Get notes, line-by-line explanation, summary, questions and answers, critical analysis, word meanings, workbook solutions (Evergreen and Morning Star), extras, and pdf of the story “The Girl Who Can” by Ama Ata Aidoo, which is part of ICSE Class 10 English (Treasure Chest: A Collection of ICSE Poems and Short Stories). However, the notes should only be treated as references, and changes should be made according to the needs of the students.
Summary
The story is narrated by Adjoa, a young 7-year-old girl living in a village in Ghana. Adjoa struggles to express her thoughts and feelings to the adults around her, as they often dismiss or laugh at what she says. The main source of conflict is between Adjoa’s grandmother Nana and her mother. Nana frequently criticised Adjoa’s legs, saying they are too thin and long for a proper woman. In Nana’s view, a woman’s legs should be thick with muscle to support wide childbearing hips. Adjoa’s mother defends Adjoa but does not strongly contradict Nana.
Adjoa wishes she could examine other women’s legs to evaluate Nana’s statements, but is only able to see the legs of girls her own age. Nana also thinks Adjoa attending school is a waste of time, while her mother supports her education. Adjoa enjoys school and the chance to run races with her classmates. One day, Adjoa’s teachers select her to represent her school in a district sports competition. Adjoa is surprised but excited, and goes home to share the news with her family.
At first, Nana and Adjoa’s mother do not believe she will really compete. But when Nana verifies the truth, she starts treating Adjoa differently. She launders Adjoa’s school uniform herself and carefully irons it. During the week of competitions, Nana attends each day, walking behind the schoolchildren. Adjoa wins every race she enters, becoming the district junior champion.
When Adjoa returns to the village with the champion’s cup, Nana carries it proudly on her back to show Adjoa’s mother. Nana has realised that while Adjoa’s legs may be thin, they have their own strength and speed. The experience changes how Nana sees Adjoa and her abilities.
About the author
Ama Ata Aidoo is a trailblazing writer from Ghana who has shed light on the complexities African women face in pursuing identity and fulfilment within patriarchal societies. Born in 1942, Aidoo showed remarkable literary promise even as a young girl. After obtaining a college education in her home country of Ghana, she ventured to the United States for graduate studies.
In 1970, Aidoo made a splashy entrance onto the literary stage with her groundbreaking play The Dilemma of a Ghost, gaining international praise and attention. She went on to serve as Ghana’s Minister of Education, balancing her political and writing careers.
Throughout her illustrious career as a playwright, poet, novelist and short story author, Aidoo has delved into issues of gender, power dynamics and tradition in works like Anowa, Changes and No Sweetness Here. Her writing illuminates the experiences of African women and challenges the restraints placed upon them by society. Aidoo’s body of work has significantly influenced modern African literature and feminist thought. Despite facing criticism for her unflinching portrayals of ingrained patriarchy, Aidoo remains a vital voice speaking to the struggles of African women. Her vibrant stories feature determined female protagonists who take control of their destinies, inspiring women everywhere to defy unjust barriers.
Evergreen workbook answers/solutions
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Who is the author of the story ‘The Girl Who Can’?
(a) Chinua Achebe (b) Wole Soyinka (c) H. G. Wells (d) Ama Ata Aidoo
Answer: (d) Ama Ata Aidoo
2. How old is Adjoa?
(a) eight (b) nine (c) seven (d) ten
Answer: (c) seven
3. The place Adjoa hails from is
(a) barren (b) fertile (c) a plateau (d) frequented by earthquakes
Answer: (b) fertile
4. Adjoa’s Maami is
(a) dominating (c) humble and helpless (b) orthodox (d) conservative
Answer: (c) humble and helpless
5. Adjoa’s nature is described as
(a) headstrong (b) timid (c) cunning (d) analytical and sensitive
Answer: (d) analytical and sensitive
6. Who was Kaya?
(a) Nana (b) Maami (c) Adjoa’s school teacher (d) Adjoa’s nickname
Answer: (b) Maami
7. When Adjoa thinks of her legs, she is
(a) depressed (b) excited (c) analytical (d) angry with her lot
Answer: (c) analytical
8. Adjoa is selected to represent her school in
(a) state games (b) international games (c) national-level games (d) junior district games
Answer: (d) junior district games
9. How does Nana hold the cup won by Adjoa?
(a) keeps it on her head (b) holds it in her hands (c) carries it on the back (d) throws it away
Answer: (c) carries it on the back
10. In the end of the story, Nana appears as
(a) a killjoy (b) a progressive dynamic woman (c) a frustrated woman (d) making compromise with the way of the world
Answer: (b) a progressive dynamic woman
Comprehension passage
Passage 1
They say that when all of Africa is not choking under a drought, Hasodzi lies in a very fertile lowland in a district known for its good soil. Maybe that is why anytime I don’t finish eating my food, Nana says, ‘You, Adjoa, you don’t know what life is about… you don’t know what problems there are in this life…’
(i) What contrast is made in the first sentence?
