AMMA DARKO’S BIOGRAPHY
Amma Darko was born in Koforidua, Ghana, on June 26, 1956, and she grew up in Accra. She studied in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, and gained a diploma in 1980. She worked with a Technology Consultancy Centre in Kumasi.
She was born Ophelia Darko. “Amma” is a name used in the Akan culture for a girl born on a Saturday. It appears that “Amma” is commonly used than her official name.
Amma’s mother hails from Salt pond (Central Region, Ghana) and is of the Fanti ethnic group, her father was born in Aburi (Eastern region, Ghana) and is an Akwapim man. Because of matrilineal lineage, Amma Darko is a Fanti.
Between 1981 and 1987, Amma lived in Germany. Then came back in 1988 and since then, she has been living in the Ghanaian capital, Accra.
Her first novel, Beyond the Horizon, was originally published in Germany in 1995. And in 1999, she won the Ghana Book Award. Her literary works illustrate everyday life in Ghana. Her most recent novel, Faceless and Not without flowers, were published in Ghana. Faceless is her third novel. To write and enrich this novel, she wore dingy clothes and mingled with the inhabitants of the suburb slum “Sodom and Gomorrah” in Accra.
Vincent O. Odamtten discussed her work in his book, “Broadening the Horizon: Critical Introductions to Amma Darko”. Likewise, the 2001 doctoral thesis by Louise Allen Zak “Writing her way: a study of Ghanaian novelist Amma Darko” and in many other academic journals.
She has received the Ghana Book Council Development Award and her books have been translated into so many languages.
BACKGROUND OF THE BOOK
Faceless is the pathetic and gripping story of children plunged into the streets by poverty and parental neglect. Amma Darko in very graphic details presents mind-boggling sociological issues of child-neglect, child abuse, defilement of girls, gender, child-trafficking, child-labour, absent fathers, reproductive health risks, violence and failed governance through the grim experiences of street children.
Amma Darko tells the world that every street child has a story, though rarely told. The common denominator in all of these stories is parental neglect. In Accra, MUTE, a non-governmental organisation seeks to unravel the mysterious death of Baby T, a child prostitute whose battered body was found in a slum behind a rasta hair salon kiosk. MUTE’s encounter with Fofo, Baby T’s sister opens an investigative trail into the lives of neglected children. Where do street children come from? Why are they on the street? Who are their parents? These are some of the questions answered unequivocally in Faceless.
Firmly embedded in Faceless is the loud and clear message that parents should take responsibility for their children. More pronounced is the message that no child should be brought into the world without visible means of providing for him physically, financially, psychologically and emotionally. Amma Darko’s Faceless is a well-researched story and a really good read.
The novel Faceless is an attempt to identify how Amma Darko uses prose fiction * as a vehicle to cross-examine the complexities of the Ghanaian women’s lives in relation to culture and gender.
This novel explores feminist insight into Amma Darko’s philosophical reflection on the plight of women and girls in Ghana. The novel plays on the theory assumption that literature is the mirror of society * which tenders different perspectives or viewpoints of problems and their solutions.
Amma darko’s novels reflect the nature, causes and possible solutions to myriad feminist issues confronting Ghanaian females. Darko’s novel provides lenses through which we better understand some of the core cultural contest on feminist issues in Africa as a whole.
This novel explores feminist insight into Amma Darko’s philosophical reflection on the plight of women and girls in Ghana. The novel plays on the theory assumption that literature is the mirror of society * which tenders different perspectives or viewpoints of problems and their solutions.
Amma darko’s novels reflect the nature, causes and possible solutions to myriad feminist issues confronting Ghanaian females. Darko’s novel provides lenses through which we better understand some of the core cultural contest on feminist issues in Africa as a whole.
PLOT AND SUMMARY
Attempted Rape
The novel opens with fourteen year old Fofo sleeping on an old cardboard at the Agbogbloshie market. Except for her new job of washing carrots at the vegetable market in Agbogbloshie, her life in Sodom and Gomorrah, a slum close to the market consisted mainly of watching adult movies and taking alcohol. In her sleep, she dreamt of living in a home with a roof and a toilet, a dream shared by other street children like her.
