SECTION A: PROSE AND POETRY/ 45 MARKS
Q1. Read the passage below and the questions that follow. /15 MARKS
I had two fathers, a rich one and a poor one. One was highly educated and intelligent; he had a Ph.D. and completed four years of undergraduate work in less than two years. He then went on to Stanford University, the University of Chicago, and northwestern university to do his advanced studies, all on full financial scholarships. The other father never finished the eighth grade. Both men were successful in their careers, working hard all their lives. Both earned substantial incomes yet one struggled financial all his life the other would become one of the richest men in Hawaii.
One died leaving tens of millions of dollars to his family, charities and his church. The other left bills to be paid. Both men were strong, charismatic and influential. Both men offered me advice, but they did not advise the same things. Both men believed strongly in education but did not recommend the same course of study. If I had had only one dad, I would have had to accept or reject his advice. Having two dads advising me offered me the choice of
Page 1 of 18
contrasting points of view; one of rich man and one of a poor man. Instead of simply accepting or rejecting one or the other, I found myself thinking more, comparing and then choosing for myself.
The problem was, the rich man was not rich yet and the poor man not yet poor. Both were just starting out on their careers, and both were struggling with money and families. But they had very different points of view about the subject of money. For example, one dad would say, “the love of money is the root of all evil.” The other, “the lack of money is the root of evil” As a young boy, having strong fathers both influencing me was difficult. I wanted to be a good son and listen, but the two fathers did not say the same things.
The contrast in their points of view, particularly where money was concerned, was so extreme that I grew curious and intrigued. I began to start thinking for long periods of time about what each was saying much of my private times was spent reflecting asking myself questions such as, “why does he say that?” and then asking the same question of the other dad‟s statement. It would have been much easier to simply say, “Yeah, he‟s right. I agree with that”.
Or to simply reject the point of view by saying, “the old man doesn‟t know what he‟s talking about.” Instead, of having two dads whom I Loved forced me to think and ultimately choose a way of thinking for myself. As a process choosing myself turned out to be much more valuable in the long run rather than simply accepting or rejecting a single point of view. One of the reasons the rich get richer, the poor get poorer, and the middle-class struggles in debt is because the subject of money is taught at home, not in school. Most of us learn about money from our parents. So what can a poor parent tell their child about money they simply say „„stay in school and study hard‟‟ The child may graduate with excellent graded but with a poor persons financial programming and mindset. it was learned while the child was young. Money is not taught in schools. Schools focus on scholastic and professional skills, but not on financial skill. This explain how smart banker, doctors and accountants who earned excellent grades in school may still struggle financially all of their lives. Our staggering national debt is due in large part to highly educated politicians and government officials making financial decisions with little or no training on the subject of money. I often look ahead to the new millennium and wonder what will happen when we have millions of people who will need financial and medical assistance, they will be dependent on their families or the government for financial support. What will happen when Medicare and social security run out of money? How will a nation survive if teaching children about money continues to be left to parents-most of whom will be or already are, poor
Page 2 of 18
because I had two influential fathers, I learned from both of them. I had to think about each dads advice and in doing so, I gained valuable insights into the power and effect of ones thoughts on ones life. For example, one dad had habit of saying, „‟I cant afford it‟‟ the other dad forbade those word to be used.
He insisted I say how I can afford it‟‟ One is a statement and other is question. One lets you off the hook, and the other forces you think. My soon-to-be-rich dad would explain that by automatically saying the words „‟ I can‟t afford it „‟ your brain stops working. By asking the question „‟ how can I afford it „‟ your brain is put to work. He did not mean by everything you wanted. He was fanatical about exercising your mind, the most powerful computer in the world. „‟my brain gets stronger every day because I exercise it. The stronger it gets, the more money I can make. He believed that automatically saying „‟ I cant afford it‟‟ was sign of mental laziness. Although both dads worked hard, I noticed that one dad had a habit of putting his brain to sleep when it came to money matters, and the other dad had a habit of exercising his brain. The long-term result was that one dad grew stronger financially and the other grew weaker. It is not much different from a person who goes to the gym to exercise on a regular basis versus someone who sits on the couch watching television.
