Change is inevitable and cannot be preserved. In the River and the Source, Akoko becomes instrumental in
spearheading the change.
In the contemporary society, a lot of change has been initiated in a manner that transforms the peoples ways of
living.
(a) Polygamy: - Otieno has several wives
- Odero has several wives
Monogamy: - Owuor Kembo does not marry a second wife for the first time in their history. He
resists the pressure of taking on a second wife from his mother and council of elders
because he finds fulfillment in his wife Akoko.
(ii) Solving disputes – Disputes were solved by the Council of Jodongo, Akoko goes
home after the accusations by her mother-in-law that she had bewitched Owuor Kembo. Elders from
both sides settle the dispute however, when Otieno plunders her property, Akoko makes history by
taking a pioneering journey to Kisumu to seek justice from the Jorochere (the white man) through
her, the whole of Sakwa experiences the impact of the white man’s rule.
(iii) Traditional worship, the community believed in were God of the eye of the rising sun. However,
Akoko advises Nyabera to venture into the hitherto the unknown world of Christianity. This ushers
enormous changes in Akoko’s lineage.
(iv) Marriage was mandatory in the traditional setting. However, with Akoko’s blessing, Owour Sino
adapts celibacy which is unheard off traditionally. He becomes a catholic priest.
(v) Informal education was the order of the day but with Akoko’s encouragement, Awiti pursues
education which she rightly believes is the direction that life is taking. She reprimands Nyabera who
tries to resist Nyabera’s departure to a teachers training college.
(vi) Bride price was mandatory for any marriage to take place in the traditional setting. However, to the
dismay of Oyange Silwal and Mark Sigu’s party Akoko asks for only a token bride-piece setting a
precedent which is a clear break with tradition.
Conclusion
Clearly, Akoko is among the few African women who embraced change without demur. She seems to understand
that change is mandatory and people must keep pace with it
marto answered the question on May 23, 2019 at 11:44
- The Caucasian Chalk Circle: Literary Appreciation
Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow(Solved)
The Caucasian Chalk Circle: Literary Appreciation
Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow
GRUSHA : Simon!
SIMON : Is that Grusha Vasnadze?
GRUSHA : Simon!
SIMON (formally): A good morning to the young lady. I hope she is well.
GRUSHA (getting up and bowing low): A good morning to the soldier. God be thanked he has returned in good
health.
SIMON : They found better fish, so they didn’t eat me said the haddock
GRUSHA : Courage, said the kitchen boy. Good luck, said the hero
SIMON : How are things here? Was the winter bearable? The neighbor considerate?
GRUSHA : The winter was a trifle rough, the neighbor as usual Simon.
SIMON : May one ask if a certain person still dips her toes in the water when rinsing the linen?
GRUSHA : The answer is no. Because of the eyes in the bushes.
SIMON : The young lady is speaking of soldiers. Here stands the paymaster
GRUSHA : A job worth twenty piasters?
SIMON : And lodgings?
GRUSHA (with tears in her eyes) : Behind the barracks under the date trees
SIMON : Yes there. A certain person has kept her eyes open
GRUSHA : She has, Simon.
SIMON : And has not forgotten? (GRUSHA shakes her head) So the door is still on its hinges as they
say? (GRUSHA looks at him in silence and shakes her head again) What’s this? Is anything
not as it should be?
GRUSHA : Simon Shashava, I can never return to Nuka. Something has happened.
SIMON : What can have happened?
GRUSHA : For one thing, I knocked an Ironshirt down
GRUSHA : Simon Shashava, I am no longer called what I used to be called
SIMON (after a pause):I do not understand
GRUSHA : When do women change their names, Simon? Let me explain.
Nothing stands between us. Everything is just as it was. You must believe that.
SIMON : Nothing stands between us and yet there is something?
GRUSHA : How can I explain it so fast and with the stream between us?
Couldn’t you cross the bridge there?
SIMON : Maybe it’s no longer necessary
GRUSHA : It is very necessary. Come over on this side, Simon. Quick!
SIMON : Does the young lady wish to say someone has come too late?
a) Place this excerpt in its immediate context
b) Where is this scene taking place .
c) Discuss the relationship between Grusha and Simon in this excerpt.
d) 'May one ask if a certain person still dips her toes in the water when rinsing the linen?' In which other scene does
Simon use the very words to Grusha? Explain what was happening in that scene .
e) Grusha says she cannot go to Nuka because something has happened. Explain. .
f) Describe the character trait of Simon as brought out in this excerpt .
g) Explain the meaning of the following saying and word as used in the excerpt
i) They found better fish, so they didn’t eat me, said the haddock.
ii) Gaily
h) Identity and illustrate the major theme present in this excerpt
Date posted: May 23, 2019. Answers (1)
- The Short StoryEmilia Ilieva and Waveney Olembo, When the Sun Goes Down With illustrations from Moyez Vassanji’s ‘Leaving’, write an essay to show what leads individuals to seekeducation...(Solved)
The Short Story
Emilia Ilieva and Waveney Olembo, When the Sun Goes Down
With illustrations from MoyezVassanji’s ‘Leaving’, write an essay to show what leads individuals to seek
education opportunities in foreign countries.
