2025 – DUE 11 August 2025; 100% correct solutions
and explanations.
Section A: Reflection: Novel (Unit 4)
Before beginning this module and engaging with Unit 4, I had
some experience reading novels. One novel I particularly
enjoyed was Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
What appealed to me was the powerful narration and emotional
depth of the story. The setting in Nigeria and the portrayal of
family life under authoritarian control were both haunting and
beautiful. The character development, especially of Kambili,
made the story relatable and emotionally charged. On the other
hand, I struggled to enjoy Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.
I found the writing style dense and difficult to follow, and the
lack of clear plot progression made the story feel inaccessible.
The colonial setting also made me uncomfortable due to its
problematic depictions of Africa and Africans.
In Unit 4, I found the discussion on the fragmented narrative
structure of Small Things particularly insightful. I had not
previously encountered a novel structured this way, where
events unfold non-linearly and are driven by memories and
impressions rather than a traditional plot. I learned how this
technique mirrors the inner turmoil of the narrator and deepens
the emotional impact of the story. However, I struggled to fully
grasp the section on intertextuality, especially the references to
Waiting for the Barbarians and how they influence the
interpretation of Small Things. The theoretical explanation felt