Answer: The contrast in the first sentence is between Africa during a drought, when the land is barren, and Africa when it is fertile, particularly in Hasodzi, which is known for its good soil when not under the stress of drought.
(ii) What do you learn about the speaker from this extract?
Answer: The speaker, Adjoa, is a young girl who may be unaware of the larger struggles of life, like food scarcity, which is why her grandmother scolds her for not finishing her meals. This suggests that Adjoa has a more innocent, perhaps sheltered, view of life.
(iii) What information is given by the narrator about Nana?
Answer: The narrator describes Nana as someone who believes Adjoa is naive about life’s difficulties. She is vocal about the importance of appreciating food and appears to be someone who has experienced or witnessed the challenges that come with living in a region prone to drought.
(iv) What does the narrator think about her Nana telling her about problems in life?
Answer: The narrator, Adjoa, seems to not fully grasp why Nana insists on talking about life’s problems, possibly because she does not yet understand the gravity of the struggles her grandmother refers to.
(v) Which part of Africa is this story about? What is peculiar about it?
Answer: This story is set in Hasodzi, a village in Ghana, in the Central Region. What is peculiar is the drastic shift in the region’s fertility, where it goes from being barren during droughts to being highly fertile under normal conditions.
Passage 2
And that, I think, is a very serious problem. Because it is always difficult to decide whether to keep quiet and not say any of the things that come into my head, or say them and get laughed at.
(i) Which serious problem is the narrator talking about?
Answer: The narrator, Adjoa, is referring to her difficulty in deciding whether to speak up or stay silent. She feels conflicted because when she speaks, she is often laughed at by adults, making her hesitant to express her thoughts.
(ii) What is the narrator’s dilemma?
Answer: Adjoa’s dilemma is that she does not know whether to share her thoughts, which might be ridiculed by the adults around her, or to remain silent and keep those thoughts to herself. She feels torn between wanting to speak her mind and fearing the reaction it may provoke.
(iii) What is the general attitude of the elders to the problems of the youngsters?
Answer: The elders, including Nana, often dismiss or laugh at the concerns of youngsters like Adjoa. Instead of taking their issues seriously, they treat them as insignificant or amusing, which discourages the younger generation from speaking up.
(iv) Has it been easy for Adjoa to deal with Nana?
Answer: No, it has not been easy for Adjoa to deal with Nana. Nana tends to laugh at Adjoa’s thoughts, making it difficult for her to express herself without feeling mocked or belittled.
(v) Which weakness of Adjoa is pointed out by Nana?
Answer: Nana points out Adjoa’s legs, saying they are too thin and long for a woman. This physical trait is something Nana frequently criticizes, reflecting her traditional views on how a woman’s body should look.
Passage 3
I find something quite confusing in all this. That is, no one ever explains to me why sometimes I shouldn’t repeat some things I say.
(i) What is confusing to the narrator?
Answer: The narrator, Adjoa, is confused about why certain things she says are forbidden to be repeated while other things she says are seen as funny and repeated by others for amusement. The inconsistency of the adults’ reactions leaves her perplexed.
(ii) What is the narrator forbidden to do?
Answer: Adjoa is often forbidden from repeating certain statements she makes, though the reasons for these prohibitions are never explained to her. This lack of explanation adds to her confusion.
(iii) What surprising thing or habit of the elders is referred to here?
Answer: The surprising habit of the elders is their inconsistent reaction to Adjoa’s words. Sometimes they forbid her from repeating things, while other times they find what she says humorous and repeat it among themselves, often at her expense.
(iv) How do the elders behave about the follies or foibles of the youngsters?
Answer: The elders tend to laugh at the mistakes or odd statements made by the youngsters, using their foibles as a source of amusement. Instead of guiding the children or explaining things to them, they often mock them, leaving the younger ones feeling confused.
(v) What does the narrator think about the grown-ups?
Answer: The narrator finds the behaviour of the grown-ups inconsistent and confusing. She feels that their treatment of her, especially regarding what she is allowed to say or not say, is arbitrary and unhelpful, which discourages her from speaking freely.
