Question Library

The most common narrative technique used in the novel is flashback. The writer uses this technique to relate events that happened in the past to the readers.

This can be page 12 of the novel where it is revealed that Bepo, amongst other things, has thought of establishing his own school after having garnered a lot of experience in teaching and school management. His only fear was if he would have enough money to "float a standard school, given the taste he had already imbibed at Stardom." He had initially built a school - "Fruitful Future" but it had crumbled due to socio-economic challenges in the location.

Chief Ogba, Tosh's father, demanded that Banky and his parents write separate letters of apology to both him and his son. He also insisted that the letters be published in the school magazine. This was after Banky had called Tosh "the son of an ex-convict" during his speech for the position of Social prefect. This can be found on page 43 of the novel.

Irony is a powerful tool in the novel, used to critique societal norms and highlight the contradictions in modern Nigerian life. Bepo reflects on the irony of Africans willingly migrating to the countries of their former colonial masters, describing this as a “new slavery.” The tales of Nigerians thriving or struggling abroad illustrate the irony of migration dreams. Stories like Jare’s regret over leaving a banking job to care for the elderly in London highlight the unpredictability of these pursuits.

The emergency meeting of the board of Directors was called because the MD was concerned that the Cooperative allowed the teachers to be financially independent. She believes that the staff could rebel and jointly establish their own school with the money and steal the school's band ideal. This can be found on page 26 of the novel.

The Board of Directors at Stardom Schools is made up of the MD's family members: the chairman, Chief Mrs Solape Bayo is the MD's mother, Martins Bayo is a non-executive director; and Oya Bayo, the last born, was the board's secretary. This can be found on page 26 of the novel.

Bepo moved his belongings out of his room and the staff room the next morning before he went to see the director. This can be found on page 40 of the novel.

Bepo recalls the poem titled "Ibadan" by J.P. Clark as he journeyed through the capital city on his way to renew his passport. The poem gives an apt description of the Ibadan landscape that he sees as the Sienna he was in reached the top of the hilly bridge after Bere. Ibadan, grinning splash of rust and gold-flung and scattered among seven hills like broken china in the sun. This can be found on page 51 of the novel.

Although Mr Fafore lives quite far away, he always prepares his day so that he arrives very early. He wakes up as early as 4:00 am and sets out for school at 4:30 am. He would get to the school premises around 6:00 am, rest his head on his desk and snooze for about an hour before his colleagues arrived. This can be found on page 30 of the novel.

Bepo believes that learning should focus on the growth and development of the students. He focuses on imparting the knowledge that the students need to be able to thrive when they get out into the world. He also believes that learning should be hands-on and engaging as he constantly encourages doing extra-curriculars that help students apply the knowledge they learnt in practical situations. This can be seen in the phone-making initiative that he had hoped to see to the end before he relocated to the UK. Finally, he believes that excursions can enhance the learning experience. He took the students out on excursions so that they can have a solid knowledge of the Nigerian environment before they travelled abroad to further their education. However, he does not believe in maintaining a strict authoritarian approach. He rather believes in resolving conflicts amicably.

Bepo chose to renew his passport in Ibadan because there were longer queues in Lagos and paying to expedite the process could cost up to N200,000 to N250,000. He heard that he could travel to neighbouring states like Ogun, Oyo, Osun and Kwara where there would be less crowd; and so he settled for Ibadan. This can be found on page 48 of the novel.

The usual democratic process of election of prefects was suspended at Stardom Schools because of the incident between Banky and Tosh. During Speech Day, Banky had said: "Instead of voting for the son of an ex-convict, cast your vote for me. You will never regret." He said this as part of his campaign and was directed at Tosh. This negative campaigning led to a chain of events including the suspension of this process of democratic election. This can be found on page 42 of the novel.

This is one of the most embarrassing actions he has undertaken, according to the novel. When Bepo was out of a job and had no savings or no new employment in sight, he spent the N2,500 electricity tariff he collected on behalf of the tenants in his compound in Iyana Ipaja. This can be found on page 28 of the novel.

Mrs Ignatius learned different Yoruba braids like Suku, Onilegogoro and Kojusoko in preparation for her family's migration to Canada. She had learnt that learning this kind of skill would fetch a lot of money in Canada that could be used to support the family. This can be found on page 20 of the novel.

Iya Matthew had grabbed a full bowl of elubo or cassava powder and dunked it on his head after the tenants discovered what Bepo had done. This can be found on page 28 of the novel.