Observation

This question requires candidates to give a description of the significance Mr Norton to Jim Trueblood. Most candidates merely narrated the story of Jim Trueblood.

Candidates were expected to discuss:

• The theme of racial discrimination.
• Character identification: Mr. Norton is a wealthy white trustee of Dr. Bledsoe’s college. Jim Trueblood is a black American sharecropper who impregnates his daughter.

• The visit: Trueblood narrates his incestuous relationship with his daughter. He also narrates his ostracization by his family and community. Mr. Norton offers $100.00 to Trueblood.
• The significance: His visit exposes the harsh conditions of living for the majority of the blacks. Dr. Norton’s donation of $100.00 to Mr. Trueblood is representative of whites’ treatment of blacks with patronage.

• The show of patronizing sympathy of other whites towards Trueblood.
• The visit illustrates the condescending attitude of the whites to the blacks and also reveals how blacks are easily stereotyped.

Most candidates gave shallow answers.