Proper physical exercise increases your chance for health, and proper mental exercise increases your chance for wealth. Laziness decreases both health and wealth. My two dads had opposing attitudes in thought. One dad thought that the rich should pay more in taxes to take care of those lee fortunate. The other said, „‟taxes punish and reward those who don‟t produce.‟‟ One dad recommended, „‟study hard so you can find a good company to work for.‟‟ The other recommended, ‟Study hard so you can find good company to buy.‟‟ One dad said, „the reason I‟m not rich is because I have you kids.‟ The other said, „the reason I must be rich is because I have you kids.‟ One encouraged talking about money and business at the dinner table. The other forbade the subject of money to be discussed over a meal. One said, „when it comes to money, play it safe, don‟t take risks.‟ The other said, „learn to manage risk.‟
Extract from the book rich dad poor dad. Author: Robert T. Kiyosaki
QUESTIONS
Q1 A) what is narrator talking about? /3MARKS
The narrator is talking about his experience growing up with two father figures: one who was financially rich and one who was financially poor. He explains how both men influenced his thinking about education, money,
Page 3 of 18
and life, and how their conflicting advice helped him to develop his own way of understanding money and success.
What is the importance of having two dads according to the narrator?/2marks
- It allowed him to receive two different viewpoints about money and life.
- He was able to compare their ideas instead of accepting just one point of view.
- It encouraged him to think critically and choose for himself.
- It helped him to understand how mindset affects success, especially regarding money.
- It shaped his ability to develop his own financial philosophy, which became valuable in the long run.
- Explain: “the love of money is the root of all evil. “the other,” the lack of money is the root of all evil”/3marks
The love of money is the root of all evil” means being greedy and obsessed with money can cause people to do wrongful or immoral things (such as stealing, corruption, or harming others).
“The lack of money is the root of all evil” means poverty can also lead to suffering and wrongdoing (such as theft, crime, or desperation) because people struggle to survive.
So one father believed money itself was dangerous, while the other believed poverty was a bigger problem.
- Compare two dad‟s attitudes in thought. /3marks
poor Dad (poor Mindset)
Encouraged studying hard to find a job.
Thought taxes punish producers and discourage effort
Said “I can’t afford it.”
Believed in playing it safe with money.
.
rich dad( rich minds)
.
Thought rich people should pay more taxes. Said “How can I afford it?” forcing the brain to think. .Avoided talking about money at home.
Encouraged discussing money to learn about it.
Believed in learning to manage risk
Page 4 of 18
Encouraged studying hard to own or buy a
company
2.i) According to the narrator, why do the rich get richer and the poor get poorer?
Money is not taught in schools, so many people lack financial knowledge.
Most people learn about money from their parents, who may be financially poor and pass on poor financial habits.
Many people develop the mindset of “I can’t afford it”, which stops them from thinking creatively and improving their financial situation.
A. Because rich people work harder
B. Because money is taught at home, not in school( ANSWER)
C. Because poor people avoid studying
D. Because the government helps only the rich
ii. What did the rich dad forbid the narrator from saying?
A. “I need help”
B. “I don‟t know”
C. “I can’t afford it”( ANSWER)
D. “I don‟t like money
- Which statement reflects the poor dad‟s thinking? A. “ Learn to manage risk.”
B. “Study hard so you can buy a company.” C. “The lack of money is the root of all evil.”
D. “Study hard so you can find a good company to work for.”( ANSWER)
iv. Why was it difficult for the narrator to follow both dads‟ advice? A. They both lived far away
B. They did not give advice at the same time C. Their advice was contradictory( ANSWER)
Page 5 of 18
D. They were not successful in life
Q2. Give a literary term for each of the following description / 10 marks
- DRAMATIC IRONY….the writer allows a reader to know more about a situation than a character does. This creates a discrepancy between what the character says and thinks and what the reader knows is true.
- …SITUATIONAL IRONY is detected where there is contradiction between the expected result and actual results, or what appears and what is true.
- GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING. deals with where the play is set ,the place. It may be a real place or an imaginary one.
- HISTORICAL SETTING.. refers to the time in which the play is set.
- SOCIAL SETTING .refers to the type of society in which the play is set
- SOLILOQUY….. This is a speech in a play in which a character who is alone on stage speaks his or her thoughts aloud it reveals the innermost thoughts of a character.
- ASIDE. This is something which a character in a play says to the audience, but which the other characters in the play are not supposed to hear
- STAGE PROPS These include the set and items on stage. The set is made up of the structures placed on a stage and backdrops
- STAGE DIRECTION .These are instructions given in italics at the beginning of every act and throughout the play in brackets
- ALLUSION …Referral to various contexts considered to be common or known
Q3.Read the following poem and answer questions about it./ 10 marks
Some days I put the people in their places at the table, bend their legs at the knees, if they come with that feature,
and fix them into the tiny wooden chairs.
All afternoon they face one another,
the man in the brown suit,
the woman in the blue dress,
perfectly motionless, perfectly behaved.
But other days, I am the one
who is lifted up by the ribs,
Page 6 of 18
then lowered into the dining room of a dollhouse to sit with the others at the long table. Very funny,
but how would you like it
if you never knew from one day to the next if you were going to spend it striding around like a vivid god,
your shoulders in the clouds,
or sitting down there amidst the wallpaper, staring straight ahead with your little plastic face?
SOLUTIONS BillyCollins
- Guess the title of this poem: THE TITLE IS SOME DAYS What is the poet talking about?
The poem is about a person who works at the dollhouse. He/she manipulates/ controls the dolls however he/she wants, but sometimes he feels that he/she is also manipulated/ controlled by some things. From this, we get that one-day people have the power to take over others. However, some other day the situation may change; who was the controlling agent becomes the controlled.
- Discuss how the poet has used juxtaposition in the poem.
The poet has used the juxtaposition shown in line 8 where the speaker describes the people acting like society’s dolls “Perfectly motionless, perfectly behaved.”
3. Why do you think the poet has opted for use of juxtaposition?
The poet has chosen to use juxtaposition in order to show contrast between subjects and the ruler. It means that one might have control over somebody today and tomorrow not.
4. Compare and contrast this poem and with limericks.
From the beginning we have learnt that limerick is a five-line poem with a funny idea and a specific rhyming scheme, AABA. Contrarily, this poem “Some Days” is a free verse, open form poem or experimental poem. There is no exact rhyme scheme, and it has little, if not slant or half rhymes. There is no internal rhyme either. By not using rhyme scheme, Billy Collins is trying to get the reader to focus on the deeper meaning of the poem, and not so much its form.
Q4.Match the following poetic term with the right definition , after matching give 1 example on metonymy and synecdoche / 10 marks
Page 7 of 18
7:H EX:The wheels stopped suddenly ( wheels : car)
8:G EX:the pen is mightier than sword( the pen :words/ sword: force
SECTION B: NOVELS AND SHORT STORIES /25 MARKS
Q5. Choose ONE of the following short story titles from the anthology “When
the Sun Goes Down and Other stories from Africa and Beyond” by Emilia Ilieva and Waveney Olembo and use it to answer the questions that follow. Either
The Guilt
Or
Diamond dust
Questions
i)Who is the author of the short story of your choice? (2 marks)
Page 8 of 18
ANITHA DEASAI / DIAMOND DUST
ii) Describe the setting of the story. (2 marks)
The guilt:
is set in south white suburb in south Africa Mrs .Lilian thurgood’s home /she has large compound in which she has fruit trees:guavas and lemons .
While diamond dust:
The story is set in Bhari Nagar ,an urban civil servants residential areain india. The event take is from Das’s house, to the streets of Bhari Nagar ,into the lodi Gardens and down the alleys of the town.
