Podcast
Questions and Answers
What did Sade feel as she watched Pepper-Red Lips cut the threads sewn by Mama?
What did Sade feel as she watched Pepper-Red Lips cut the threads sewn by Mama?
- Relief that they were safe
- Sadness over the lost craftsmanship (correct)
- Curiosity about their next destination
- Excitement about their adventure
What was Mrs. Bankole's reaction to the import duty they had to pay?
What was Mrs. Bankole's reaction to the import duty they had to pay?
- She refused to pay and left
- She argued loudly before paying (correct)
- She paid without arguing
- She laughed off the situation
How did Sade perceive the environment outside the train window?
How did Sade perceive the environment outside the train window?
- As a chaotic mix of urban life (correct)
- As a familiar scenery from her childhood
- As an unwelcoming foreign landscape
- As a peaceful countryside view
What concern did Sade have regarding Uncle Dele during their journey?
What concern did Sade have regarding Uncle Dele during their journey?
During the train ride, what did Mrs. Bankole whisper to the children?
During the train ride, what did Mrs. Bankole whisper to the children?
What was Mrs. Bankole's initial response to the request to open her cases?
What was Mrs. Bankole's initial response to the request to open her cases?
What was the nature of the map displayed above the opposite seats?
What was the nature of the map displayed above the opposite seats?
What emotion did Sade feel when she saw Mrs. Bankole preparing to unpack their luggage?
What emotion did Sade feel when she saw Mrs. Bankole preparing to unpack their luggage?
Why did Pepper-Red Lips insist on checking their small brown bag?
Why did Pepper-Red Lips insist on checking their small brown bag?
What did Mrs. Bankole mean by dragging her baggage around London?
What did Mrs. Bankole mean by dragging her baggage around London?
What was one of Sade's feelings as they traveled to Victoria Station?
What was one of Sade's feelings as they traveled to Victoria Station?
How did Rock Face respond to Mrs. Bankole's inquiry about what was happening?
How did Rock Face respond to Mrs. Bankole's inquiry about what was happening?
What physical attribute of Mrs. Bankole is compared to a peacock in the narrative?
What physical attribute of Mrs. Bankole is compared to a peacock in the narrative?
What did Sade notice about the items being unpacked by Rock Face?
What did Sade notice about the items being unpacked by Rock Face?
What did Sade and Femi immediately notice about Mrs. Bankole during the interaction with the Customs Officers?
What did Sade and Femi immediately notice about Mrs. Bankole during the interaction with the Customs Officers?
What can be inferred about Mrs. Bankole's husband based on her statements?
What can be inferred about Mrs. Bankole's husband based on her statements?
What was Sade's initial reaction when the flight attendant asked about her children?
What was Sade's initial reaction when the flight attendant asked about her children?
What visual did Sade see on the screen above during the flight?
What visual did Sade see on the screen above during the flight?
What did Sade dream about while on the flight?
What did Sade dream about while on the flight?
What happened as Sade reached for a dazzling blue button in her dream?
What happened as Sade reached for a dazzling blue button in her dream?
How did Sade feel as she experienced the roar of the engines during the flight?
How did Sade feel as she experienced the roar of the engines during the flight?
What did Sade notice about the atmosphere upon waking in the morning?
What did Sade notice about the atmosphere upon waking in the morning?
What does the phrase 'the whale-like monster that had swallowed them' likely refer to?
What does the phrase 'the whale-like monster that had swallowed them' likely refer to?
What sound was predominantly heard in the cabin during the flight?
What sound was predominantly heard in the cabin during the flight?
What is Sade's primary concern while they are outside?
What is Sade's primary concern while they are outside?
What does Femi express a desire for while they are outside?
What does Femi express a desire for while they are outside?
How does Sade perceive the environment they are in?
How does Sade perceive the environment they are in?
What detail indicates that Sade and Femi feel out of place in their new surroundings?
What detail indicates that Sade and Femi feel out of place in their new surroundings?
What symbol does Sade use to describe the trees lining the road?
What symbol does Sade use to describe the trees lining the road?
