Question

Difficulty: MediumMinor Character Identification and Functions

In Khadija Abubakar Jalli's *The Life Changer*, what key narrative function does Hakimi, the District Head of Lafayette, serve when Talle is investigated and arrested by the police?

  1. He functions as a traditional authority figure who provides community oversight and mediates between the local villagers and law enforcement.Answer
  2. B
    He acts as the criminal mastermind who orchestrates the extortion scheme and frames Talle for kidnapping.
  3. C
    He serves as a university campus security officer who investigates examination malpractice during the GNS test.
  4. D
    He acts as a personal legal defense counsel who represents Salim during his police interrogation.

Answer

Hakimi functions as a traditional authority figure who provides community oversight and mediates between the local villagers and law enforcement.
The correct answer accurately describes Hakimi's role in *The Life Changer*. As the District Head of Lafayette, Hakimi represents traditional community leadership. He receives reports from concerned villagers about Talle's suspicious food purchases and acts as the official community witness when law enforcement officers arrest Talle.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the minor character and context in the prescribed text
Hakimi is identified as the District Head (traditional village leader) of Lafayette in *The Life Changer*.
Understanding the character's designated title and location grounds the character analysis.
2
Analyze Hakimi's actions during Talle's investigation and arrest
When Talle starts buying excessive amounts of food, villagers report to Hakimi. When police arrive, Hakimi accompanies them to ensure transparency and maintain order.
Examining plot events reveals how the character interacts with both the community and state authorities.
3
Deduce the thematic and structural narrative function
Hakimi embodies traditional leadership and community accountability, bridging the gap between rural village custom and modern policing.
Minor characters often function to reflect societal structure and provide realistic narrative context.

Key Concept

Minor character identification and narrative functions in prose texts
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