MENTAL ILLNESS When the writer writes about mental illness the description is so viv, It is as if you are right there with the victim. He describes this illnes, that the nameless protagonist calls this thing. Mental illness is a harrowing mindless and violent disease. It's n only the disease but the cure for the illness "The next day my sister would be taken to Nkunzi to be 'baked'. Had heard of how Nkunzi baked people. He would make a fire fro-cow dung and wood and once the fire burnt red he would tie the demon possessed person into a section of the zinc rooting then place it on fire. He claimed to be baking the demons and that the perso would recover from the burns a week later. I had not heard of anyon who died but I had not heard of anyone who lived either "The reade is saddened by the fate of those African countries who suffer fro mental illness, how they are caught in violent superstition. The story brings out the reality in any African countries where ther are no facilities for the mentally ill. What serves as cure is often times cruel beyond telling of it. The mother does not understand why the same disease that afflicte her husband now afflicts her daughter. She doesn't know the disea is hereditary. People had come to believe that baking people from a fire by d cow dung and wood would release them off demons. This leads death of patients rather than cure them "I had not heard of anyo who had died but I had not heard of anyone who had lived either " LOVE AND EMPATHY Memories we lost is a troubling piece depicting the great between two siblings in a beautifully drawn landscape. Memories we lost is more than a story about mental illness. It between siblings who show great love and feeling towar other despite their faults. The narrator organizes for her and her sister to flee not only she cannot allow her sister to be 'baked' but helps her to r from the village to escape the embarrassment as shame ofIGNORANCE AND SUPERSTITION The elders refer to the disease as this thing and say it is the work of the devil and demons. Narrator says, "None of them knew my sister; none of them cared " The villagers are ignorant of the fact that the disease as a medical condition and should be treated as such. IMAGERY The writer uses powerful images with the writings that are inspiring.


The narrator organizes for her and her sister to flee not only she cannot allow her sister to be 'baked' but helps her to r from the village to escape the embarrassment as shame ofIGNORANCE AND SUPERSTITION The elders refer to the disease as this thing and say it is the work of the devil and demons. Narrator says, "None of them knew my sister; none of them cared " The villagers are ignorant of the fact that the disease as a medical condition and should be treated as such. IMAGERY The writer uses powerful images with the writings that are inspiring. The mental illness is not called by the name but this thing to show how embarrassed and shameful it is but also to portray ignorance of a community. The team returning from the search is described as 'morphed into defeated men' and 'their bodies slouched as if they had carried a heavy load 'to show the fatigue and frustration after the search from the sick girl. The modern building and a hospital that the narrator and the girl see after a sign of hope that finally the sister might be cured of her disease. After the sister hits her head on a tree continuously and she bleeds, the narrator says the bloodstain remained visible on the wall long after my mother scrubbed it off; long after she had applied three layers of mud and new water paint. The writer shows how horrible the incident was and that it will never be scrubbed in the narrator's memory. USE OF SYMBOLISM The disease symbolizes a nation that once suffered schizophrenia of apartheid and just like the sister the country is trying to understand it and cure it. The nation is trying to understand and heal a national disorder. After the night's sleep, the sister will wake up once the sun is up and alk again to somewhere. This symbolizes a better South Africa. USE OF SATIRE Both the community and the religion are satirized for instead looking for a cure the community goes for medication that is ver. Dangerous like calling the Nkunzi to 'bake' a living person. This endanger the girl more than cure her. Religion is also satirized because even after much prayer it is providing a solution. 2.How much land does man need By. Leo Tolstoy THE AUTHOR. When Tolstoy died at the age of 82 from pheumonia, he may have been the most famous man in the world. He was the leading RUSSian novelist in the world.


Leo Tolstoy THE AUTHOR. When Tolstoy died at the age of 82 from pheumonia, he may have been the most famous man in the world. He was the leading RUSSian novelist in the world. Leo Tolstoy was born in 1828 the wealthy aristocratic parents. He was orphaned at the age of 9 and thus grew up under the care of aunts and uncles. He once served in the Russian army during the Crimean war lt is the suffering that he witnessed during the war that heeped to bring out his serious, morally questioning nature. Tolstoy greatest works are war and peace and Anna karennia regarded as the finest novels ever written. Although Tolstoy was a pacifist, a Christian and an aristocrat his books were never banned. His rural grave is a major Russian tourist attraction and his house in Moscow is now Tolstoy museum. THE TITLE. The title is a question Pahom tries to get as much land ashe could, However, at the end he dies frying to get this land and is buried in a grave six feet by three. The end of the story answer the question, How much land does a man need, that six feet is all we require because when we die we do not carry anything with THE SETTING. The setting is in Russian countryside. Events rotate mainly arotmd Pahom met his death in the Bahkir's land. The Plot. How much land does a man need? Is one of the est moral tales that Tolstoy wrote. Written in 1886 the story tells about Paho who is corrupted by materialism and greed and eventually dest yed by greed. The Protagonist Pahom is a peasant. At th eginning we are told he owns '1 23 acres of land pasture' page and a big house animals and a family of five but he is not conte ed. One day a passing dealer informs Pa m that he had bought 1 300 acres of land at 1000 roubles and ev n goes further to show Pahom the title deed. The dealer creates the impression at the seller the Bashkirs are simple minded who own large tracks f land. Pahom makes up his mind that he was going to buy land from theBashkirs.


One day a passing dealer informs Pa m that he had bought 1 300 acres of land at 1000 roubles and ev n goes further to show Pahom the title deed. The dealer creates the impression at the seller the Bashkirs are simple minded who own large tracks f land. Pahom makes up his mind that he was going to buy land from theBashkirs. He buys presents for them and with a servant makes a seven days journey to the land of the Bashkirs to take as much land for a low price. He gives the Bashkirs the presents he had bought for them. The chief informs him that as a token of appreciation, he would be rewarded with whatever he wanted. Pahom chooses land. Their offer is very unusual; for a sum of 1000 roublles, Pahom can walk around as large area as he wants, starting at daybreak, marking his route with a spade along t he way. If he reaches his starting point by sunset that day, the entire area of land his route encloses would be his, but if he does not reach hs starting point he would lose money and receive no land. Pahom is happy with the arrangement and decides he will start the following morning. He is so excited by the idea of owning large tracks of land that he cannot even sleep. He 'onlky dozed off just before dawn'pg 22.Before sunrise he is taken to the hillock and shown the spot he will start at sunrise. Pahom takes a spade to mark the land and as soon as the sun OPpears he starts walking towqrds the medow. He walks fast and at certain point has to take off his coat and shoes because of the heat and so that he can walk faster. He walks straight and far until the hillock and the people are no longer visible. He stops to takes water and luch. After the meal he starts walking but is soon very exhausted and sleepy because its is too hot. When he thought he had walked enough and should start to go boo he is tempted by o damp hollow "It would be a pity to leave thos out... Flax would do well there". Greed makes him not to turn when would have been very necessary to do so. By the time he makes up his mind to go back to the hillock, the sun i: overhesd and he is exhausted.


