Use Of English 2019 Jamb Examination

In the novel, Aliya's father (Mr. Bello) recounts the story of how he met his wife. He mentions that their first encounter took place in a hospital, where she was working as a nurse. This detail highlights the professional background of Aliya's mother and adds to the family's history.

During a discussion on beauty and self-image, Mr. Bello expresses that girls who feel the need to bleach their skin do so because they lack self-confidence and a sense of self-worth. He encourages Aliya to be proud of her natural skin tone and beauty.

This cheesy 'pick-up line' was written in a note given to Aliya by Bobo (whose real name is Tokunbo Alabi). This incident leads to a broader conversation between Aliya and her father about boys, dating, and the nature of high school crushes.

The chapter titled 'Dating' explores the emotional complexities of young relationships. Mr. Bello explains to Aliya that being consumed by jealousy can hinder a person's focus and growth, asserting that 'a jealous mind is a distracted mind.'

The novel is narrated by the protagonist, Aliya, using 'I' and 'me'. While it contains extensive dialogues between her and her father, the overarching narrative voice is hers, making it a first-person narrative.

In a chapter discussing social media and modern communication, Aliya explains some slangs to her father. K.P.C. is revealed to mean 'Keep Parents Clueless,' reflecting the secret language teenagers use to hide things from their parents.

Tokunbo Alabi, often referred to as Bobo, is the flamboyant classmate who sees himself as a 'ladies' man' or the 'King of boys.' He is the one who sends Aliya the romantic notes.

Bunmi is identified as the character who frequently teases or bullies Aliya in school. Their interactions serve as a backdrop for Aliya's growth in learning how to handle negative social pressure.

In the chapter 'Beauty,' Mr. Bello mentions that in Mauritania, there is a cultural practice of using 'fat-farms' (lelouh) where young girls are force-fed to become overweight, as being fat is seen as a sign of wealth and beauty in that society.

Mr. Bello is portrayed as a man of integrity. While he values many virtues, he explicitly tells Aliya that his two biggest 'pet peeves' or things he detests most are failing to observe prayers on time and the act of telling lies.