Summary of Each Chapter of JAMB 2021 UTME Novel – In Dependence

The Summary of Each Chapter Of JAMB 2021/22 UTME Novel – In dependence was made for the purpose of enhancing you in your JAMB 2021/22 preparation.

So if you have not read the novel, you can get the summary for the article below:

Brief Summary of Each Chapter of JAMB 2021 UTME Novel – In dependence

Table of content:

  1. Chapter 1 to 36

  2. Themes of the novel in dependence by Sarah Ladipo Manyika

  3. Role of Major Characters of the novel dependence by Sarah Ladipo Manyika

  4. SOME IMPORTANT CHARACTERS OF THE BOOK “IN DEPENDENCE”

Chapter One

The novel In Dependence starts thus:
Tayo is the first Nigerian to receive a scholarship to study at Balliol College, Oxford. He visits his relatives in the village of Ibadan before traveling the next day to uncle Kayode’s house, another relative in Lagos.
On the day he sets to sail, his parents, headmaster, some of his teachers and other Lagos-based relatives stand at the Lagos port to bid him goodbye.

Chapter Two

Tayo describes his journey through the seas and the warm reception he gets in England in a letter to his father. He mentions his new friends at the college and explains in detail his perception of things in his new environment.
His father replies promptly, giving him a precise report on the state of affairs in the family and the country.

Chapter Three

Mr. and Mrs. Barker, Tayo’s older friends invite Tayo and Africans for a drinking party in their home. There he formally meets Christine Arinze with whom he develops a casual relationship.

Chapter Four

Vanessa attends a party with her friends. There, she meets Charlie and Mehul. She gets drunk and wakes up the next morning with a splitting headache.
Vanessa takes up her pen to write an article for the school magazine but changes her mind to write to her friend Jane instead.

Chapter Five

In attendance for the West Africa Society meeting are Tayo, his friends and other college students. After the meeting, he introduces himself to Vanessa Richardson who is also in attendance.
In spite of being a trifle jealous of Tayo and Vanessa’s chit, Christine invites him over to her place. She tells him about how she is struggling to maintain her academic excellence among other things. He consoles her and assures her that she will excel like she’s always done.
 

Chapter Six

Tayo and Vanessa go for a walk in the direction of the meadows. They talk about various issues ranging from Malcolm X’s visit to oxford to Tayo’s father’s duties during colonial admission as well as Vanessa’s father and grandfather’s involvement in colonial services.
They outrun each other to a country pub where they bought drinks. They leave early because two men spill their drinks and Vanessa declines Tayo’s offer of another one.

Chapter Seven

Vanessa goes back home for the Christmas holiday. She receives a not-so-warm welcome from her family as the atmosphere between her parents is strangely cold.
At dinner, she has a misunderstanding with her father about his inviting an apartheid friend to the Christmas party her African friends will also attend.

Chapter Eight

Tayo arrives at Aberleigh, Vanessa’s home in London for the Christmas party. Aside from being mistaken for a servant by one of Mr. Richardson’s friends, everything else goes smoothly.
Vanessa visits Tayo in the room he is spending the night in. They talk briefly about the demeanor of her parents and Tayo discusses his mother at Vanessa’s prompting.

Chapter Nine

Tayo and Vanessa spend every day of the week together and on Friday, she brings him daffodils to brighten up his room. Tayo shares one of his family photographs with Vanessa and the latter makes an assessment of each member herself.
Vanessa on the other hand shares her worries about being an African correspondent considering her British lineage. Tayo reassures her that Africa needs a good journalist; a British or African can then pull her close for a dance.

Chapter Ten

Tayo and Vanessa spend Easter in Paris with Simon and Nima. Tayo gets his first writing journal from Vanessa where he documents their stay in Paris from the first day. There, they live the Bohemian life – all four of them.
A day before the completion of their holiday, Tayo gets a telegram that Christine is dead. While Tayo grieves for her, he also blames himself for not being sensitive enough to her needs as a friend.
 

