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Questions and Answers
What does the comparison of 'blood' to water signify in Diop's writing?
What does the comparison of 'blood' to water signify in Diop's writing?
What does the use of a vague setting imply in the story?
What does the use of a vague setting imply in the story?
How are the characters portrayed in the story?
How are the characters portrayed in the story?
What does the husband's mother being referred to as a 'wise old witch' suggest?
What does the husband's mother being referred to as a 'wise old witch' suggest?
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What societal view does the story convey regarding marriage?
What societal view does the story convey regarding marriage?
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What does the gated community symbolize in the context of the story?
What does the gated community symbolize in the context of the story?
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How is the issue of polygamy portrayed in the story?
How is the issue of polygamy portrayed in the story?
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What parallel is drawn to apartheid in the family's living conditions?
What parallel is drawn to apartheid in the family's living conditions?
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What literary device does David Diop primarily use to give Africa human qualities?
What literary device does David Diop primarily use to give Africa human qualities?
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What is the primary emotion expressed by the speaker in the poem 'Africa'?
What is the primary emotion expressed by the speaker in the poem 'Africa'?
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Where did David Diop write the poem 'Africa'?
Where did David Diop write the poem 'Africa'?
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What does the poem 'Africa' lack in terms of structure?
What does the poem 'Africa' lack in terms of structure?
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What does the title 'Once Upon a Time' suggest in Nadine Gordimer's work?
What does the title 'Once Upon a Time' suggest in Nadine Gordimer's work?
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Which year was 'Africa' first published in French?
Which year was 'Africa' first published in French?
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In 'Africa,' which point of view is used by the speaker?
In 'Africa,' which point of view is used by the speaker?
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What theme is central to David Diop's poem 'Africa'?
What theme is central to David Diop's poem 'Africa'?
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What is Scheherazade most famous for?
What is Scheherazade most famous for?
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What central theme is depicted in 'The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor'?
What central theme is depicted in 'The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor'?
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In what type of society is 'The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor' set?
In what type of society is 'The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor' set?
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How many voyages does Sinbad claim to have completed?
How many voyages does Sinbad claim to have completed?
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What motivates Sinbad to return to the sea despite the dangers?
What motivates Sinbad to return to the sea despite the dangers?
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What extreme challenges does Sinbad face during his voyages?
What extreme challenges does Sinbad face during his voyages?
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What decision does Sinbad make after his seven voyages?
What decision does Sinbad make after his seven voyages?
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Which character type is NOT mentioned among Sinbad's story's characters?
Which character type is NOT mentioned among Sinbad's story's characters?
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What was one of the main goals of Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech?
What was one of the main goals of Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech?
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What does the boy's death represent in the context of the narrative?
What does the boy's death represent in the context of the narrative?
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What was a significant theme highlighted by the narrative?
What was a significant theme highlighted by the narrative?
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What historical event coincided with the delivery of King’s speech in 1963?
What historical event coincided with the delivery of King’s speech in 1963?
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Which character is recognized as the Omanhene of Akwasin?
Which character is recognized as the Omanhene of Akwasin?
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What was a primary reason for the marchers during King's speech?
What was a primary reason for the marchers during King's speech?
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What does the phrase 'Dragon's Teeth' refer to in the narrative?
What does the phrase 'Dragon's Teeth' refer to in the narrative?
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How did the people react to segregation according to the narrative?
How did the people react to segregation according to the narrative?
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What motivates Sinbad to continue his voyages despite the dangers he faces?
What motivates Sinbad to continue his voyages despite the dangers he faces?
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What is the primary setting of the story 'The Porter and the Three Ladies of Baghdad'?
What is the primary setting of the story 'The Porter and the Three Ladies of Baghdad'?
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What common theme is depicted through the character of the woman in 'The Porter and the Three Ladies of Baghdad'?
What common theme is depicted through the character of the woman in 'The Porter and the Three Ladies of Baghdad'?
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Which element symbolizes Islamic beliefs and protection in the narrative?
