The Girl with the Louding Voice

Born-boy and Kayus are Adunni’s brothers. How are the expectations placed on them different to those placed on her? And how does this reflect broader gender dynamics in rural Nigeria?

Khadija quickly becomes Adunni’s closest friend and ally in the Morufu house. How does her death change Adunni’s life?

Adunni trusts Kola but later realizes that he is a modern day slave trader. How does the depiction of Kola’s behavior change over the course of the story?

Adunni wants to go to school so she can become a teacher and help other girls like herself. How do her ambitions illustrate why she is a sympathetic character?

The Book of Nigerian Facts becomes increasingly prevalent as the novel evolves. How does the inclusion of facts about Nigeria represent Adunni’s increasing knowledge of the world around her? And how does Adunni’s ability to repurpose these facts reflect her growing sophistication as a thinker?

Adunni is stunned by Big Madam’s mansion. What does the lavish house reflect about Big Madam’s character? And what role do houses more generally play as symbols in the narrative?

Kofi is presented as an intelligent, moral man with reasonable ambitions. What role does he play in Adunni’s life?

Rebecca never appears in the novel. Nevertheless, her presence is felt throughout the second half of the story. How does Rebecca change the course of Adunni’s life? And what do you make of Adunni’s decision to believe Big Madam when it comes to Rebecca’s disappearance?