Chapter Eleven

Vanessa and her family visit France for the Bastille holiday. Jane, Uncle Anthony, Mr. and Mrs. Murdoch joins them in France. They engage in conflicting talks considering Uncle Anthony and Mr. Richardson’s ever opposing views.
Later that night, Jane confesses to sleeping with Uncle Tony on their way home from the train station and Venessa also tells Jane about her relationship with Tayo.

Chapter Twelve

Vanessa writes to Tayo describing the weather in France and expresses her opinion on Margery Perham’s review he is working on.
Tayo replies and fondly relates his experience so far in Bradford with his cousin Tunde where those who aren’t on scholarships like him have to work long hours to make ends meet.
 

Chapter Thirteen

At Tunde’s house in Brandford, London. Tunde and Yusuf decide to hold a party in honor of Gambia’s independence. Yusuf and Tayo discuss the marriageability of either British or African women.
The party is in full swing when Tayo finds himself pressing a lady to the wall. Suddenly he takes a punch to his jaw and a fight ensues.
A policeman arrives and takes them to the station for questioning.

Chapter Fourteen

Tayo decides against telling Vanessa the truth about his chipped tooth which he gets as a result of the fight in Bradford.
He attends Yusuf’s wedding with Joy, where Vanessa later joins him. On their way back, Vanessa accuses Tayo of lying about his relationship with the late Christine. Tayo tries to cajole her from her outburst but Vanessa wouldn’t have any of it, so he leaves her in the carriage.

Chapter Fifteen

After their fight, Vanessa suggests they spend Christmas apart which Tayo promptly agrees to. He sets himself on a strict schedule and manages to survive alone until New Years’ Eve when he decides to make chicken stew.
Vanessa walks in during his lousy attempt at cooking. They eventually settle their differences and spend the rest of the holiday together.

Chapter Sixteen

The New Year brings Tayo’s uncle, Kayode to England. Vanessa gets to meet one of his family members and they get on so well. They discuss various topics ranging from Tayo’s sporting prowess to Annais Nin, a writer of erotica.
Vanessa concludes that she’ll love to meet the rest of Tayo’s family with Uncle as loving as that.

Chapter Seventeen

With a first-class degree and a graduate scholarship, Tayo gets a chance to speak at Bellamy Boy’s School where Mr. Richardson works as a headmaster. His lecture is solely on Nigeria and it makes a big hit in the school.

Mr. Richardson invites Tayo to his office after his lecture and tells him on clear terms his views on Tayo’s relationship with his daughter. Tayo returns to college sullen and Vanessa asks him what the matter is. He tells her father is not in support of their relationship to which Vanessa asks him to fight for them if he truly loves her.

Chapter Eighteen

Tayo is back in Ibadan, Nigeria due to his father’s critical illness. He tries unsuccessfully to write to Vanessa due to his incessant pleading for more details of England. While ruminating on what to tell Vanessa in his letter, Tayo is called outside his room to hear the news of an unsuccessful coup to kill Ironsi.
This leads to unrest in some parts of the country but Tayo reassures the people, telling them not to panic.

Chapter Nineteen

Tayo sends Vanessa a letter after a long while apologizing for his long silence. He attributes it to his father’s second heart attack, the coup d’ etat and the civil war.
Vanessa leaves for Lagos after her exams, ignoring Tayo’s telegram telling her not to visit yet.
After their loving reunion and Vanessa getting familiarized with the Lagos, Tayo tells Vanessa another woman is carrying his child. Vanessa, devastated, leaves.

Chapter Twenty

1970 at Dakar, Senegal, Vanessa now works as a correspondent for Reuters. She makes friends with Salamatou a Senegalese who braids her hair and teaches her the local language, Wolof.
Salamatou asks her about her love life. She touches briefly on Tayo, explaining to her that she’s since moved on.

Chapter Twenty One

In 1984, Tayo is a husband to Miriam and a father to Kemi. He is also an accomplished writer and a professor. One Sunday a month, they have lunch with friends at the Yelwa club. There, they discuss various issues concerning the country and universities.
After Lunch, Yusuf advises Tayo to limit the way he criticizes the government and Tayo tells him there’s nothing to worry about.

