The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born Cover Image

The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born

by Ayi Kwei Armah

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Student Question

What are the roles of Maanan, the man, and Teacher in Ayi Kwei Armah’s The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born?

Quick answer:

Maanan, the man, and the Teacher play crucial roles in Ayi Kwei Armah's novel. The Teacher serves a dual role: structurally, he lends credibility to the man's dilemma, and meaningfully, he offers the man a haven and assurance. This helps the man navigate his internal conflicts, providing guidance and support as he seeks clarity and resolution in his journey.

Expert Answers

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The role of the Teacher is a double one. The Teacher has role in the (1) structure and (2) meaning in the novel. For the structure, his role is to give foundation and credibility to the dilemma felt by the "man." His second role, his role in relation to his function for the man's meaning in the novel, is to provide a haven for the man in his dilemma, to provide a source of assurance to help the man find his way.

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