When he thought he had walked enough and should start to go boo he is tempted by o damp hollow "It would be a pity to leave thos out... Flax would do well there". Greed makes him not to turn when would have been very necessary to do so. By the time he makes up his mind to go back to the hillock, the sun i: overhesd and he is exhausted. By this time he is very tired, the temperatures are very high, his feet are cut and bruised and the legz are failing him. He regrets having walked too far. Because of serious pain and exhaustion, he throws away everything else he was carrying, coat shoes, flask and his cap. Fear of not achieving his goals makes him to start running, this i',despite the heat, dehydration and pain. At one point he is aware that strain will kill him "Though afraid of death, he could not stop" He ran on and on. This is the climax of the story when he decides to keep going even though he is dying. He dies of exhaustion once he reaches the top of the hill. The Bashkirs exclaims "He has gained much land "But he is dead. The servant quickly buries Pahom using his own spade that he used to mark the land. Only six feet of land is needed to burry him. Six feet of land is how much land a man needs because every man dies in the end. CHARACTERIZATION. The only fully developed character in the story How much landdoesa man need is Pahom. The author intends his readers to focus entirely on the peignt of Pahom as he seeks his fortune. He is a peasant who keeps frying to gain more land and never seems to have enough. He is a dynamic character who is well developed even tough negatively. At first he is content with his life but then he becomes greedy and ambitious in his persuit of wealth new land Pahom is an industrious and a hardworking person. He owns 123 qcres of land on which he farms and 'the number of cattie kept increasing' pg 21 .1t is this trait that makes him 90 to the Bashkirs search of new landsBut Pahom is also greedy and materialistic we are told that 'he wpnted wider and more fertile lands and had an desire to 21. He kept on thinking of one thing 'How can I have more land.


At first he is content with his life but then he becomes greedy and ambitious in his persuit of wealth new land Pahom is an industrious and a hardworking person. He owns 123 qcres of land on which he farms and 'the number of cattie kept increasing' pg 21 .1t is this trait that makes him 90 to the Bashkirs search of new landsBut Pahom is also greedy and materialistic we are told that 'he wpnted wider and more fertile lands and had an desire to 21. He kept on thinking of one thing 'How can I have more land. Because of greed and materialism he goes out the Bashkirs land in search of cheap land. At the Bashkirs he becomes carried away by his greed and covers a distance that is too much for him and is responsible for his own demise. Pahom is rustling to return to the hillock before sunset, dying in the process. He knows that he is dying and considers stopping but he doesn't because of greed. Pahom potrays the nature of greed in humans. Pahom is also a very generous person this is seen when he buys presents for the Bashkirs and are happy with him ln fact as a token of appreciation of the generousity the Bashkir's chief offers to give him any reward he chooses. He is also a determined person because when he makes up his mind to get the Bashkir's land he makes a seven day journey to their land, he even buys presents for the Bashkir's. The Chief of the Bashkir's. He is a static character who does not change or develop. He is appreciative and thankful of the presents given to him by Pahom and because of this he make; a goog deal with Pahom about how much land he can get from their tribe. For accommodating Pahom and offering him land he is very hospitable and generous. The dealer. Not much is revealed about the dealer but it is apparent that he is sincere and honest. He even shows Pahom his tiltle deed to proof his point. THEMES. Pahom the main character reflects the characteristic of greed. Tolstoy through Pahom want to tell us that greed does not pay and might lead to self destruction.


THEMES. Pahom the main character reflects the characteristic of greed. Tolstoy through Pahom want to tell us that greed does not pay and might lead to self destruction. Pahom the main character has enough of what one requires in life ln fact he is rich, he owns 1 23 acres of land, a family and land but is not contented. He goes out in the Bashkir's land to look for more at g very low price. The author wants to show that what we have with us does not set, -satisfactory, and it keeps us to look for more. Pahom become; carried away with his ambition and greed and loses contentme, even though he already has land to make him happy. On his trip to the Bashkir's to find land, he has an opportunity to gain land as much as he wanted. After paying 1000 roubles, he told to make a mark and walk as much but be back by sunset and aj the land he would have covered, would be his provided he was back by sunset. But Pahom full with greed walks beyond his limit. On reaching he is running short of time he starts running so as to get back to the starting point. Unfortunately he dies of exhaustion just when he was about to reach the starting point. Greed leads to self destruction. He is buried by his servant and at the end the only land he requires is 6 by 3 feet big enough for his grave. The end of the story teaches us that greed does not pay and how much we actually need in life. After death we do not carry anything with us. STYLES. 1. Use of parables. Tolstoy story is a parable. Like the parables of Jesus a parable parablesrt simple tale that has moral lessons. Like Pahom many people in the world today believe that we need material things and wealth in order to be happy. Such people often waste their tiem to gai more for themselves. The author tries to tell us that we should not have greed on materials that are meaningless but do things that are worthy. The story concludes with a moral lesson that the only thing Ne need in the end, is a little piece of land. Thus we should learn to be content with what we have having more doesn't always make you happier and greed can consumr and destroy your life. At the end Pahom gets a titting end.


