Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 3
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Literature in English
Curriculum Theme: Literature
Previous Lesson: Themes and Style in “Faceless” by Amma Darko.
Topic: Character Analysis I, General Overview of the Novel “The Faceless”
Subject Matter: Character analysis of “Faceless” (major characters, roles, significance), relationships between major characters, general overview of the novel “Faceless”

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Summarize the general plot of the novel “The Faceless”.
Define character analysis in literature.
Identify the major characters in “The Faceless”.
Explain the roles and significance of major characters in the novel.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of character development in understanding a novel.
Show interest in critically analyzing literary texts.

Psychomotor Domain:

Discuss the major characters and their roles effectively.
Participate actively in group discussions and question-and-answer sessions.

Collaborate with peers to explore different interpretations of characters.
Respect diverse viewpoints during discussions.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Literature-in-English for Senior Secondary Schools, e.g., Exam Focus, Comprehensive Literature in English.
The novel “The Faceless” by Amma Darko.
www.waecdirect.org
www.education.gov.ng

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Copies of the novel “The Faceless”.
Question cards with prompts about characters.
Whiteboard or chalkboard.
Markers or chalk.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand how characters drive the plot and themes of a novel. Analyzing characters enables pupils to gain deeper insights into human nature and societal issues presented in “The Faceless,” which is important for literary comprehension and critical thinking.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are expected to have read the novel “The Faceless” or at least be familiar with its basic storyline and some literary terms.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Character Analysis and Overview of “The Faceless”

1. General Overview of the Novel “The Faceless”

“The Faceless” by Amma Darko is a Ghanaian novel that explores themes of child trafficking, exploitation, poverty, and the struggles of young girls in urban environments. The story often focuses on the experiences of characters like Baby T and Fofo, who are drawn into difficult circumstances in Accra, Ghana.

2. What is Character Analysis?

Character analysis is the process of examining the role, traits, motivations, and development of characters within a literary work. It helps readers understand why characters act the way they do and how they contribute to the story’s themes.

3. Major Characters in “The Faceless”

Baby T: A young girl who becomes a victim of child trafficking and exploitation. Her role is to represent the innocence lost and the harsh realities faced by vulnerable children. Her significance lies in highlighting the theme of injustice and the struggle for survival.
Fofo: Another young girl, often depicted as street-smart and resilient. She navigates the dangerous streets of Accra, seeking to survive and escape her difficult circumstances. Her role is to show different coping mechanisms and the desire for a better life. Her significance is in embodying hope and the fight against adversity.
Maa Tsuru: A complex character, often seen as an exploiter of young girls. Her role is to represent the perpetrators of child trafficking and the moral decay within society. Her significance is in exposing the dark side of human nature and the cycle of exploitation.
Bob: Often portrayed as a seemingly benevolent but ultimately manipulative figure. His role is to illustrate how power can be abused and how vulnerable individuals can be lured into dangerous situations. His significance is in demonstrating the subtle forms of exploitation.

4. Relationships Between Major Characters

Baby T and Fofo: They share a bond as victims of similar circumstances, often relying on each other for support and companionship in their struggle for survival on the streets.
Baby T/Fofo and Maa Tsuru: This is a relationship of exploitation, where Maa Tsuru uses the girls for her own gain, highlighting the power imbalance and vulnerability of the young girls.
Baby T/Fofo and Bob: This relationship often involves manipulation and false promises, as Bob exerts influence over the girls for his own purposes, further emphasizing their exploitation.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids, Group Work, Role-play.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and introduces the topic by asking them to recall any novel they have read and their favourite character from it.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and share their favourite characters.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and their prior knowledge is activated.

Step 2: General Overview of “The Faceless”

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a brief discussion on the general plot and main themes of the novel “The Faceless,” ensuring pupils have a foundational understanding of the story.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion by recalling key events and themes from the novel.
Learning Point: Pupils recap the story’s context and main ideas.

Step 3: Introduction to Character Analysis

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Definition/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines character analysis and explains its importance in understanding literary works.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand what character analysis entails.

Step 4: Identifying Major Characters

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Identification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to identify the major characters in “The Faceless” and discusses their primary roles.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils name the major characters and briefly state what they know about each.
Learning Point: Pupils can name the key characters of the novel.

Step 5: Analyzing Roles and Significance

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Facilitation/Analysis
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher facilitates a discussion on the roles and significance of each major character, prompting pupils to explain how these characters contribute to the novel’s plot and themes.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils analyze and explain the roles and significance of the identified characters.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the depth and purpose of each major character.

Step 6: Discussing Relationships

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Connection
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the relationships between the major characters, exploring how these connections influence the story.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils describe the relationships between characters and explain their impact.
Learning Point: Pupils grasp the dynamics between characters in the novel.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Briefly summarize the main plot of “The Faceless.”
What is character analysis?
Mention two major characters in “The Faceless” and briefly describe their roles.
Explain the relationship between Baby T and Maa Tsuru in the novel.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson and assigns pupils to write a short essay on the significance of Fofo’s character in “The Faceless.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the assignment.
Learning Point: The lesson is concluded with a reinforcing activity.

Lesson Keywords

Character – A person, animal, or imaginary creature in a story.
Analysis – The detailed examination of something complex in order to understand its nature or to determine its essential features.
Faceless – Referring to the title of the novel by Amma Darko.
Novel – A fictional prose narrative of book length, typically representing character and action with some degree of realism.
Protagonist – The main character in a literary work.
Antagonist – A character or force in conflict with the main character.
Role – The part played by a character in a story.
Significance – The importance or meaning of a character’s actions or existence in the story.
Relationship – The way in which two or more people or things are connected.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage them to analyze a minor character’s role. For those needing extra support, the teacher will provide simplified character descriptions and guide them through identifying key traits with direct questions.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure that pupils have access to the novel or relevant excerpts. Encourage active participation and diverse interpretations of characters. The lesson can be extended to include discussions on character development and literary techniques used by the author to reveal character.