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A Stranger From Lagos

This document provides characterization details about the main characters in a story set in Onitsha, Nigeria. Lilian is engaged but feels attracted to a stranger from Lagos named Mr. Okonma. Her possessive fiancé confronts her about speaking with Mr. Okonma. Lilian's gossip-loving mother disapproves of her daughter's unconventional behavior and seems to prefer her fiancé. The encounter between Lilian and the stranger disrupts the town's social order and brings the story's tension to a head.

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817 views8 pages

A Stranger From Lagos

This document provides characterization details about the main characters in a story set in Onitsha, Nigeria. Lilian is engaged but feels attracted to a stranger from Lagos named Mr. Okonma. Her possessive fiancé confronts her about speaking with Mr. Okonma. Lilian's gossip-loving mother disapproves of her daughter's unconventional behavior and seems to prefer her fiancé. The encounter between Lilian and the stranger disrupts the town's social order and brings the story's tension to a head.

Uploaded by

mcg0034
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Characterization: Analyzes the traits and relationships of key characters including Lilian, the Stranger, her Fiancé, and her Mother.
  • A Stranger From Lagos: An introductory title page for the analysis of 'A Stranger From Lagos'.
  • Setting: Describes the physical and cultural environment of Onitsha where the story unfolds, emphasizing its traditional and small-town characteristics.
  • Plot: Outlines the main events of the story, focusing on the introduction of the Stranger and the resulting social tensions.
  • Theme: Discusses major themes such as public life and ostracism, highlighting the societal challenges faced by the protagonist.

A Stranger From Lagos

Characterization
Lilian
• Colored African women
• She lives in Nigeria
• Pretty – „in the new dress...hair newly done,“
• Engaged to her fiancé
• Probably pregnant - „How is the baby?“
• Feels attracted to a stranger from Lagos „Tall,
good-looking...“
• She is not very honest „she knew her way to her
lover‘s house...“
• Not very traditional – „Lilian cared little for
families she knew...“
Stranger (Mr Okonma)
• He is from Lagos-big city
• Feels attracted to Lilian – „look full of the agony
of desire“
• Goodlooking – „glamorous-looking, tall...“
• Has mysterious past...
Fiance
• „He had been her fiance for 3 years.“
• „...his face,hard,possessive,confident.“
• Man who is possessive - „Every gesture of his
showed that he owned her.“
• He knows the stranger - „I have heard of you.“
• Jealous – „Isn‘t he one of your lovers from
Lagos?“
Mother
• Mother of Lilian
• Typical gossip person with traditional feelings –
„You don‘t want to do anything that would
scandalize your father‘s name.“
• „Her mother‘s eyes followed her with
resentment.“ She is not satisfiade with her
doughter.
• She likes Lilian‘s fiance – „Her mother‘s voice. It
was warm.“
Setting
• In Onitsha, a small town in Nigeria
• Hot weather
• Not much detailwhat is mentioned is
significant“small-town minded“
• Time: A few days; Daytime & evening
described
Plot
• ↗Young
Lellian→protagonist→Strict social class
• ↘Unknown
occupation
• Meets Stranger from Lagos→Disrupts
social class
• Fiance meets stranger →highest tension
Theme
• Life of people in the public eye
– People should keep things to themselves and
always obey rules in public
• Ostracism
– Lilians reputation is in danger just because
she talked to a stranger on the streets

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