The story concludes with a moral lesson that the only thing Ne need in the end, is a little piece of land. Thus we should learn to be content with what we have having more doesn't always make you happier and greed can consumr and destroy your life. At the end Pahom gets a titting end. Use of irony When Pahom dies and is buried by his servant the author describes his grave as being six feet as all the land he needed. Six feet is unexpected answer to the title of the story. Use of Dialogue. There is a dialogue between Pahom and the dealer. ". Is it true there is a place where land sells such cheap there must"It could not be look at this title deed" pg 21 The dialogue brings out the honesty of the dealer and the inquinsitive and greedy nature of Pahom. There is also the dialogue between the chief of the Bashkir's and The dialogue brings out the greed of Pahom and the Chiefs genoristy. 3. LIGHT: By Lesley Nneka Arimah BACKGROUND Lesley Nneka Arima was born in United Kingdom and grew up wherever her father was stationed to work. This was sometimes in Nigeria or even out of Nigeria. She has been published in the New Yorker and Granta. Her story, the light was winner of the 2015 commonwealth short story prize for Africa. Her work has received grants and awards from Commonwealth writers, AWP, the Elizabeth George Foundation, the Jerome foundation and others. She is currently living in Minneapolis. The Light touches on key issues, which revolve around education and parenting. Having grown up separated from her mother, Nneka understands what this kind of schism can do to relationships: Mother to child and wife to husband. The story handles effectively the themes of separation, parenting, technology and emancipation. It is an exciting story about expectations for both teenagers and young couples. The author ridicules parents who abandon their parenting responsibilities and expect their children to be straight. Therefore, the story is about how good relations and understanding can be maintained between parents and the teenagers in our modern society. SYNOPSIS Lesley Nneka Arima revolves around Enebeli's family. Enebeli ha, sent his daughter to the world expecting her to maintain her innocence "dew". He lives with his daughter in Nigeria while his wives studies master's in Business Administration in America.


SYNOPSIS Lesley Nneka Arima revolves around Enebeli's family. Enebeli ha, sent his daughter to the world expecting her to maintain her innocence "dew". He lives with his daughter in Nigeria while his wives studies master's in Business Administration in America. Enebeli and her daughter go through a lot when his wife is out including blooming of their daughter who apparently gets shocked by her first menstrual cycle and being summoned in school for a case involving his daughter who is accused of writing a loveletter to a boy. Enebeli promises to chastise his daughter and assures the head teacher that the same would not happen again. The wife and the husband keep communicating through Skype and the mother plays her role of nurturing her daughter. The relationship between the mother and the daughter is smooth at first but soon changes and none is excited as before. This comes when the mother m reprimands the daughter in attempt to make a better woman fro her. During the first holiday, Enebeli's wife comes home but has with her visa during the return journey. This leads to a decisionstudies that at she would never come home again until she finishes h finishing studies however, Enebeli's wife decides to live there. She goes with her daughter. SETTING The story is set in Southern Nigeria. It is set in modern times as seen by use of advanced technology in communication; the Sk ype. It is set in contemporary Africa, as it addresses contemporary themes like THEMES education, emancipation, parenting and technology a Education in the hope to emancipate and liberate Africa, education Is critical. Enebell's wife goes to study her Masters degree its America. She hopes to get a good job when she gets badt, This translates to good pay and increased living stcmciar ",i, Enebeli takes his daughter to school to learn and grow. This has effects however as she comes back changed. Among other things she learns how to write love letters. A Parenting The author addresses the theme of parenting as a role of every parent. It should not be left to either the male or female parent. Light' is a warm story, beautiful and deeply felt.


A Parenting The author addresses the theme of parenting as a role of every parent. It should not be left to either the male or female parent. Light' is a warm story, beautiful and deeply felt. Fluid and delightful, its theme of parenting across continents will strike a chord with readers throughout the world Enebeli demonstrates poor parenting when he still washes dishes and cooks for her daughter who is now fourteen p 29 He does not teach her responsibility as they still share house chores. On the other hand, Enebeli's wife does not spend quality time with her daughter and yet expects her daughter to be morally upright. The few attempts he makes over the phone to teach her manners only widen the gap between them. B Change It is said that change is inevitable and it is as good as rest. Change is the act or instance of making or becoming different. When Enebeli sends his daughter to school he did not expect her to change. According to him, she is well brought up and appropriately cultured. However, she soon changes and learns how to write love letters. As a result, he is summoned by the head teacher to discuss the changes in her daughter. Similarly, Enebeli's wife goes to the USA to study so she can get a good job back in Nigeria. Her taste changes and she looks for a job in the US and comes for her daughter. TECHNIQUES AND LANGUAGE l. Narrative voice and point of view The author has used third person narrative voice to narrate the story. This is the omniscient narrator. Enebelis parenting ways are smartly highlighted through thi. Narration voice. He loves his daughter to an extent that he still cook. For her even when she is fourteen. He takes her to the salon for hair to be relaxed. This use of 'He' pronoun makes the narrator small president, who is ruling the world of the story, making it vividly described one. This is the kind of narrator who is able to get in the characters thoughts and feelings besides narrating on events that happen on places where ordinary people would not venture. He is all knowing and reveals to the readers the thoughts, motives and intentions of different characters. He gets into the mind of characters and reveals to us their intentions. Imagery The author has used a number of metaphors and similes to develop aesthetic and fantastical descriptions that can be quite memorable.


He is all knowing and reveals to the readers the thoughts, motives and intentions of different characters. He gets into the mind of characters and reveals to us their intentions. Imagery The author has used a number of metaphors and similes to develop aesthetic and fantastical descriptions that can be quite memorable. Among them, include: "would shrivel like a parched plant" "he massages the cream into her scalp like lotion" "feathery clumps that swirl into the drain like fuzzy fish" "an elephant of mistrust and awkwardness" "she strings his virtues out like Christmas lights" 1. Humour The quality of being amusing or comic, especially as expressed in, literature or speech. The author uses humour to ease the rather sad mood prevailing in theStory. She uses humorous expression as though saying, this is so funny but take it with a lot of seriousness. For instance: "Buki, I love you. I will give you many sons" p 29 "It happens two or more times before the girl learns to paw notes better" We expect the girl to Stop writing love letters after -be reprimands her but she only learns how to pgss them segre4' CHARACTERISATION Enebeli He appears to be comical. However, he is concerned, remorseful and Loving. He loves his daughter to an extent that he still cooks for her even when she is fourteen. He takes her to the salon for her hair to be relaxed P.29 He is also depicted as being a true Domineering man. When his wife wants to go with the daughter, he refuses the idea and stands firm on the decision. Enebeli's wife She is depicted as being a caring and a loving mother, She is indeed helpful, supportive and a concerned lady, who cares for her daughter and although she is away tries to bring her up in the right way p 32 ACTIVITY 1. Discuss the character traits of the following characters Enebeli 1 Enebeli's wife 1 Enebeli's daughter. 2. Discuss the theme of Emancipation as brought out in this short story. 3. What are the effects of distance relationship to good parenting 4. Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad. 5. Our parents get a lot of challenges when it comes to balancing career and parental responsibility. It is like serving two masters at a go. Discuss some of these challenges.