- Choose two characters from the story and describe one character trait for each. (2 marks)
in the guilt
lilian Thurgood :she is white woman over 66yrs old kind , respectful, generous ,decisive, inhumane
William sidlay: dishonest, calm, courageous brave( the fact that he did not panic when confronted by tembi and tor, greedy etc
In diamond dust
Mrs.Das: tolerant: tireless cleans after diamond, does nor give up living with Das on account of diamond neat
Mr.Das: inconsiderate: although his pet makes many people suffer , he’d not give it up
Unrealistic: he expect animals to remain true to their nature but nothis diamond
iv) Discuss one theme in the story. (2 marks)
themes in guilt: guilt, deception, race relations,
themes in the diamond dust: obsession, animal nature
- If you were given chance to advise one of the characters in the story, what piece of advice would you give him/her? (2 marks)
in the guilt: I would advice Lillian Thurgood:
Page 9 of 18
TO Beware of the strange people in order to avoid being fooled and deceived easily, lilian is naïve this allows people to take an advantages over her, thus she must avoid it.
avoid racial segregation by white people, avoid feeling guilt when u did it unintentionally but just for your protection ex: she says she had ignored many such calls( consider any other character)
in diamond dust I would choose to advice :
Mr Das: is Unrealistic: he expect animals to remain true to their nature but not this diamond thus he should not expect animals to change their nature just because we have domesticated them.
Q6. Choose one of the passage below :read it carefully and them answer the questions that follow as concisely as possible
A) Either animal farm by George ORWEL/15 MARKS
Read the following passage from the novel and then answer the questions related to it.
(Old major, the prize male pig, is addressing all animals.)
„‟ Comrade, you have heard already about the strange dream that I had last night. But I will come to the dream later. I have something else to say first. I do not think, comrades, that I shall be with you for many months longer, and before I die, I feel it my duty to pass on to you such wisdom as I have acquired. I have had a long life, I have had much time for thought as I lay alone in my stall, and I may say I understand the nature of life on this earth as well as any animal now living. It is about this that I wish to speak to you. Now, comrades, what is the nature of this life of ours? Let us face it: our lives are miserable, laborious, and short. We are born, we are given just so much food as will keep the breath in our bodies, and those of us who are capable of it are forced to work to the last atom of our strength, and then the very instant that our usefulness has come to an end were slaughtered with hideous cruelty. No animal in England knows the meaning of happiness or leisure after he is a year old. No animal in England is free. The life of an animal is misery and slavery; that is the plain truth.‟‟ But this is simply a part of the order of nature? Is it because this land of ours is so poor that it cannot afford a decent life to those who dwell up on it? No, comrades, a thousand time no! The soil of England is fertile, its climate is good, and it is capable of affording food in abundance to an enormously greater number of animals that now inhabit it. The single farm of ours would support a dozen horses, twenty cows, hundreds of sleep-and all
Page 10 of 18
of them living in a comfort and a dignity that are now almost beyond our imagining. Why then do we continue in this miserable condition? Because nearly the whole of the produce of our labor is stolen from us by human beings. There, comrades, is the answer to all our problems. It is summed up in a single word-man. Man is the only enemy we have. Remove man from the scene, and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished forever.‟‟
Answers
- How many types of animals are mentioned in the above passage? Name them.(5marks)
Answer: Old Major, Horses, Sheep, cows
- Old major has something to tell his comrades before he dies. From what he says in the first 10 lines of the above passage. Therefore, one would describe him as ( choose the correct answer) (3marks)
- A wise, thoughtful and lonely person/ character.
- An old selfish, but wise and careless character.
- A considerate, wise, thoughtful and old character. ( Answer) 2 marks
- An old, lonely, wise but arrogant and selfish character.
- Briefly explain the nature of the lives of animals as described by old major, give reasons to support your answer. (4marks)
Answer: life is not worth living for animals where it is miserable, laborious and short in the sense that no animal in England knows the meaning of happiness or leisure as they are deprived of their freedom. Therefore life of animals is both slavery and misery not because the soil of England is not fertile but because their soil was stolen by humans.
- Old Major is not convinced about “the order of the nature” as far as animals are concerned. Why?(3marks)
Answer: Old Major is not convinced simply because all kinds sufferings were brought by humans for animals, England soil is fertile, it has good climate that lead to better production but although human use every kind of production in their personal interests that’s why animals are starved and are bout to die of hunger.
