She says that when it came to balancing the hurts and the needs between Emily and Susan, she did badly in the earlier years. This was because she felt that Emily had a corroding resentment towards Susan. She did not smile as readily with Emily as she did with the other children. She remembers the old neighbour s admonition that she smiles more readily with Emily. This face of joy she admits she started wearing too late for Emily. She therefore does not smile as easily as the others pp130 . She readily made Emily miss school but is very strict with her siblings school attendance pp133 . 74ResignedShe is resigned to the fact that Emily is different from the other children. When she went to school to watch Emily s performance, she only recognized the Emily that nearly drowned into the curtains. She however cannot come to terms with the Emily that is spell binding and exuding control, command and confidence. Little wonder that she does nothing to nurture Emily s talent pp135 . That is to say that according to her Emily is a misfit and that is how things should stay. ThemesPovertyThe narrator is a working class mother. She says that she worked or was out looking for work pp128 . The long hours she spent ironing are indicative that she could not afford to employ somebody to do it. Her daughter asks her: Aren t you ever going to finish the ironing, mother? Pp135 . Of Emily s condition, she says: We were poor and could not afford for her the soil of easy growth pp136 . The goodbye note that Emily s father writes is another indication that they are poor. He writes: He could no longer endure sharing want with them pp128 . Want as a noun means a state of extreme poverty. SufferingEmily s life is one of suffering right form birth. 75Being a first born, her mother brought her up by the book. This meant that she had to endure hours of hunger because her mother only fed her when the book said that she should. At eight months her father walks out on them. She has to be left with a neighbour, who didn t like her very much, when her mother went out to work or look for work. Later she is sent to her father s relatives because her mother could not afford to raise her.


At eight months her father walks out on them. She has to be left with a neighbour, who didn t like her very much, when her mother went out to work or look for work. Later she is sent to her father s relatives because her mother could not afford to raise her. At her grandparents she comes down with small pox which scars her face for life. Then there was her stay at the convalescent home. For the first six weeks she is not allowed to see he mother. When she if finally allowed to visit, they can only see on another from a distance lest the children are contaminated. Further, the only friend that Emily makes, a little girl, is taken away from her. Emily laments that: They don t want like you to love anybody here pp132 . There is someone else Emily loved. This is the boy at school. She even stole money fromher mother s purse to buy him his favourite candy. He however liked Jennifer better. NB: There are many more instances of Emily s suffering. Identify and illustrate all of them. Do you think the narrator too undergoes suffering? Explain your answer. 76Family relationshipsTry to find answers to the following issues raised about Emily s family. Trace the development of the relationship between Emily and her mother. Give illustrations to show that the relationship between Emily and Susan is a sour one. Supply evidence to show that Emily s four siblings got preferential treatment. POVThis story is told by the first person. The events are made more credible through the use of stream of consciousness. The narrator s reflections and the memories jump from one thought to another as she gives us insights on why Emily turned out the way she did. 7. A Appropriateness of title The title is symbolicIt is a symbol of the poverty of the narrator and the general harsh economic period in which Emily was born and raised. Besides putting in long hours for the people who employ her, the narrator had to put up even longer hours to take care of her own household chores. It is also a symbol of the tortured thoughts and memories that go through the narrator s mind as she tries to understand why Emily turned out the way she did. Finally it is a symbol of hope.


Besides putting in long hours for the people who employ her, the narrator had to put up even longer hours to take care of her own household chores. It is also a symbol of the tortured thoughts and memories that go through the narrator s mind as she tries to understand why Emily turned out the way she did. Finally it is a symbol of hope. At the end of the story the narrator says that Emily should know that she is77not as helpless as the dress on the ironing board before the iron. Significant eventThe significant event in this story is Emily s father deserting his wife and daughter when Emily is only eight months old . Aim of the authorThe writer depicts the suffering endured by the working class families in America during the great depression. QuestionWrite an essay to show the suffering that Emily has endured in her 19 years. 78THE RETRACTION BY STANLEY O. KENANISettingThe story is set in three countries. First, there is the narrator s home country, Zambia. Part of it is set in his village and part of it in the capital, Lusaka. Secondly, it is set in Lilongwe, Malawi. The final setting is Johannesburg, South Africa. The movement between Botolo and Lusaka dominates the story. Another important aspect of the setting is the contrived setting. The contrast in the two contrived settings brings out the futility of the complaint letter against Tatha. The plotThe narrator receives an email from Tatha, a former airline hostess, with Malawi Air. She complains that she loses her job on account of a complaint letter that the narrator writes. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn exactly how he came to write the complaint. The airline served alcoholic drinks on the plane. However, the hostesses were under strict instructions to give additional drinks to passengers only after they had finished what they had been served. This was the only limitation. The narrator however comes from a culture in which pride at a drinking place depends on the number of bottles that one places on the table. Every time he rings for a hostess, it is Tatha that appears and politely declines to serve him an extra drink unless he has finished what he s been served. Towards the end of the journey, another hostess asks the passengers to write down their comments on slips of79paper that she provides.


The narrator however comes from a culture in which pride at a drinking place depends on the number of bottles that one places on the table. Every time he rings for a hostess, it is Tatha that appears and politely declines to serve him an extra drink unless he has finished what he s been served. Towards the end of the journey, another hostess asks the passengers to write down their comments on slips of79paper that she provides. The narrator confesses he was drunk having been drinking for two hours but still gives his comments. He alleges that Tatha had been rude to him throughout the flight. Tatha s email touches him so much that he sells most of the things that he d bought with the prize money and travels by road to Malawi, a 1000km journey, to retract his complaints and to personally apologise to Tatha. He does not get the responses he had expected and travels back home crestfallen but happy with what he had done. Years later, he sees Tatha in a magazine crowned the hostess of the year at Kenya Airways. 3.ConflictTatha and ZgamboThis is the main conflict in the story. Tatha s dream from childhood has been to work for Air Malawi. This she has achieved and wishes to develop her career. What brings her and Zgambo together is fate. Fate would have it that Zgambo would win an air ticket at a raffle draw courtesy of the Lundazi District council. Fate would have it that he boards the plane on which Tatha was on duty. Fate would have it that at drinks time, the less sophisticated Zgambo, would wish to invoke his tribal pride of beer drinking. Fate would have it that airline drink policy allowed for only one drink at a time and Tatha would politely advice him so. However, there was no upper limit. Fate would have it that Zgambo would take advantage of the upper limit policy and get drank. Finally, fate would have it that the airline, in a bid to offer world class services, had resorted to seeking passengers views on the flight and that the drunken Zgambo would80make his comments that Tatha had been rude to him throughout the flight. That s it. A man s ego took advantage of company policy and ruined ta fledgling career.


Finally, fate would have it that the airline, in a bid to offer world class services, had resorted to seeking passengers views on the flight and that the drunken Zgambo would80make his comments that Tatha had been rude to him throughout the flight. That s it. A man s ego took advantage of company policy and ruined ta fledgling career. This conflict is further developed when Zgambo visitsBlantyre to retract his comments. He goes to Tatha s home and she bluntly refuses to welcome him despite the rain. She claims that the apology would do her no good, nor will the retraction amount to anything. Finally, he turns to leave and she runs up to him to ask him in until the rains die down. She adds that she was confused by the whole event. He declines to go in with her. Zgambo and the airline s CEOZgambo gets to Blantyre and visits the Malawi Air office. His intention is to meet the CEO and retract his comments. He does meet the CEO but finds out that the retraction is not a one man affair. The CEO has to present the matter to the disciplinary committee. There was nothing more for Zgambo to o but leave. Zgambo and other service providers. Zgambo and the caf receptionistShe was downright rude to him. He says there was a trace of irritation, sarcasm or both in her voice. Further, she does not wait for his full name but fills the entire space with his surname in block letters and in very poor handwriting. She then tears off the receipt before he finishes spelling his name and hands it to him. This is because she was in a hurry to close. 81Zgambo and bus service to BlantyreThe buses were small and jam packed with sweating humanity. The bus industry sacrificed human comfort for the sole purpose of maximising revenue. What is more, they did not entertain comments on the services they provided. Zgambo and Malawi Air receptionistThe receptionist spoke endlessly on the phone as she served Zgambo. She dismisses his pleas the he sees the CEO sooner just so that she can get back to her telephone conversation. Hardly a world class service. The call was not a business one.


She dismisses his pleas the he sees the CEO sooner just so that she can get back to her telephone conversation. Hardly a world class service. The call was not a business one. Character and characterisationZgamboCareless irresponsibleHe made disparaging comments about Tatha s work to take revenge on an employee who had declined to soothe his ego because what he demanded was against company policy. As a result, she lost her job. ReflectiveUpon receiving Tatha s email about the consequences of his actions, he reviews the events on the plane and says that he had not acted judiciously. He seeks to correct his actions by retracting the comments he d written. DeterminedHe seeks the most effective way to make the retraction. It turns out emails are not taken seriously and the Zambian postal system is ineffective. He is left with only one option: travelling to Malawi. To achieve this he has to sell most of the things that he d82bought using the gift shopping voucher from the raffle. He sold most of the things at a fraction of their cost. Further, he endured the discomfort of the buses and inns to make the retraction in person. Finally, he patiently waits for several hours to meet the CEO and makes his retraction. ConcernedHe is bothered that his comments resulted in Tatha losing her job. After meeting the CEO he walks out feeling assured that Tatha would be reinstated. He is relieved when he finds out a couple of years later that Tatha got a new job and was excelling at it. ThemesIntegrityThis is the main theme of the story. Many characters display a lot of dishonesty in this story. For example, the narrator only learns that his actions on the plane lacked integrity after they had caused Tatha her job. Most of the service providers he meets lack integrity and are merely concerned about themselves. Therefore the services they offer are poor at best. Malawi Air too is a prisoner of its own policies. They were quick to dismiss Tatha on account of a comment from a solitary passenger who was drunk. The claims were not verifiable. What is more, they were at pains to rescind an unfair decision that they had made even after a personal retraction by the complainant.