Chapter Twenty Two

Tayo recalls how he ends up with Marriam and Flips through Vanessa’s diary that he keeps in his drawer. Kemi, his daughter catches him unawares and chides him that he works too hard.
Eventually, the father tells the daughter a story and they are joined by Mariam before they all go to bed.

Chapter Twenty Three

For the summer holiday, Tayo and his family decide to spend three weeks, at Uncle Kayode’s in Lagos his mother and other relatives in Ibadan. Despite Miriam’s objection, Tayo visits an old man who serves Lord Lugard during his reign in Nigeria, instead of visiting his mother in Ibadan.
On his return, he learns that his mother dies in a fatal accident while coming to Lagos to visit him and his family.

Chapter Twenty Four

Six months after the death of Tayo’s mother, the coup to overthrow the democratic rulers by the military takes place successfully. The people’s optimism quickly dies out when the military administration proves to be as corrupt as the preceding rulers and this leads to lots of unrest and protests.
Amidst the unrest, Miriam advises that they leave Nigeria for England but Tayo objects claiming his loyalty to his country and wouldn’t let him.
 

Chapter Twenty Five

In 1990, Tayo’s hopes for an improved educational system is dashed when a foundation that promises to help provides only second-hand books and old software programs that can’t be used due to a lack of computers. Miriam and Kemi leave for England the previous year.

Chapter Twenty-Six

In 1994, Tayo on his way back from his office meets soldiers who have mounted up roadblocks in order to inspect citizens or collect bribes.
Tayo is surprised they do not ask him for money but instead, they take him to the barracks for questioning. He is severely beaten and ask to stop his critical writing against the government.

Chapter Twenty Seven

Tayo meets Vanessa for the first time after their break up, during his tour of England while promoting his new book on Lord Lugard. After the seminar, they both catch up on each other’s lives.
At the end of the evening, Tayo asks if he would kiss her but she politely declines, saying she would miss her train.

Chapter Twenty Eight

Vanessa sits at Broadwell Park reminiscing on her meeting with Tayo during his book tour. She revisits the past and dwells mostly on how she finds herself marrying Edward Barker, Tayo’s friend in Oxford.
Later that evening, Vanessa receives Mandelo’s ‘Long walk To Freedom’ as a wedding present from her husband.

Chapter Twenty Nine

Tayo writes to Vanessa where he expresses himself freely like in the old times. He shares his opinion on the role of artists in his letter.
Vanessa earnestly implores him in her reply to be careful in his fall prey to the hands of military rulers. Tayo replies to her complaints about her failures as a mother by reassuring her she is a good mum and also tells her about his imperfections as a father and a husband.

Chapter Thirty

Vanessa drives Suleiman to the airport where he leaves for Senegal, his home country. Vanessa is heartbroken with the way they part and worries about him constantly.
She bares her heart in a letter to Tayo, expressing her sadness and longing for what could have been. Eventually, she decided not to send it.

Chapter Thirty-One

Vanessa visits her father, Mr Richardson, who is now old and lives in the Carrington Home for the Elderly. With her father is Murdoch and Mrs. Halliday.
After the brief visit, she buys a fitting skirt in preparation to meet Tayo at the airport the next day. Unfortunately, Tayo is not on the list of those on the expected plane.
 

Chapter Thirty-Two

On Tayo’s way to the airport, his plan to visit England for a long while fails as he is involved in a ghastly accident orchestrated by the Nigerian military.

Chapter Thirty-Three

After Tayo’s survival from the accident that lost the life of his driver, Abdou, he resorts to living at Kemi’s apartment in San Francisco. There she works as a nanny to fund her artistic pursuits.
Kemi sensing her father’s depression suggest that he sees a therapist. Tayo promptly refuses, saying he doesn’t need one. This outburst dregs up the ugly past making father and daughter exchange harsh words. Later that night, they apologize to one another.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Vanessa, after the death of her father, tries to publish his manuscript. She finds out interesting news on the period of their stay in Nigeria as a family.
She speculates on different twists to what leads to her mother’s early departure from Nigeria. She reconciles with Suleiman, her son, who on his return to England promptly apologizes and resolves to start up a business.
 