What seems to be the children's financial situation as they walk through the city?
What seems to be the children's financial situation as they walk through the city?
How do Sade and Femi feel about the adults around them?
How do Sade and Femi feel about the adults around them?
What draws Femi's attention while they walk?
What draws Femi's attention while they walk?
What does Sade notice about the woman at the counter?
What does Sade notice about the woman at the counter?
What is the significance of the coins that Sade and Femi examine?
What is the significance of the coins that Sade and Femi examine?
How does Sade feel about Uncle Dele's absence at the airport?
How does Sade feel about Uncle Dele's absence at the airport?
What does Femi observe after he finishes his cake?
What does Femi observe after he finishes his cake?
What action do Sade and Femi take after noticing Mrs. Bankole's absence?
What action do Sade and Femi take after noticing Mrs. Bankole's absence?
What initially distracts Sade from her worries about Uncle Dele?
What initially distracts Sade from her worries about Uncle Dele?
What was Sade's initial reaction to the situation when they saw Mrs. Bankole disappear?
What was Sade's initial reaction to the situation when they saw Mrs. Bankole disappear?
What did Sade mean when she said, 'Perhaps she has just gone somewhere for a few minutes'?
What did Sade mean when she said, 'Perhaps she has just gone somewhere for a few minutes'?
Study Notes
Sade and Femi's Journey
- Sade and her brother, Femi, are on a flight to London with Mrs.Bankole.
- Despite being tired, Sade struggles to sleep due to the loud engines and memories of her deceased mother and father.
- The airport is crowded, and Sade feels overwhelmed by the large buildings and unsure how to find their uncle, Uncle Dele.
- Mrs.Bankole is questioned by customs officials due to her large amount of luggage, which contains items such as bubas, sandals, and bracelets.
- Mrs.Bankole insists that she has nothing to hide but reluctantly pays import duty on the goods.
- At Victoria Station, Mrs.Bankole seems to avoid talking about her husband, Mr.Bankole, who doesn't meet them at the station.
- Mrs.Bankole argues with her husband, and they disappear from the flower stall, leaving Sade and Femi alone and scared.
- The children face a harsh reality in London, feeling alone, lost, and invisible to the city's inhabitants.
- As they walk through the cold streets, they fear being questioned, worried about their secret entry into London and the potential consequences if their identity is revealed.
- Sade and Femi are cold, hungry and scared, and they desperately want to find their uncle and a safe place to stay.
- They try to find shelter, but the city seems daunting and unwelcoming.
- Femi's question about the “Machine Lady” and his observations of the coins highlight their innocence and vulnerability in this foreign environment.
Character Dynamics
- Mrs.Bankole is shown to be a strong and resilient woman, but she is clearly under pressure and burdened by her past.
- Sade and Femi are portrayed as innocent and vulnerable children struggling to cope with their new surroundings.
- The relationship between Mrs.Bankole and her children is strained, with a sense of distance and unspoken tensions.
- Mr.Bankole's presence is shrouded in mystery and seems to be linked to the reasons for their trip to London.
- The absence of Uncle Dele and the disappearance of Mrs.Bankole leave the children feeling utterly alone and abandoned.
- The portrayal of the customs officers and the "Machine Lady" highlights the bureaucratic and impersonal nature of the city.
Thematic Considerations
- The text explores themes of family, identity, and displacement, highlighting the challenges faced by immigrants and refugees.
- The use of vivid descriptions and sensory details creates a sense of anxiety and unease, reflecting the children's emotional state.
- The children's experience serves as a window into the complexities of navigating a new and unfamiliar city.
- The conflict between Mrs.Bankole and her husband adds a layer of suspense, suggesting underlying secrets and tensions that drive their journey.
- The text leaves the reader with a sense of uncertainty and anticipation, suggesting a potential for danger and further challenges ahead for the children.
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Description
Join Sade and her brother Femi as they navigate the challenges of arriving in London. Through feelings of loss and overwhelming surroundings, discover how the siblings cope with their new reality. This quiz explores themes of family, immigration, and the emotional challenges faced by children in a foreign environment.