They were quick to dismiss Tatha on account of a comment from a solitary passenger who was drunk. The claims were not verifiable. What is more, they were at pains to rescind an unfair decision that they had made even after a personal retraction by the complainant. They also have double standards: passengers on their planes are asked to make comments on the quality of service but visitors to their offices are given such an opportunity. As a result,83the receptionist uses company resources, time and phone, for personal benefit without fear of retribution. Finally and most importantly, Tatha acted with integrity but lost her job on account of bureaucracy. However, because of her integrity she lands a similar job in a different company and is soon crowned Employee of the Year. Integrity pays. SufferingAnother theme worth examining is suffering. Find out all the characters that undergo suffering in this story. Name them and illustrate the suffering they go through. 6.StyleIronyThe chief device that the author uses in this story is irony. The narrator had complained about Tatha s alleged rudeness on the flight to South Africa. Her behaviour is contrasted with the other service providers who are downright rude to him. This makes Tatha s integrity stand out. SymbolismThe rain is a symbol of suffering. We encounter rain in the evening the evening that Zgambo went to visit Tatha. We are told that it was raining when the taxi they were in pulled over in front of Tatha s house. The narrator steps out of the cab and into the rain. In the seconds that it takes him to reach the door, he was heavily soaked. His entire conversation with Tatha is held with the rain hitting him hard. He pleads with Tatha to let him in because it was freezing cold in the rain. After Tatha dismissed him and shut the door in84his face, he stands facing the door for a long time oblivious of the rain. When he chooses to walk away, Tatha calls him back but he walks on. She joins him in the rain and tries to convince him to stay in the house until the rain stops. She says that her actions were as a result of the pain she was filled with. The rain therefore symbolises the suffering that the two undergo. POVThe story is told from the first person point of view. The narrator makes a mistake for which he wishes to make amends.


The rain therefore symbolises the suffering that the two undergo. POVThe story is told from the first person point of view. The narrator makes a mistake for which he wishes to make amends. The story is about the challenges he faces in his attempt to retract his comment on Tatha s conduct on the flight to South Africa. Coming from the horses mouth, the story is credible. The honest remorse of the narrator is evident. 8. Appropriateness of titleThe retraction is an appropriate title because the narrator made a comment on Tatha s conduct that he should not have made. He tells the Malawi Air CEO exactly that. But the real story is in the lessons he learns as he tries to make the retraction. He learns that most people discharge their duties completely devoid of integrity and that he had judged the one person who served him with integrity wrong. Above all, he learns that his efforts to make the retraction did not go to waste. Tatha did get a job at a new company and continued to excel. 85Significant eventThe significant event in this story is Tatha writing a email to complain to Zgambo that he has hurt her career. Without this email he would never have known that he had wronged Tatha. It is responsible for his making the retraction. Aim of the authorThis is a morality story. The writer cautions us against doing things just because we can. There is a need to reflect upon the possible outcomes of our actions on the people we deal with. People should behave with integrity whether or not they are being watched. The message in short is that integrity pays. TASKWe like to cause suffering to ourselves and those around us. Write an essay to show the validity of this statement using The Retraction by Stanley O. Kenani for your illustrations86The Bamboo Hut by Grace OgotSettingThe story is set among the people who live on the shores of Lake Victoria. It is a rural setting in the era of the African chieftaincy. The story is completely devoid of Western influence and examines the shortcomings of the inherited chieftaincy and how this affects the chief s family. Further, it examines the morality of the decisions these people make owing to the pressure of the inherited chieftaincy. The PlotChief Mboga goes to the foot of the Ramogi Hills to pray for a son.


The story is completely devoid of Western influence and examines the shortcomings of the inherited chieftaincy and how this affects the chief s family. Further, it examines the morality of the decisions these people make owing to the pressure of the inherited chieftaincy. The PlotChief Mboga goes to the foot of the Ramogi Hills to pray for a son. He is a man both stressed and depressed because none of his many wives have borne him a son to inherit his throne. This is the final plea he is making on this sacred spot. His wife, Achieng is pregnant and due to give birth soon. Unknown to anybody, she is carrying twins. Two months after Mboga s visit to the sacred hill she gives birth alone at the river bank where she had gone to fetch water. She is disappointed when she gives birth to a baby girl. Her disappointment is not long lived though because she goes into labour again and this time the twin is a boy. Overjoyed and desiring to please her husband, she abandons the girl child by the bank and takes the boy back home to the happy chief. Her secret tears at her heart but when she goes back to the river bank after staying indoors for the mandatory 4 days, the baby is not there. 87Many years later the chief encounters a girl that impresses him with her bravery and he wishes that his son marries her. His son, Owiny, too is impressed by the girl and vows to marry none other. However, the protocol of marriage in a chief s home has to be followed. It turns out that nobody knows the girl s father because her foster mother had found her abandoned by the river bank soon after birth. The right decision is reached at the chief s home: his son cannot marry a woman of unknown parentage. Owiny would have none of this. He had set his eyes on Awiti and no substitute would appease him. Achieng is a tortured mother. Awiti s story fits that of the child she had abandoned by the river bank. She has no choice but to tell the truth. The chief has a moral obligation to punish her for the wrong that she had done. It was taboo to throw away a new born child and she was therefore not worthy of being the chief s wife He chooses not to and instead organises a celebration and keeps his family together.


She has no choice but to tell the truth. The chief has a moral obligation to punish her for the wrong that she had done. It was taboo to throw away a new born child and she was therefore not worthy of being the chief s wife He chooses not to and instead organises a celebration and keeps his family together. ConflictMboga and the godsChief Mboga feels that the gods have denied him happiness. For many years he had beseeched Ramogi, the ancestor of the Luo people, to intercede on his behalf for a son. He is not happy because he hasn t a son to inherit his chieftaincy. Achieng She badly wanted to please her husband by being the first wife to bear him a son. So focused is she88that when she gives birth to twins se abandons the girl child by the river bank for she argues that she will spoil the fun. She soon finds out that this decision comes back to haunt her. She can neither find the child she had abandoned nor the peace of mind that should have come naturally to her for bearing the heir to the chief s throne. Owiny and MbogaOwiny is very disappointed when he finds out that he cannot marry Awiti. He tells his father that he has chosen Awiti over the beaded stool. Achieng and MbogaAchieng realises that she is the only one who can resolve the conflict between her husband and son. However, this comes with a risk to her personal safety. If she reveals that she had abandoned a new born baby, then the rules demanded that she be sent away. She chooses to tell the truth despite the consequences. The chief too has a problem because he risks breaking his family. He makes up his mind to keep Achieng despite the mistake that she had committed because losing her would break his heart. Further, he argues that she had borne a lot of pain when she lost the opportunity of seeing her child. Character and characterisationMboga: traditional, merciful, strict, authoritarian Owiny: resolute stubborn,Achieng : decisive89ThemesTraditionA number of Luo traditional practices are brought out in this story:Marriage, child naming, chieftaincy, religionClemency forgivenessAchieng had gone against the rules of the community.


He makes up his mind to keep Achieng despite the mistake that she had committed because losing her would break his heart. Further, he argues that she had borne a lot of pain when she lost the opportunity of seeing her child. Character and characterisationMboga: traditional, merciful, strict, authoritarian Owiny: resolute stubborn,Achieng : decisive89ThemesTraditionA number of Luo traditional practices are brought out in this story:Marriage, child naming, chieftaincy, religionClemency forgivenessAchieng had gone against the rules of the community. As a result, she was supposed to be sent away. The chief gives two extenuating circumstances against effecting this decision. The first is the heartache it was going to cause him to lose the woman he loved; secondly, he pitied her for the pain she had lived with upon losing her daughter. The third reason is a very interesting revelation: people have secrets and he does not know the extent of these secrets. But it makes him learn that though he was a powerful chief, he was still human and his own family kept secrets from him. Power authorityChief Mboga although considered a mighty leader understands his limitations. If the chieftaincy is to remain in his lineage he has to sire a son. There is nothing he can do about this. Besides, he needs a son to look after him because he has no authority to keep his daughters from going away upon attaining marriage age. Further, he follows all the laid down procedures to prepare for the marriage of his son. When it turns out that his son cannot marry Awiti, he does90not use his office unjustly to influence the marriage although he risks losing his son for he is determined to marry Awiti. The import of this is that leadership is a challenge and that the use of power authority for the common good is its sole object. This the mighty chief achieves. The only time he uses his office to suit his purposes is the time he refuses to send Awiti away but chooses to celebrate the return of his daughter. POVThis story is told from a third person point of view. This is appropriate because it is a controlled admiration of a leader by his subjects. Any other point of view would have been subjective.