She was woken up suddenly by Poison, a street lord who attempted to rape her. Fofo resisted him and ran to Odarley, her best friend who lived in a rented wooden shack. She told Odarley about Poison’s attempted rape and her intention to see her mother whom she believed had some connections with Poison. Fofo’s mother, Maa Tsuru informed Fofo, that her elder sister, Baby T was dead and Poison had threatened her into silence over Baby T’s death. She therefore urged Fofo to leave for her safety.
Kabria’s Encounter with Fofo
In sharp contrast to the life in Sodom and Gomorrah is Kabria’s life with her family. A mother of three lively children- Obea, Essie and Ottu, she lived in a decent neighbourhood in Accra, worked with MUTE a non-governmental agency and drove a problematic old car nick-named Creamy. She ran into Fofo at the Agbloghoshie market while shopping for vegetables. Kabria was standing with other spectators at the spot where Baby T’s body was found when Fofo, disguising as a boy tried to steal her purse. Kabria rescued her from the angry mob. Fofo revealed her female identity and told Kabria that Baby T was her sister. Meanwhile, a lot of people had been made to believe that the dead girl (Baby T) was a kayayoo(a market porter from the north) to conceal her true identity and discourage further enquiry into her death. MUTE (the non-governmental organisation where Kabria worked) got interested in Baby T’s matter and granted Fofo protection by taking her into custody temporarily while conducting investigations into the circumstances surrounding Baby T’s death.
The circumstances surrounding Baby T’s death was revealed through two main sources: Fofo and investigations by MUTE.
How Baby T became a prostitute
Baby T was the third child of Maa Tsuru while Fofo was fourth. Their jobless father, Kwei had abandoned them mainly as a result of the superstitious belief that Maa Tsuru had been cursed from birth. Baby T was sexually abused by her mother’s second lover, Kpakpo and was further defiled by Onko, a generous uncle who lived in the same compound with them and in whom she tried to confide.
Through Kpapkpo’s gimmicks, Baby T was sold to a prostitution ring consisting of Madam Abidjan, Maami Brooni and Poison, the street lord and ring leader. She was made to work as a child prostitute in Maami Brooni’s brothel with her earnings sent to Maa Tsuru who simply turned a blind eye.
Meanwhile, Onko’s welding business had suffered great setback after defiling Baby T. A witchdoctor made him believe that his misfortune was caused by the defilement of Baby T whom he said was a cursed child. As a form of remedy, the witch doctor asked Onko to bring some sacrificial items which would include Baby T’s pubic hair.
How Baby T died
Kpakpo helped Onko to connect with Baby T once again. Poison eventually led Kpakpo to Maami Brooni’s brothel where Baby T worked as a prostitute. Baby T remembered what Onko did to her in the past and totally declined to sleep with him. Enraged at her refusal, Poison slapped and tried to beat her into submission. Baby T was found dead on the concrete floor with her head split open. She was alone with Onko in the room at the time of her death. Onko committed suicide thereafter.
SETTING
The novel is set in Accra with locations in Agbogbloshie market and the notorious slum, Sodom and Gomorrah. However, the events in the novel happen everywhere in Africa including Nigeria.
PLOT-SETTING
Sometimes it is better to tell the story of a street child than to look for his murderer. We learn this definitively from Henning Mankell’s book. Amma Darko tells the opposite story: searching for the murderer makes for a better life for those who survive in the streets.
14-year-old Fofo is a street child living in a part of Accra named “Sodom and Gomorrha,” a place that is not good for anybody, least of all to children. Fofo has made it her task to find out what happened to her sister, Baby T, who was found dumped behind a marketplace, beaten and mutilated. Baby T. was the third child of Ma Tsumu, and was born after a brutal beating intended to abort the baby. Her father disappeared, leaving Ma Tsumu to fend for herself with four children. Soon Ma Tsumu found a new lover to share her bed, Kpakpo, who is good-for-nothing and earns his keep by “dubious” means.