Passage 4
That it did not have to be an issue for my two favourite people to fight over. But I didn’t want either to be told not to repeat that or it to be considered so funny that anyone would laugh at me until they cried.
(i) Which issue does the narrator refer to here?
Answer: The issue being referred to is the ongoing disagreement between her mother and Nana about the narrator’s legs. They frequently discuss whether her legs are too thin and long, which has become a point of contention.
(ii) Who are the two favourite people of the narrator mentioned here? Do they have the same views?
Answer: The two favourite people are the narrator’s mother and Nana. They do not share the same views about Adjoa’s legs. Nana believes that Adjoa’s legs are too thin and long for a woman, while her mother tries to defend her, but does so timidly.
(iii) What does the narrator expect of them regarding her issue?
Answer: The narrator expects them not to make a big deal about her legs. She does not want them to turn the issue into a serious matter that leads to being told off, nor does she want them to make her legs a subject of mockery.
(iv) What opinion does Nana hold about women’s ability to rear a child?
Answer: Nana believes that in order for a woman to bear children, she must have strong, solid legs and hips. This is part of her traditional view on women’s bodies, where physical strength, particularly in the legs and hips, is tied to fertility.
(v) How is the outer world of a child as compared to the world before birth?
Answer: The outer world of a child, as described by the narrator, is noisy and full of comprehension, in stark contrast to the “land of sweet soft silence” before birth, where such concerns and judgments, like those about her legs, did not exist.
Passage 5
And you know, such things are not for talking about every day. But if any female child decides to come into this world with legs, then they might as well be legs.
(i) Whose opinion is talked about here? How sound is it?
Answer: Nana’s opinion is being discussed here. She holds the view that a woman’s legs should be strong and well-formed, as they are necessary for supporting hips and bearing children. While this view may have some traditional grounding, it reflects outdated notions about women’s roles and physical attributes.
(ii) Which are the ‘such things’ that are not meant to be talked about on a daily basis?
Answer: ‘Such things’ refer to physical imperfections or abnormalities, particularly those concerning a person’s legs, which Nana believes are not appropriate topics for daily conversation.
(iii) What kind of legs are not liked? And by whom?
Answer: Nana dislikes thin and long legs, which she believes are not suitable for a woman. She criticizes Adjoa’s legs for being spindly and unsuited to her ideal image of womanhood.
(iv) With what should a female child come into the world?
Answer: According to Nana, a female child should come into the world with strong legs that have enough “meat” on them to support solid hips, which are necessary for childbirth.
(v) Does the narrator get any complex due to her so-called imperfection?
Answer: Although the narrator is aware of the constant criticisms of her legs, she does not seem to develop an inferiority complex. Instead, she focuses on her own abilities, such as her success in athletics, which help her see her legs as useful in other ways.
Passage 6
How, ‘After one’s only daughter had insisted on marrying a man like that, you still have to thank your God that the biggest problem you got later was having a granddaughter with spindly legs that are too long for a woman, and too thin to be of any use.’
(i) What is Nana lamenting about?
Answer: Nana is lamenting the fact that her daughter chose to marry a man she disapproved of and that, as a result, she ended up with a granddaughter (Adjoa) who has legs that Nana deems too spindly and thin for a woman.
(ii) What kind of man did Maami marry? Was it a happy marriage?
Answer: Maami married a man whom Nana did not approve of, likely because she considered him unsuitable or inferior in some way. The passage suggests that this was not a happy marriage, as Nana continues to complain about it long after it occurred.
(iii) What evil of the society does the passage refer to?
Answer: The passage refers to societal judgment based on physical appearance, particularly for women. Nana’s criticism of Adjoa’s legs reflects a broader societal emphasis on how a woman’s body should look, particularly in relation to traditional roles like childbearing.
(iv) Why is Nana not happy with Adjoa’s legs?
Answer: Nana is unhappy with Adjoa’s legs because they are too thin and long, which she believes makes them unsuitable for a woman, especially in terms of their ability to support childbearing hips.
(v) What is Nana’s ideal of a perfect woman?
Answer: Nana’s ideal woman has strong legs with “meat” on them and solid hips, which are necessary for bearing children. This reflects her traditional view of womanhood, where physical traits are closely linked to fertility.
Passage 7
School is another thing Nana and my mother discussed often and appeared to have different ideas about. Nana thought it would be waste of time. I never understood what she meant.
(i) What did Nana think about the education of girls?
Answer: Nana believed that educating girls was a waste of time, as she likely held traditional views about women’s roles being centered on domestic duties and childbearing, rather than formal education.