POVThis story is told from a third person point of view. This is appropriate because it is a controlled admiration of a leader by his subjects. Any other point of view would have been subjective. The audience is able to find reason to admire the leadership of Mboga as he deals with a difficult period in his tenure involving personal matters. He comes out us a leader who makes judicious decisions. Certainly leadership is not a bed of roses. A Aptness of titleThe title is symbolic. The bamboo hut in Mboga s home was beautifully built and well kept, however it was reserved for the woman who would bear the chief a son. Achieng does and she is treated with the respect that the hut was. When the chief learns of the mistake she had committed in order to please him, she is forgiven her sins. That decision too is symbolic because it brings out the gentler side of the chief or the human face of leadership. The bamboo plant is a delicate one just like the decision the chief had to take on this issue. 91Significant eventThe significant event is the arrival of the twins; in particular their being born by the river bank away from prying eyes. This allows Achieng to make a personal decision that allows the story to develop. The aim of the authorThe author is concerned with the pressures that people in position of authority have to deal with as they conduct their business. Mboga is called a great chief; some also call him a mighty chief. This is because he applies the rules even when his family is affected and all this to the common good. This therefore should be the goal of any leader. TaskLeadership is not a bed of roses. Discuss this assertion in light of the events in this story. 92TUESDAY SIESTA by GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ COLOMBIA SettingThe story is set in Colombia. Part of the setting is the train and the other is the banana growing plantations of Colombia. The train affords us an opportunity to get a closer look at the mother and her daughter. One thing that is very clear is their poverty. But we also get a great insight into their self-esteem. The banana plantations they pass on their way to their destination depict the monotony of life which is made worse by the hot weather that brings life to a standstill for a couple of hours every day.


One thing that is very clear is their poverty. But we also get a great insight into their self-esteem. The banana plantations they pass on their way to their destination depict the monotony of life which is made worse by the hot weather that brings life to a standstill for a couple of hours every day. This stifling heat is a very important component of the setting. It helps to develop the oppressive nature of relationships among these people. The plotWe meet a bereaved family, mother and daughter, on a train. They are on their way to mourn her only son who had been shot allegedly in the act of stealing. The town they are going to is far away necessitating the train ride which the deceased s sister is taking for the first time. Upon disembarking from the train, they walk straight to the church and demand to see the deceased s grave. It turns out that the deceased was not known even by the priest. He hears his name for the first time from the mother of the deceased. He begs her to wait until the sun goes down before she goes to the cemetery but she insists she has a train to catch at three. He93gives her the key to the cemetery and follows it up with a question on poor upbringing. The deceased s mother protests that she raised her son as a morally upright person but he was only a victim of their poverty. By this time word has done the rounds about their presence and a sizeable crowd of curious onlookers has already gathered outside the church to catch a glimpse of mother and daughter. The priests best efforts to dissuade her from walking into the crowd fail. ConflictThe most noticeable conflict is between the peopleand the weather. The heat is extreme. On the train the oppressive nature of the weather is described in a number of ways. The air became humid and they could not feel the sea breeze any more. Pp165 By twelve the heat had begun. Pp166 The band was playing a lively tune under the oppressive sun. Pp166 A dry burning wind came in the window pp168 When they get off the train we get more descriptions ofthe heat:The town was floating in the heat. Pp168 The woman and the girl walked over to the shady side of the street. Pp168 It was two. At that time, weighed down by the drowsiness, the town was taking a siesta.


Pp168 The woman and the girl walked over to the shady side of the street. Pp168 It was two. At that time, weighed down by the drowsiness, the town was taking a siesta. Pp168 94In some houses, it was so hot that the residents ate lunch in the patio. Pp168 At the parish house we are told, An electric fan was humming inside . Pp168 The priest asks the mother why she has to go to the cemetery in the heat and pleads with her to wait until the sun goes down. Pp170 The priests sister tells her that she will melt in the hotstreets. Pp173 b The mourners and timeWhen the story opens we are told that it was 11:00am. On that train trip we are continually reminded of the passage of time. By twelve, the heat had begun. Pp166 It was almost two. Pp168 This is the time they disembark from the train. At the priests house she is told to go back after three and she replies that the train leaves at three-thirty. Hers therefore is a race against time. Ironically, in her hosts town, time is of no importance, it comes to a standstill at eleven and wakes a little before four. Pp168 c The mourners and povertyThe narrator tells us that the woman and her child were both in severe and poor mourning clothes. Pp165 Further, we are told that they were the only passengers in the lone third-class car. Pp165 The woman we are told bore the conscientious serenity of someone accustomed to poverty. Pp166 95Character and characterisationBereaved motherDignified Having or showing self-esteem She does not allow her poverty to result in low self-esteem. On the train she sits upright and we are told that she bore the conscientious serenity of someone accustomed to poverty. She is concerned about their looks. As they are about to disembark from the train she gives her a comb and asks her to comb her hair. She too dries the sweat from her neck and wiped the oil from her face. At the priests house she shows calm determination as she insists that she has an emergency and needs to be served. When the priest does not understand who Carlos is, she tells him that he was the thief that was killed a week ago and that she was his mother.


She too dries the sweat from her neck and wiped the oil from her face. At the priests house she shows calm determination as she insists that she has an emergency and needs to be served. When the priest does not understand who Carlos is, she tells him that he was the thief that was killed a week ago and that she was his mother. Asked why she did raise a morally upright son, she says that she did and that he was a very good man. He however had no work and may have moved to the plantations in search of better pasture, having lost all his teeth to boxing. The crowds that gather to stare at her make the priest and his sister very uncomfortable but not her. She tells them that she is all right and walks right into the crowd. 96Themesa Human relationsThis is the major theme of this story. The young man died an unnecessary death. There is no hint of insecurity in the area. For 28 years she had lived alone and had never had to fire the gun. His death was not looked at as tragic because no one knew him. When the priest asks her to identify herself, she does so confidently and in precise details. This makes the priest uncomfortable he blushes . We can only infer that owing to her circumstances he had not expected her to be so dignified. The members of this community break from their languid siesta routine and move out into the streets to catch a glimpse of the mother of a thief. The priest and his sister are so scared by the scene they try to dissuade her from going out but in vain. She does not lose her self-esteem and walks out into the streets filling up with crowds of people. The bereaved mother is therefore a symbol of people who life has treated badly but do not succumb to the labels that society ascribes them. They are strong willed and dignified. SufferingThis is the other theme developed in the story. The bereaved mother shows a lot of stoicism as she mourns the death of her son. We are told that the priest looks at them in amazement when he realises that they were not going to cry. Pp171 97Further, she is faced with a difficult situation in which no one knows her family and against her son s alleged crime she is judged. The priest asks her whether she ever tried to get him on the right track. The priest is evidently find fault with her parenting ability.


Pp171 97Further, she is faced with a difficult situation in which no one knows her family and against her son s alleged crime she is judged. The priest asks her whether she ever tried to get him on the right track. The priest is evidently find fault with her parenting ability. Pp171 This family cannot afford good clothing. We are told that mother and daughter were dressed in severe mourning clothes. Further, the deceased we are told used a rope for a belt and was barefoot. This family also faces discrimination. The crowds break from their routine siesta just to catch a glimpse of the deceased man s family. The priests sister is so scared she tells them that they were going to melt. The mother stoically endures the questioning stares of the people who want to see what the mother of a thief looks like. The members of this community too have their own problems. The heat is evidently one of the things that cause them untold suffering. They have to close down public schools, offices, and stores everyday at 11:00am and open just before 4:00pm on account of the heat. The priest too has his moment of suffering. When he asks the woman to identify herself, she does so with so much confidence that the he blushes and breaks into a sweat. His suffering stems from the fact that he had judged the woman98badly and her sense of self-esteem is what puts him under undue pressure. StyleThe chief style in this story is symbolism. The heatIn its tedium, that is monotony, the heat represents the deceased s mother s life. It is very oppressive and has few choices if any. She has raised her children well telling them what is wrong and what is right. This does not however save her son from the harsh realities of life. He has to eat. He takes to boxing which to say the least only hurts her son. When he abandons this, he moves further afield only to die in search of food. She has to face the curious crowd outside the church. If she stays until the sun goes down then she will miss the 3:30pm train and she does not have the means to lodge in the townfor the night. NB: What do you think the heat symbolises in the lives of the banana plantation farmers? It symbolises the loss of control of their lives. The heat controls how their day is run.


NB: What do you think the heat symbolises in the lives of the banana plantation farmers? It symbolises the loss of control of their lives. The heat controls how their day is run. They routinely break at eleven and resume work at four. Nothing exciting happens nor do they create avenues for entertainment. This is why the diversion presented from their routine by the arrival of the mourners stirs them from their routine. 99The death of her son symbolises fate. The nature of his death is such that nobody could save him. He had just arrived in the town, no one knew him but he was hungry and was ignorant of the risk of knocking on people s doors in the night as a stranger. His mother accepts this reality stoically. She tells the priest that she is the mother of the thief that was killed there the previous week. She also does not question the reason for her poverty. She takes it for a fact and lives in it with dignity. She pays for third class car because that is what they can afford; it is instructive that they are the only ones in the car- it means most people can afford to pay for better transportation. It does not bother her that they are the only passengers on it. However, before they disembark she makes sure that she and her daughter are as presentable as they can be. POVThe story is told from a third person point of view. It is however omniscient objective. There is no comment on the characters or their thoughts. No interpretations are offered. We have to interpret the events on our own. This is good for the story because the author wants us to see things as they are. He does not wish to unduly influence our thinking. However, the details offered are sufficient to convince us that human beings are very quick to judge one another and often with very wrong conclusions being jumped to. 1008 a Appropriateness of titleThe title of this story is appropriate. It is the Tuesday of August. It is a typical hot day in the calendar of the banana plantation people. They have all taken a break from the heat at 11:00am as usual and are having their siesta. This unfortunately will not be an ordinary siesta because an event happens that wakes them from their mid-day sleep: the mother of the slain thief is in town and everyone wants to catch a glimpse of her. So it is for them a story about a Tuesday that their siesta was interfered with.