- What, according to old major, is the ideal solution to their problems? Of what benefit would this solution be?(3marks)
Answer: according to Old Major, the ideal solution to animals’ problems is first to understand that the only enemy of animals is a man therefore they have to remove him from the scene simply
Page 11 of 18
because a man is the root cause of hunger for animals and overwork is believed to forever be abolished.
OR ;MINE BOY BY PETER ABRAHAM .
- Xuma had been in the city for three months now. He had left Leah‟s place over two months ago and lived in a room in Malay Camp. He had not been to see Leah since he left there. He did not want to go there for
fear that he could meet Eliza. She was like a devil in his blood.
He could not forget her.
He wanted to see Leah, and the others too. Had they not been his first friends when he came to the city? Had they not given him food and a place to live? But because he feared seeing Eliza he would not go. So he had stayed away.
And this night, as he sat in the cold room with no fire, and there was no one to speak to, he longed for the warmth of Leah‟s place, and for the brightness in Leah‟s eyes and for the drunken nonsense of Daddy and the wise, watching eyes and of old Ma Plank, who saw everything and said nothing. He even longed to see the thin colored woman, Lena, who was like a baby beside Johannes. He longed for them all and his heart felt heavy and the coldness in the room was great.
He lit his pipe and sucked it. The he got up, put on his coat and went out.
He shivered as the night air hit his face.
It was Saturday night and in spite of the cold, the streets were crowded. But it was not as it had been that first Saturday when he had gone walking with Joseph. People moved slowly and clung to each other. And you could not make out the strong men. They were all dressed to keep out the cold. There were no crowds standing on streets corners talking. They all moved.
He went up the street and walked in the direction of the heart of Johannesburg. He passed a couple under a lamplight. The man had his arms round the woman. The woman was laughing into the man‟s face. He looked away and hurried past. Everywhere, he saw couples. They walked close together to keep out the cold. And they all seemed so happy. Only he walked alone.
His shoes were thin and the cold came through. His toes began to ache. “But it‟s not so bad,” he thought, remembering all the clothes his white man had given him. And there were others who passed him, who did not even have shoes. Many without coats and one could see it in their eyes, so it was not so bad. But even those whose eyes showed how cold they were not alone. Most of them walked with a woman. Others had men friends. Only he walked alone.
Solutions :
Page 12 of 18
- Explain why Xuma does not want to go to Leah‟s place. (2 marks)
- He did not want to go there for fear that he could meet Eliza. She was like a devil in his blood
- Explain the character of Leah, as it is revealed in this extract? (2 marks)
- Leah is friendly, generous and kind. Xuma
- In the extract, Xuma longed for many people. Explain this homesickness referring to what happened in the story. (4 marks)
- Xuma had a good time to live with these people he longed for. He remembers the good time and difficult moments with them, then feels homesick
- “But it‟s not so bad,” he thought, remembering all the clothes his white man had given him. Which theme does this sentence reveal? (1 marks)
- The sentence reveals how much black people were neglected by white. A white man gave him cloths, but it was not possible for him to give clothes to a white man. The theme they put across is segregation.
- Explain that theme by giving more evidences from the story. (3 marks)
- The theme is segregation. The novel reveals the great divisions created by white men out of their arrogant sense of superiority.
- Describe the main character as he is presented in the extract? (3 marks)
- The main character is Xuma. He feels sad and lonely. (Learners will explain more about Xuma.)
SECTION C: OPENED ENDED QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE PLAY
Q7. Choose ONE play and answer the question on it in essay form. (15 marks)
Either: (A) BERTOLT BRECHT: The Caucasian Chalk Circle
The Caucasian Chalk Circle” by Bertolt Brecht is a play that explores themes of justice, morality, and social responsibility. The character of Azdak, the judge in the play, is known for his unconventional approach to justice. The play features four unusual cases, with Natella and Grusha being two of the prominent ones.
