Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the protagonist's initial reaction to the arrival of the guards?
What was the protagonist's initial reaction to the arrival of the guards?
How did the guards ensure the protagonist's compliance?
How did the guards ensure the protagonist's compliance?
Which phrase best describes the environment outside the protagonist's cell as he was led away?
Which phrase best describes the environment outside the protagonist's cell as he was led away?
What emotional state is the character experiencing when he is described as shaking?
What emotional state is the character experiencing when he is described as shaking?
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What held the protagonist's hands behind him?
What held the protagonist's hands behind him?
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What was the significance of the rucksack in the protagonist's initial encounter with the guards?
What was the significance of the rucksack in the protagonist's initial encounter with the guards?
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Which of the following best describes Lomba's physical appearance as noted in the content?
Which of the following best describes Lomba's physical appearance as noted in the content?
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What kind of prisoners occupied the compounds adjacent to the protagonist's compound?
What kind of prisoners occupied the compounds adjacent to the protagonist's compound?
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What literary forms does Lomba utilize in his writings according to the narrative?
What literary forms does Lomba utilize in his writings according to the narrative?
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How did the protagonist feel as he was being led away?
How did the protagonist feel as he was being led away?
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What kind of poems did Lomba mostly write during his confinement?
What kind of poems did Lomba mostly write during his confinement?
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Which aspect of the prison did the protagonist describe as loomed large and merciless?
Which aspect of the prison did the protagonist describe as loomed large and merciless?
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What does the protagonist feel as he sits on the bunk in the darkness?
What does the protagonist feel as he sits on the bunk in the darkness?
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What does the character mean by the phrase 'soaking my shirt with snot and tears'?
What does the character mean by the phrase 'soaking my shirt with snot and tears'?
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Which 'smell' overwhelms the others in the small cell?
Which 'smell' overwhelms the others in the small cell?
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What does Lomba's diary entries include that reflects his mental state?
What does Lomba's diary entries include that reflects his mental state?
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How long did the protagonist spend in solitary confinement?
How long did the protagonist spend in solitary confinement?
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How does Lomba view his relationship with God in one of his poems?
How does Lomba view his relationship with God in one of his poems?
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What does the protagonist do as he contemplates his situation?
What does the protagonist do as he contemplates his situation?
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What does the repeated phrase 'Everything will be all right' signify in the context?
What does the repeated phrase 'Everything will be all right' signify in the context?
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Which piece of furniture is NOT present in the protagonist's cell?
Which piece of furniture is NOT present in the protagonist's cell?
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What metaphor does the protagonist use to describe what he wishes to feel?
What metaphor does the protagonist use to describe what he wishes to feel?
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What is the size of the protagonist's cell?
What is the size of the protagonist's cell?
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What is the overall atmosphere described in the cell?
What is the overall atmosphere described in the cell?
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What led to the increase in arrests of pro-democracy activists?
What led to the increase in arrests of pro-democracy activists?
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Where was Lomba ultimately transferred during his detention?
Where was Lomba ultimately transferred during his detention?
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What characteristic is described as inherent to Lomba from the details provided?
What characteristic is described as inherent to Lomba from the details provided?
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Which statement reflects the emotional state Lomba had to manage in prison?
Which statement reflects the emotional state Lomba had to manage in prison?
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What was the fate of many political detainees like Lomba during this period?
What was the fate of many political detainees like Lomba during this period?
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What change occurred in Nigeria in 1998 that affected political detainees?
What change occurred in Nigeria in 1998 that affected political detainees?
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Which of the following statements accurately reflects the diary's impact on the perception of Lomba?
Which of the following statements accurately reflects the diary's impact on the perception of Lomba?
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What does the narrative suggest about the awareness of political detainees in Nigeria?
What does the narrative suggest about the awareness of political detainees in Nigeria?
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What prompted the author to start writing poetry in the first place?
What prompted the author to start writing poetry in the first place?
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What was the author's emotional state after witnessing the inmate's death?
What was the author's emotional state after witnessing the inmate's death?
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What does the author mean by stating the poetry was for 'myself, perhaps'?
What does the author mean by stating the poetry was for 'myself, perhaps'?
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How does the author describe the process of writing poetry initially?
How does the author describe the process of writing poetry initially?
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What does the phrase 'an anonymous mortuary' suggest about the author's feelings towards death?
What does the phrase 'an anonymous mortuary' suggest about the author's feelings towards death?
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What was the author's response to the chaotic situation following Thomas's death?
What was the author's response to the chaotic situation following Thomas's death?
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What overarching theme is reflected in the author's writing process?
What overarching theme is reflected in the author's writing process?
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What does the author imply about his perception of life as a political detainee?
What does the author imply about his perception of life as a political detainee?
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What aspect of the speaker's feelings is emphasized through the use of the phrase 'wild flights of fancy'?
What aspect of the speaker's feelings is emphasized through the use of the phrase 'wild flights of fancy'?
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How does the speaker ultimately convey their feelings despite initial struggles?
How does the speaker ultimately convey their feelings despite initial struggles?
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What role does Janice play in Lomba's poetry?
What role does Janice play in Lomba's poetry?
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Which emotion predominates the speaker's expression of love in the phrase 'Three words: I love you'?
Which emotion predominates the speaker's expression of love in the phrase 'Three words: I love you'?
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What does Lomba do when he runs out of original poems?
What does Lomba do when he runs out of original poems?
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What literary device is predominantly used in the line 'Janice, your beauty is to me like those treasures of gold'?
What literary device is predominantly used in the line 'Janice, your beauty is to me like those treasures of gold'?
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In Lomba's bowdlerization of Sappho's 'Ode', what does the phrase 'a peer of goddesses' convey about Janice?
In Lomba's bowdlerization of Sappho's 'Ode', what does the phrase 'a peer of goddesses' convey about Janice?
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What is the main reason the superintendent requests poems from Lomba?
What is the main reason the superintendent requests poems from Lomba?
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Study Notes
Book Information
- Title: Waiting for an Angel
- Author: Helon Habila
- Genre: Fiction
Key Themes
- Political oppression in Nigeria
- Everyday life under a dictatorship
- The power of writing and storytelling
- Love, loss, and hope in challenging times
- The resilience of the human spirit
Awards and Recognition
- Winner of a Commonwealth Writer's Prize
- Winner of the Caine Prize for African Writing
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