Its true that the gap between the rich and the poor can be controled by application of social justice as vividly portrayed in the play Caucasian Chalk Circle.
Social justice entails that the humanity side is more considered than the rules and status. For example, we have a remarkable Judge by the name Azdak, the man, unlike any other judge does not value what is written on the statutory book, instead of using it to rule the cases, he sits on it and rules cases on accordance to his own believes. He ends up favouring the poor, this is even after receiving the bribes openly from the rich.
According to the playwright, its not about the status but the intention on utility that deserves the ownership as a reward. That is why even at the beginning, the plantation is given to the fruit farmers instead of the goat farmers yet they were the initial owners. On the story on Grusha, though she is poor and she isn't the biological mother to Michael, the judge sees her deserving to be Michael's mother over his real mother, this was after considering her love for the child. After ordering the two, Natella and Grusha to pull the child, Grusha let's go his hand, she refuses to destroy a child she loves, its not in the statutory book but Azdak finds it humane enough to rule on her favour.
Azdak is a character that the writer uses to bring up social justice, initially, the court was corrupt, it ruled in favour of the rich. Azdak represents the poor society, he even has torn pants as an evidence of poverty , his ruling ends up bridging the gap to the poor and the rich, in fact some of the estate by the rich are made a playing ground for the children, obviously, to the children of the poor.
On the Easter day, there is so many beggars and peasants pleading for help from George Abashwili who is remarkably rich, this is just an evidence on the big gap between the rich and the poor. In most of their complains, they had been mistreated by those in the authority yet the governor himself ignored them, the establishment of Azdak as the judge therefore serves as a solution to the poor society, it sounds like a new dawn and indeed it is! The poor gets justice! Not by statutory book favouring the rich but through social justice!
OR
BERTOLT BRECHT - THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE
INTRODUCTION:
Accept a general or contextual introduction e.g. The society depicted in The Caucasian Chalk Circle is one
divided by social class, where people are classified on the basis of esteem and prestige acquired mainly through economic or
political success and accumulation of wealth. In the play the rich can virtually get away with anything at the expense of the poor.
This briefly changes when Azdak sits on the judges seat as demonstrated below.
The poor in the society depicted in The Caucasian Chalk Circle are disregarded by the rich. As the play opens, the Governor
is going to church in the company of his family while the beggars and petitioners line up the streets looking for a chance to
have the governor address their grievances. However, his family is sharply contrasted with the beggars '---- holding thin
children, crutches -----' while on the other hand his son Michael has two doctors by his side, who never move away from him
pg.14-15. Also, as these beggars plead with the governor to have mercy on them, soldiers push them back, lashing at them
with thick leather whips, while a servant distributes coins to them from a purse. This incident clearly portrays the gap
between the poor and the rich.
The rich in this society can buy justice while the poor who do not have the money suffer injustice. When Grusha goes to
court, to defend herself in the case between her and Natella, she lashes out at Azdak because she thinks that Azdak will give the child
to Natella on account of her social class. “---- because we do not talk as refined as that crowd with lawyers” Pg.94. Azdak also
insinuates that justice is up for sale to those who can afford it.
He tells Grusha “you want justice, but do you want to pay for it? When you go to a butcher ------ funeral supper” Pg.94.
In the four cases that Azdak presides over after being made judge by the Iron shirts, he bends justice to favour the poor. He takes
this opportunity to make sure that the voice of the poor is heard. He dispenses justice in his own style where the rich pay for crimes
committed by the poor. For example, the case of the doctor who practices professional negligence but is
acquired. Though we are not told directly why he acquits him, we can deduce that Azdak acquits him simply because he had
performed an expensive operation on a man who perhaps could not afford it, for free. Pg.76-77. As well the case between Granny
Grusinia and the three farmers the Bandit Irakli and Granny Grusinia go Scot free
even when it is clear they have committed the crimes they are accused of. Once again it is Azdak hitting back at the rich (accept
any other relevant case judged by Azdak).
Azdak practices social justice, which the playwright seems to support in judging his cases. The singer describes Azdak as the poor
man's judge. He takes bribes from the rich and gives it to the poor, in a way trying to strike a balance between the rich and the poor.
'And he gave to the forsaken----- from the rich he?d taken” Pg.79. Azdak tries to compensate the injustice that there before has been
practiced on the poor. 'And he broke the rules to save them --- to give the beasts of prey short measure, he became a wolf to fight the
pack' Pg.82. In deed at the end of the play the singer tells us '----- the period of his judging as a brief golden age, almost an age of
justice' Pg.99.