Chapter Thirty-Five

Tayo gets the opportunity to teach, which he does not appreciate initially but soon seems to enjoy. His legs heal completely, given to his long walks.
He later receives a letter from the Nigerian president that states that he has been awarded an honorary degree from oxford.

Chapter Thirty-Six

The last chapter of In Dependence has it that family and friends gather for the occasion in Sheldonian, England. Tayo, after receiving his award joins his family while Kemi introduces herself, Miriam and some other family members to Vanessa and her son. Tayo and Vanessa later steal away from the party to have some alone time.

Themes of the novel – in dependence by Sarah Ladipo Manyika

The themes of the novel in dependence are the theme of:

  • Love
  • Racism
  • Courage
  • Betrayal
  • Culture and Tradition
  • Idealism

These themes are extensively covered in the book in dependence.

Roles of Major Characters in the Novel In Dependence

1. Tayo

Tayo is the protagonist/main character of the novel, independence. He is an intelligent man but he always seems to do wrong. He tries to do the right thing, and never wants to hurt anyone but in the end, he does, especially the women in his life – and there are quite a number of women in his life that he hurts.

2. Vanessa

Vanessa, on the other hand, dreams of being a journalist writing on African issues, marrying Tayo and moving with him to Nigeria to start a new life. Unfortunately, life gets in the way and a host of things prevent most of her dreams from coming true. She does end up achieving one of her dreams – being a world-renowned journalist on African issues.

3. Christine

Christine is the Nigerian woman that first caught Tayo’s eye. Christine is shown as an opinionated woman that does not shy away from engaging men in intellectual conversation. However, this character is killed off too quickly in the novel and the reason for her death—suicide, was not very convincing. It was hard to picture Christine as a love-struck and defeated woman who would kill herself.

4. Jane

Jane is Vanessa’s cousin in the book in dependence. She is quite outspoken about her sexual encounter.

5. Vanessa’s Father

He was a colonial master in Nigeria before 1960. He is against Tayo marrying his daughter and has refused to accept Vanessa’s adopted half-cast son. He seemed more racial against half-casts earlier in the novel confronting Tayo about his fears for a half-cast grandchild. It was later understood that his hatred for the blacks was a result of an affair his wife had with a black man during the colonial era.
Here you have it – a detailed analysis of the JAMB 2021/2022 novel, In Dependence.

Top In Dependence Questions

1. For what purpose is Tayo traveling to England?

Ans: To take up a scholarship at Balliol College, Oxford

2. What is the name of Tayo’s school in England?

Ans: Balliol College

3. What is the significance of Tayo’s visit to relatives before embarking on his journey to England?

Ans: It is their tradition

4. Through what means of transportation does Tayo travel to England?

Ans: Water

5. Why is Tayo surprised that people do not greet each other in passing in England?

Ans: Because in Nigeria, so much value is attached to greetings

6. In what subject did Bisi receive the highest honors?

Ans: Geography

7. In the Ajayi motto, all things are expected to be done with moderation except what?

Ans: Study

8. Who is Mr. Barker?

Ans: He is a history Don at Oxford and Mr. Faircliffe’s old colleague

9. What reminds Tayo of his mother in the Barkers’ house?

Ans: Isabella cooks wonderful meals in a way that reminds Tayo of his mother

10. Christine was in her third year of study when?

Ans: Tayo met her for the First Time

11. What is Vanessa Richardson’s nationality?

Ans: English

12. What is the name of the friend to that Vanessa wrote a letter, concerning the status of women?

Ans: Jane

13. The full meaning of JACARI is?

Ans: Joint Action Committee Against Racial Inequality

14. What are Christine’s reasons for putting an end to her relationship with Tayo?

Ans: Because she was called ‘clingy’ and the fear of her boy being snatched by some woman