Not willing to accept the presence of the new lover, the two brothers leave home. Soon after, Baby T. is sexually abused by Kpakpo. Hurt and confused, the twelve year old girl doesn’t confide in her mother, but instead in a family friend, Onko, who in turn rapes her. Ma Tsumu who then learns about the tragedy finds herself unable to do anything but take money from Onko, who continues to live in the same compound as Baby T. The situation is untenable. Kpakpo suggests that Baby T be sold into prostitution. The theme of discrimination against women is always present in this story. Baby T is representative of the sins visited upon all women in a society where they are discriminated against from birth. There is a note of home in the landscape of the story, when Baby T’s sister Fofo meets with a group of women who run an institution that documents issues called MUTE. The four women are inspired by the plight of Fofo and convert their library center into a practical street initiative.
Author Amma Darko has lived in Accra, near the marketplace where the crime happened. She evokes the vicious cycles of poverty and violence that drive children to the streets and women to prostitution. Her powerful message says that the way children are treated is the true measure of how societies are judged. When life is viewed through children’s eyes, it becomes clear that societies must find the answers to the moral predicaments that they finds themselves in.
THEMES AND STYLE IN FACELESS BY AMMA DARKO
THEME 1
1. Discrimination Against Women
The women in this novel bore the hardship inflicted on them by the male characters who were mostly absent fathers, murderers and rapists. For instance, Kwei, Maa Tsuru’s lover and the father of her first four children abandoned her simply because of the superstitious belief that she was cursed. Poison the street lord brutally assaulted Baby T and even attempted to rape Fofo. Kpakpo and Onko took advantage of Baby T and defiled her. In fact, Kpapkpo masterminded Baby T’s venture into prostitution.
2. Streetism
Another important theme that runs through the novel is streetism chiefly represented by the life in Sodom and Gomorrah, a slum in Accra. Faceless portrays the rising menace of street life and its many underlying issues namely, rape, violence, broken home, theft, dirt, poverty, AIDS and illiteracy.
3. Parental Neglect
The theme of parental neglect runs through the novel. All the child characters on the street in Faceless were neglected by their parents. Fofo, Baby T, Odarley, Poison were all victims of parental neglect.
4. Failed Governance
The author portrays the weakness of government institutions and lack of confidence in the system. MUTE had to open investigations into Baby T’s case because the police authorities were not interested in the matter. The police authorities lacked basic work tools due to years of neglect by the government.
THEME 2
1. CHILD ABUSE
This is a crime of harming a child, physically, sexually or emotionally. The first instance of child abuse in the novel is Poison's attempted rape of Fofo. Fofo, a fourteen-year old girl, decides to sleep in an open shade at Agbogbloshie Market in order to wake up early for her job of washing carrots. Poison tries to rape her there. Another manifestations of child abuse is what Nii Kpakpo and Onko do to Baby. Nii Kpakpo fondles Baby's private parts while Onko rapes her. When Fofo catches her stepfather fondling Baby T, she confides in Onko. Onko takes advantage of what Nii Kpakpo does to Baby and rapesthe girl.To cap it all, child abuse lays the foundation for the tragedy in the novel. It is child abuse that lays the foundation for the death of Baby T. As we can see, the rape of Baby by Onko makes her mother to send her to Mama Abidjan; from Mama Abidjan to another madame, Maami Broni. Itis in Maami Broni's hand that Baby becomes a prostitute. Baby falls into a wicked hand of Poison who becomes her pimp. Baby T's child abuse ends in death. When Baby refuses to sleep with Onko, Poison becomes furious. Baby finally dies from the merciless beating she receives from Poison. Also, child abuse makes Poison become a bully and an aggressive person. Through flashback, we are told that Poison used to live in one room with his stepfather, mother and five siblings. Poison suffers torture in his stepfather's hands; the man is constantly beating him. When the torture becomes unbearable for Poison, he runs away from home at eight years. He becomes a street boy, surviving in the street. He grows up to become a street lord and villain.