They have all taken a break from the heat at 11:00am as usual and are having their siesta. This unfortunately will not be an ordinary siesta because an event happens that wakes them from their mid-day sleep: the mother of the slain thief is in town and everyone wants to catch a glimpse of her. So it is for them a story about a Tuesday that their siesta was interfered with. B Significant eventThe significant event in this story is the decision of the mother of the slain thief to visit her slain sons grave. Her trip necessitates that we learn about her economic background and why the slaying of her son was fated. C Aim of the author. The author picks a sad event in the life of a poor mother to show us how strong we can be both in adversity and grinding poverty. No one can therefore take your self-esteem from you but yourself. First we must view ourselves with pride then those around us will see our dignity. 101Two Stories of a House by Leila Abouzeid Morocco SettingThis is story is set in a Moroccan town. It is told in two parts. The first part is set in a courthouse while the second part is set in the roof house of an old woman. The first setting is a very formal one with a government officer presiding and passing judgment. The second one is very informal and the two old women pass their own judgment. The plotKhadija Bent Ahmed has lost the house she has lived in for over thirty years and has therefore taken the matter to court. The defendant is Meeluda Bent Al-bacheer, her land lady. Khadija feels that she has paid rent all those years and been of help socially to the defendant and this ought to give her ownership of the house. Meeluda on the other hand thinks that the rent was insignificant and it does not make Khadija an owner. She therefore convinced Khadija to vacate the house for renovation upon which she would return. This was not to be. Khadija s house was the first floor and to get there she had to use the stairs. Meeluda gets the repair man to destroy the stairs and the landing. Subsequently she says they cannot be repaired and that the whole house is coming down. The judge s verdict: Khadija should go and take her belongings and cease to lay any claim on the property.


Meeluda gets the repair man to destroy the stairs and the landing. Subsequently she says they cannot be repaired and that the whole house is coming down. The judge s verdict: Khadija should go and take her belongings and cease to lay any claim on the property. In her devastated mood, Khadija learns of an old woman with a story similar to hers. She goes there to share her story. The woman tells her about her own tribulations which she feels are even more devastating102than Khadija s. Her husband of over forty years had divorced her and married a girl below twenty years old. What annoys her is that she was the girl s benefactor. The girl was pregnant out of wedlock and was hiding from her brothers. Since the old woman was barren she gets into a deal with the girl that she will hide her shame and in return she would leave the child she was carrying to her. Her husband takes to the girl and marries her and then divorces the old woman. Although she keeps the two children twins their mother secretly meets them every day when the old woman is out of the house. ConflictThe first conflict is between Khadija and Meeluda Kahdija feels that she should own the property she has lived in for over thirty years. Her claim does not make sense. She has been a tenant and therefore she was paying for a service. This is Meeluda s argument which the judge upholds. This conflict however reveals some very important facts. Khadija also had a conflict with her husband. She feels that her husband squandered the family wealth through his generosity. He was hospitable at the expense of his family. This also brings us to another very important fact: women have no right to own property. It appears that it is the men who handle family finances. So even though Khadija knew how best to spend the family s103resources in order to secure her future, she was not allowed to make financial decisions. This can be confirmed through the second case in which the old woman is thrown out of the house she says her sweat is in and now has nowhere to go. The second conflict is developed by the divorceeShe is in conflict both with her husband and his new wife. She feels that the new wife has ruined her marriage.


This can be confirmed through the second case in which the old woman is thrown out of the house she says her sweat is in and now has nowhere to go. The second conflict is developed by the divorceeShe is in conflict both with her husband and his new wife. She feels that the new wife has ruined her marriage. They had made a deal and the girl swore on the saint s tomb that she would only give birth in the old woman s house and then leave for her the child. Instead she made herself comfortable as a wife. The other conflict she develops is with her husband. She acknowledges that she has not been able to bear any children for him. However, during the period she was married to him she worked hard and they got to own a house. Now he has thrown her out of it and she is destitute. What is more is that she is in her sunshine years and does not have the strength to start all over again. Therefore she feels that her husband has treated her very unfairly. Both women develop conflict with religion. Khadija says that Meeluda swore to Mecca, and the divorcee says that the young girl swore on the saint s tomb. None of these people honoured their pledges. In khadija s case, she tells the judge that the reason she has taken long before bringing the case to his court is that she had still left the case with the saints. 104It therefore means that her disillusionment with her religion is what finally makes her bring the case before the judge. She feels that her faith was misplaced. This is the same reaction that we get from the divorcee. She had hoped for God s reward for helping the girl but suffers a divorce instead. This makes her a very cynical woman: she says that there is no good neighbour in this world, no grateful people, and no faithful husbands. Character and characterisation Khadija- unrealistic, religious Meeluda cruelDivorcee-hard working, religiousPlease supply illustrations that confirm these traits. ThemesPlace of the woman in societyThis is the major theme in this story. This is brought to us through the experiences of two women. Khadija has a husband who is pleasure loving. She dutifully serves him as a wife but when he dies her future is not secure and there is no law to protect her from the harsh reality of life. This is why the urban setting is extremely important.


Khadija has a husband who is pleasure loving. She dutifully serves him as a wife but when he dies her future is not secure and there is no law to protect her from the harsh reality of life. This is why the urban setting is extremely important. Men cannot hope to carry on as if they are in the village and forget their obligation to their families. The divorcee too develops this theme. She swears that she worked hard as a wife and attributes the house she and her husband lived in and all the good105things in it to her efforts, at least partly. Now in her sunshine years she is thrown out and becomes destitute. She seems to understand that justice will not be served anywhere so unlike Khadija, she does not report the matter for arbitration to any authority but simply becomes cynical of human nature. So for both women society has failed to protect them from the ill wind of the world despite their devotion to their religion and men. PovThe story is told from a third person point of view. This is appropriate because it gives us an objective view of the goings on in women s lives in this society. A Appropriateness of titleTwo Stories of a House is an interesting title. It leads us to believe that we are going to look at one house and hear two stories about it. This however is not what obtains. There are actually two houses and two stories. So why is the house in the title singular? The pains and the resulting misery to the women is the same. The author implies that take any two women in this society and you will find that they identify with each other s suffering. The title is therefore appropriate in the cry for equity. Significant eventKhadija s going to court and the divorcee becoming the village girls benefactor. 106Aim of the authorThe author is appealing for gender parity. This is a patriarchic community in which women have little or no say about their own affairs. The author thinks that this state of affairs should change. 107THE LAW OF THE GRAZING FIELDS BY CYPRIAN EKWENSISettingThis story is set among the nomadic people of West Africa. It is most likely Nigeria. What is more important though is the time. The story is set in pristine Africa before the influence of the west. It is a typical short story with the events taking place in a very short time.


Pp183 Amina and her brothersModio was suspicious of her behaviour and therefore set a trap for her. Jama had not paid the full bride price and therefore could not yet take her. This intervening period presented Yalla with an opportunity to steal Amina. That evening Modio lays in wait with a pack of wild cattle dogs which he sets on Yalla and then grabs Amina. He takes her back to the hut swearing that she was going nowhere butJama s. Her elder brother disturbed by this incident begins to plan how they were to escort her when the time finally came. He says he would ride behind her because she could not be trusted after what she had been through with Modio. Amina and JamaShe is averse to marrying him because he does not fit the stereotype male of the community. This is supposed to be the masculine type that would protect their families from attack by wild animals. According to her he is weak-kneed and109effeminate. He had failed the flogging test. She says that he had wept and begged as they flogged him at the sharo. She would be an embarrassment to her if she married him. Her brothers and YallaThey knew he was planning to elope with Amina. This is why Modio kept vigil. When he finally gets the girl they run after them and the brothers are not afraid to use poisoned arrows if only to get their sister back and take her to Jama. When he finally beats them to his hut, they tell him that their father will know no rest until Yalla will have compensated for his cattle. Pp189 Finally they acknowledge defeat. One of the brothers says that Yalla is a man. He set fire to their camp, stole their sister and then called them thieves for taking back their horse that they had saddled for another bridegroom. Character and characterisation Amina-strong willed, determined, proud Yalla-courageous, determined, humorous, loving Get your illustrations to prove the above traits. ThemesTraditionThis is the most important theme in this story. We learn about the culture of these pastoralists in relation to marriage. First there is the law of the grazing fields. A man may elope with a woman of his choice as long as he is not caught. A man must complete the payment of dowry before he could take his wife.


First there is the law of the grazing fields. A man may elope with a woman of his choice as long as he is not caught. A man must complete the payment of dowry before he could take his wife. They were waiting for Jama to110deliver the last instalment of his dowry before they could hand Amina over to him. Men had to be tested to determine their suitability for marriage. The stage for doing this was a ceremony called sharo in which the man would be flogged in public to determine how well he bore pain. Those who wept and begged during the flogging lost favour in the eyes of potential brides. Parents arranged marriage for their daughters. Amina s father had first accepted the bride price then told her about it. She was not expected to have a say and that is why her brothers were trying to enforce the will of their father. LoveAnother theme developed in this story is love. This is a story of passion. Nothing would stop Yalla from marrying the woman he loved. She says that he was strong enough to break stubborn bulls but when he smiled and held her in his hands his face was so gentle and sweet. When they are in Yalla s settlement and he points his hut out to her, she says: Our hut you mean . She tells Modio when he stops her from eloping: This night I will be with Yalla. He s the husband I ve chosen. Yalla on his part has suffered to get this woman to be his wife. He endured the pack of wild cattle dogs and later a poisoned arrow. Despite the poison he takes time to acknowledge Amina when he gets them to his house: My wife! He moaned. Mine at last. 111StyleFlashbackIt is through flashback that we learn why Amina is opposed to marrying Jama. He had wept and begged when flogged. We also learn of how they had set to elope through a flashback. Yalla was to make scratching sounds to indicate his presence. It is also thorough flashback that we learn of the huge dowry that Jama is paying. ImageThe image of a hawk has been used twice in this story. The first time it is used with reference to Modio. He crouches before her with hands curved like the claws of a hawk about to strike. In this instance the hawk is playing a protective role.