(ii) What opinion do you form of Nana?
Answer: Nana seems to hold conservative and traditional views, especially regarding the roles of women in society. She does not see the value in formal education for girls and seems focused on more traditional female roles like motherhood and domesticity.
(iii) Did Adjoa’s mother hold the same views about the education of women as her grandmother Nana?
Answer: No, Adjoa’s mother disagreed with Nana. She believed that education was important for girls and regretted not having had the opportunity to receive an education herself.
(iv) Was Adjoa’s mother educated? What was her regret?
Answer: Adjoa’s mother was not educated, and her regret is that this lack of education left her feeling trapped in ignorance, or as if she were “locked into some kind of darkness.”
(v) Why did Nana not wish the girls to go to school?
Answer: Nana likely believed that education would not benefit girls, as she saw their primary roles as being wives and mothers. She may have thought that school would not prepare them for these responsibilities.
Passage 8
You know what she did? She carried the gleaming cup on her back. Like they do with babies, and other very precious things. And this time, not taking the trouble to walk by herself.
(i) What moment of pride does the passage refer to?
Answer: The moment of pride refers to Adjoa’s victory in athletics, where she won a cup for being the best all-round junior athlete. Nana, in a gesture of pride, carried the cup on her back as though it were a precious child.
(ii) How does Nana react at Adjoa’s achievement?
Answer: Nana reacts with pride and affection. Her actions—carrying the cup on her back—reflect a significant shift in how she views Adjoa and her abilities, especially considering her earlier criticisms of Adjoa’s legs.
(iii) What change of heart and mind is seen in Nana’s personality? How does it seem different from her earlier attitude?
Answer: Nana’s earlier attitude was critical of Adjoa’s legs, as she believed they were unsuitable for a woman. However, after seeing Adjoa’s success in athletics, Nana’s attitude softens, and she begins to appreciate Adjoa’s physical abilities, showing a change in her understanding of what makes a woman valuable.
(iv) What does Nana begin to think about the role of women in society?
Answer: Nana starts to see that women can have value beyond traditional roles such as childbearing. She recognizes that Adjoa’s thin legs, which she once considered a flaw, are capable of achieving success in other areas, such as sports.
(v) How does Adjoa show the mettle of a woman?
Answer: Adjoa demonstrates the mettle of a woman by excelling in athletics, proving that her legs, despite being criticized, are strong and capable. Through her achievements, she challenges the traditional expectations placed on women, showing that they can succeed in multiple ways.
Morning Star workbook answers/solutions
Multiple Choice Questions II
1. She carried the gleaming cup on her back. Like they do with babies, and other very precious things.
A. Metaphor
B. Simile
C. Irony
D. Alliteration
Answer: A. Metaphor
2. Who are referred to as ‘They’ who describe the birthplace of the narrator?
A. Her teachers
B. The village community
C. Her mother and grandmother
D. None of the above
Answer: B. The village community
3. Why would Nana reprimand Adjoa for not finishing her food?
A. She was a strict disciplinarian
B. She was an agent of patriarchy
C. She had seen hardships in life
D. None of the above
Answer: C. She had seen hardships in life
4. What is the one serious problem Adjoa has to face?
A. She cannot laugh when her grandmother laughs
B. She cannot express herself
C. She cannot understand the language of elders
D. None of the above
Answer: B. She cannot express herself
5. Which characteristic trait of Nana is revealed by her act of not allowing Adjoa to express her thoughts?
A. Authoritarian
B. An agent of patriarchy
C. Conservative
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
6. The narrator wanted to tell her grandmother and mother not to worry about which of the following?
A. Her problem of expressing her thoughts
B. Her thin legs
C. Her selection for the athletic competition
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Her thin legs
7. According to the narrator’s grandmother, what was the biggest problem?
A. Her daughter’s husband
B. Her grand-daughter’s spindly legs
C. Her daughter’s silence
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Her grand-daughter’s spindly legs
