply to what is a great question. Control is massively important in the novel and I think is linked to the themes of power and oppression which run throughout Nigerian society (at the time the novel is set) from the Head of State downwards. Some important quotes and explanations.... "It was different in Nsukka. We did not schedule our lives around Papa." This quotation contrasts life under Eugene’s control with the more relaxed atmosphere at their aunt's house in Nsukka, highlighting the abnormality of Eugene's strictness and the possibility of a life less controlled. “Silence hung over us as Papa prayed. Afterward, he muttered that the devil would not win. He would not win in his house.” Eugene’s invocation of religious warfare against perceived disobedience or sin within his household shows how he frames control as a spiritual struggle, reinforcing his dominance with religious fervour. “The figurines, which had grown dusty in their individual positions, were now fixed on their shelf. When the figurines were still, our home was still.” The figurines symbolize control and order in the family home, with their stillness reflecting the stifling control Eugene exerts over his family. "Everything I did at home was by a schedule... When Papa was not home, the schedule loosened its belt and we breathed more easily, but it still ruled." This highlights the oppressive atmosphere created by Eugene's rigid schedules, which dominate the lives of his children and wife. "He told us that the family needed penance to cleanse us of our sins because we had walked into sin, because we had slept in sin with my grandfather." This quote shows Eugene's strict control over the religious and moral standards of his family, emphasizing penance and sin as tools to maintain control. Hope this helps you. Thanks for the great question, because it really is an important aspect of the novel I'd not considered... Good luck the with exam prep.
First of all, apologies for the delay in responding: hope it's not too late for you! For both, parts of the question it is worth considering how Adichie presents hierarchy in the novel and how what happens at the top of Nigerian society (leadership/ Head of State) is seen to be reflected throughout the rest of Nigeria. Looking at oppression, the silencing of language and people's voices is a way of exerting control on the people of Nigeria. Think about concepts related to language such as: controlling freedom of speech; silencing opposition (Ade Coker/ the newspaper); not listening to others etc. Silencing and control is seen in Kambili's family with the way that Papa Eugene is the only voice that is heard; how he does not listen to his family and how Beatrice, Kambili and Jaja are afraid to speak: they use whispers and body language to communicate instead, rather than language. There is also the linguistic (language) hierarchy as well. English (the language of the colonial oppressors) is seen by many (including Papa Eugene) as superior to the indigenous Igbo language (which Papa Eugene characterises as 'heathen'). Indeed Papa Eugene oppresses his family, insisting they use English, rather than Igbo (and punishing them for speaking Igbo). Another concept is that of women's voices (language) being suppressed. Think about Beatrice and Kambili who are literally afraid to speak due to Papa Eugene's oppression. Also, Aunt Ifeoma's voice, when she stands up to the regime, is silenced by authorities when they terminate her university position. Finally, as a Bildungsroman, the novel explores how a female protagonist (Kambili) gradually finds her voice (language) during the course of the narrative. Hope that helps for now. Drop a comment if you want me to cover the 'resistance' part of the question. ATB, Mr P.
Have you got any questions about this topic? Or do you have any requests for future video topics or skills? Please put them in the Comments below. It's always great to hear from you and find out what aspects of English you're finding difficult so I can try and help. 😎
Good evening, I'm struggling on finding evidences of those themes when it comes to an extract question
Thank you!
@@domitillerolland7332 Remember the key is to answer the question asked. Usually for the extract it is how the writer makes the extract 'vivid' or 'memorable' for the reader. So focus on Adichie's techniques and their effects on the reader/ you. You won't always have to include reference to themes for the extract question. However if in the extract there is a key theme then explain how Adichie is presenting it to the reader and briefly why this is important in the extract/ wider novel.
To all of you taking exams soon: good luck! Let me know if you have any specific questions. 😀
To all of you taking exams soon: good luck! Let me know if you have any specific questions. 😀
Hi! What do you think about the theme of “control” in the novel?
Hi Akuji. Firstly, really sorry for the slow reply to what is a great question. Control is massively important in the novel and I think is linked to the themes of power and oppression which run throughout Nigerian society (at the time the novel is set) from the Head of State downwards. Some important quotes and explanations....
"It was different in Nsukka. We did not schedule our lives around Papa."
This quotation contrasts life under Eugene’s control with the more relaxed atmosphere at their aunt's house in Nsukka, highlighting the abnormality of Eugene's strictness and the possibility of a life less controlled.
“Silence hung over us as Papa prayed. Afterward, he muttered that the devil would not win. He would not win in his house.”
Eugene’s invocation of religious warfare against perceived disobedience or sin within his household shows how he frames control as a spiritual struggle, reinforcing his dominance with religious fervour.
“The figurines, which had grown dusty in their individual positions, were now fixed on their shelf. When the figurines were still, our home was still.”
The figurines symbolize control and order in the family home, with their stillness reflecting the stifling control Eugene exerts over his family.
"Everything I did at home was by a schedule... When Papa was not home, the schedule loosened its belt and we breathed more easily, but it still ruled."
This highlights the oppressive atmosphere created by Eugene's rigid schedules, which dominate the lives of his children and wife.
"He told us that the family needed penance to cleanse us of our sins because we had walked into sin, because we had slept in sin with my grandfather."
This quote shows Eugene's strict control over the religious and moral standards of his family, emphasizing penance and sin as tools to maintain control.
Hope this helps you. Thanks for the great question, because it really is an important aspect of the novel I'd not considered... Good luck the with exam prep.
Writing the day after tomorrow
Good luck with writing your paper! 👍
Greetings, how would you say that language is used as a tool for oppression and resistance in the novel?
First of all, apologies for the delay in responding: hope it's not too late for you! For both, parts of the question it is worth considering how Adichie presents hierarchy in the novel and how what happens at the top of Nigerian society (leadership/ Head of State) is seen to be reflected throughout the rest of Nigeria. Looking at oppression, the silencing of language and people's voices is a way of exerting control on the people of Nigeria. Think about concepts related to language such as: controlling freedom of speech; silencing opposition (Ade Coker/ the newspaper); not listening to others etc. Silencing and control is seen in Kambili's family with the way that Papa Eugene is the only voice that is heard; how he does not listen to his family and how Beatrice, Kambili and Jaja are afraid to speak: they use whispers and body language to communicate instead, rather than language. There is also the linguistic (language) hierarchy as well. English (the language of the colonial oppressors) is seen by many (including Papa Eugene) as superior to the indigenous Igbo language (which Papa Eugene characterises as 'heathen'). Indeed Papa Eugene oppresses his family, insisting they use English, rather than Igbo (and punishing them for speaking Igbo). Another concept is that of women's voices (language) being suppressed. Think about Beatrice and Kambili who are literally afraid to speak due to Papa Eugene's oppression. Also, Aunt Ifeoma's voice, when she stands up to the regime, is silenced by authorities when they terminate her university position. Finally, as a Bildungsroman, the novel explores how a female protagonist (Kambili) gradually finds her voice (language) during the course of the narrative. Hope that helps for now. Drop a comment if you want me to cover the 'resistance' part of the question. ATB, Mr P.
@@mrpollardenglish Thank You, this is helpful. May you please drop the resistance part
you’re such a gem for this🩷
Thanks very much for the positive feedback. So glad you found it useful.