In conclusion,
the playwright seems to advocate for a society that is treated equally irrespective of their social standing, thus
bridging the gap between the rich and the poor. That is why he concludes the play by saying “That what there is shall go to
those who are good for it----- that it yield fruit” Pg.99.Expect 4 well developed points
Introduction - (2mks)
Body - 4 x 3 = (12mks)
Conclusion - (2mks)
Language - (4mks)
Total (20mk)
Mwa limu answered the question on April 4, 2018 at 06:42
- Read the Oral poem below and then answer the questions that follow.
HUNGER
Hunger makes a person climb up to the ceiling
And hold on to the rafters
It...(Solved)
Read the Oral poem below and then answer the questions that follow.
HUNGER
Hunger makes a person climb up to the ceiling
And hold on to the rafters
It makes a person lie down.
But not feel at rest.
It makes a person lie down
And count the rafters.
When the Moslem is not hungry, he says:
“We are forbidden to eat monkey.”
When Ibrahim is hungry, he eats baboon!
When hunger beats the woman in the Koinange,
She will run out into the street in daytime.
One who is hungry does not care for taboos
One who is hungry does not care for death
One who is hungry will take
Out of the sacrifice money
Hunger will open it.
“I Have filled my belly yesterday”
Does bite with hunger.
We have to sacrifice daily to it.
Date posted: February 27, 2018. Answers (1)
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Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow.
“Hey, was an army passing this way, Mother?” asked Aoro.
“It is not every day my grandchildren – all of them, come to see me; and I am a farmer; I have plenty of food – fresh from the garden, not like that frozen tasteless stuff you people eat in the city.”
“Agreed! Agreed!” answered her eldest son waving a juicy looking drumstick in the air. She noticed with motherly approval that he had started to fill out and his eyes were happy and settled. For a while, she had feared that this particular son was headed for trouble. But that had been long ago in his boyhood. She had been mistaken – happy mistake. She noted with concern, however, that Wandia seemed to have little to say. Something was a miss.
After the meal the children ran out to chase whatever farm animals they could find and to exercise their city cramped limbs. Aoro and Tony decided to take a walk together. Opiyo and his twin went to admire a herd of high breed cattle. Mark sat on the veranda admiring his scampering many hued grandchildren and Elizabeth and Wandia went to the kitchen – the only place where a woman can expect not to be disturbed for a while, especially when all are well fed.
“Yes tell me. Is he giving you a hard time or something?” Elizabeth asked and Wandia looked at her startled.
“No! No! I mean – gosh – am I so obvious?”
“ I can read you like a book, my girl.”
“I have a scholarship to study in America for a year.”
“And he is against it?”
“No! He is not. In fact he is all for it. But how can I leave him with five children?”
“Don’t worry about him. You see if you don’t go, it is something that will haunt you – a lost chance is very hard to live with. We will all chip in to give him a hand with the children. Mary is also there in Nairobi with absolutely no responsibility whatsoever. They will be OK. Just organize your affairs and go do what you have to do.
“Oh, thank you so much! Now I can tell the good news to my own family. I didn’t want to have to disappoint them.” The two women looked at each other with understanding. The leaving and cleaving was always more difficult for a woman who has to tear herself from so much, and give so much – which almost always went unnoticed.
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Father Tony and Aoro were reminiscing, about the escapades of their boyhood and each memory was punctuated by great gales of laughter. Eventually they got around to more serious talk.
“Great girl you have there.” Observed Tony.
“Yes. I am a lucky man. She does a wonderful job with the kids – Becky’s as well as ours. How about you Tony?
How’s the priesthood? Are you happy?”
“Absolutely. It is my life and it fulfills me completely. You know the priesthood is quiet like medicine.
Date posted: February 27, 2018. Answers (1)
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- Read the article below and answer the questions that follow.
The Guilty of Giving
You've seen that heap of rags
That pollutes the air-conditioned
City Centre
That louse that creeps...(Solved)
Read the article below and answer the questions that follow.
The Guilty of Giving
You've seen that heap of rags
That pollutes the air-conditioned
City Centre
That louse that creeps about
In the clean core of sophistication;
Youve seen him waylay his betters
And make them start
Especially when they have no change
You recall the day you came upon him
And were startled by his silent presence
Intruding into you preoccupation:
You hurled a coin
Which missed the mark
And rolled into the gutter
Where he groped for it
With a chilling grotesque gratitude
That followed you down the street
You dived into the nearest shop
To escape the stare
Of the scandalized crowd
That found you guilty
Of recalling attention
To the impenetrable patience
They had learnt not to see.
Laban Erapu
(a) Who is the Persona in this poem
(b) Paraphrase the subject matter of this poem
(c) Explain the title of the poem by discussing three different ' guilts'
(d) Identify three poetic devices used by the poet.
(e) What is the tone of this poem?
(f) Explain the meaning of the following lines:
And make them start
Which missed the mark
To escape the stare
Date posted: February 16, 2018. Answers (1)
- Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow.