8. Why did the narrator want to see the legs of other women who had children?
A. To compare them with her own thin legs
B. To compare them with her grandmother’s legs
C. To compare them with her classmates’ legs
D. None of the above
Answer: A. To compare them with her own thin legs
9. Which of the following statements is NOT correct?
A. Adjoa could not express her thoughts freely
B. Adjoa had to take a bath in the bathhouse
C. Adjoa complained about the long distance to school
D. Adjoa had thin long legs.
Answer: C. Adjoa complained about the long distance to school
10. What was Nana’s view initially about school?
A. A waste of time
B. An idle pursuit
C. A platform to showcase her talent
D. None of the above
Answer: A. A waste of time
11. What kind of clothes did Adjoa’s grandmother wear every afternoon while visiting the town for the sports meet?
A. Fresh new clothes
B. Old properly ironed clothes
C. Fresh old clothes
D. None of the above
Answer: C. Fresh old clothes
12. What were Nana’s feelings while carrying the cup won by Adjoa for the best all-round junior athlete?
A. Proud of Adjoa’s achievement
B. Recognised the worth of her thin legs
C. It was like a ritual to her
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Recognised the worth of her thin legs
13. Choose the option that lists the sequence of events in the correct order.
- She carried the gleaming cup on her back.
- When I went home to tell my mother and Nana, they had not believed it at first.
- Nana would just laugh. ‘Ah, maybe with legs like hers, she might as well go to school.’
- Each afternoon, she pulled one set of fresh old clothes from the big brass bowl to wear.
A. 1, 2, 3, 4
B. 3, 2, 4, 1
C. 3, 1, 2, 4
D. 2, 3, 1, 4
Answer: D. 2, 3, 1, 4
14. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statements (1) and (2).
- ‘But Adjoa has legs,’ Nana would insist; ‘except that they are too thin. And also too long for a woman.’
- Thin legs can also be useful…That ‘even though some legs don’t have much meat on them, to carry hips, they can run.’
A. 1 is the cause for 2
B. 1 is an example of 2
C. 1 is independent of 2
D. 1 is a contradiction of 2
Answer: A. 1 is the cause for 2
Context questions and answers
Extract 1
As far as I could see, there was only one problem. And it had nothing to do with what I knew Nana considered as ‘problems’, or what Maami thinks of as ‘the problem’. Maami is my mother. Nana is my mother’s mother. And they say I am seven years old. And my problem is that at this seven years of age, there are things I can think in my head, but which, maybe, I do not have the proper language to speak them out with. And that, I think is a very serious problem. Because it is always difficult to decide whether to keep quiet and not say any of the things that come into my head, or say them and get laughed at.
(i) Who is referred to as ‘I’ in the extract? According to her, what was grandmother’s problem?
Answer: The ‘I’ in the extract is Adjoa, the narrator of the story. According to her, the grandmother, Nana, considered the problem to be Adjoa’s legs, which Nana believed were too thin and long for a girl.
(ii) What is her problem at the age of seven? Why is it a serious problem?
Answer: At the age of seven, Adjoa feels that she can think clearly but lacks the language to express her thoughts effectively. This is a serious problem for her because she is unsure whether to express her thoughts and risk being laughed at, or to remain silent.
(iii) As described after this extract, how would Nana react when she would say something?
Answer: When Adjoa says something, Nana often reacts by staring at her for a long time before asking her to repeat it, and then either telling her never to repeat it again or bursting into laughter.
(iv) How would Nana involve other people in her reaction?
Answer: Nana would often repeat what Adjoa said to other people, which would lead to even more people laughing along with her, creating a spectacle.
(v) Explain briefly the significance of the girl-child being the narrator of the story.
Answer: The girl-child narrator, Adjoa, provides a unique and innocent perspective, allowing the reader to understand the complexities of her feelings and relationships with the adults around her. Her observations highlight societal attitudes towards female beauty and worth, especially as they relate to physical appearance.
Extract 2
I have always wanted to tell them not to worry. I mean Nana and my mother. That it did not have to be an issue for my two favourite people to fight over. But I didn’t want either to be told not to repeat that or it to be considered so funny that anyone would laugh at me until they cried. After all, they were my legs… When I think back on it now, those two, Nana and my mother, must have been discussing my legs from the day I was born.
(i) Why does the narrator want to tell her grandmother and mother not to worry? What does it suggest about the narrator?
Answer: The narrator, Adjoa, wants to tell her grandmother and mother not to worry about her legs because she sees no issue with them. This suggests that Adjoa is more accepting of herself and does not understand why her legs are such a point of contention between the two women.
(ii) Who are the narrator’s two favourite people? What are their views on the issue?
Answer: The narrator’s two favourite people are her mother and her grandmother, Nana. Nana believes that Adjoa’s legs are too thin and long, whereas her mother tries to defend Adjoa, saying that at least she has legs.
(iii) Who are ‘they’ who would laugh at her and why?
Answer: ‘They’ refers to the adults, especially her grandmother and other grown-ups, who laugh at Adjoa’s comments or views because they find them amusing or ridiculous from their perspective.