2. POVERTY
Poverty is the state of being poor. Poverty is portrayed in the novel using Maa Tsuru. Maa Tsuru and her children suffer poverty. This poverty is as a result of the abandonment she suffers fromher two successive husbands.Through flashback, we get to know how Maa Tsuru's firsthusband, Kwei, abandons her after fathering four children with her. He runs away because hesuperstitiously believes that Maa Tsuru's generational curse is responsible for his woes.Another man, Nii Kpakpo deceives her, comes into her life, fathers two children with her andabandons her.Besides, we see Maa Tsuru's poverty level in the accommodation she lives in. We see that whenNii Kpakpo deceives her, she brings him into her one room. Therefore, Maa Tsuru, her sixchildren and Nii are now overcrowded in one room. The inconvenience of this overcrowdingmakes Maa Tsuru's two teen sons to leave home; to survive in the street. It equally makes Babyand Fofo to leave home.
Moreover, it poverty that makes other children to see the street as a means of survival. In thenovel, we see them in Sodom and Gomorrah; others run errands at Agbogbloshie; etc. Thosechildren are there because of poverty.In conclusion, poverty plays significant role in the development of the novel. For instance, it ispoverty that makes people live in the slum of Sodom and Gomorrah. It is also poverty thatleads to the suffering of Fofo and her siblings. It is this poverty that leads to Baby T's death.
3. GENERATIONAL GAP
Generational gap is the difference in attitude or behaviour between younger and older people;such difference causes misunderstanding between them. Generational gap exists betweenKabria and her children. Kabria represents the older generation while her children representthe younger generation. For instance, in Kabria's time, sex is not discussed among children. Theparents see that as a taboo. However, Kabria is surprised to see her first daughter, Obea, with apamphlet discussing sex education.This generational gap is also seen in the entertainment industry. Kabria's children are surprisedbecause their mother does not know about Lord Kenya, the King of hip life. In Kabria's time,they know about Rolling Stones, The Beetles, etc.Moreover, Naa Yomo, through attitude towards the street child phenomenon, shows generational gap. She explains that in her time, parents don't send children to the street; theytry to feed and take care of them no matter how they are poor .In conclusion, generational gap plays a significant role in the development of the novel. It bringsabout contrast between those characters concerned.
4. ABANDONMENT
Abandonment is an act of leaving somebody with no intention of returning to them. We seeabandonment first in the novel when Maa Tsuru's father abandons her mother. Maa Tsuru'smother suffers gestation and parturition alone. But before she dies, she curses Maa Tsuru'sgenerations.Besides, we see Maa Tsuru's own abandonment. Her two successive husbands (Kwei and NiiKpakpo) abandon her. The two men superstitiously believe that Maa Tsuru is under a curse.Moreover, fathers and mothers abandon their children in the novel. Those children are forcedto survive on the streets. For instance, after Kwei abandons her, Maa Tsuru's four children jointhe street as a means of survival from hunger. Her two boys first leave; she has to send Baby T into prostitution; Fofo leaves when home is no longer safe for with her stepfather, Nii Kpakpo,around.In conclusion, abandonment lays the foundation of the tragedy in the novel. It is theabandonment of Maa Tsuru's mother by her father that brings about the curse; Maa Tsuru'smother curses her father's generations. Hence the curse follows her. It is this curse that leads toMaa Tsuru's marital misfortunes. Hence her children take to the street. Baby T dies in thestreet. Fofo suffers psychological defeat in the street; the whereabouts of the two boys areunknown.
5. SUPERSTITION
Superstitions are shared irrational beliefs that govern a people. Those beliefs are not verifiableby science or universal truth; the people use them to explain some occurrences.In the novel, people believe that the time of a person's birth can influence their behavior.Hence, Kabria thinks that Essie is extravagant because she is born at midnight. To nullify this jinx such children have to undergo a ritual of touching their feet three times for three days aftertheir birth. Essie, Kabria's second child, was born at midnight night but Kabria ignores thesuperstition. However, as Essie begins to grow up with her unceasing demand of money, Kabriabegins to think that the superstition is connected to this.Also, the people believe that people can suffer out of generational curse. In the novel,everybody believes that Maa Tsuru's misfortunes are as a result of a curse which her latemother places on her father's generation. Through Naa Yomo, we get to know that MaaTsuru'sfather impregnated her mother and abandons her; during labour this woman curses the man'sgeneration and dies after giving birth to Maa Tsuru.Besides, the people superstitiously believe that when persons don't die natural death, they arerejected by both God and the devil. As they don't have money to bribe their way into God'skingdom or the devil's, their spirits continue to hover among the living. Some people expressthis view in the wake of Baby T's death. Also, during Onko's suicide, his senior apprenticeexpresses the same view.In conclusion, superstitious beliefs play significant role in the development of the plot. Forinstance, everybody believes that Maa Tsuru is suffering because of the generational cursewhich her late mother has placed on her father's generation. It is superstition that leads toBaby's tragic death. This is because Onko believes that his economic woe is as a result of hisincest with a cursed child, Baby T. His attempt to appease the gods leads to Poison who beatsBaby mercilessly thereby killing her.
