Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumAnalysis of Prescribed African Prose Texts

In Bayo Adebowale's novel *Lonely Days*, how does Yaremi defy the traditional widowhood expectations of the Kufi community during the suitor-selection ceremony?

  1. She publicly rejects all three suitors proposed by the village elders, choosing to remain independent and honor her late husband's memory.Answer
  2. B
    She agrees to marry Lanwa in order to protect her late husband's land and property from being confiscated by the elders.
  3. C
    She flees the village of Kufi with her grandson Woye to settle permanently in the city of Ibadan.
  4. D
    She accepts Alowolodu on the condition that he pays off all outstanding debts left behind by her deceased husband.

Answer

Yaremi publicly rejects all three suitors proposed by the village elders, choosing to remain independent and honor her late husband's memory.
In Bayo Adebowale's *Lonely Days*, Yaremi demonstrates courage and individual agency by refusing to select any of the three suitors (Lanwa, Olunde, and Alowolodu) put forward by the council of elders, rejecting patriarchal widow inheritance customs in favor of independence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the key conflict in the climax of *Lonely Days*
The widowhood rituals in Kufi dictate that a widow must choose a new husband from her late husband's relatives or peers during a formal ceremony.
This custom is intended to reassign women as inherited property within the patriarchal structure of the community.
2
Analyze Yaremi's actions during the suitor ceremony
When presented with Lanwa, Olunde, and Alowolodu, Yaremi openly refuses each suitor.
She values her personal freedom, self-reliance, and deep emotional fidelity to her late husband Ajai.

Key Concept

Character analysis, female agency, and critique of oppressive widowhood rites in African prose
Rate this question

Topics

Analysis of Prescribed African Prose Texts

More questions from this topic