(iv) Why does the narrator feel that her grandmother and mother would have been discussing her legs ever since she was born? What does it suggest about the two women?
Answer: The narrator feels this way because her legs have been a frequent topic of conversation and debate between the two women. This suggests that both women have deep-rooted concerns about Adjoa’s appearance, with Nana being more vocal about her disapproval, and Maami being more protective.
(v) Which figure of speech is used in the last two lines of the extract? Explain briefly the meaning of these lines.
Answer: The figure of speech used in the last two lines is hyperbole, as Adjoa exaggerates the extent to which her legs have been discussed since her birth. This reflects her feeling that the issue of her legs has been overemphasized by the adults around her.
Extract 3
I knew from her voice that my mother was weeping inside. Nana never heard such inside weeping. Not that it would have stopped Nana even if she had heard it. Which always surprised me. Because, about almost everything else apart from my legs, Nana is such a good grown-up. In any case, what do I know about good grown-ups and bad grown-ups? How could Nana be a good grown-up when she carried on so about my legs? All I want to say is that I really liked Nana except for that.
(i) Why could the narrator feel that her mother was weeping from inside? Why could not her grandmother hear her daughter’s inside weeping?
Answer: The narrator could feel that her mother was weeping inside because of the emotional pain caused by Nana’s critical remarks about Adjoa’s legs. Nana could not hear her daughter’s inside weeping because she was more focused on expressing her own opinions, especially about Adjoa’s legs, and did not pay attention to her daughter’s emotional response.
(ii) The narrator feels that her grandmother would not have stopped even if she had heard her mother’s inside weeping. Why? What does it suggest about her grandmother and mother?
Answer: The narrator believes that Nana would not have stopped because she is stubborn and firm in her opinions, particularly about Adjoa’s legs. This suggests that Nana is strong-willed and uncompromising, while the mother is more sensitive and unable to express her pain openly.
(iii) Why does the narrator say that except for talking about her legs, her grandmother is a ‘good grown-up’? What does it suggest about the narrator?
Answer: The narrator says this because Nana is caring and responsible in other aspects, except when it comes to her obsession with Adjoa’s legs. This suggests that the narrator has a balanced view of her grandmother, acknowledging her flaws while still respecting her overall.
(iv) What would the grandmother be discussing when she would bring in the narrator’s father in her discussion? What does she admit about the man?
Answer: The grandmother would discuss how Adjoa’s father was not her ideal choice for her daughter, implying that she disapproved of her daughter’s marriage. She admits that despite her dissatisfaction with him, her biggest problem is having a granddaughter with spindly legs, implying some reluctant acceptance.
(v) State important characteristic traits of the narrator as revealed in this extract.
Answer: The narrator is observant and empathetic, able to sense her mother’s inner pain. She is also thoughtful and reflective, trying to reconcile her grandmother’s flaws with her overall good nature.
Extract 4
Sometimes, Nana would pull in something about my father. How, ‘Looking at such a man, we have to be humble and admit that after all, God’s children are many…’ How, ‘After one’s only daughter had insisted on marrying a man like that, you still have to thank your God that the biggest problem you got later was having a granddaughter with spindly legs that are too long for a woman, and too thin to be of any use.’ The way she always added that bit about my father under her breath, she probably thought I didn’t hear it. But I always heard it.
(i) Why would the grandmother thank God? What does it suggest about her?
Answer: The grandmother would thank God because, despite her disapproval of her daughter’s marriage, the biggest issue she faced was having a granddaughter with thin legs. This suggests that Nana finds solace in small blessings, even though she is critical and dissatisfied with certain aspects of life.
(ii) What makes the narrator question her own viewpoint that her grandmother is a ‘good grown-up’? What does the narrator finally think about her grandmother?
Answer: The narrator questions her viewpoint because, despite thinking Nana is generally a good adult, she cannot understand why Nana is so obsessed with her legs. In the end, the narrator seems to accept that Nana has her flaws but is still a beloved family figure.
(iii) Describe the feelings of Adjoa’s mother when she hears about her husband. What kind of relationship existed between Adjoa’s mother and grandmother?
Answer: Adjoa’s mother feels hurt and silenced whenever her husband is mentioned in a critical way by Nana. Their relationship is strained, with Nana being overbearing and judgmental, while the mother is more submissive and unable to stand up to her.
(iv) Why does the grandmother hush up things about Adjoa’s father? What does it reveal about her relationship with Adjoa?