Which element symbolizes Islamic beliefs and protection in the narrative?
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What oath must each guest take upon entering the home of the three sisters?
What oath must each guest take upon entering the home of the three sisters?
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Which group does the caliph and his companions disguise themselves as during their visit?
Which group does the caliph and his companions disguise themselves as during their visit?
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What recurring issue arises in both 'The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor' and 'The Porter and the Three Ladies of Baghdad'?
What recurring issue arises in both 'The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor' and 'The Porter and the Three Ladies of Baghdad'?
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What does Sinbad ultimately decide to do after completing his seven voyages?
What does Sinbad ultimately decide to do after completing his seven voyages?
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Study Notes
"Africa" by David Diop
- The poem, "Africa my Africa," was published in French in 1956 as part of David Diop's only collection of poetry, "Coups de pilon".
- It is a patriotic lyric expressing the speaker's devotion to Africa.
- Diop uses personification to attribute human characteristics to Africa, specifically in the line “Africa my Africa.”
- The poem explores the speaker's rage at colonial rule and desire for a free Africa.
"Once Upon a Time" by Nadine Gordimer
- The story is written in the third person.
- The setting is vague and unnamed, representing a generic South African suburb during apartheid.
- The characters are not uniquely named, suggesting they represent archetypal roles in the system of apartheid.
- The story highlights the family's seemingly perfect life before the tragic death of their son, symbolized by the deadly security measures meant to protect them from "the other".
- Gordimer uses a frame story, where the narrator describes a bedtime story about a family, to illustrate the horrors of apartheid through symbolic means.
"Anticipation" by Mabel Dove
- The story explores the themes of societal expectations surrounding marriage and the consequences of acting outside societal norms.
- Nana Adaku II, the Omanhene, represents the powerful yet morally ambiguous figure within the society who can practice polygamy due to his wealth and position.
- The portrayal of women in the story reflects the societal acceptance of polygamous marriages and the limited agency they possess.
"I Have a Dream" speech by Martin Luther King Jr.
- The speech was delivered on Aug. 28, 1963, in Washington, D.C.
- King's speech advocated for racial equality and a fairer world where African Americans are treated equally with white Americans.
- Its significance stems from its powerful call for a society free from racism, resonating with the injustices experienced by African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement.
- The speech was delivered during the march for jobs and equality for Black Americans, marking the centenary of the Emancipation Proclamation.
"The Arabian Nights" by Richard Francis Burton
- The collection of stories, "One Thousand and One Nights", also known as "Arabian Nights", features Scheherazade as the legendary storyteller.
- The stories are set in a medieval Islamic society, likely in Persia, showcasing a patriarchal society with women expected to be subservient to men.
"The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor" by Richard Francis Burton
- The story is told by Sinbad, a famous sailor who recounts his seven adventurous voyages at sea.
- Each journey is characterized by its dangers, including shipwrecks, encounters with strange creatures, and the supernatural.
- The thrill and excitement of the sea motivates Sinbad to continue exploring, though after seven voyages he decides to settle and enjoy his wealth on land.
"The Porter and the Three Ladies of Baghdad" by Richard Francis Burton
- The story is set in Persia in a woman's lodge.
- Three wealthy sisters host a porter, three one-eyed Kalandars, and three merchants for shelter, food, and drink.
- The guests are unaware that the merchants are actually the Caliph in disguise.
- The story emphasizes the theme of instant justice by highlighting the consequences of breaking a sworn oath.
"Instant Justice" by Tewfik al-Hakim
- The story is set in a small village where villagers decide to take justice into their own hands.
- The plot explores the complexities of justice and the dangers of taking the law into one's hands without proper authority.
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Description
Explore the themes and styles of two prominent African writers, David Diop and Nadine Gordimer. This quiz covers Diop's patriotic poem 'Africa my Africa' and Gordimer's poignant short story set in apartheid South Africa. Delve into the literary techniques and cultural contexts that shape their narratives.