Our parents get a lot of challenges when it comes to balancing career and parental responsibility. It is like serving two masters at a go. Discuss some of these challenges. 4. My Father's Head ,By: Okwiri OduorBACKGROUND Okwiri Oduor, the author of My Father's Head, was born in Nairobi Kenya. She has won a number of prizes among them the 2014 prize. She has also written a novella, The Dream Chasers, which highly commended in the 201 2 Commonwealth Book Prize. Speaking about herself Okwiri Oduor says, "l am an African writer and so what next? I am interested in fullness of the human experience like creating characters that are dynamic, that are real people, which have strengths. My Father's Head was published during post-colonial Kenya. During this period, Kenya, like any other African continent, is struggling with post-colonial evils ranging from poor governance to corruption to poverty. Themes of violence, religion, death, memory and heritage have prevailed in this prizewinning short story. The mention of the 1998 bomb blast on the Kenyan embassy is a proof of violence against human race in post-colonial Africa. This short story presents a recollection of painful and repressed memory. The members of the said society are relinquishing in abject poverty and the old have no willing family members to take care of. They live in a home for the old people. SYNOPSIS This story starts interestingly as a simple story but later proceeds in complexity as the narrator tries to recall her father. Seemingly, the narrator cannot remember the head of her father. The narrat0 ' Simbi, works in old peoples' home. She starts to think about her father when the one Father Ignatius visits the home. His coming reminds her so much of her father, but never the head. The figure of the priest acts as a trigger that prompts the narrator's journey to search for her Due to loneliness, Simbi, the narrator, has distorted images of the people she has encountered. She has been away from home for a long time and silently mourns the death of her father. It is for this reason therefore that the people she relates with are presented a faceless and to an extent nameless. As readers, it is only by description that we get to know them. Thus vivid description, as a literary technique comes in handy.


Her - naivety and easy going disposition increases the entertainment and aesthetic value of this masterpiece. TRAITS Generouslwelcoming: she welcomes her father to her house and you have offered me makes her some tea. Her father says, tea " Nostalgic: she misses all the moments she shared with her father during her childhood and tries to bring them back. However, she hos lost all the memories and even when she tries to draw her father on paper she can only remember his clothes and not his head. She says, "His head refuses to appear on the paper " Nciive: She thinks her father has shapes- circles, triangles anc squares on his eyes. She does not realise that those are reflections. She actually says, "l had wondered how those shape had got inside my father's eye ' Mournful: Throughout the short story, Simbi mourns the death of father ond spends time trying to ecall what his b Bwibo Friendly: Of all the workers around the old peoples' home, the narrator formed an easy camaraderie with her. Convincing: She convinces Simbi that she cannot remember her father's head because he was a good man and according to her, "good men never show you their heads; they show you their faces " Sympathetic: She feels for the narrator because she cannot remember her father. She tries to console her for the lost memories of her father by telling her that it was all because her father was a good man. Pessimistic: she does not believe that the narrator will receive a warm welcome when he goes back to her home. She tells her to anticipate a negative welcome from her people when she visits. A The narrator's fatherHe is a loving and a caring man. He loved her daughter and both shared beautiful moments. He could make visits to her house once she requested so. Chauvinistic: He shows dominance of the male gender over the female gender when he tells his daughter to untie his shoelaces. Selfless: He would live his duties unattended to help a fixed neighbour. Sometimes could hear a neighbour saying, "Johnson, there is no time to put on clothes; iust come the way you are " Role The narrative gains its momentum through him. He is the vehicle of communication and the mirror that reflects the world of reality as depicted by Okwiri Oduor. The narrations aesthetic beauty is seen through his bildungsroman and his daughters too.


Sometimes could hear a neighbour saying, "Johnson, there is no time to put on clothes; iust come the way you are " Role The narrative gains its momentum through him. He is the vehicle of communication and the mirror that reflects the world of reality as depicted by Okwiri Oduor. The narrations aesthetic beauty is seen through his bildungsroman and his daughters too. I FURTHER ACTIVITY 1. What kind of a person do you think the narrator's father. Discuss. 2. The narrator says love is not for the old. Do you agree with he, point of view about love? Explain 3. Discuss the following themes as brought out in this short story; Moral decadence Poverty Memory and Heritage 4. In note form, highlight the challenges people face when the, return home. 5. Write notes on the character traits of: Simbi, The Narrator Father Ignatius! Bwibo. 6. Identify the cases of hyperbole and explain them and thei effect to the masterpiece. 5. THE UMBRELLA MAN BY SIPPHAR THAGIGOOSiddhartha Gigoo is an Indian author and film-maker. He studie English Literature at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, in New Delhi India. His short story 'The Umbrella Man' is the Asia'winner of th Commonwealth Short Story prize of 201 5. He has books of fictions under his name: These are, The Garden oi solitude 201 1 and A fistful of Earth and Other Stories 2015 .Furthermore he has book of poems entitled "falland other poems" and "Reflections " SETTING The story happens in an asylum for mentally challenged persons. Thi is a hospital for the confinement of people who have a menta breakdown and thus they have to be kept in isolation, in solitary sod that they are treated and to improve on their health condition 0k; is a member of this asylum facility. ". The Umbrella Man" is about an inmate, Number 7, living in a mental asylum. All he possesses is an umbrella with yellow-and-Red stripes. Number 7 suffers from unknown psychosis. He yearns for rain. During evenings, he strolls in the asylum compound, carrying along the Yellow-and Red striped umbrella hoping to experiencing rainfall.