Case of the Fat Prince vs. Azdak:
Page 13 of 18
Azdak’s unconventional justice is evident in this case where he outsmarts the Fat Prince, who is seeking justice against Azdak for beating him up. Instead of adhering to a conventional legal process, Azdak challenges the Fat Prince to a drinking contest. Azdak’s wit and ability to use non-traditional means to resolve disputes highlight his unorthodox approach. Case of the Two Women: Natella and Grusha:
- The central conflict revolves around the motherhood of Michael, the child caught in the “chalk circle.” Natella, the birth mother, and Grusha, the adoptive mother, both claim custody.
- Azdak’s unconventional approach is showcased when he sets up the chalk circle and places Michael inside. He declares that whoever can pull the child out of the circle is the rightful mother.
- This test represents Azdak’s belief in the idea of the “rightful” parent being the one who demonstrates genuine care and concern for the child. This unconventional method challenges traditional notions of inheritance and custody.
- Azdak’s judgment is further highlighted when Natella shows no real concern for the child, focusing more on her possessions and social standing.
- Azdak’s decision to award custody to Grusha reflects his prioritization of moral qualities over societal norms. This challenges the conventional idea that biological parents are always the best caregivers.
- Grusha’s actions during the play, including her sacrifices for Michael’s well-being, influence Azdak’s decision.
- Azdak’s unconventional justice system rewards Grusha’s selfless and nurturing behavior, showcasing his emphasis on human values rather than legal formalities.
Unconventional Justice of Azdak:
Page 14 of 18
- Azdak’s approach to justice is driven by a sense of morality and a desire to challenge societal hierarchies.
- He often favors the underprivileged and punishes the privileged, as seen in his decisions against the Fat Prince.
- Azdak’s methods are designed to expose the hypocrisy of the ruling class and challenge traditional power structures.
- In summary, the four unusual cases in “The Caucasian Chalk Circle,” particularly the case of Natella and Grusha, highlight Azdak’s unconventional approach to justice. His emphasis on moral values, empathy, and a rejection of societal norms make him a symbol of Brecht’s critique of established systems of power and privilege.
Or :(B) WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar has become so popular and powerful that some citizens fear that he will convince the public to make him a king, changing Rome’s government from a republic to a monarchy, discuss the following characters in their categories, The Supporters of Caesar, The Conspirators against Caesar, Family and Followers of the Conspirators
Calpurnia, Mark Antony ,Casca, Cinna ,Trebonius , Pindarus ,Strato
Space in which to answer question 7
The Supporters of Caesar:
Introduction of Julius Caesar
Calpurnia (Caesar’s wife)- She begs her husband not to go to the Senate on the day of his assassination because of a dream she had foretelling the event.
Mark Antony (Senator and loyal friend of Caesar)- He uses reverse psychology to turn the Romans against the conspirators during his famous funeral speech. He is a member of the ruling Triumvirate after Caesar’s death. Octavius Caesar (Caesar’s adopted son)- He is a member of the ruling Triumvirate after Caesar’s death and convinces Mark Antony to begin the war against the conspirators.
Trebonius (A Roman senator)- He supports Brutus’ decision to spare Mark Antony’s life and is the only conspirator who doesn’t stab Caesar.
a)The Conspirators against Caesar
Page 15 of 18
Casca (A Roman Senator)- He is the first to stab Caesar. He does so from behind. Decius Brutus (A Roman senator)- He is sent to accompany Caesar to the Senate on the day of Caesar’s assassination.
Cinna (A Roman senator)- He assists Cassius’ manipulation of Brutus by planting anonymous letters around Brutus’ house.
Family and Followers of the Conspirators
Pindarus (A servant to Cassius)- He delivers an inaccurate report to Cassius regarding the death of one of his men.
Strato (A servant and friend to Brutus)- He holds the sword on Brutus’ behalf so that Brutus may run upon the it.
