Page 151

1. Page 151 explain central focus of passage and explore its content

2. Central Focus • Settings: Village. Sets contrast with Odenigbo’s suburban life and Ugwu’s rural life. • Ugwu’s newfound perception on his village surroundings. He is critical of the surroundings, smells, and the daily routines of his family in the village. • We are aware of Ugwu’s apparent ‘bildungsroman’as he criticizes the lifestyle he once found normal. It is ironic in a sense as he was once a part of this life, but since he transitioned, he found it pathetic and unlivable. • Use of sensual language to describe the character’s physical maturity. i.e: ‘breasts’, ‘buttocks’, and ‘new suspicious roundness to her body’. • Use of sensory language that adds to the vibrancy of the surroundings and how it affects the senses, i.e: ‘...’body fluids had stained the mud a deeper red.’ and ‘crusty aroma of roasted breadfruit seeds.’

3. Central Focus Hints of culture differences and social status: • Anulika, represented the typical, uneducated village girl who willingly relies upon the prospect of getting married and having boys with hopes it will, ‘place my feet firmly in Onyeka’s house.’ The evident idea sets the contrast between her and Olanna, who is a significant representation of a modern, sophisticated and educated woman. (this can be both culture and social) • ‘His mother was pounding something in a mortar and his father was stooped near her, sharpening a knife against a stone.’ (culture) • The description of the yams: ‘yam slices coarse from being boiled without a dollop of butter.’ The butter signifies wealth and richness.(culture and social)

4. Our response to the text • (page 151) • We are aware of the difference in settings. Village life vs Suburban life - this in effect allows us(through Ugwu) to see the different aspects that is being portrayed from the village surroundings and Ugwu’s recollection of what it is like to live in the suburbs, in terms of food, surroundings, etc. • “ “ “ of the change in not only Ugwu, but also the other characters. There is a sense of physical maturity and mental maturity. However Ugwus perception of things such as how he describes Anulika’s husband as having “stunted height and pointed teeth” show us his naivety still exists and adds comic relief. • Previous chapter had a very tense atmosphere involving Kainene and Richard. The opening of this passage sets a calmer mood by starting with “Ugwu lay on a mat….” This sets the new atmosphere.

5. 5 key quotations 1) ‘His mother’s food was unpalatable.’ • Overcooked vegetables • Lumpy cornmeal • Watery soup • Coarse yam slices The author states how Ugwu ‘could not wait to get back to Nsukka and finally eat a real meal.

6. Why is it important? • The quote is important as it shows Ugwu’s change in taste. • This is critical as it shows how the suburban life with Odenigbo has deeply influenced him. • Ugwu is seen to be highly critical when it comes to his mother’s cooking. The use of ‘overcooked’, ‘lumpy’, ‘watery’, as well as ‘coarse’ are all words that help justify as to why he is so negative towards the cooked meal. • The words associate with the thought of distaste. • It is effective once again as we are seeing things through Ugwu’s perception, and the imagery helps alleviate our understanding of his situation. • “without a dollop of butter”- The phrase also indicates the comforts of the middle class that Ugwu is now accustomed to while living with Odenigbo. • The word “butter” also symbolises richness; an unaffordable good in a poor household. This signifies the economic disparities within the Igbo community.

7. 5 key quotations 2) ‘I want to have a baby boy first, because it will help me place my feet firmly in Onyeka’s house.’-Anulika • new suspicious roundness to her body • breasts that filled her blouse • buttocks that rolled with each step The author points out crude mentality amongst the poor and evident physical, sexual maturity.

8. Why is it important • Adichie successfully sets the evident contrast in society amongst the poor and the wealthy. • Anulika, in a way, is a significant representation of the poorer society’s mentality with regards to being a female uneducated African. • The character’s stance in mentioning that a baby boy will help alleviate her status in the family shows the patriarchal system the people find themselves living in. • Presents the educated vs uneducated. • Anulika’s statement portrays the gender trap that women of Africa find themselves in.

9. 5 key quotations 3) “...said their goodbyes and listed what they wanted him to bring the next visit.” • buy us bread! • buy us meat! • buy us fried fish! • buy us groundnuts! The author shows us the lack of luxury in the village and the villagers desire for better food.

10. Why is it important? • The author exhibits the lack of luxury, in which the villagers have no good food when the children bugged Ugwu to buy them meat and whatnot. • It shows the big social difference between the poor uneducated living in the village and the wealthy educated in town. • We can see that the people in the village have no opportunities of improving their lifestyles.

11. 5 key quotations 4) “His mother was pounding something in a mortar and his father was stooped near, sharpening a knife against a stone.” • mortar • sharpens knife against stone

12. Why is it important • The quote symbolizes how routine work is done in a less developed household in a village setting. • The mortar represents an old tool used to complete daily tasks. • Modern vs. Village

13. 5 Key Quotations 5) “Greet your master and madam, his mother said. Thank them for everything they sent us.” • ‘greet’ • ‘master’ and ‘madam’ • ‘thank’ The author depicts the respect and indignation Ugwu’s parents have for Odenigbo and Olanna. It shows also the difference in social status.

14. Why is it important? • Portrays the post-colonial environment. • The use of ‘greet’ and ‘master’ shows us the difference in social status between the educated and uneducated. • It reminds the reader about the difference classes of Igbo people present in the novel.