THE RIVER AND THE SOURCE: Margaret A. Ogolla EXTRACT 7. Read the following passage and answer the questions below it. They let the old lion and the young one to their duel. “Well son. How have things been with you?” “Ok father. I am registered doctor now. I want to work for two years or so, to gain some experience - and the I will go back to study surgery - that’s always been my interest.”“Good. Very good. How about this marriage business - don’t you think it is too soon? I mean you’ve only worked for a year - do you really have anything to offer a wife?” “I guess not. But then I doubt if a large house and a Mercedes Benz would make any different to Wandia. She’s not that kind of a girl.”“You can never tell. She is a Kikuyu after all - they have a thing about money. In any case why don’t you wait a little? I am sure there is a nice Luo girl somewhere who’d make a perfect wife for you.”“Father,” Aoro struggled to control his voice. “Father, I don’t know anything about the rest of the tribe, but I know Wandia. She is the one I have chosen. I love her - which is a feeling that I cannot transfer from one girl to another at will. In any case I have done anatomy, and beneath the skin everyone is remarkably the same. Even the blood, which is supposed to be thicker than water is all just a combination of iron and protein in every instance. Some people are good. Others are bad - it’s got very little to do with their blood or tribe. It’s all in the heart. I am sure you know that father.”Mark was so silent for so long that his son feared that he would simply get up and walk away. Questions. a) Explain what happens just before this extract? (3 marks) (a) Aoro has just brought Wandia home to introduce her to his parents. Introductions are done, Wandia and Elizabeth go to the kitchen. b) What does this conversation reveal about Aoro? (4 marks) He is firm - “She is the one I have chosen.”He stands his ground concerning Wandia despite his father’s view. Focused - “I’ll go back to study surgery. That’s always been my interest.” He knows what he wants to achieve in life. Realistic - “Some people are good. Others are bad. c) They left the old lion and the young one to their duel? In note form summarize an incident earlier in the novel where the two were involved in a duel. (3 marks) (c) Aoro is sent home for getting into trouble with the house captain and the head prefect in secondary school. Mark tells him to get a job the following day. He is to be housed for one month only. He fails to get a job and comes home hungry but no supper is offered. He wakes up hungry and decides to apologize. He faints, the father pours a basin of cold water on him.He comes to, they gaze at each other but Aoro lowers his gaze/eyes in recognition of his father’s authority. d) She is a Kikuyu after all” (i) What does this tell us about Mark’s attitude toward Wandia? (2 marks) (i) He judges her from his biased attitude towards the Kikuyu ethnic group. (ii) Does this attitude change? Explain. (2 marks) (ii) The attitude changes when he learns that Wandia’s people /mother are not interested in dowry but in the two living in peace. e) Comment on the use of imagery in context. (3 marks) Metaphor - “Old lion (Mark) ... young one” (Aoro)They are reffered as lions because the two are strong willed and are about to discuss Aoro’s fiance ho does not suit Mark’s ideal wife. f) Identify the prevalent mood in this conversation. (2 marks) Tense mood - “They left the old lion and the young one to the duel.” Aoro struggled to control his voice.” “Mark was silent for so long that his son feared he would simply get up and walk away.” g) Discuss two thematic concern highlighed in this extract. (4 mark) (g) Ethnic bias - she is a Kikuyu after all. Love - “I love her - Which is a feeling I can not just transfer from one girl to another” h) “Blood is thicker than water”. To what effect does Aoro use this proverb?(2 marks) (h) He uses the proverb as a tool of persuasion to convince Mark that Wandia is a good choice because human beings are basically the same; the blood of all has similar ingredients. (protein/iron) i) “I am a registered doctor now” (add a tag questions) (1 mark) (i) I am a registered doctor. now, aren’t I? j) What does Wandia discuss with Elizabeth during the planned visit? (2 marks)
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 13:39:37 +0000