Answer: The grandmother hushes up things about Adjoa’s father because she does not want Adjoa to hear her critical opinions, showing that despite her harshness, she cares for Adjoa and is somewhat protective of her.
(v) Describe briefly how Adjoa’s grandmother serves as an agent of patriarchy.
Answer: Adjoa’s grandmother reinforces patriarchal standards by focusing on Adjoa’s appearance, specifically her legs, and linking them to her ability to bear children. She perpetuates traditional gender roles, where a woman’s worth is tied to her physical attributes and reproductive potential.
Extract 5
In my eyes, all my friends have got legs that look like legs: but whether the legs have got meat on them to support the kind of hips that… that I don’t know. According to the older boys and girls, the distance between our little village and the small town is about five kilometres. I don’t know what five kilometres mean. They always complain about how long it is to walk to school and back. But to me, we live in our village, and walking those kilometres didn’t matter. School is nice.
(i) How does the narrator describe her friends’ legs? What is she not sure about?
Answer: The narrator describes her friends’ legs as “legs that look like legs,” but she is unsure whether they have enough “meat” on them to support wide hips, which her grandmother values as necessary for bearing children.
(ii) The narrator says that she does not know how far five kilometres is. What does it suggest about her? Who are ‘they’ who complain about the distance?
Answer: The narrator’s statement suggests that she is young and doesn’t fully understand measurements like kilometres. The ‘they’ who complain are the older boys and girls who walk the same distance to school.
(iii) The narrator says that she does not feel uncomfortable while walking five kilometres to school and back. What is suggested by the narrator’s statement? How does she prove it at the end of the story?
Answer: The narrator’s statement suggests that she is resilient and enjoys school so much that the long walk does not bother her. She proves her resilience at the end of the story by excelling in sports and winning the district running competitions, showing her physical strength despite her “spindly” legs.
(iv) Explain two characteristic traits of the narrator that emerge from this extract.
Answer: The narrator is determined, as she does not let the long walk to school discourage her. She is also perceptive, as she notices the differences in the way people perceive physical attributes like legs and hips.
(v) Explain briefly the change in the attitude of the narrator’s grandmother by the end of the story? What brought about this change?
Answer: By the end of the story, the grandmother’s attitude changes as she becomes proud of Adjoa’s athletic achievements. This change is brought about when Adjoa wins the cup for best all-round junior athlete, showing that her thin legs have their own value.
Extract 6
Nana would just laugh. ‘Ah, maybe with legs like hers, she might as well go to school.’ Running with our classmates on our small sports field and winning first place each time never seemed to me to be anything about which to tell anyone at home. This time it was different. I don’t know how the teachers decided to let me run for the junior section of our school in the district games. But they did. When I went home to tell my mother and Nana, they had not believed it at first. So Nana had taken it upon herself to go and ‘ask into it properly.’
(i) Why would Nana laugh? Why does she allow Adjoa to go to school?
Answer: Nana laughs sarcastically, implying that since Adjoa’s legs are not fit for traditional expectations, she might as well focus on education. She allows Adjoa to go to school because it seems like a better alternative for her, given her physical appearance.
(ii) Why does Adjoa not tell anybody at home about her running on the sports field and winning all the competitions? Why does she say that this time it was different?
Answer: Adjoa does not tell anyone at home about her wins because she doesn’t think they will find it important. This time it was different because being selected for the district games was a significant achievement that she felt her family should know about.
(iii) How do Adjoa’s mother and grandmother react to the news about her being selected as a runner for the district games? How does her grandmother check the truth about the news?
Answer: At first, both Adjoa’s mother and grandmother are incredulous and do not believe the news. Nana takes it upon herself to investigate by asking around to confirm that Adjoa was indeed selected.
(iv) How does Adjoa’s mother react after her grandmother verified that Adjoa was indeed one of her school’s runners?
Answer: Adjoa’s mother is initially shocked but becomes proud and pleased after Nana verifies the truth. She is unable to express her feelings openly due to her reserved nature but is happy with the news.
(v) Explain briefly what all Nana did on getting the news of Adjoa’s selection for district sports meet and why.
Answer: After learning about Adjoa’s selection, Nana becomes more supportive. She washes and irons Adjoa’s uniform meticulously and even starts attending the sports events, showing a change in attitude towards her granddaughter’s abilities.
Extract 7
She carried the gleaming cup on her back. Like they do with babies, and other very precious things. And this time, not taking the trouble to walk by herself. When we arrived in our village, she entered our compound to show the cup to my mother before going to give it back to the Headmaster. Oh. Grown-ups are so strange. Nana is right now carrying me on her knee, and crying softly.
