Literature-In-English Paper 3 WASSCE (SC), 2023

Question 1      JOHN K. KARGBO: Let me Die Alone
Consider Lamboi and Musa as conspirators.

 

This question requires candidates to discuss Lambio and Musa as conspirators. Candidates were able to identify their conspiracies against Yoko mand Gbanya but their weakness lies in their inability to relate these to the theme.

Candidates’ responses were expected to contain the following:

  • Identification of the major themes of internal struggle for power and external aggression by the colonial government.
  • Character Identification of Lamboi and Musa.
  • Lamboi and Musa plot to kill Gbanya: Lamboi observes that Gbanya has grown old and will soon die; Lamboi approaches Musa and ropes him into plotting to kill Gbanya and take over the chiefdom before Yoko has a chance; they, observing that the chief is sick, give him poison. Unfortunately for them, Yoko takes over and becomes queen of Mende Land.
  • Lamboi and Musa plot to defame and disgrace Yoko: they kidnap the hapless girl, kill, remove some parts of her body and bury her in the forest to give an appearance of ritual murder; they spread rumours of Yoko’s complicity in her death; Yoko is publicly disgraced; e.g. Ndapi slaps her; the Sande dancers sing derogatory songs about her.
  • The consequences of the conspirators’ failure: Yoko loses respect among her subjects; the conspirators are exposed upon the discovery of Jeneba’s mutilated body; Yoko redeems herself by committing suicide (poisoning); they go into self-exile.

Only a few candidates were able to do these; and the performance was fair.