Question Library

Bepo gave the landlord's children i.e. Jide and his sister, the sum of ₦5000 as a gift before he left for the airport.

Bepo studied English/ History Education at the University of Benin. This can be found on page 12 of the novel.

Sola was the Home Economics teacher at Stardom Schools before she relocated to the UK. This can be found on page 15 of the novel.

According to the novel, Bishop Ajayi Crowther was the one who translated the Bible into Yoruba. This can be found on page 46 of the novel.

The phrase “under the world of tears” as used on page 8 of the novel metaphorically illustrates the depth of the principal’s emotional breakdown. It compares his sorrow to a physical state of being buried beneath tears.

The principal's uncharacteristic silence as he walked to the podium that morning, as well as his breakdown into tears, created a tense and bewildering atmosphere for the students. There was also a feeling of uncertainty as the students had never encountered such before. The principal they have come to know and depend on was behaving quite strangely. The heavy silence, the "perplexed eyes", and the shock from both students and staff all point to a tense and uncertain atmosphere. This can be inferred from the description on page 5 of the novel.

Audu’s statement is metaphorical. He doesn’t mean it literally but uses it to exaggerate the MD’s cleverness and manipulative prowess in economics. This can be inferred from the descriptions on page 5 of the novel.

This can be found on page 7 of the novel, where Ikenna was describing the "acrobatic" Jos landscape. He says: "You could see a rock carrying three other rocks on its head. You could find a small rock confidently backing another, big enough to give birth to it." The rocks are described as if they were performing a human action—carrying—which is a personification.

Many of Bepo's colleagues view his hesitation to relocate as irrational. They find it funny and think it stupid to pass on such a "golden opportunity". This can be inferred from the descriptions on pages 10 and 11.

Mr Bepo was always known for praising such efforts. This can be inferred from the description on pages 7-8 of the novel. "On a day like this, he would be on top of the world. He would regard Ikenna's outing as evidence of a good education Stardom offered, and which he believed every Nigerian child deserved. The students also expected him to highlight some terms Ikenna might not have articulated so well..." (page 7-8).

Rocks in Jos appear stacked in dramatic postures. "You could see a rock carrying three other rocks on its head. You could find a small rock confidently backing another, big enough to give birth to it". (Page 7)

“Clatter” mimics the sound made when the microphone hits the floor. This line can be found on page 6 of the novel.

The story strikes a balance between a reflective sadness, stemming from Bepo's emotional turmoil, and warm character insights. Bepo grapples with the decision of whether to leave his students for a trip to the UK. His visit to the Badagry Heritage Slave Museum becomes a pivotal moment as it prompts him to reflect on the idea of "new slavery." This reflection leads him to the realisation that he is not ready to become one of these modern slaves; instead, he chooses to remain at Stardom School to nurture his students. Throughout the narrative, a melancholic atmosphere persists. It begins with Bepo's emotional breakdown during the assembly and continues as he contemplates various migration stories, particularly those of individuals who were unsuccessful in their migration attempts. Insights from these different people encourage him to be more reflective and to think critically about this important relocation decision.

Bepo succumbed to family pressure; his wife and daughters had already moved to the UK, and his hesitation was straining their relationship. This can be found on page 10 of the novel.

The founder, Chief Aje, hired Bepo personally after a one-on-one discussion, unlike many others who faced the school's interview panels. This can be found on page 56 of the novel.