Number 7 suffers from unknown psychosis. He yearns for rain. During evenings, he strolls in the asylum compound, carrying along the Yellow-and Red striped umbrella hoping to experiencing rainfall. In a confinement with little freedom, he is the only one allowed to walk and saunter out of the gates but still in the confinements of the asylum. He is allowed this limited freedom because of his obedience and calm disposition. Number 7 speaks to a ghostly, imagined child in his cell every night. While strolling around, he picks an imaginary conversation with his only friend The Puny little fellow. They have a discussion about rainfall and how they have waited for it. The puny little fellow points out how rain can be destructive. He does this till one day when he is set free, he unfurls his umbrella and sets off beyond the gates of the asylum, towards a world he has never seen before, the only thing he leaves behind are the wet footprints. There are moments in one's life when one experiences an inmate-inan-asylum-like feeling, as though one has been magically transported to an asylum. This can be as a result of a temporary aberration of the mind or by crafty intrusions of our own secret personas. One can imagine oneself living in an asylum, bereft of worldly possessions. It's a very depressing thought, so it's natural human tendency to inventhope, to cling to something, to long for something. The solitary man chances upon an umbrella, clings to it and yearns for rain. THEMATIC CONCERNS CONFINEMENT The mentally challenged inmates, together with Number 7 are locked up in an asylum where their freedom and movement is limited. It is only in the evening that the inmates are allowed to go out of their ' wards and stroll about in the asylum's compound. The freedom ended at the wall. Be ond the wall there was nowhere to go. HUMAN EMOTIONS The story captures the emotions of Number 7 and the other inm, in the asylum. Number 7 yearns for rain to fall. He strolls eve' evening with his umbrella with the hope of it raining. He gets exciterof at the sight of clouds. In his solitude, he finds something to cling on; the umbrella, his only companion and playmate. He is melancholic and finds peace in the yellow-and-red striped umbrella which no one knows how it came be in his possession.


He gets exciterof at the sight of clouds. In his solitude, he finds something to cling on; the umbrella, his only companion and playmate. He is melancholic and finds peace in the yellow-and-red striped umbrella which no one knows how it came be in his possession. The lonesome nights also lead Number 7 to speak to a ghostly, imagined child, whom he prays for every night and also soothes to sleep. It is in human nature to have different emotions and feelings; a feeling of belonging, a feeling of companionship and possession. Number 7 finds time to talk to the mysterious puny little fellow. When he comes to the meeting point and does not find him, Number 7 wonders if the puny little fellow would appear. LOVE FOR ONES POSSESSION Number 7 adores his Yellow-and-Red striped Umbrella, which is his only companion and playmate. He does not go out without the umbrella, no one knows how he came to own the umbrella but they have become inseparable. He takes leisurely walks with it in the evenings. The umbrella was the most beautiful thing in the entire asylum. It brought smiles on his lips. Through the windows of wards fellow inmates look at Number 7 in awe and wonder as they wanted to hold the umbrella in their hands, they wanted to be in its shade. Inmates do not have other wldl possessions apart from two sets of clothina or y MENTAL HEALTH Due to emotional instability and mental disturbance, Number 7 with others are put in a mental hospital asylum, for treatment and care. Mentally challenged fellows are put in isolation to necessitate their care and treatment. Due to his mental state, Number 7 has a conversation with mysterious ant, and also chats at night with an imaginary, non-existent child. He feels its obligation to ensure the well being of that imaginary child. He soothes the baby, lulls it and even prays for the child. More so Number 7 walks in the evenings with an umbrella yet it doesn't rain. NATURE VALUE OF NATURAL ENVIRONMENT The place has not experienced rain for quite a while now. Rain has evaded the place for several months. Number 7 waits for the rain, he longs for it. But still nature is bountiful, flowers are growing, bees are present. Nature has miracles. It can rain without announcing it.


But still nature is bountiful, flowers are growing, bees are present. Nature has miracles. It can rain without announcing it. Number 7 strolls in the narrow avenue hedged with tall eucalyptus trees for leisure, and stumbles against a bench, where he sits, it is his favorite place. OPTIMISM Number 7 is full of hope every time, when evening comes he ventures out with the yellow-and-red striped umbrella, with the hope of it raining. He is fascinated by the thought of rain; he in fact gets excited when clouds gather. When asked by the barber if it will rain, Number 7 answers full of hope that it will soon. At night he prays for the child and hopes that some powers would heed his prayers and bestow grace on the child. Sociable: In his imaginary world he becomes friends with the lit ,. Puny fellow with whom they have a hearty talk about re - and how nature is bountiful and full of miracles. Prayerful: he prays in silence for the child being convinced that some powers should heed to his prayers and bestow grace upon the child. Contradictory: On the last night in the asylum facility, Number 7 is not concerned about the following morning that he is to be free. He is the same as other days as he talks to the imaginary child. Caring: He takes care and soothes the child to sleep. He always worries and frets over the child "...all he wanted was a peaceful sleep for the child " Inquisitive: he questions the little puny fellow on what makes him to delay to come to their meeting point. He wants to know about his where about. Obedient: his obedience and calm disposition has made the doctors to write a positive report about the assessment of Number 7's condition. This enables the committee to agree to his release. Little puny fellow Accommodative: He does not show displeasure with the coming ofNumber 7 despite the fact that he is a distraction. Number 7 talks about rain, nature and hope with him "... he did not betray displeasure, knowing that the man had come for a friendly chat " Industrious: He beseeches Number 7 to let him to carry on with his work for his fellows may think he is more interested in gossiping with a stranger than attending to his work.


Little puny fellow Accommodative: He does not show displeasure with the coming ofNumber 7 despite the fact that he is a distraction. Number 7 talks about rain, nature and hope with him "... he did not betray displeasure, knowing that the man had come for a friendly chat " Industrious: He beseeches Number 7 to let him to carry on with his work for his fellows may think he is more interested in gossiping with a stranger than attending to his work. Cautious: He notes that though they long for rains to come, the rains can be quite destructive towards hapless fellows like them Observant: notices that Number 7 never ventures out without the umbrella. USE STYLE Narrative Technique The story is told from a third person point of view, where the narrator gives us the story from what he observes. Vivid Description The area in the asylum that is allowed for movement is described as "...the wall around the one hundred and twenty-square-meter compound ninety something yards in the narrow avenue outside the gates that ended at another wall. Beyond that brick-and stone wall was a vast darkness " this brings out the picture of the confinement of the inmates in the asylum, the place with limited freedom. The umbrella possessed by Number 7 is described as a yellow-andred striped, beautiful Umbrella. It was the most beautiful thing in the entire asylum. More beautiful than the bed of wild flowers along the wall. Dialogue Number 7 converses with the barber about rain which shows Number 7's fascination with rain. Dialogue between doctors and Number 7 reveals change in the state of Number 7's health such that he is free to go. The dialogue between Number 7 and his friend the puny little fellow, z reveals Number 7's anticipation for freedom and the little puny fellow's fear of destruction that can be brought about by rain,Personification The little puny fellow, the cnt talks with Number 7 about the of nature, how nature is bountiful and full of miracles. Number 7 is greeted by a small puddle when he steps out of his when he is allowed to leave the asylum like him, the umbrella too had not seen the battering The dance of raindrops on the nylon of the umbrella seemed distant dream; it seemed impossible for it to rain. It shows th significance of the umbrella can only be truly seen when it rains.