(i) What was the ‘gleaming cup’? Why did she carry it on her back?
Answer: The gleaming cup was the trophy Adjoa won for being the best all-round junior athlete. Nana carried it on her back, treating it like a baby or a precious object, symbolizing how proud she was of Adjoa’s achievement.
(ii) With whom has the narrator compared the gleaming cup? Why?
Answer: The narrator compares the gleaming cup to a baby, suggesting that Nana now treats Adjoa’s achievement with the utmost care and pride, similar to how one would treat something fragile and valuable.
(iii) Why did she want to show the cup to the narrator’s mother? How did she react to it?
Answer: Nana wanted to show the cup to Adjoa’s mother to share the pride in Adjoa’s accomplishment. Adjoa’s mother was likely speechless and emotional, overwhelmed by the moment.
(iv) Why did the grandmother cry softly? What does it suggest about her?
Answer: The grandmother cried softly because she finally realized that Adjoa’s legs, which she had always criticized, could be of great use. This suggests that Nana felt both proud and perhaps a bit remorseful for her earlier judgments.
(v) Explain how the three women in the story feel when Adjoa won the cup for the best all-round junior athlete.
Answer: Adjoa feels a sense of pride and validation, her mother is quietly proud but emotional, and Nana feels immense pride but is also overcome with emotion, realizing her earlier misjudgments about Adjoa’s abilities.
Additional/Extras
Questions and answers
Extract 1
They say that I was born in Hasodzi; and it is a very big village in the Central Region of our country Ghana. They also say that when all of Africa is not choking under a drought, Hasodzi lies in a very fertile lowland in a district known for its good soil. Maybe that is why any time I don’t finish eating my food, Nana says, “You Adjoa, you don’t know what life is about… you don’t know what problems there are in this life…”
(i) Where was Adjoa born?
Answer: Adjoa was born in Hasodzi, a village in the Central Region of Ghana.
(ii) What is the significance of Hasodzi’s land?
Answer: Hasodzi is known for its fertile soil, particularly when not affected by drought.
(iii) Why does Nana often comment about Adjoa not finishing her food?
Answer: Nana suggests that Adjoa doesn’t understand the hardships of life, possibly implying that wasting food is a sign of not appreciating its value.
(iv) How does Adjoa describe her understanding of the problems Nana talks about?
Answer: Adjoa feels that the problems Nana talks about are not the same as what she considers problems, such as her struggle with expressing her thoughts.
(v) What does the description of Hasodzi tell us about its environment?
Answer: Hasodzi is depicted as a fertile village, but its productivity is dependent on the absence of drought, highlighting the fragility of the environment.
Extract 10
Oh. Grown-ups are so strange. Nana is right now carrying me on her knee and crying softly. Muttering, muttering, muttering. That ‘saa’ thin legs can also be useful…thin legs can also be useful…That even though some legs don’t have much meat on them to carry hips… they can run. Thin legs can run… then who knows?
(i) What is Nana’s realization in this moment?
Answer: Nana realizes that despite her earlier criticism, Adjoa’s thin legs are useful and capable, particularly for running.
(ii) Why is Nana crying in this scene?
Answer: Nana is crying because she is overwhelmed with pride and possibly guilt for having doubted Adjoa’s abilities based on her physical appearance.
(iii) How does this scene illustrate a turning point in the relationship between Nana and Adjoa?
Answer: This scene marks a turning point as Nana finally acknowledges Adjoa’s worth and abilities, moving past her earlier judgments.
(iv) What does Nana’s repeated phrase “thin legs can also be useful” suggest about her earlier beliefs?
Answer: The phrase suggests that Nana is rethinking her rigid beliefs about what makes a woman valuable, particularly the connection between physical traits and societal roles.
(v) How does this moment contribute to Adjoa’s self-confidence?
Answer: This moment validates Adjoa’s abilities and helps her gain confidence, as she receives approval from someone who had been a source of criticism.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Who is Adjoa’s grandmother in the story?
A. Maami B. Nana C. Aunty D. Sister
Answer: B. Nana
30. What is the significance of the phrase “thin legs can also be useful”?
A. It signifies the need for dieting B. It signifies the need for exercise C. It signifies the usefulness of Adjoa’s legs D. It signifies the uselessness of thick legs
Answer: C. It signifies the usefulness of Adjoa’s legs
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger who manages Online Free Notes. An avid reader of Victorian literature, his favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. He dreams of travelling the world. You can connect with him on social media. He does personal writing on ronism.
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