plot points
Characters
Themes & Symbols
Literary Devices
100

what is the name of the narrator's brother ?

nonso

100

Who is Dozie in the story?

the narrators cousin 

100

What is one major theme in the story?

Gender inequality

100

What narrative perspective is used?

first person 

200

where is the narrator returning from at the begging of the story?

america 

200

How does the grandmother show favoritism?

She prefers Nonso because he is male.

200

How does the story explore memory and guilt?

Through the narrator’s return and her confession.(for readers )

200

What literary device is used to hint at Nonso’s real cause of death early on?(or skill)

foreshadowing 

300

What was the supposed cause of Nonso’s death?

he fell of the tree 

300

How does Dozie differ from Nonso?

He is quieter, more reserved, and not favored.

300

How does the story explore the theme of silenced truths, and what impact does this have on the narrator?

The story shows how silence can preserve appearances but destroy people internally. The narrator’s lifelong guilt and emotional distance stem from being unable to speak her truth, symbolizing the burden of secrets in families shaped by rigid gender roles and favoritism.

300

Identify a metaphor used in the story.

The tree as a metaphor for risk, status, or life.

400

Why did the narrator visit her grandmother's house years later, and what does this suggest about her emotional state?

feeling of guilt 

400

How does the narrator feel about her grandmother’s favoritism?

She feels jealous 

400

How is silence used symbolically in the story?

To represent the weight of secrets and guilt.

400

How does Adichie use flashback?

To reveal the past events leading up to Nonso’s death.

500

What lie does the family believe about Nonso’s death, and why does no one question it?

They believe he fell from the tree

500

What does the narrator’s attitude toward Nonso suggest about sibling rivalry?

That it can lead to intense jealousy and even tragic consequences.

500

How does the idea of inheritance both material and emotional appear as a theme in the story?

The story explores how children inherit not just property or status, but also expectations, trauma, and gendered roles especially through the grandmother's favoritism.

500

What is the effect of the non-linear narrative? the present and past 

Builds Suspense and Mystery