The boy's name was Waiyaki, the only son of Chege. He was quite young; not...(Solved)
Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow.
The boy's name was Waiyaki, the only son of Chege. He was quite young; not of Kamau or Kinuthia's age. He had not even gone through his second birth, Waiyaki was however, already tall for his age. He had a well-built athletic body. His hair was tough and dry with kinks that finished in a clear outline on the forehead. Just above the left eye was a slightly curved scar. He had got it from
a wild goat. The goat had run after one of the herds boys. Seeing this, Waiyaki had taken a stick and run after the goat shouting. The goat had turned on him and jabbed him with its horns, tearing the flesh to the bone. His father arrived in time to save him. That was along while ago. The wound had healed leaving him a hero among the boys although he had run after the goat for sheer fun and enjoyment of the scene. That, however, was not the sole reason why the other boys, young and old promptly followed him.
Chege, his father, was a well known elder in Kameno. He had now only one wife, who had borne him many daughters but only one son. The other two wives had died during the great famine, without any children. The famine had been preceded by a very rich harvest. Then locusts and worms and a blond drought came to bring death to many. Chege had barely survived. His daughters were now well married, apart from one, who had died early. The other elders feared and respected him. For he knew more than any other person, the ways of the land and the hidden things of the tribe. He knew the meaning of every ritual and every signs. So, he was at the head of every important ceremony.
Many stories ran around him. Some people said that he had the gift of magic. Others said that he was a seer and Murungu often spoke to him. And so they said that he could see visions of the future like Mugo wa Kibiro, who along time back prophesied the invasion of the Gikuyu country by the white man. Some even said that Chege was actually related to Mugo. Nobody knew this for sure Chege himself claimed nothing. Ever since he had warned people against Siriana Missionary Centre and they had refused to hear his voice, he had talked little, keeping all thought to himself. Chege had told the people of the ridges what had happened to the people of Murang'a, Nyeri, and Kiambu. He told them of Tumutumu, Gikuyu, Limuru and Kijabe. They doubted his voice saying:
How do you know?
“See them the butterflies.
“Butterflies? You have never left the ridges!
They are there, beyond the ridges, putting up many houses and some taking the land.
How could you have seen the light beyond?
Fools, fools, he muttered to himself in despair.
Nairobi was already flourishing and the railway was moving across the country in the land beyond where not many from the ridges had been. And they lowered their voices and whispered together:
“The white man cannot speak the language of the hills.And knows not the ways of the land.
But the white man had come to Siriana and Joshua and Kabonyi had been converted. They had abandoned the ways of the ridges and followed the new faith. Still, people shrugged their shoulders and went on with their work, whispering:
Who from the outside can make his way into hills?
However, he remembered something in his old age, a light shone in his eyes, a flicker of hope. He would guard it and divulge the knowledge to none but the right one.
(a) What happens just before this excerpt?
(b) What circumstances cause the ordeal above?
(c)Who are butterflies? Illustrate.
(d)Describe the peoples attitude towards Chege
(e)What is the irony in Chege's warning about Siriana Missionary Centre.
(f) How could you have seen the light beyond?(Rewrite in reported speech)
(g)Discuss the role of Waiyaki as evident in this excerpt.
h) Discuss one major theme in this extract.
(i) Who is right one' and what knowledge will Chege divulge to him?
Date posted: February 16, 2018. Answers (1)
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Repentant
Yesterday my emotions
burst like a dam
and flowed violently
onto your innocent self.
Today deluged with
a deep sense of...(Solved)
Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow:
Repentant
Yesterday my emotions
burst like a dam
and flowed violently
onto your innocent self.
Today deluged with
a deep sense of regret
I hold out my hand
a gesture of reconciliation.
Seeking to forget
The galling bitterness
Of that regrettable moment
When I caused you pain.
A.D. Amateshe.
i) Describe the rhyme scheme in this poem.
ii). Which word would you stress in line 2 of the first stanza?
a) What tone would you use to recite the poem and why?
(b) For each of the following words, write another word that is pronounced the same.
Sale:
Boos:
Cymbal:
Douse:
Morning:
(c) (i) Indicate and name the sound patterns used in the following proverbs:
(i) Better beg than steal.
(ii) Health is better than wealth.
(iii) Time and tide wait for no man.
(iv) Money makes money.
(ii) Give an illustration of the riddling process.
(d) Imagine you are narrating a trickster narrative to children.What would you do to make the performance interesting? Explain.
(e) For each of the following sets of words, underline the odd one out according to the pronunciation of the underlined sounds.
Knot Weapon Saw Breathe
Note Weed Sow Breath
Not Wed So Breadth
Date posted: February 16, 2018. Answers (1)
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