| Questions | Answers |
| 1. What is Lilian Thurgood doing when she hears the dogs growl? | Lilian Thurgood is busy picking guavas at the side of the house when she hears the dogs growl. |
| 2. What happens when Lilian goes to the gate? | When Lilian goes to the gate, she encounters William, a young man who claims to be looking for work and presents a letter asking for donations on behalf of some organization. |
| 3. How would you describe Lilian’s feelings as she takes and reads the letter she is given? | Lilian’s feelings while reading the letter are skeptical and suspicious since she recognizes it as a common tactic used to ask for handouts. |
| 4. What shows that the letter is not genuine? | The letter’s lack of authenticity is evident from its homemade letterhead, dirty, water-stained appearance, and the fact that it is used to solicit donations |
| 5. “…especially since the new government…” What new government is the narrator referring to and how has it changed the behavior of Africans? | The reference to the “new government” suggests a change in political power, likely a transition from the apartheid regime to a new administration, which may have led to boldness and increased requests from Africans as they seek redress for past injustices. |
| 6. Why is Lilian reluctant to give William her five-rand coin? | Lilian is reluctant to give William her five-rand coin because she knows it is a significant amount for a pensioner to give away. |
| 7. How does her human nature work against her? | Her human nature makes her more susceptible to exploitation and guilt-tripping by those seeking assistance or handouts. |
| 8. “I am not a thief.” Do you agree with William’s assessment of himself? Why? | . It is difficult to determine whether William is a thief or not based solely on this encounter. He seems to be using deceptive tactics to solicit money, which raises suspicion. |
| 9. What thoughts and feelings do you experience as you read about Lilian’s encounter with William, and with the woman who sells her flowers? | Readers might experience mixed emotions while reading about Lilian’s encounters. On one hand, they may feel sympathy for the plight of those seeking help, but on the other hand, they may understand Lilian’s wariness and caution in dealing with strangers. |
| 10.Basing your judgement on Lilian’s thoughts and feelings as she deals with Africans who come to her compound, what kind of a person do think she is? | Based on her thoughts and feelings, Lilian appears to be a caring and compassionate person who wants to help but is also aware of the risks and challenges of assisting strangers, especially in the post-apartheid era where such encounters have become more frequent and complex. |
Other questions that require reflections:
Note:
Please note that the passage is quite detailed and nuanced, and different readers may have varied interpretations and reactions to the characters and events described.
- Describe an experience either in your life or the life of somebody you know where someone took advantage of you or them
- What do you think the community should do to reduce instances of deception?Do you think the wide economic gap is to blame for the cases of deception and hypocrisy found in our society today, or are there any other reasons
- Discuss the relevance of the title to the story.
Suggested answers
- Personal Experience: In my life, I once encountered a situation where someone took advantage of my trust and kindness. A distant relative, whom I hadn’t seen in years, came to visit me out of the blue. They seemed genuinely friendly and shared a heart-wrenching story of financial hardship. Feeling sympathetic, I offered them a place to stay for a few days and helped them financially to get back on their feet. However, as the days passed, I began to notice discrepancies in their stories, and they started asking for more money, claiming they were in dire need. Eventually, I discovered that they were manipulating me and had a history of deceiving others for personal gain.
- Reducing Instances of Deception: To reduce instances of deception in the community, several steps can be taken:
a) Promoting Awareness: Educate people about common tactics used by deceivers and scammers. This can be done through workshops, community seminars, and online resources.
b) Encouraging Critical Thinking: Teach individuals to question suspicious situations and claims, and to verify information before taking action.
c) Strengthening Support Systems: Establish support networks that provide genuine assistance to those in need, thereby reducing the vulnerability of individuals to deceptive schemes.
d) Reporting Fraud: Encourage people to report instances of deception and fraud to the authorities, which can lead to legal action and deter potential deceivers.
The Guilty has been loved in most of African countries and in Rwanda is one of sixteen African short stories that is being examined in Rwanda to those who are sitting for senior six Literature in English national examination