15. The language of fun among Tayo’s Nigerian friends is?

Ans: Pidgin

16. What are the things that made Tayo remember home each time he is at Christine’s place?

Ans: Her cooking which reminds him of mama and the juju and highlife music she plays

17. What is the trait that Nessa cherishes in Tayo and that is the absence of Charlie and Mehul?

Ans: Humility

18. What does Nessa mean by saying she has a ‘’small confession’’ to make?

Ans: She has connections to Nigeria as her father is a colonial officer over there

19. What did Tayo name Vanessa as?

Ans: Moremi

20. What delicacies did Vanessa’s mother make to welcome her daughter?

Ans: Chicken pie and cake

21. For what occasion did her mother ask her whom she was inviting?

Ans: Christmas party

22. Who did Vanessa’s father invite for the occasion?

Ans: His South African racist miner friends.

23. How old was Richardson’s house when Tayo attended a party there?

Ans: About 200 years

24. “We all get embarrassed by our parents”. Who said this?

Ans: Tayo

25: To whom was it said?

Ans: Vanessa

26. What, according to the narrator, did Nessa admire in Tayo when she visited him in the room and saw him organizing his records in piles?

Ans: His tidiness

27. Where did Simon suggest that they (him, Tayo and their two girlfriends) spend Easter?

Ans: Paris

28. Christine died by—?

Ans: Suicide

29. Why did Tayo feel guilty about Christine’s death?

Ans: His refusal to respond properly to her letters and not giving her attention

30. Who is the only family Tayo has in England?

Ans: Tunde

31. Why does Vanessa’s father detest Uncle Tony?

Ans: To him, he is unconventional to him and because he had the opportunity of achieving a place at Cambridge University which Vanessa’s father didn’t have

32. What qualities did the narrator ascribe to Nancy?

Ans: She is being described as having a ‘supercilious (arrogantly proud) tone and feigned generosity

33. What made Tayo realize how lucky he was for getting a scholarship at Balliol?

Ans: He witnessed the life of struggle most African students live, engaging in ridiculous and exhausting jobs such as bakery and hospital work to make ends meet

34. What do the signs: “No Dogs, No Irish, No Coloureds’’ (Africans and Indians) symbolize in the novel?

Ans: Racism

35. The least strenuous work was reserved for whom?

Ans: The English

36. Where was bathing done since there is no bathroom in Tunde’s house?

Ans: Kitchen (in tins) or public baths.

37. For what purpose(s) did Tunde throw a party in his house?

Ans: For Tayo and to celebrate Gambia’s independence

38. ‘’Nigerian women are the best’’ who said this?

Ans: Yusuf

39. Whose wedding did Tayo and Vanessa attend?

Ans: Yusuf’s

40. Joyce was expected to be the bride, but the bride turned out to be whom?

Ans: Joy

41. ‘’No! Don’t Moremi me’’ Who made this statement?

Ans: Vanessa

42. On New Year’s Eve, what happened to Tayo?

Ans: He woke up homesick

43. Where did he buy his chicken from?

Ans: The Covered Market

44. The finest hotel in Oxford is…?

Ans: Randolph Hotel

45. According to the narrative, who is Tayo’s favorite uncle?

Ans: Uncle Kayode

46. Who invited Tayo to lead his school assembly with a lecture on Nigeria?

Ans: Mr Richardson

47. ‘’What are your intentions with my daughter?’’ Who made this statement?

Ans: Mr Richardson

48. Who sent Tayo the telegram which reads: ‘’Baba is in hospital, recovering. Return home immediately’’?

Ans: Tayo’s mother

49. What does Tayo despise Mr Richardson for?

Ans: Bigotry

50. Who is Dele?

Ans: The neighbourhood drunk

51. What circumstance led to the end of Tayo and Vanessa’s relationship?

Ans: Tayo impregnated a woman

52. In this narrative, Nessa’s dreams as portrayed by the writer are…?

Ans: Writing about African art and culture

53. Who is Salamatou?

Ans: A single mother of half-caste Sulaiman

54. In Tayo’s opinion, what are the root causes of oil corruption and a broken civil service in Nigeria?

Ans: Greed and mismanagement

55. In what university was Tayo offered a job?

Ans: Birmingham University

56. Who is Miriam?

Ans: Tayo’s wife

57. Whose diary did Tayo discover in his study?

Ans: Vanessa’s

58. Why is Miriam loved by Tayo’s family?

Ans: She nursed Tayo’s father with care when he had a stroke

59. Whose house is described as ‘Beauty in the Heart of Darkness’?

Ans: Uncle Kayode’s house

60, What is the name of the local artiste that took Tayo to the village?