The dialogue between Number 7 and his friend the puny little fellow, z reveals Number 7's anticipation for freedom and the little puny fellow's fear of destruction that can be brought about by rain,Personification The little puny fellow, the cnt talks with Number 7 about the of nature, how nature is bountiful and full of miracles. Number 7 is greeted by a small puddle when he steps out of his when he is allowed to leave the asylum like him, the umbrella too had not seen the battering The dance of raindrops on the nylon of the umbrella seemed distant dream; it seemed impossible for it to rain. It shows th significance of the umbrella can only be truly seen when it rains. Irony Number 7 is always moving out with the Yellow-and-Red striped umbrella with the hope of it raining yet still he wonders of what use is hope. He yearns for rain and yet when it rains he walks slowly in th compound busy avoiding splashes from rainfall. Symbolism The rain is symbolically used by the writer to indicate the getting wel by the inmates, as Number 7, more so it is the freedom that Number has been yearning for. You talk of freedom 1 thought you cared for the rain. Rain can be destructive. The wild bush represents the uncertainty of life The Yellow-and-Red striped umbrella symbolizes the calt disposition, the change in behavior of Number 7 such that the doctor are able to write a favorable report to facilitate the freedom Number 7. No one was attracted to the dainty beauty of fri and-red umbrella. REVISION QUESTIONS 1 . With reference to the story "The Umbrella Man, " discuss the truthfulness of the statement, No condition lasts forever. 2. Citing examples from "The Umbrella Man, " discuss the character traits of Number 7. 3. The writer has employed the use of vivid description and dialogue in the story "The Umbrella Man, " discuss these stylistic devices and give their effectiveness. 4. Mentally challenged patients should be put in isolation. Do you agree? 5. Natural environment offers solace to lonely souls. Discuss. 6. The will to live is necessitated by the never giving up attitude. Discuss. 6. The President By Mariatu Kamara Mariatu Kamara is a UNICEF Special Representative for Children in Armed conflict, author and survivor of the civil war in Sierra Leone.


Her cousins Ibrahim and Mohamed are captured and tie while Adamsay, the last daughter of Marie is dragged away by her hair. During the attack many people are killed while others are amputated. Kamara is reunited in Freetown with her cousins and Aunt Marie and her husband Alie whom she had lived with since she was a child. They stay together in an amputees' camp, which is full of filthy litter, dirty bodies and rubbish. They fend for themselves by begging on the streets. Kamara gets a baby boy, Abdul, who dies later from malnutrition. There is information of well wishers in Freetown and other countries like Canada who are willing to take in and help children affected by the war and violence. Kamara is taken to Toronto Canada by Bill, who offers her food and shelter. Later she is taken in by a Sierra Leonean family of Kadi and Abou. She yearns to better her life by acquiring education such at she is in position to help her family back at home. She is helped by Kadi to enroll in an English as a Second language course ESL to learn the English language and also be able to commcmicate She graduates from ESL with a Diploma. She is enrolled in high school where she encounters more challengers in writing for the lack of hands, but her undying spirit makes her not to give up. She eventually manages to attain Cs. THEMATIC CONCERNS POLITICAL VIOLENCE Rebels attack manarma village where they kill many people and also amputate others. They cause violence for they want to overthrow the government they claim to be corrupt. Kamara is amputated by same rebels. More so there is a camp for amputees in free town with over 400 amputated people. Marie and Alie hide and flee to Freetown to escape the havoc caused by the rebels. Furthermore, many families are taken in at Toronto Canada by Kadi and Abou Nabe to escape the violence in Sierra Leone. The violence caused by the rebels leads to a lot of suffering to the people. Some are left handicapped and cannot fend for themselves; others are forced to relocate from their homes, while it also leads to poor living conditions like in the amputees' camp and also begging on the streets.


Furthermore, many families are taken in at Toronto Canada by Kadi and Abou Nabe to escape the violence in Sierra Leone. The violence caused by the rebels leads to a lot of suffering to the people. Some are left handicapped and cannot fend for themselves; others are forced to relocate from their homes, while it also leads to poor living conditions like in the amputees' camp and also begging on the streets. EDUCATION Mariatu Kamara, together with young Asian women, grandmothers from the Middle East and men from Southern Africa are enrolled in an English as a second Language course where they learn the language. She graduates with a diploma. Later she is enrolled to a high school. She finds it difficult but with her endurance she manages to attain Cs. She gets a laptop to use to aid in her studies. Kamara hopes to better her life through education such that she able to support her family back at home. Kamara is raped by Salieu who leaves her pregnant and threatens Rebels have no regard for human life as they kill people and maim others mercilessly. There is a camp for amputees in Freetown. Children are made soldiers and be involved in such barbaric activities as killing and torture which is not appropriate to their development. SUFFERING Most people in Manarma are attacked by rebels and are while others are amputated. Kamara is amputated, Adam z taken away. In addition Ibrahim and Mohamed are capture d, tied. The displaced and amputated people are forced to pathetic conditions such as what is witnessed in amputees' which is full of filthy litter and full of dirty bodies. They are force t s: beg on the streets to get what to eat. War has taken toll on innocent, children and women. IMPACT OF WAR ON CIVILIANS The hatred and animosity among citizens leads to unrests violence. This leads to suffering of people. Violence facilita, ? Deaths of people, Injuries and torture such as cutting of people: hands Kamara displacement of people from their homes such Marie and Alie, Kamara and more families that end up in Canadt More there is it facilitates poor living conditions like the filth, amputees camp in Freetown. CHILDREN IN WAR Most children suffer during war. Some are made children soldier:like those who capture Kamara are her age mates while other: endure atrocities; Kamara as a child has her hands cut off.