The resulting strikes bring about violence and unemployment. Another important factor worth mentioning is the contrast in the weather. The Namibia she leaves is hot and dry which agrees with the political heat created by the oppressive regime. The England she visits is in the middle of winter and is therefore equally oppressive. 2.The plotThe story opens with Angelika s visit to Birmingham. We are told that it was the town of her liberation. We learn that she is in the UK courtesy of her church. She has been sent there to learn English. So bad is the situation at home that it is only churches that are setting up projects to improve the lot of the people. It is in one such project the Angelica and her husband work. It is a day care centre for children whose mothers have to go to work but have nobody to leave them with. Besides studying English, she hopes to take a course in Community Studies that would help her run the day care centre. 114Her friend Tembi, a Namibian nurse studying in UK, encourages her to avail herself of the medical expertise in theUK to find out why she can t have children and perhaps even have the problem remedied. Her visit to the hospital reveals that she had been stirilised. She says this was done without her knowledge by the military doctors who had removed her appendix. The sympathetic doctors in Birmingham tell her that although the operation is considered permanent they had carried out a few reversals successfully. They are cautious though and tell her that there are no guarantees that her case too would be a success. She consents to the operation nonetheless. Again the church bears the cost of the operation. Naturally she has to travel back home to meet with her husband to determine the success of the operation. Here too the church meets the cost. She returns to Birmingham and anxiously waits for her to find out whether she is lucky. Her periods do not come and this is a good sign. She shares this news only with Tembi for fear of raising people s expectations too high. Her luck holds out and finally it was evident to all that she was pregnant. It is only then that she informs her husband. She continued with her studies as she carried the pregnancy to term. Six months after her baby was born she bids farewell to her benefactors and heads back home. 3.ConflictThe conflict with weather is very important. It develops the theme of suffering in the story.


She tells that it is God who helped her as always. This is in reference to the surgery that she undergoes to correct her sterilisation. B. HardworkingEvery day she looked after 80 preschoolers at the children s centre that she ran. Their mothers dropped them in the early hours and collected them when it began to turn dark. C.RealisticWhen it became obvious that she was not going to have children of her own, she adopted three girls from her husband s family. D. ForgivingWhen it became clear that she had been sterilised by white doctors without her consent, her friends wished to write letters to the newspapers and contact the UN to object to the malicious behaviour of the white doctors. She objected to this approach. Clearly she117felt no bitterness towards the people who had wronged her. E.SecretiveUpon missing her periods, she did not readily tell the people around her. Further, she only went to the doctor s after 7 weeks. What is more, she did not dare tell her husband for fear that something might go wrong. The only person she told was Tembi whom she asked not to tell anyone. Themesa. Human rights abusesForced sterilisationA number of women are sterilised by white doctors without their consent. Angelika is one such woman. Further, she says that she thought of the other women it must have happened to who neither knew nor had the chance to reverse their enforced childlessness. OppressionPolitical leaders were detained, tortured or forced into exile. Forced resettlementThe natives had been resettled into remote reserves. The narrator says that the village had been pushed into the rocky hills by colonial settlement. FriendshipChurchThe church is responsible for a number of humanitarian assistance. The narrator says that as the South African rule oppressed the118people of Namibia, it is only the churches that could set up projects to help the people. Further, the church met the cost of Angelika s education, treatment and travel expenses. We are told that they offered assistance from an emergency fund so she could give birth in Birmingham and continue her studies afterwards. The people of NamibiaThe narrator tells us that the people survived the traumatising experiences because of their solidarity.


Further, the church met the cost of Angelika s education, treatment and travel expenses. We are told that they offered assistance from an emergency fund so she could give birth in Birmingham and continue her studies afterwards. The people of NamibiaThe narrator tells us that the people survived the traumatising experiences because of their solidarity. She says that survival came through mutual support, through solidarity within the communities and within the families: helping people who did not have enough food, caring for those who were sick, looking out for each other s children. TembiWe are told that it was Tembi who began to show Angelika around to ensure that she did not spend too much time alone in her room. Further, she is the one who suggested that Angelika seeks proper treatment. As a result, Angelika found out that she had been sterilised without her consent, but what is more the doctors were able to reverse her condition which was thought to be permanent. The people of EnglandAngelika visits England at a time they were facing labour unrest. The administration was119harsh and the police charged on protestors. She says that the people sent parcels of food across the country to the places that the strike held out the longest. 6. A.Appropriateness of titleThe title is appropriate. The white hands that are talked about were responsible for both the suffering and joy of the protagonist. It is the malicious white doctors in South Africa who sterilised her without her consent. This was a supremacist statement. If they could stop the blacks from reproducing, then the superior white race would have the country to themselves. Ironically, it is the white doctors in England who identify the reason why she cannot conceive and correct the problem through surgery. B. Significant eventThe significant event in this story is the sterilisation of Angelika by the white doctors in Windhoek. C.Aim of the authorThis is a sad story that uses contrast to show that both evil and well-meaning people exist. A group of people should therefore not be condemned because one of them has acted out of line, rather we should judge individuals by their strengths and weaknesses. The strong120message is therefore one of tolerance and building friendships. TaskQ 1Friendship helps overcome adversity. UsingAngelica s experiences both in Namibia and England show that this is true. Give illustrations from Jame Katjavivi s White Hands.


The strong120message is therefore one of tolerance and building friendships. TaskQ 1Friendship helps overcome adversity. UsingAngelica s experiences both in Namibia and England show that this is true. Give illustrations from Jame Katjavivi s White Hands.121Thank you very much for the purchase of this eBook. I hope enjoyed reading it and that it did add value to your teaching learning. Walter AkachPS: If there ever is a need to wish to share your thoughts about this work feel free to drop me a word at walterakach gmail.com122.


THE RIVER AND THE SOURCEESSAY QUESTIONS ENGLISH1. The River and the Source: Margaret A. Ogolla. In the traditional Africa Society, women suffer the effects of gender discrimination. Using illustrations from, The River and The Source, validate the statement. 20marks Answer: Gender discrimination occurs when men show bias against members of the opposite sex. Women heroes in the novel have to struggle since the society treats them as lesser beings. Male chauvinism is seen when chief Odero Gogni contemplates another rock for his sling since Akoko cried with a lot of gusto. Men do not recognize girls because they are passers-by unlike boys who stand for family continuity. Chief Odero Gogni has to disguise his love for Akoko because such love is unseemly. The society has low attitude towards girls. It does not consider important to seek for their opinion on their own marriages. Chief Odero with his sons turns away many suitors before they settle on chief Kembo. Details on marriage, bride price are settled in bride s absence .She is only called in when the most critical issues have been dispensed with. She leaves soon after she has been introduced to her husband. Akoko chooses a husband for Nyabera. A man owns a woman s body and soul. Akoko is scandalized when threatens to leave her husband. Otieno is bitter that his brother chief Kembo had never beaten his wife .Akoko describes relationship between husbands and their wives like that of cats and dogs or like the one between ravens and chicken. Akoko is grateful for her husband since he treated her well. Otieno grabs Akoko s wealth soon after her husband dies. Believes that a woman does not deserve any wealth. Akoko felt the weight of injustice that women had felt in a male dominated world. It is a waste of time a girl to become educated. Her sole objective of existence being married and bringing up of children. Awiti ploughs her way through school despite difficulties encountered. All other girls drop out of school. When Pilipo is converted to Christianity, he thinks that catechism is too difficult for a woman to understand. The society expects a female to hide her intelligence.


Pg 167 .This clear demonstration of loyalty helps the two to remain together right into their sunset days. F iii . The Sigus have instilled a sense of hard work in the family. Mark keeps on studying to get promotions so that he can have his children live a decent life. Pg 166, 172 . Mark felt very lucky about his hard working children. Vera had seven unbeatable records in school, Becky was not doing so badly, Aoro had maintained a continuous lead in school and Tony followed suit. Pg 185, 186 . Hard work defines the Sigus. F iv Children in their growing up must be brought up with high level of discipline. Mark and Elizabeth were firm on their children s discipline and they never spared them any time they misbehaved. When Tony and Aoro almost made their twin drown they are heavily punished. Pgs 176-179 . When Aoro is suspended from school, he is denied food and asked to start fending for himself. Pgs 187-191 .This firm discipline instills hard work in the children. F v A strong family is also built up on mutual respect. The parents extend a measure of respect to the children and vice versa. This is seen on various instances: on serious matters concerning the family, Mark and his wife consult before a favorable decision is made. When Vera wants to go out with Tommy Muhambe she requests for permission the father. Pg 206 208 . This too builds a strong family. Mark any 4 well developed points 3: 3: 3: 3 12 marks Conclusion:In conclusion, looking at the Sigu family, one would say that the foundation of a strong family guided by good ethics depends on the husband and the wife, how close they are to their Children and how they develop acceptable values systems. Accept any other valid conclusion. 2 mks Grammar and Presentation 1-3 on the body award 1 mark4-5 on the body award 2 marks6-8 on the body award 3 marks9-12 on the body award 4 mark3. Drawing illustrations from Margaret Ogola s The River and The Source, write an essay proving that Akoko is at the centre of the change process in the society of the River and The Source. Answer:INTRODUCTION:Change is inevitable and cannot be preserved. In the River and the Source, Akoko becomes instrumental in spearheading the change.