Date posted: May 23, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the excerpt below and respond to the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the excerpt below and respond to the questions that follow.
GUESTS (loudly):
- Have you heard? The grand Duke is back! But the princes are against him.
- They say the Shah of Persia has lent him a great army to restore order in Grusinia.
- But how is that possible? The Shah of Persia is the enemy….
- The enemy of Grusinia, you donkey, not the enemy of the Grand Duke!
- In any case, the war’s over, so our soldiers are coming back.
GRUSHAdrops a cake pan. GUESTS help her pick up the cake.
AN OLD WOMAN (to GRUSHA): Are you feeling bad? It’s just excitement about dear Jussup. Sit
down and rest a while, my dear (GRUSHA staggers.)
GUESTS: Now everything’ll be the way it was. Only the taxes’ll go up because now we” ll have to pay
for the war.
GRUSHA (weakly): Did someone say the soldiers are back?
FIRST MAN (to a woman): Show her the shawl. We bought it from a soldier. It’s from Persia.
GRUSHA (looking at the shawl): They are here. (She gets up, takes a step, kneels down in prayer,
takes the silver cross and chain out her blouse, and kisses it.)
MOTHER –IN –LAW (while the guests silently watchGRUSHA): What‘s the matter with you? Aren’t
you going to look after our guests? What’s all this city nonsense got to do with us?
GUESTS (resuming conversation while GRUSHA remain in prayer):
- you can buy Persian saddles from the soldiers too. Though many want crutches in
exchange for them.
- The leaders on one side can win a war, the soldiers on both sides lose it.
- Anyway, the war’s over. It’s something they can’t draft you anymore.
The dying man sits bolt upright in bed. He listens.
- What we need is two weeks of good weather.
- Our pear trees are hardly bearing a thing this year
MOTHER –IN –LAW (offering cakes): Have some more cakes and welcome! There are more!
(a) Describe the events leading to this extract.
(b) Explain what the guests mean by the statement 'The grand Duke is back'
(c) Why does the mother-in-law welcome the guests to eat cakes?
(d) Identify and explain three ironic situations in this extract.
(e) Identify and explain two themes in this extract
(f) What happens immediately after this extract?
(g) What makes the dying man sit bolt upright?
(h) 'Did someone say the soldiers are back? GRUSHA asked.
(Rewrite the sentence in reported speech.
(i) 'The mother-in-law’s action was an effort in futility.' Do you agree with this assertion? Justify your response
Date posted: May 23, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.
AZDAK: (sitting down): I accept. (Sighing, the inkeeper hands him some money). Good.
Now the formalities are disposed of. This is a case of rape?
INKEEPER : Your Honour, I caught the fellow in the act. Ludovica was in the straw on the stable
floor.
AZDAK : Quite right , the stable. Lovely horses! especially liked the little roan.
INKEEPER : The first thing I did, of course , was to question Ludovica. On my son’s behalf.
AZDAK : ( seriously ): I said I especially liked the little roan.
INKEEPER : ( Coldly ) : Really ? Ludovica confessed the stableman took her against her will.
AZDAK : Take your veil off, Ludovica. (she does so) Ludovica, you please the court. Tell us
how it happened.
QUESTIONS.
1. What happens before this excerpt (3marks)
2. ‘I accept’ Explain what is implied by this statement (2 marks)
3. “Your honour, I caught the fellow in the act.” Identify and explain one theme that can be deduced from the
statement. (3 marks)
4. “Ludovica you please the court – Tell us how it happened.” In note form, explain Ludovica’s defense.(4 marks)
Rough copy.
Fair copy.
5. Using the excerpt, state and explain two character traits of Azdak and two of Ludovica. (4 marks)
6. Why do you think Azdak asks Ludovica to remove her veil in this excerpt. (2 marks)
7. '(Sighing, the inkeeper hands him some money). Good. Now the formalities are disposed of.' What turns out to
be ironic about this statement? (3 marks)
8. 'I caught the fellow in the act.' Explain what this statement alludes to in the Bible (2 marks)
9. Give the meaning of the following words as used in the excerpt.
i) Roan
ii) Stable
Date posted: May 23, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the poem bellow and answer the question that follows
My grandmother(Solved)
She kept an antique shop-or it kept her.
Among Apostle spoons and Bristol glasses,
The faded silks, the heavy furniture,
She watched her own reflection in the brass
Salvers and silver bowls, as if to prove
Polish was all, there was no need for love.
And I remember how I once refused
To go out with her, since I was afraid.
It was perhaps a wish not to be used
Like antique objects .Though she never said
That she was hurt, I still could feel the guilt
Of that refusal, guessing how she felt.
Later, too frail to keep a shop, she put
All her best things in one long, narrow room.
The place smelt old, of things too long kept shut,
The smell of absences where shadows come
That can’t be polished. There was nothing then
To give her own reflection back again.