Deaths of people, Injuries and torture such as cutting of people: hands Kamara displacement of people from their homes such Marie and Alie, Kamara and more families that end up in Canadt More there is it facilitates poor living conditions like the filth, amputees camp in Freetown. CHILDREN IN WAR Most children suffer during war. Some are made children soldier:like those who capture Kamara are her age mates while other: endure atrocities; Kamara as a child has her hands cut off. Adamsab Ibrahim and Mohamed are captured by rebels which in itself i: torturous. THE POWER OF HUMAN SPIRIT RESILIENCE The human spirit is undying, enduring and resilient. Despite atrocitie that Kamara undergoes, she doesn't lose the zeal to live on. She ho: an indomitable spirit to overcome adversity. When Kamara regain: consciousness after her hands are chopped off, she picks herself up The amputees in the camp do not have hands but still they are able to feed and wash themselves. Kamara learns to cook, tie shoe laces, up zips and even goes to school to learn to better her life despite the Well wishers cannot sit and watch human rather help to take in victims of such violereag acquire educations. Humans have the inner strength to push on CHARACTERS AND CHARACTERIZATION Mariatu Kamara Narrator Ndjve: She does not understand what Salieu has done to her after he forcefully has intercourse with her. She blatantly that she only knows that only women get babies but not girls. More she doesn't know that pregnancy is as a result of sexual Resilient enduring: Rebels cut off her hands, but this does not deter her from going on with life. She doesn't lose the zeal to live on. She has an indomitable spirit to overcome adversity; she picks herself up and ensures she moves to safety. Kamara learns to cook, tie shoe laces, do up zips and even goes to school to learn to better her life despite the lack of limps. She learns English Language as a second language and graduates with a diploma. Thoughtful: She minds about the welfare of her family back at home and wants to study and be in a position to assist them.


Kamara learns to cook, tie shoe laces, do up zips and even goes to school to learn to better her life despite the lack of limps. She learns English Language as a second language and graduates with a diploma. Thoughtful: She minds about the welfare of her family back at home and wants to study and be in a position to assist them. Optimistic: she undergoes a lot of challenges in the hands of her captors; she lives in pathetic conditions in the camp, but still hopes of making it in life through acquisition of education. She I need to get education and better my life ' says. Fearful: She fears going to school as she will be alone among strangers. She is also worried of how she would write without 1 was afraid of making a fool of myself ' hands Salieu Itiumane: despite Kamara's tender age, he forces himself on her leaving her pregnant and more so intimidates her not to Infimidating: Orders Kamara not to reveal to anyone about the rape the ordeal. Kadi and Abou Nabe Hospitable: they offer shelter and food to Kamara after she has come from Freetown, and stayed with Bill. They also bring in more family members to Toronto to escape the violence back PPortive: Kadi takes the initiative to enroll Kamara to the English as a send Language course where she graduates with a diploma. Bill Concerned: His family reads about girl, Kamara and her suffer - war ravaged village of Manarma, in a newspaper Gr and thereafter he wants to find her and offer her he'- providing money for food and clothes. Helpful: Offers to take Kamara from Freetown to Toronto Canada I act which facilitates her to get education and humanita I assistance. Rebels Cruel: They mercilessly cut off hands of their victims, for instant I Kamara's, as a way of sending a message to the presider I whom they see as corrupt, yet the children have nothing to a I with the presidency '... I remember asking myself, "What is c I president"...' Inhumane: They kill people during their attack on Manarma village I they torture their victims by cutting off their hands anc 1taunting them. One child soldier tell Kamara... We are net I going to kill you go to the, president as the president to give you new hands.


I remember asking myself, "What is c I president"...' Inhumane: They kill people during their attack on Manarma village I they torture their victims by cutting off their hands anc 1taunting them. One child soldier tell Kamara... We are net I going to kill you go to the, president as the president to give you new hands. LANGUAGE USE STYLE Narrative Technique This story is told from a first person point of view by Mariatu Kamarc who narrates to us her ordeal in the hands of her captors in the war torn village of Manarma and her escape to Freetown ana eventually her life in Toronto Canada. Flashback Kamara recounts her ordeal in the hands of Salieu who fchimself on her leaving her pregnant. She also recalls her stay Marie, her father's sister and Marie's husband Alie in Magb village. Vivid Description The amputees camp is described as '... was a size of a foot field, was filthy wit litter, the smell of rubbish, dirty bodies, bring out the pathetic conditions that the people in the camps wr living In. The laptop she Is bought for is described by the narrator as '... computer was special with a mouse shaped like a big ball so that I car easily manoeuvre it the key board was L oam Dialogue ra converses with the rebels who want her to ch Karr 10 h ent before leaving punis m 'You must choose a punishment before you leave, " he said ke what?". I mumbled: Li Which hand do you want to lose first?". He asked. This dialogue brings out the cruel nature of the rebels. There is dialogue with the female doctor, "...you are pregnant "You 0 e going to have a baby " k " , :But there must be a mista e, I said "Only women hove babies, not girls " This points out how nave Kamara is. Sarcasm Mariatu is informed by the child soldiers that her hands are to be chopped off so that she would not vote for the president, then they sarcastically refer her to go to the president who should provide her with new hands. We are not going to kill you. We want you to go to the president and show him what we did to you. Ask the president to give you new hands " REVISION QUESTIONS 1. Political instability and violence breeds misery. Discuss 2. A friend in need is a friend in deed.


Political instability and violence breeds misery. Discuss 2. A friend in need is a friend in deed. Discuss this statement in light of the story "The president" by Mariatu Kamara 3. Tribal conflicts and hatred have far reaching consequences the society way effects that conflicts have on the s share in the 4. The less privileged in Discuss al 5. Describe the devastating misfortunes of the mighty in society innocent, children and women irit 6. No power is stronger than human sp 7 Window Seat By Benjamin Branoff Bseniamin Bronoff is a Tanzanian writer. His short story, Wind?vi Sent, is featured in the third volume ofTell me, My Friends, which univects stories and plays written by students and staff a h ers'tY of Dar es Salaam. SETTING The narrator, a foreigner, is in a public transport daladala in Dar es Salaam, moving from Miimani via goes to Posta down town. This story tells a humorous story of a young man, a boards a daladala from Mlimani via Mwenge to the town. The foreigner meets many people who squeeze the small van, including a beautiful Tanzanian girl who behinds of the foreigner. The mzungu is seated next to a window, in a daladala travei'ng to down town. The minivan is meant to carry about ten people but 24 people are squeezed in it. The road they are on is in a deplorable condition, full of poth m dust which fills the van. The narrator expresses how he desires to be with Monique, French girl he has met in college and she also stays across courtyard in downtown. He changes vehicles from the minivan to a bus to head to Posto Town. The bus is also overloaded and overcrowded like was. Among the passengers there is a young lady, probably some age as the narrator. She is quiet beautiful and because of narrator's lustful nature, he forgets about desires the Kanga lady. The bus is stopped by a police officer who allows go after taking a bribe he wastes a lot of time foe attendants to whom time is moriey. The vehicle picks up another passenger, a who ho. To sit. Mzungu offers his seat to the woman ho on the insistence of M,zungu she takes the seat.