In conclusion, the above themes are in line with function of literature as a mirror of society. Thenovelist captures those themes to reflect things happening in her society
STYLE
Techniques used in the prose
- Narrative technique
The narrative style is straightforward. As the story revolves around Baby T, the author manipulates it to create suspense in the mind of the reader. She tells Baby T’s story mainly through Fofo and investigations by MUTE. Her style of writing is simple and easy to understand. In unravelling the mystery behind Baby T’s death, the author builds tension in her story line thus creating suspense and intrigue.
- Language
The diction of the prose is simple and quite understandable. Any layman can grasped the line of the story without much stress. The author also make use of some Ghanaian vernacular to portray the culture of her people. Examples are words like Kayayoo (porter), akpeteshie
- Humor: this technique in a way creates a comic relief and is evident in the actions of Kabria:
·
· description of how her son Obea grows rapidly
· the conversation she overheard between two women on her way to Naa Yomo’s house
· Her experience of the blind woman that rained abuses on her.
- flashback/reminiscence
This technique was used when the fifteen years life experience of Maa Tsuru was narrated and when Naa Yomo told a story of her life up to when Maa Tsuru was born
CHARACTERS AND CHARACTERIZATION
Characters 1
Fofo
Fofo is the fourth child of Maa Tsuru. She is fourteen years old and lives on the street. She is a dreamer and would often drift away in her own world of fantasy. She is quite brave and intelligent. She tactfully resists Poison’s rape attempt and disguises as boy to protect herself from further assault by Poison and his gang. Through her character, the reader gets more insight into the circumstances surrounding Baby T’s death.
Baby T
Faceless revolves mostly around Baby T and the circumstances leading to her death. She was Maa Tsuru’s third child and Fofo’s elder sister. She got defiled early by Kpakpo and thereafter by Onko whom she trusted. She was sold into prostitution through Kpakpo’s gimmicks. A victim of parental neglect like her sister Fofo, Baby T’s badly beaten and mutilated body was found behind a kiosk in Agbogbloshie market.
Maa Tsuru
Maa Tsuru is the mother of Fofo and Baby T. She was born under very grave circumstances and like everyone around her, she believed that she suffered from a curse stemming from the circumstances of her birth. Her two lovers (Kwei and Kpakpo) were absent fathers. They walked out on her leaving her to take care of the children, a responsibility she performed very poorly. Ravaged by poverty and being a victim of neglect herself, she craved for love but got entangled with irresponsible men.
Poison
Poison is a street lord and leader of a prostitution ring to which Baby T was sold. Feared by all, Poison assaulted Baby T before her death and almost raped Fofo. He also tried to interfere with MUTE’s investigations as he did not want Baby T’s true identity to be revealed. A victim of abuse and neglect, Poison enjoyed inflicting pain on others. The author uses his character to show that with male children, streetism takes a different twist as it makes them almost irredeemable.
Kabria
The wife of Adade and mother of three energetic children, Kabria worked with MUTE, a non-governmental agency and lived in a decent neighbourhood in Accra which contrasted sharply to the situation in Sodom and Gomorrah. With a problematic car called Creamy, she tried to combine career with her responsibilities as wife and mother. She was instrumental to Fofo’s rehabilitation and contributed in no small measure to unraveling the mystery surrounding Baby T’s death.
Odarley
Odarley was Fofo’s friend and confidant. Like Fofo, she lived on the street having been neglected and sent out of the house by her mother.