Ans: Akin

61. What led to the closure of universities?

Ans: University students protest

62. For what reason is Tayo Opposed to leaving the country?

Ans: He Wanted to wait and help his students

63. In order of occurrence, what are the challenges Tayo faced that made him reconsider leaving Nigeria?

Ans: The broken pipe, his house boy’s leave of him, his disappointment in the Foundation and threats to his life.

64. What was his purpose in planning to travel to New York, even though he eventually could not?

Ans: To receive an award for his book

65. Why did Simon arrange a meeting for Tayo and whom did he hold it with?

Ans: To help in the possible funding of Tayo’s university and held with Mr. Peters

66. What was the outcome of the meeting?

Ans: Disappointment

67. Who challenged Tayo on the road on his way home?

Ans: The soldiers

68. What reason did the soldiers give for bringing Tayo home?

Ans: They said Tayo had an accident while driving recklessly

69. What circumstance led to the death of Nessa’s mother?

Ans: Cancer

70. What killed Tayo’s father?

Ans: Stroke

71. By what means did Tayo’s mother die?

Ans: An accident

72. How many years of marriage did Nessa and Edward celebrate their wedding anniversary?

Ans: 18 years

73. ‘’To the woman I love, and with whom I have walked the best 18 years of my life’’. Who made this statement?

Ans: Edward

74. To whom was the statement made?

Ans: Vanessa

75. What is responsible for the divorce between Tayo and his wife?

Ans: Tayo took priority in his students over his wife and child

76. For what reason was Tayo detained?

Ans: For showing his students Perry Henzel’s film, The Harder They Come.

77. What does Vanessa mean by the pick-up-your-stick-and-sandals marriage?

Ans: A kind of love story wherein two lovers who are each other’s first love do not get to marry each other but meet later in life to re-unite

78. ‘’Ah, bleep you, Mum!’’ Who said this?

Ans: Suleiman

79. What is the name of the home in which Nessa went to check on her aged father?

Ans: The Carrington Home for the Elderly

80. For what reason did Nessa tell her father when she was going to the airport?

Ans: To meet Tayo

81. What was her father looking for before she came?

Ans: His pen

82. What is the name of Tayo’s driver?

Ans: Abdou

83. ‘’Marriage is a serious thing’’ who said this?

Ans: Tayo

84. To whom was it said?

Ans: Abdou

85. In what part of the U.S. did Kemi reside?

Ans: San Francisco

86. Whose money was used for Tayo’s treatment after his accident?

Ans: Miriam’s

87. Why was Vanessa initially reluctant to publish her father’s manuscript?

Ans: The poor relationship between her and her father

88. Why did Vanessa’s mother return to England with young Vanessa, while her father remained in Nigeria?

Ans: Vanessa’s mother had an affair with their gardener, Danjuma.

89. Tayo was employed to teach Oral histories in Northern Nigeria and the political history of West Africa in?

Ans: San Francisco.

90. ‘‘…Race is a part of the fabric of this nation. You’re either black or you’re white, and this affects every aspect of your life’’ who said this?

Ans: Kwame

91. To whom was this said?

Ans: Tayo

92. What honorary degree did Tayo receive?

Ans: Doctorate of literature

93. Who asked Tayo and Nessa to help take a photograph of them?

Ans: A middle-aged couple

94. Did Miriam grace the occasion of Tayo’s award of honorary degree?

Ans: Yes

Take some time and read through this great piece by Sarah Ladipo Manyika. Let us know your thoughts using the comment section.
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