46 pages 1 hour read

Ben Okri

In the Shadow of War

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1983

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Exam Answer Key

Multiple Choice

1. C (Various paragraphs)

2. B (Paragraphs 15-28)

3. D (Paragraph 15)

4. A (Various paragraphs)

5. A (Paragraphs 33-39)

6. C (Paragraph 39)

7. B (Various paragraphs)

8. C (Paragraphs 39-42)

Long Answer

1. Omovo grows up in the story because he sees and experiences the horrors of the war going on in his country. He is still a child because he depends on both the soldiers and his father for care and protection. (Various paragraphs)

 2. Shadow, eclipse, and black-veiled act as both symbols and motifs in the story. The darkness or gloom of the shadow reflects the wartime setting and its moral darkness. A shadow is darkness that is projected onto another object; the war brings darkness and confusion to soldiers and civilians alike. The eclipse is a form of moving darkness and is related to superstitions that help people make sense of incomprehensible events. The black veil is a darkness covering the woman’s identity and her scars. All three words represent darkness, gloom, superstition, and hidden fears. (Various paragraphs)

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By Ben Okri