Onko
Onko lived in the same compound as Maa Tsuru. In a compound that reeked of poverty, Onko was portrayed as a man of means who gave generously. He took advantage of Baby T and defiled her. He bribed Maa Tsuru who kept quiet over the issue. His business suffered a downturn thereafter. He committed suicide after Baby T’s death. The author uses his character to buttress the fact that children are mostly defiled by adults who are close to them.
Kpakpo
Kpakpo was Maa Tsuru’s dubious, jobless and unscrupulous lover. He deceived Maa Tsuru and masterminded Baby T’s sale into prostitution. He also aided Onko’s visit to Baby T leading to the latter’s death.
Characters/Characterization
Characters 2
This is the list of characters (dramatis personae) in Faceless which could be divided into major and minor characters.
MAJOR CHARACTERS
* Fofo
* Kabria
* Maa Tsuru
* Baby T
* Dina
* Kwei
* Kpakpo
* Adade
MINOR CHARACTERS
* Macho
* Poison
* Maami Broni
* Mama Abidjan
* Sylv Po
* Aggie
* Vickie
* Odarley
* Obea
* Essie
* Ottu
* Ms. Kamame
* Fofo
* Kabria
* Maa Tsuru
* Baby T
* Dina
* Kwei
* Kpakpo
* Adade
MINOR CHARACTERS
* Macho
* Poison
* Maami Broni
* Mama Abidjan
* Sylv Po
* Aggie
* Vickie
* Odarley
* Obea
* Essie
* Ottu
* Ms. Kamame
Characterization 1
1. Fofo
She is the 14 year old daughter of Maa Tsuru and sister to the deceased Baby T. she stopped schooling at a very tender age due to lack of finance. She could be termed as the heroine of the novel. Fofo is very outspoken, kind, caring and hardworking. Despite the fact that she is compelled to go onto the streets by the mere presence of Kpakpo, she perseveres by finding a menial job to do. Her life at a point in time is paralyzed by the fear of the thick-set leader Macho and Poison the street lord. It is through the courage of Fofo that the mystery behind baby t’s death is unleashed. After she experiences the harsh ups and downs of a street child, she undergoes rehabilitation.
2. Kabria
Kabria is a married woman who has to shoulder her responsibility of caring for her home together with being competent at her workplace. She faces the difficulties of managing her career with her first responsibility of being a mother and Adade. She has three children namely : Obea ,Essie And Ottu. Kabria is very loving, patient and sympathetic. Saves Fofo from being lynched at Agbogbloshie market when she tries picking her. She works at MUTE organization and in collaboration with Harvest Fm, they go on an adventure to unravel the mystery surrounding sssBaby T’s death. She treats everyone as part of her family even ‘creamy’ her battered old VW beetle car.
3. Maa Tsuru
Mother of Fofo and siblings. It is believed that she is cursed by her mother when she was being given birth to. She herself is a product of the streets and cares less if her offsprings become a nuisance to society. Maa Tsuru is a “free for all”, easily deceived, and makes her children go onto the devouring jaws of the streets. She sells Baby T indirectly into prostitution. Very quick-tempered. However, Maa Tsuru is remorseful and caring.
4. Baby T
Daughter of Maa Tsuru,16 years of age. She is very kind and lovely. A great teacher she is as Fofo learns to pick-pocket from her. She is an innocent girl who is raped by her uncle Onko and her step-father Kpakpo. She is killed as a result of the connivance between Onko, Poison and Maami Broni.
Likely Exam Questions on Amma Darko’s Novel, Faceless
Amma Darko: Faceless
1. The male characters in Faceless are a social liability. Comment.
3. Discuss the contribution of Kpakpo to the problems that confront Maa Tsuru and her children.
6. What is Amma Darko’s assessment of her male characters in her novel, Faceless?
7. Assess the character and role of Onko in Darko’s Faceless.
9. Discuss the theme of parental neglect in the novel, Faceless.
10. The female gender is its own enemy. To what extent is this statement a true reflection of the role of women in Amma Darko’s novel, Faceless?