And when she died I felt no grief at all,
Only the guilt of what I once refused.
I walked into her room among the tall
Sideboards and cupboards-things she never used
But needed: and no finger-marks were there,
Only the new dust falling through the air.
a) Identify the persona in the above poem.
b) In note form, summarize what each stanza is talking about
c) Identify and briefly explain the use of any two images in the poem
d) What does the persona feel towards the subject matter?
e) What do the following lines mean in the poem?
'too frail to keep a shop'
'Only the new dust falling through the air'
f) Describe the tone the persona uses in the poem above
g) Explain the paradox in the line:
-things she never used
But needed:
h) Explain the persona’s sense of guilt
Date posted: May 6, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow.
SECOND OLYMPUS(Solved)
SECOND OLYMPUS
From the rostrum they declaimed
On martyrs and men of high ideals
Whom they sent out
Benevorent despots to an unwilling race
Straining at the yoke
Bull dozers trampling on virgin ground
In blatant violation
They trampled down all that was strange
And filled the void
With half digested alien thoughts
They left a trail of red
Whatever their feet had passed
Oh, they did themselves fine
And struttled about the place
Self proclaimed demi- gods
From a counterfeit Olympus
One day they hurled down thunder bolts
On toiling race of earthworms
They might have rained own pebbles
To pelt the brats to death
But that was beneath them
They kept up the illusion
That they were fighting foes
Killing in the name of high ideals
At the inquest they told the world
The worms were becoming pests
Moreover, they said
They did not like wriggly things
Strange prejudice for gods.
Questions
1) Who is being talked about in this poem? Give evidence.
2) With two evidences, discuss the poet’s general attitude towards the subject of the poem.
3) What do you understand by the following three lines?
'they trample down all that was strange
And filled the void with half digested alien thoughts?'
4) Who are referred to as 'toiling race of earthworms' and why
5) Discuss two stylistic devices used in the poem. Give their effectiveness
6) Explain the significance of the title.
7) What is the tone of the poem?
Date posted: May 6, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow. (20 marks)
The inmates(Solved)
The inmates
Huddled together
Cold biting their bones
Teeth chattering from the chill,
The air oppressive,
The smell offensive
They sit and they reflect
The room self contained
At the corner the ‘gents’ invites
With the nice fragrance of ammonia,
And fresh human dung,
The fresh inmates sit thoughtfully
Vermin perform a guard of honour
Saluting him with a bite here
And a bite there
‘Welcome to the world, they seem to say’
The steel lock of the door
The walls insurmountable
And the one torching tortuous bulb
Stare vacantly at him
Slowly he reflects about the consignment
That gave birth to his confinement
Locked in for conduct refinement
The reason they put him in prison
The clock ticks
But too slowly
Five years will be a long time
Doomed in the dungeon
In this hell of a cell
a) Who is the persona in the poem? (1 mark)
b) Briefly explain what the poem is about. (2 marks)
c) Identify and illustrate three aspects of style in the poem. (6 marks)
d) Give evidence from the poem which indicates the inmates are suffering. (3 marks)
e) Why is the fresh inmate in prison? (2 marks)
f) Identify and explain the mood of the new convict. (2 marks)
g) Explain the meaning of the following lines as used in the poem.
i) That gave birth to his confinement (1 mark)
ii) The room is self contained (1 mark)
h) What does the steel lock in the door and the insurmountable walls suggest? (2 marks)
Date posted: May 3, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the following poem and then answer the questions that follow: Song of agony(Solved)
Read the following poem and then answer the questions that follow.
Song of Agony
I put on a clean shirt
And go to work
Which of us
Which of us will come back?
Four and twenty moons
Not seeing women
Not seeing my hand
Which of us
Which of us will die?
I put on a clean shirt
And go to work my contract
To work far away
I go beyond the mountain
Into the bush
Where the roads end
And the rivers run dry
Which of us
Which of us will come back?
Which of us
Which of us will die?
Questions
a) Who is the persona in the poem? Explain. (2 marks)
b) Briefly discuss the subject matter in this poem. (3 marks)
c) Identify two stylistic devices in the poem and show their effectiveness. (4 marks)
d) Show how the persona and the others suffer in the poem. Illustrate your answer. (4 marks)
e) What is the dominant mood in the poem? (2 marks)
f) Is the title of this poem suitable? Explain (3 marks)
g)Identify and explain one economic activity practiced by the persona’s community
Date posted: May 3, 2019. Answers (1)
- How old was mama milanoi when she married ole kaelo?(Solved)
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Date posted: April 29, 2019. Answers (1)
- Explain the theme of tradition in the novel The River Between by Ngùgí wa Thiong'o(Solved)
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Date posted: April 28, 2019. Answers (1)
- Henrik Ibsen, An Enemy of the people“Cowardice is one of the factors that contribute to injustices in many societies even today. Write an essay giving...(Solved)
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“Cowardice is one of the factors that contribute to injustices in many societies even today. Write an essay giving clear evidence of this based on the play An Enemy of the people.
Date posted: April 25, 2019. Answers (1)
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