Conclusion
Q8. Choose One novel and answer the question on it in essay form. (15 marks)
Either: (A) Chinua Achebe : A man of the people
Using examples, Explain the following Position and role of women in novel a man of the people as an author portrays women in his work of art resembling the real life of women in our societies./15 marks
Introduction: examples of women you know in novel Heading
the following are the Position and role of women in novel a man of the people:
a. Woman as a weak, humiliated and oppressed person
Example: Mrs. Nanga was easily forced to end education and marry Chief Nanga. She is also humiliated and oppressed by her husband, Chief Nanga. She has no say over her husband‟s behaviour of being a womanizer. Elsie, Jean and Agnes are portrayed as weak since they are easily convinced to make love
with Chief Nanga and fail to resist against him.
b. Woman as a prostitute.
In this novel, women have been portrayed as prostitutes especially through Elsie, Jean and Agnes. For example: In spite of the fact that Elsie has a fiancée, Ralph, she makes love with other men like Chief Nanga and Odili.
c. Woman as an upholder of traditional values and customs.
Mrs. Nanga takes her children to their home land, Anata, at least once a year, so that they could not forget their traditional values.
d. Woman as an intelligent and educated person.
Elsie is a trained nurse, Eunice is a lawyer and a member of CPC, and Agnes is also educated and a lawyer.
Page 16 of 18
e. Woman as an unfaithful person.
For example, Agnes is unfaithful to her husband, Akilo. Elsie is unfaithful to her fiancée, Ralph. Jean is also unfaithful to her husband, John.
f. Woman as a person with good advice.
Example: When Odili has a quarrel against his father when he plans to marry the fifth wife, Mama, the first wife of Hezekiah, advised Odili to ask forgiveness from his father.
g. Woman as a family caregiver
In the novel, the first Hezekiah‟s wife called mama was responsible for caring of the whole family,“…my first father‟s wife, whom we all call mama brought me up like one of his own children.
Conclusion
Or B THE PEARL : BY JOHN STEN BECK
Discuss on the following themes depicted from novella the pearl by John stein beck./15 marks
- role of fate and agency in shaping human life
- oppression and discrimination
- dreams, hope and ambitions
- Good and evil
Space in which to answer question 8 b
Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in the pearl a.Greed as a destructive force:
The Pearl portrays two contrasting forces that shape human life and determine individual destiny. The novella depicts a world in which, for the most part, humans shape their own destinies by providing for themselves, following their own desires, and making their own plans. At the same time, forces beyond human control, such as chance, accident, and the gods, can sweep in at any moment and, for good or ill, completely change the course of an individual‟s life. If fate is best represented in the novella by the open sea where pearl divers plunge beneath the waves hoping for divine blessings, human agency is best represented by the village of La Paz, where myriad human desires, plans, and motives come together to form civilization.
b. Good and evil
One of the biggest themes in this novel is the one between good and evil. This theme is displayed in other themes as well and it is shown from the beginning to the end. In the beginning Kino lives a life of simplicity and happiness but
Page 17 of 18
when he discovers the pearl, he believes that good will come from it. Unfortunately, a sense of evil accompanies it. After that, Kino and his family were in a constant battle against evil to preserve the good that they enjoyed before.
c. Dreams, hope and ambition
Ambition is a characteristic that is innate in human nature. However, in the novel ambition is a sin punishable by a higher power and is a reason behind Kino‟s downfall. Kino desires and hopes to rise into superiority by giving his child a good education and having new clothes for him and his wife, all of those are innocent dreams of a poor man in a rich man‟s world. Kino‟s dreams could not come true because they would upset the social hierarchy. Moreover, one should not aim above or below their inherent position in society.
d. Oppression and discrimination
Oppression and injustice toward the underprivileged, poorer class by the first class, rich citizen has caused injustice. The doctor considers Kino‟s family as savage. He will not come to the settlement to treat Coyotito when he was stung by a scorpion. He claims himself as a doctor and not a veterinarian the servant is also an unbearable character as he looks down on his own race. He is proud to work in a better situation. The pearl buyers think that Kino is foolish and ignorant. They look down upon Kino and treat him as person who is not knowledgeable. The oppression and discrimination cause disunity and disharmony among the rich and poor community in the area.
Conclusion
Page 18 of 18