11. Assess the effect of street life on Amma Darko’s male characters.
12. The fear of Poison is the beginning of wisdom. Discuss.
13. Discuss the use of detailed description by the author in the novel, Faceless.
14. Comment on Amma Darko’s use of symbolism in Faceless.
15. Examine the role of Fofo in the novel.
16. What problems make Harvest FM’s attempt to investigate Baby T’s death difficult?
17. Examine the role of educated women in Darko’s novel, Faceless.
18. Comment on the theme of superstition is Faceless.
19. Amma Darko spares no effort in exposing the weaknesses of the state in her novel, Faceless. Comment.
20. Comment on the friendship between Fofo and Odarley.
21. Compare and contrast the characters of Poison and Macho.
22.Discuss the theme of failed governance in the novel, Faceless.
23.Discuss the theme of violence in Faceless.
24. Baby T is a victim of social injustice. To what extent is this observation a valid one?
25. Compare and contrast the characters of Kabria and Maa Tsuru.
26.Children are the main sufferers when society fails in its duties. Comment
27. Faceless is a feminist novel. Do you agree?
28.Describe Onko’s visit to the jujuman bringing out its significance.
29.What elements of satire have you found in Amma Darko’s Faceless?
30. Comment on the roles of Maami Broni and Mama Abidjan in Faceless.
31. Discuss the role of women in Amma Darko’s novel, Faceless.
32.Describe the dangers faced by the street children in Faceless.
33.Street girls are always at the mercy of their male counterparts. With close reference to Amma Darko’s Faceless, show the extent to which this statement true.
34. The real victims of street violence are the girls, not the boys. Discuss.
35. Examine the significance of Sodom and Gomorrah in the novel, Faceless.
36.What is the significance of the curse in the novel, Faceless?
37. Comment on Poison’s contribution to the development of the plot.
38.Discuss the role of Kpakpo in the development of the plot of the novel, Faceless.
39.Kpakpo is the architect of Maa Tsuru’s woes. Comment.
40.Assess the character and role of Kwei in the novel, Faceless.
41. Comment on the significance of the police station in the novel.
42. Examine the role played by Harvest FM in Amma Darko’s novel, Faceless.
43. Comment on the relationship between Kabria and her three children.
44. What role does Sylv Po play in the development of the plot of Faceless?
45. In the society portrayed by the novelist in, neither the home nor the street is safe enough for girls. Comment.
46. Describe the friendship between Fofo and Odarley bringing out its significance.
47. What is the significance of the first encounter between Fofo and Kabria?
48. Maa Tsuru’s troubles are self-inflicted. Do you agree?
49. What social problems are revealed in the novel, Faceless?
50.According to Fofo, one can do anything in peace on the streets so long as one follows the rules. How is this statement a true reflection of street life in the slums of Accra?
51. Enumerate the dangers the street girls are exposed to in Amma Darko’s novel, Faceless.
52. Discuss the theme of discrimination against women and girls in Faceless.
53. Failed governance is a major issue in Amma Darko’s Faceless. Comment.
54. Discuss the theme of marriage in Faceless.
55. Discuss the theme of the family as an important social institution in the novel, Faceless.
56. What socio-economic problems has the author identified through her portrayal of the experiences of the children of Sodom and Gomorrah?
57. Comment on the significance of the death of Baby T.
58. Examine the role of the mass media in Amma Darko’s novel, Faceless.
59. Describe the condition of children in the novel, Faceless.
60. Describe the character and role of Macho in the novel, Faceless.
61. Comment on the title, Faceless.
62.With reference to two incidents, discuss the causes of streetism and its effects on society.
63.The death of Baby T constitutes a turning point in the novel. Do you agree?
64. Is Fofo justified in the way she relates to Maa Tsuru?
65. Discuss the theme of prostitution in the novel, Faceless.
66.Discuss the theme of unfulfilled dreams in Amma Darko’s novel, Faceless.
67. She was both a child and an adult. With close reference to any two incidents, show the extent to which this assessment of Fofo’s character is true.
68.Who is to blame for Baby T’s death?
69.Discuss the effects of superstition on Maa Tsuru’s family.
70. Compare and contrast the characters of Onko and Kpakpo in Darko’s novel, Faceless.
71. Discuss Faceless as a novel of social criticism.
72. Children are not the only victims of social dysfunction in Amma Darko’s novel, Faceless. Comment.