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. 4. A strong household is founded on strong family values. Making reference to Mark Sigu s family in Margaret Ogola s The River and the Source, write an essay to justify the above statement. Answer:Introduction:In The River and the Source, Mark Sigu meets, woos and marries Elizabeth Awiti in the right and traditionally expected way. They start and develop a strong household that is ruled with strong values like love, respect and discipline among others accept any other relevant introduction. 2mks I. Mark Sigu had the devoted love of his wife and the affection of all his children. Pg192 . He did things for Elizabeth that would never have even crossed the mind of a full blooded African ma. He knew she was over-worked both at home and in school and in spite the house-help they had, he throw a helping hand round the house especially in taking the kids off the hands of his wife. Pg 173 II. Ii There is protection offered to family by the Sigus. When he realizes that promiscuity would ruin his marriage he so forcefully dumps the girl and asks for leave to go and bring back his family from Aluor. Pg 169-170 He tells his mother off when the latter feels he is over protective to the wife. Pg 167 III. The Sigus have instilled a sense of hard work in the family. Mark keeps on studying to get promotions so that he can have his children live a decent life. Pg 166, 172 . Mark felt very lucky in his hard working children. Vera had seven unbeatable records in school, Becky was not doing so badly, Aoro had maintained a continuous lead in school and Tony followed suit. Pg 185, 186 V. Mark and Elizabeth were always concerned about the welfare of their children. Tony falls sick at night on the groin. The whole family is concerned. Pg 179-182 . Elizabeth also falls sick in pregnancy. Pgs 192-194 VI. Children in their growing up must be brought up with high level of discipline. Mark was firm on his children s discipline and they never spared them any time they misbehaved. When Tony and Aoro almost made their twin drown they are heavily punished. Pgs 176-179 .


Mark was firm on his children s discipline and they never spared them any time they misbehaved. When Tony and Aoro almost made their twin drown they are heavily punished. Pgs 176-179 . Aoro is suspended from school. He is denied food and asked to start fending for himself. Pgs 187-191 VII. On heavy matters concerning the family Mark and his wife consult before a favourable decision is made. Vera decides to forgo her chance at a national school and join Becky s. pg 175 . When Elizabeth falls sick 192-194 . Vera wants to go out with Tommy Muhambe pg 206-208 VIII. The Sigus let their children follow their own paths in life, marriage and career. Vera joins Opus Dei Aoro becomes a doctor and marries from another tribe. And Tony joins the priesthood. Mark any 4 well developed points 3: 3: 3: 3 12mks Conclusion:In conclusion, looking at the Sigu family, one would say that the foundation of a strong family guided by good ethics depends on the husband and the wife, how close they are to their children and how they develop acceptable values systems. Accept any other valid conclusion. 2mks 5. The River and the Source is an exploration of African traditions as was bombarded by irresistible winds of change. Using the novel for your illustrations, write an essay to show the truth of this statement. Answer. Introduction:The River and the Source presents African cultures that are in conflict clashes with the White man values that are unavoidableThe community clings to traditions until Europeans make their first contact with the community. The whiteman with his new form of government and Christianity present alternatives for the harsh community s culture as dictated by Chik e.g. Otieno vs Akoko. Institution of wife inheritance with all its social high sounding reasons does not really cater for the widow. Nyabera rebels and joins Christianity God which made meaning out of sorrow and suffering of the orphan, poor and widow e.g. Nyabera Akoko. 101 1,101 2,101 3 English Top grade predictor publishers Page 66 Society s obsession with the continuity of the family and clan through children. Women who are unable to conceive are neglected. They, however, get solace from Christian mission in Aluor e.g. Nyabera, the barren woman.


Women who are unable to conceive are neglected. They, however, get solace from Christian mission in Aluor e.g. Nyabera, the barren woman. Traditionally, in marriage, one had to dig as much about one s partner s relatives. Change comes and marriage becomes a bond between two people e.g. Akoko, Nyabera vs. Awiti and Mark Sigu. Bride price previously seemed as a source of wealth is reduced to a mere token of Awiti s time e.g. Awiti, Mark vs. Oyange Silwal, Mark Sigu s relatives. Traditionally, marriages across the boundaries of religion, race or tribe were disapproeved. Later the resistance changes e.g. Rebecca vs Courtney, Aoro vs. Wandia. For a woman to remain unmarried was unheard of. However, Vera joins the opus dei as a single woman. At death, a woman was traditionally buried in her husband s ancestral home. Akoko is however buried in a Christian way. Strictly defined role and place of the woman at home changes though with resitance e.g. Mark Sigu assists Elizabeth. Conclusion: The traditions are gradually overwhelmed by the Whiteman s values and taken up by this community. 6. A woman is the driving force in the society. Prove the validity of this statement basing your argument on the text The River and the source by Margaret Ogolla. Answer. Introduction: Should be able to tell that the student had understood the question and he knows what he is going to write . 2 mks Sample:The driving force in the text The River and the Source is the woman kind. The woman is a source of inspiration, influence and power in the society. This is exhibited in the following ways. From the moment Akoko is born, she is a big influence in her surrounding. She becomes the focal point of her family. Her father and brothers are stolen by her charm. She changes her father s attitude towards the girl child when he says A home without a daughter is like a river without a source. Akoko affects her generation. She is a source of inspiration for her daughter Nyabera, her grand daughter Elizabeth and Elizabeth s children notably Aoro. Wandia says that Aoro keeps saying that he is not a great grandson of Akoko for nothing. This is to mean that even after her death, she is still influenced.


She is a source of inspiration for her daughter Nyabera, her grand daughter Elizabeth and Elizabeth s children notably Aoro. Wandia says that Aoro keeps saying that he is not a great grandson of Akoko for nothing. This is to mean that even after her death, she is still influenced. She allows Nyabera to join Christianity and Peter to become a priest. She is influenced in the lives of the people she interacts with. Vera takes after her great grandmother. She is an influence. She is so determined to become an electric engineer and she becomes. She chooses to become celibate and joins the Opus Dei. After Becky s death she takes over her children though they stay with Aoro and Wandia. Nyabera was a source of inspiration to her children and grandchildren. She takes charge of Peter after the death of her brother Owing Sino. She is embodiment of strength, determined and patience. She goes through a lot of pain as a woman and she becomes the focal point from where Elizabeth gets her strength. She is a big influence to her generation. Wandia is another source of inspiration for her society. She beats Aoro in an anatomy class and that is the beginning of what they share later in life. She is a source of inspiration for her husband and children. She later becomes a pediatrician. This is because of Daniel s condition. Any other well explained capturing the character and the role of the woman in the text.3 x 4 12 mksConclusion:This must summarize the prints above. A relevant conclusion. 2 mks Marks distribution 2 marks- introduction 12 marks the content the prints 2 marks conclusion 4 marks - - language use. 7. The River and the Source highlights the virtue of courage. Using Akoko, justify this statement . Answer. Introduction:The River and the Source portrays Akoko as a woman of courage which helps her overcome some of the various challenges she faces. I Akoko draws the attention of the village and defends herself against her mother-in-law Nyar Alego and brother-in-law Otieno Kembo s allegations for using witchcraft to prevent Owuor Kembo her husband from marrying other wives. She leaves her matrimonial home regardless of the absence of her husband, to show that she could not take the accusations anymore. This helps her to protect the image of her family which had been questioned and to stamp her position so that her in-laws would respect her.


I Akoko draws the attention of the village and defends herself against her mother-in-law Nyar Alego and brother-in-law Otieno Kembo s allegations for using witchcraft to prevent Owuor Kembo her husband from marrying other wives. She leaves her matrimonial home regardless of the absence of her husband, to show that she could not take the accusations anymore. This helps her to protect the image of her family which had been questioned and to stamp her position so that her in-laws would respect her. Ii Akoko shows courage when she makes the legendary journey to Kisuna to go and report Otieno Kembo to the D.O. She faces the DO and later the DC as she lodges her suit against Otieno and wins the case. She has the courage to take the long journey, whose virtue lies in the fact that Otieno is ousted from being the chief and with it comes the end to oppression and heavy-handedness Otieno had visited on the people for the short time he was chief. Iii Akoko confronts Otieno when he threatens to whip her because of reporting him to the sirkal . She tells him you may be twice my size, but I have three times your courage. This stops Otieno from continuing to insult her at that moment since he does not proceed. It also prevents him from physically beating her up. Iv Akoko leaves Yimbo for Aluor when she decides to join her daughter, Nyabera, in pursuing the new way of life Christianity . She agrees to take on a completely new culture; thereby, abandoning what she has always knownto be the way of life. This helps her, together with her daughter, to find peace which eventually paves way for the success of her grandchildren. Conclusion: Expect the candidate to briefly summarize the topic of discussion. They may also give a proverb summarizing the content. 8. Despite good parenting, children can sometimes be a disappointment . Using Elizabeth and Mark children, write an essay in support of this statement. Answer. Introduction:Can be general specific, general and specific Don t accept mere definition. Must be the first paragraph Example Sometimes parent may bring up children according to the books. They have very clear vision of what their children should become in adult life but they end up deviating. Though not always painfully the parents feel disappointed. Elizabeth and Mark are such parents.


