 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Task 1:
Poverty and Life in Lagos |
|
|
|
"As he left the buka and walked to the bus stop, Elvis realized that nothing prepared you for Maroko. Half of the town was built of a confused mix of clapboard, wood, cement, and zinc sheets, raised above a swamp by means of stilts and wooden walkways. The other half, built on solid ground reclaimed from the swamp, seemed to be clawing its way out of the primordial swamp, attempting to become something else." -Graceland p48 |
|
|
In the novel Elvis describes what it is like to live in a slum in Lagos Nigeria. This task of the WebQuest will explore images of these living conditions, look at quotes from the novel, and explore some other web based documents about poverty in Lagos. Click on the links, ponder the images, read everything, and then complete the task at the bottom of the page. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
"That is the trouble with this country. Everything is accepted. No dial tones or telephones. No stamps in post offices. No electricity. No water. We just accept."
"Listen, my friend, anybody rich enough to afford telephone in country where most people dey fight for survival, dey should have the decency to wait for a dial tone." Graceland p 58 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photo Journal of
Makoko (Moroko) Slums, Lagos |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
"Bridge City was a dangerous place, and when darkness fell, it was easy to be very much alone in the crowds that milled everywhere." Graceland p309 |
|
|
|
Look at some statistics on Urban Crime, Poverty, Population, and the Economy of Nigerian Cities |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Street in Lagos |
|
|
|
|
"Hey, Elvis," she said.
"Why you let him touch you like that?" he said.
"You dey jelous?" she asked.
He ignored her.
"Listen, if I fancy him , I go pretend say I no see him hand. Dat na extra money."
"Shut up, " Elvis said softley. "That is sleasy."
She was silent for a while, and he glanced at her, trying to read her face.
"No, Elvis, not like dat. If I want I go let am touch me, no be sleazy thing, na practical thing - like feeding goat or tending chicken." Graceland p 29 |
|
|
|
|
Timbu Square |
|
|
|
|
Once you have carefully considered the images, quotes, and statistics write a reaction in which you discuss the effect that living in a state of poverty has on the characters in the novel. How does living in poverty make them feel? How does it change their values? Please post your reaction on your blog.
When you are finished click on the link to continue to Task 2.
|
|