ANTICIPATION BY Mabel Dove Danquah (A Literary Criticism)

 Course: ENGL 15- Afro- Asian Literature

Section: BSED III                                                   

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ANTICIPATION BY Mabel Dove Danquah

(A Literary Criticism)

THE ELEMENTS

           

Ø  CHARACTERS       

·         Nana Adaku II- the Omanhene of Akwasin, and was celebrating the twentieth anniversary of his accession to the stool of Akwasin, the man who has 40 wives.

·         Effua- One of the 40 wives of Omanhene

·         Linguist- the trusted person of the Omanhene

·         Men of Akwasin- are wearing tokota sandals on their feet and rich multi-colored velvet and gorgeous, hand-woden .

·         Women of Akwasin with golden ear-rings dangling, with golden chains and bracelets. Looking dignified in their colorful native Attire.

           

Ø  SETTING(S)

·         Nkwabi, the capital of Akwasin.

Ø  Conflict

Man vs. Society- the character in this story became the victim of its own society, of its own tradition.

Ø  POINT OF VIEW

Third Person Point of View- it is being told or narrated by a person who doesn’t have an actual participation in the story.

THE THEME

Sometimes the things that we anticipate are already there. It’s just that we fail to appreciate them and only see them when we don't have any options or when we simply got bored.

THE PLOT DEVELOPMENT

Ø  Exposition

The Omanhene was celebrating the 20^th anniversary of his accession to stool of Akwasin. He then arrived in a palanquin in the state park where the Odwina was to be staged. As the drum beats on the women performed the Adowa dance. One dancer capture his attention because of its beauty, he then threw a handful of loose cash into the crowd of dancers. The particular dancer mad no sign but instead keeps on dancing.

Ø  Rising Action

Realizing that he was neglected by the dancer, he turned to his trusted linguist. He told him to get fifty pounds from the cashier and gave it to the dancer’s relatives. The linguist then starts his investigation about the woman.

Ø  Climax

Nana went back to his place. He then fell asleep after he had taken a bath.  When he woke up the young woman was kneeling by his feet. There he gave the remaining 50 gold sovereigns to Effua to complete the offer of 100. After receiving the amount the woman gave it to his parents and went back to the Omanhene.

Ø  Falling action

There they talk casually inside the Omanhene’s room. Omanhene appreciated the beauty and charm of Effua while he was playing the ivory beads lying so snugly on her bosom.

Ø  Denouement

Effua stands and look in the mirror.  As she came back and sit, she then revealed that they were already married two years ago, that he also paid her 50 pounds before.

THE CRITICAL INSIGHTS

I think the best approach to this literature is Sociological Approach. This story shows concrete details on how the culture, economic, and political context affects the flow or the outcome, character’s actions, and the story as a whole. Perhaps these three aspects indeed play a vital role in the story.

In the story the society views marriage as an assurance for a better life.  This is evident on how the women are being portrayed. They are marrying a rich or noble man, to the extent that they disregard the fact that the man is already been married on the first place. This action that we consider deviant has been tolerated by the culture and the society in the story. The economic status also has something to do with this practice. Nana Adaku is an Omanhene in his town. Here we can deduce that he is rich and powerful, giving him the rights to practice this polygamous act, since the only ground for it is that the man should have the capability or as long as the man can support his wives and his families.

REFLECTION

The ending of the story is unpredictable, it is not what I expected it to be. I can tell that the author did not fail to amuse her readers. The story is quite good, unpredictable, unusual, humorous, and most importantly not boring. The only thing that left me hanging is the ending of the story. I was left wondering what will happen next after that revelation, on how Nana Adaku reacted. Did he realize his stupidity? Did he laugh out of it? Did he learn to love and valued Effua or his wives? But again, as I said the story is unusual. If this is what author’s main intention, then I can say that he indeed succeeded on her intention.

In this story I have learned the importance of valuing and to value my loved ones.  Those who loved me unconditionally, (my mom, siblings and friends) who’s been willing to help, build me up whenever I'm down and motivates me to strive harder, to continue living a meaningful life, a life with purpose.