They have very clear vision of what their children should become in adult life but they end up deviating. Though not always painfully the parents feel disappointed. Elizabeth and Mark are such parents. Content:D i Vera a promising girl, very educated, infact an electrical engineer. Her parents especially the father had hopes settle as a family but she ends up being a non-marrying member of Opus Dei. Ii Becky though pretty shows she will be a problem when she is a child. She is lazy, only an average student. At one time, she doesn t want to proceed with education were it not for responsible father. Later she disappears from home to become an air hostess. She lives a promiscuous life and is an irresponsible mother. She painfully dies of HIV and Aids great disappointment to both parents. Iii Aoro is a mad genius. At form one, he catches the attention of the headboy for being indisciplined. He is sent home and only goes back because of a disciplinarian father. Later he marries Wandia a Kikuyu though a good the father had hoped he marry a nice Luo girl and even tries to advice him against the idea. Iv Tony is attracted to the church even when a boy. He is always in the company of his uncle who is a catholic priest. Though Mark admires Peter, he could not imagine his son becoming a catholic priest. This is because he would become a celibate. Tony becomes a catholic priest. V Odongo is the first child to fail class seven. He wants to be taken to secondary school The father stand his ground and is made to repeat class. He later becomes a successful farm manager. Expect four well illustrated points Mark 3 : 3 : 3 : 3 12 marksConclusion:Must be the last paragraph Expect a recap of the content or a candidate s opinion. Language 4 marks. 9. Akoko is the embodiment of change. Discuss the validity of this statement, using illustrations from The River and The Source. Answer. Introduction:It is true that Akoko is a true embodiment of change. This is shown by the following illustrations:- E i When Maria Nyabera goes through several misfortunes including the loss of her children, she is at the point of despair, and she decides to seek a new way to console her. She consults Akoko who encourages her to join Christianity.


Introduction:It is true that Akoko is a true embodiment of change. This is shown by the following illustrations:- E i When Maria Nyabera goes through several misfortunes including the loss of her children, she is at the point of despair, and she decides to seek a new way to console her. She consults Akoko who encourages her to join Christianity. She tells her as for you it is better that you seek this new way. It may give you hope and rescue you from bitterness pg. 103. Again, after Nyabera is converted to Christianity, she still feels a vacuum for she does not have a son. Consequently, she goes to seek for a son from Ogoma Kwach, when things do not work between them, she comes back to the mission devastated and heart broken. The caring Akoko encourages her to seek forgiveness from God. Nyabera spends the whole night at the tabernacle praying after which she feels consoled. Go to the church and talk to him there . Pg. 123. It is after this experience that Nyabera realizes that when she was away looking for a son, there was one Peter Owuor who loved her dearly. From then she reconciles herself to the fact that she would live with only one child. E ii Elizabeth Awiti excels in Primary school and she is offered a place at a Teacher s Training College. Nyabera is so worried of releasing her child to the world there was a vice-like band around her head and she thought she would faint a sword shall pierce thy soul pg. 130 131. Reasonable Akoko brings her back to her senses and tells her you re not wise my child, learn wisdom, don t you see the world is changing pg. 132.Later, when Elizabeth informs her parents that her fianc Mark Sigu, would be coming to seek for her hand in marriage, Nyabera wonders how Elizabeth can think of getting married to a man whose antecedents she doesn t know. Akoko brings her back to her senses and tells her, Accept it Maria, the world is changing pg. 143. Also during betrothal, Mark Sigu s light complexion causes fear among the hosts because they feared Elizabeth could have chosen to get married to a jamwa foreigner .


132.Later, when Elizabeth informs her parents that her fianc Mark Sigu, would be coming to seek for her hand in marriage, Nyabera wonders how Elizabeth can think of getting married to a man whose antecedents she doesn t know. Akoko brings her back to her senses and tells her, Accept it Maria, the world is changing pg. 143. Also during betrothal, Mark Sigu s light complexion causes fear among the hosts because they feared Elizabeth could have chosen to get married to a jamwa foreigner . Apart from Akoko who must have left her mother s womb with a broad outlook all of them were strictly parochial a catastrophe. Pg.146. Meaning that it is only Akoko who would not have minded if Elizabeth had chosen a non-Luo. This change is reflected in Aoro and Becky who chose to marry spouses from a different race and tribe. E iii Traditionally, women do not own wealth, Akoko has accumulated so much wealth, for by now her mother s wealth was staggering even by the standards of today pg. 68 After her husband s death, her brother-in-law, Otieno Kembo, misappropriates her husband s wealth and threatens to grab Akoko. She takes a drastic step and heads to Kisuma to seek redress from the sirikal. The D.O and the D.C . Traditionally this case would have been dealt with at the clan level. She knew that as a woman, a widow and a sonless mother she was greatly disadvantaged. Pg. 73. E iv Owuor Kembo on meeting Akoko, falls irrevocably in love. Owuor experienced an indescribable sensation pg. 24. It should be noted that traditionally, love was not a prerequisite to marriage. Consequently, Owuor Kembo remains strangely monogamous. Even the pressure to marry another wife, from his mother and the council of Jodongo can t deter him long have we pleaded with you to take another wife adamantly refused pg. 38. Traditionally, a chief should be polygamous the fact that the chief remains monogamous is change that is attributed to Akoko s admirable personality. Owuor Kembo treats his wife like a queen pg. Owuor Kembo pays more than double the normal bride price that is thirty head of cattle.


Traditionally, a chief should be polygamous the fact that the chief remains monogamous is change that is attributed to Akoko s admirable personality. Owuor Kembo treats his wife like a queen pg. Owuor Kembo pays more than double the normal bride price that is thirty head of cattle. Traditionally he should have bargained to bring this number down but he doesn t. Let us shock them by accepting their offer without bargaining your name will be repeated from mouth to mouth for years to come. Pg. 23. Conclusion:From the above illustrations, it is clear that Akoko is truly an embodiment of change. 10. The Western culture has totally changed the African traditions. With reference to the River and the Source, show the validity of this statement. Answer. Introduction: i Candidate should bring out the general understanding of the erosion transformation of the African traditions. Candidate should also demonstrate that the meaning is applicable in the novel. Traditionally, spying ensured there was no consanguinity, the spouse was of good character as seen in the marriage of Akoko and chief Owuor Kembo. In Mark Sigu s case there was to spying to the influence of formal education. Polygamous to monogamous, singlehood. Initiation opened doors to marriage e.g. Akoko s vis- -vis Wandia s, Becky s, Awiti s. Tero wife inheritance ensured morality and continuation of family line. Gradually it was abandoned. Funeral and burial rites and ceremonies have also undergone transformation e.g. chief Owuor Kembo s followed the traditions while Akoko s was Christian. Political leadership administrative systems change from chieftaincy helped by Council of Jodongo shifted to a colonial system sirikal eventually to an African Multi-party system. Naming system. Education system from informal to formal. Any other relevant Any 4 well illustrated points 4 x 3 12mks Conclusion Candidate should tag their conclusion to the body of the answer. 2:3:3:3:3:2 20 marks. 11. Widowhood pushes women to a disadvantaged position in society. Write an essay in support of this statement basing your answer on The River and The Source by Margret Ogolla. Answer.


Widowhood pushes women to a disadvantaged position in society. Write an essay in support of this statement basing your answer on The River and The Source by Margret Ogolla. Answer. Introduction Can either be general or textual giving allusion to the suffering widow undergo in the society Content Soon after her husband s death ,Akoko finds it difficult to sustain her fight with her in-laws. Otieno ,in particular ,plunders her wealth deliberately because she is defenseless widow. Otieno sits on the chief s stool with heavy arrogance secure in the knowledge that Akoko, a widow, cannot fight for it on behalf of Owour sino, her grandson. Her refusal to be inherited makes her vulnerable to abuse and despise .She flees Yimbo. In Oloo s homestead, Akoko, now widowed, is derided by her sister in law who are looking for every opportunity to push her away. Nyabera s firm hold on Ogoma Kwach her inheritor provokes a protest from his wife and the council of Jodongo. Her re-union later with Ogoma Kwach does not last and the man is set on marrying a second wife. Owang sino s wife Alando nyar uyoma, as a widow cannot defend her son and heir to the chieftaincy against Otieno .The son is taken from her by Akoko for protection in Yimbo.


AGRICULTURE FORM III NOTES17.0.0 Livestock Production Selecting and Breeding 12 Lessons 18.0.0 Livestock Production Livestock Rearing 10 Lessons 19.0.0 Farm Structures 18 Lessons 20.0.0 Agricultural Economics II Land Tenure and Land Reform 20 Lessons 21.0.0 Soil and Water Conservation 19 Lessons 22.0.0 Weeds and Weed Control 15 Lessons 23.0.0 Crop Pests and Diseases 14 Lessons 24.0.0 Crop Productivity VI Field Practices II 17 Lessons 25.0.0 Forage Crops 9 Lessons 26.0.0 Livestock Health III Diseases 20 Lessons Livestock Production III Selection and Breeding IntroductionThe breeding of animals is under human control, and the breeders decide which individuals shall produce the next generation. The breeder makes a choice. The breeding of animals is based upon the fact that certain qualities are genetic ,hence valuable qualities are passed on from parents to off -springs. The qualities can be maintained or improved in the next generation. The performance of an animal is influenced by two major factors;Genetic potentialThe environment, which includes:Feeding,Health,CareThe ecological conditions. The genetic potential of an animal is inherited from its parents. In selection and breeding animals with superior characteristics are selected and allowed to mate. In the process they transmit the superior characteristics to their offspring. When this is done over a long period of time, it results in livestock improvement. Reproduction and Reproductive SystemsReproduction is the process by which off-springs are produced. All farm animals multiply by means of sexual reproduction. It begins with fertilization which is the fusion of male and female gametes to form a zygote. Fertilization takes place internally in the body of the female. The embryo zygote formed develops inside body of mother, fed and protected until end of gestation period. In poultry, the process is different in that eggs are fertilized internally but laid and development of the chick takes place outside during incubation. In both male and female, certain organs are specialized for the process of reproduction.


The ovum travels through the fallopian tubes to the uterus. The release and movement of the ovum down to the uterus is called ovulation. If mating is done at this time, fertilization will take place. The fertilized egg implants itself onto the endometrium walls of uterus and develops into foetus. Fallopian tubes:Fertilization takes place here. Also a passage for the egg from the ovary to the uterus. The uterus:Embryo develops here. The cervix: Closes the uterus. The vagina and Vulva:Vulva is the external opening of female reproductive system. It allows mating to take place so that sperms are deposited into the vagina. The foetus and urine are removed through the vulva. PregnancyIs period between fertilization of ova and the expulsion of the foetus through the vulva. Also called gestation period. In cattle gestation period is 270-285 days. Ends with the birth of a calf. The reproductive tract undergoes a period of rest during which it is repaired and returns to normal. During pregnancy, hormone called progesterone is produced by the placenta to maintain the foetus in the uterus. Parturition giving birth Act of giving birth called parturition. This time the foetus expelled through the birth canal. When an animal is about to give birth, it shows signs;-Distended udder which produces thick milky fluid called colostrums. Swollen vulva producing thick mucus. Loose and slackened pelvic girdle. Visible pin bones. General restlessness. Animal parturates within 2-3 hours after this signs. The correct presentation is with the front feet first ,and the head outstretched and resting in between the fee. Any other presentation called mal-presentation or breech presentation and requires assistance. Reproduction in PoultryThe cock has no penis but a small opening near the vent through which sperms are emitted. Cock has testes within the body. The hen has elongated oviduct for formation of an egg. Fertilization occurs internally. During mating the cloaca of the hen and the vent of the cock fit into each other and then semen is poured into the cloaca ,then sucked to the oviducts. The Reproductive System of a HenOvaryHen has two ovaries but one functional. Ova formed in ovaries.


During mating the cloaca of the hen and the vent of the cock fit into each other and then semen is poured into the cloaca ,then sucked to the oviducts. The Reproductive System of a HenOvaryHen has two ovaries but one functional. Ova formed in ovaries. 3500-4000 ova present inside ovary held by follicle. Mature ovum released via rapture of follicle. It moves into oviduct received by the funnel. Funnel infundibulum Fertilization occurs here. Chalazae also added to yolk. Time here is 15 minutes. It is 11.6cm long. MagnumThick albumen is added. Stays for 3hrs.its 33cm long. IsthmusIts 10.6cm long. Shell membranes added. Determines shape of egg. Water, mineral salts and vitamins added. Takes 15 minutes. Uterus shell gland Calcium deposited 9ie.shell added around the egg. Pigments added. Addition of albumin finished. Stays here for 18-22hours. VaginaShort, 6.9cm long. For temporal storage of egg before layingCloacaEgg moves out of cloaca through the vent. The cloaca extents out to prevent the egg from breaking. NB;Egg formation not depended on fertilization. Egg formation takes 24-26hours. The components of egg are obtained from body reserves of the hens body. Selection of a Breeding StockSelection is used as a tool for livestock improvement. A breeding stock is a group of males and females which act as parents of future generations. Selection is the process of allowing certain animals to be parents of future generations while culling others. Culling is the removal of animals which do not perform to the desired level, from the herd. The animals retained have certain desirable characteristics which make them produce more. Selected animals make up the breeding stock. The breeding stock should pass the good qualities to their offsprings for better performance, to improve the livestock. Selection process repeated for many generations increases chances of formation of desirable qualities in an animal. Genetically termed as gene frequency occurrence of the genes that carry desirable characteristics. Selection increases occurrence of desirable genes and decreases occurance of undesirable genes.


The breeding stock should pass the good qualities to their offsprings for better performance, to improve the livestock. Selection process repeated for many generations increases chances of formation of desirable qualities in an animal. Genetically termed as gene frequency occurrence of the genes that carry desirable characteristics. Selection increases occurrence of desirable genes and decreases occurance of undesirable genes. During selection, the characteristics to be selected for are first studied closely to ascertain that it is not influenced by the environment, but mainly by the genetic make-up. Selection helps improve characteristics which are highly heritable. Heritability means the likelihood of a particular trait to be transmitted to the offspring and they are strongly inherited. A character like milk yield is lowly heritable, i.e. it is weakly inherited and a bigger percentage of the character is affected by the environment. The degree to which selection affects a character depends on the following factors;The heritability of the characterThe intensity with which the selection is doneThe interval between generations and kind of selection being practiced. Factors To Consider When Selecting A Breeding Stock. AgeLevel of performancePhysical FitnessHealthBody ConformationTemperament or BehaviourQuality of productsMothering AbilityAdaptabilityProliferationAgeYoung animals,Those that have not parturated for more than 3-times, should be selected. They have a longer productive life. Old animals are poor breeders and low producers. Production and breeding efficiency decline with age. Level of performanceAnimals with highest production level selected. Performance best indicated by records. Good performance of animal indicated by;High milk, wool and egg production,Good mothering abilityHigh prepotency which is the ability of a parent to pass good qualities to their offsprings. The animals with poor performance should be culled. Good records kept and used by the farmer for this purpose. Physical FitnessAnimals selected should be free from any physical defecte.g. Mono-eyed,limping,irregular number of teats,scrotal hernia,defective and weak backlineHealthSick animals do not breed well and are expensive to keep. Animals that are resistant to diseases pass these characteristics to their offspringsBody ConformationAnimals for breeding to be selected according to proper body conformation. A dairy cow should be wedge-shaped with a large udder, thin legs, long neck.


Mono-eyed,limping,irregular number of teats,scrotal hernia,defective and weak backlineHealthSick animals do not breed well and are expensive to keep. Animals that are resistant to diseases pass these characteristics to their offspringsBody ConformationAnimals for breeding to be selected according to proper body conformation. A dairy cow should be wedge-shaped with a large udder, thin legs, long neck. Temperament or BehaviourAnimals with bad behaviors should be culled.egCannibalism, egg eating, aggressiveness, kickingQuality of productsSelect animals that give products of high quality. Mothering AbilityAnimals selected should have a good mothering ability,That is animals with good natural instinct towards their young ones. This will enable them to rear the young ones up to weaning. AdaptabilityAnimals selected should be well adapted to the prevailing climatic condition in the area. ProlificacyAnimals selected should be highly prolific. That is, animals with the ability to give birth to many offsprings at a time larger litter . This is a quality that should be considered when selecting pigs and rabbits. Selection in cattle, and sheep,Selection in cattleConsider the following;Level Of Performance Which Include;Milk Yield Buter Content. Length Of Lactation Period. Calving Intervals. Age Of The Animal,Fertility,Physical Fitness,Health Of The Animal,Body Conformation,Suitability Of The Enterprise-Milk Or BeefSelection in sheepConsider the following;Level of performance which includes;Mothering abilityGrowth rateWool qualityCarcass qualityTwining rateAgeSuitability to the enterprise-wool or muttonFlocking instinctHealth of the animalPhysical fitnessInheritable defectsFertilityInheritable defects. Fertility. Selection in GoatsConsider the following:Fertility. Mothering ability. Growth rate. Twining rateCarcass quality dressing percentage. Growth rate. Suitability to the enterprise - milk or mutton. Health of the animal. Age. Selection in PigsConsider the following:Carcass quality dressing percentage. Suitability to the enterprise bacon or pork Growth rate. Health of the animal. Mothering ability. Prolificacy. Number of teats. Temperament. Body formation. Age.


Temperament. Body formation. Age. Heredity defectsSelection in CamelsHealth of the animal. Age. Temperament. Foraging ability. Fertility. Level of performance-milk, meat, fur and transport. Method of SelectionThese include:Mass selection - Animals with superior characteristics are selected from a herd and then allowed to mate among each other. Progeny testing - assessing on the breeding value of an animal on the basis of performance of its offsprings. Contemporary comparison -comparison of performance between heifers of the same age and sexual maturity. BreedingProcess of mating selected males and females to produce offspring with the desired characteristics. Reasons:To expand the inherited potential of the animal. To improve production. To overcome production problems created by the environment. To satisfy consumers taste. For economic reasons. Terms Used in BreedingInheritanceGenetic transmission of characteristics from parents to offsprings. The mechanism of inheritance is carried by the sex cells gametes and is controlled by genes found in the chromosomes. Genes are very tiny units of inheritance carrying particular characteristics, such as colour, body shape and amount of milk production. Chromosomes are genetic materials which carry genes. They exist in pairs paternal and maternal in the nucleus f the body cells. They are always constant in number. Dominant and Recessive CharacteristicsA dominant gene is one that suppresses the other. It produces a dominant characteristic. A recessive gene is one that is suppressed by the other. It produces a recessive characteristic. Hybrid and Hybrid VigourA hybrid is an animal which is the product of crossing animals of two different breeds. Hybrid vigour or heterosis is increased vigour and performance resulting from crossing two superior breeds. EpistasisThis is the masking of the effect of one gene by another gene which is non-allelic, that is situated on different locus. Breeding SystemsInbreedingMating of animals which are related. Reasons:To increase genetic uniformity in a herd. Used to fix the required characteristics in new breeds. To increase phenotypic uniformity. To get proven sires. LimitationsIt can bring about loss of hybrid vigour. It may lead to decline in fertility. It may lead to high rate of pre-natal mortality. Systems of InbreedingClose Breeding: mating between very closely related animals, for example sib-mating and parents sib-mating.