The vehicle picks up another passenger, a who ho. To sit. Mzungu offers his seat to the woman ho on the insistence of M,zungu she takes the seat. Stands throughout the req of the iourrzy, There is a lot of squeezing and holding on one another the passengers. The vehicle stops at points to drop and pick more passengers. In an instance, when the vehicle stops, Kanga, a passenger holds on the waist of Mzungu, Mzungu is. Carried away by the feeling he gets from Kanga holding him on the waist. He feels Kanga's other hand slowly slipping off his Afterwards when the vehicle stops, Kanga alights in dismay ofMzungu who thinks of having her give him the world's biggest secret. She waves to him and leaves mzungu in a blissful existence. Mzungu drifts to his world of love, a world of fantasy. He dozes off only to be awakened when all passengers have alighted. Mzungu is to pay his fare only to realize his wallet is missing, it has been stolen. THEMES: J. UWLESSNESSON THE ROADS. Vehicles should always follow traffic laws on the roads for safety. In his story however, law and order is not followed as it should be. To start with, the public transport vehicles are so much overloaded. Passengers are literally packed. Conductors carry excess passengers as the narrator says a mini-van meant to carry ten passengers now carries twenty five of them. It even becomes worse when it comes to rush hour where they carry twenty eight with others drivers also bribe the traffic policemen in order to get away with crime. Even when things seem to be okay with the vehicle the POIicemen solicit for bribes to an extent of removing the car keys fie ignition. The bribe here is a very powerful voice that the ponce use to silence the adamant drivers. Passengers suffer on roods, The no to commit to o Iono rood becouso of they don't veem to core or they ore used to it. Tip loudly when the policemen toke bribes but, "ep tt even because of overloading thol mokos it to rob rhe narrator. 2. POVERTY. Poverty is Olso portrayed in this Story. The people ot the bus said to be in sandals and others barefoot. This means afford better shoes. The passengers could be suffering he overloaded dalodalos because of poverty.


The people ot the bus said to be in sandals and others barefoot. This means afford better shoes. The passengers could be suffering he overloaded dalodalos because of poverty. This is bee-cuz pay less money for fare. The narrator describes Kanga that she hos a trim figure cowed by a lifetime of hard work and deprivation of luxurie. That she cannot afford luxuries. We also think that "hot her to steal from the narrator is poverty. The aggressiveness of touts in town is also a sign of poverty. This P. society where one must struggle to make ends meet. That'l why t'" scream and shout and also convince people to take their daladalc: -2. Coem"nom Corruptii is also evident in this Story especially on the roads pocmerc were wpposed to guarantee zafety on the ond collude driver, in order to escape facing 10... seem to have token bribes as their bea"se even if the vehicle has everything right force by toking keys from ignitim. 4. RELATIONSHIPS. The narrator enters into a relationship with Monique the French girl in campus. He says that he gave her an unordinary smile and she returned it. At the bus station he sees her but never gets to talk to her. He regrets never getting to fix a date with her that day. The narrator treats this relationship so casually and he is not serious about it. He says that he conjured up the smile for her and when she is through ith it he can conjure it up for someone else "A man only has so many smiles " When he meets Kanga in the van he seems to also fall in love with her. He flirts with her and even imagines one part of Kongo's body. He loses his mind when Kanga grabs his trousers. He goes wild with imagination about himself and Kanga and does not realize that he was being robbed. When he meets Kanga, the narrator says that he had forgotten about Monique. He says, '...I drift in the world of my new love. Le felle is over and done with. Kanga is in. This shows how casuals he treated his relationships with women considering that he only met Kanga in thedaladala. 5.AACALSA1 The word Mzungu means a white man. The Africans call them this to mean he is from the white race.


This shows how casuals he treated his relationships with women considering that he only met Kanga in thedaladala. 5.AACALSA1 The word Mzungu means a white man. The Africans call them this to mean he is from the white race. The Africans see this man, the narrator as more superior than them and use even a spectacle that he is using public transport. When the guard greets him at the city Chuo everybody turns to see him. Africans perceive the white men as rich and wealthy that's why Kanga robs him in the vehicle. The narrator chooses to date Monique a French girl because she is from their race. He says, I should be with the French girl Le fille because French women absolutely like American men. CHARACTER AND CHARACTERIZATION Miungu LustfulWhen he meets Kongo, the narrator says that he had forgo about Monique. He says, drift in the w or Id of my new love. L is over and done with. Kongo is in". This shows how casuals he treat his relationships with women considering that he only met Kang' the dalodala. This leads to his wallet being stolen yet he things of Kongo's touch as a sign of desire for him. Respectful He respectfully greets the old woman who moves to the back ro from the front one. Observant: Has a clear picture of how the vehicles are overcrowded and squeezed passengers, he gives a clear description of the dust on the road and also describes how bumpy the ride is. Policeman: Stubborn: couldn't let the vehicle go on unless a bribe is paid despite finding no fault with it. He picks the bribe and smiles and waves for the vehicle to proceed with the journey. Kongo Tactful: she skilfully holds on to Mzungu as if supporting herself fro' plunging forward only to rob him. Opportunist: waits at the squeezed moment and movement by the vehicle to rob Mzungu's wallet ANGUAGE USE STYLISTIC DEVICES 1. VIVID DESCRIPTION. The author makes use of vivid description which makes his own interesting and leaves an impact the readers' minds. He describes sitting position in the daladala very clearly lamina wet of sitting, fatal position. My knees are wedged between my abdur n and the sit in front of me.


In on other attempt to resist deportation Ali dangerously ducks do' a moving trailer barely dodging the moving wheels but finds himse on Tarrant's fists on the other side. When they see Tangier harb finally Slattery pats Ali on the shoulder and tells him " Almost horn Ali knows that he would reach home without doubt despite all effort to escape. He thinks about three years in prison and suffering that his mother and sisters WOUld go through in order save him from being eaten alive in iail. Ali therefore makes dangerous decision; to jump into the sea just to resist deportation. POVERTY AND LACK OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES Ali's mother and sisters live in cramped apartments in Beni Makac This indicates that they are poor. Ali also says that they had rais the two thousand Euros to spirit him out of the country with difficul but he had not paid them even a cent. This was in an attempt to Ali get opportunities in the Ireland but he was deported with anything and to top it all he WOUId have to go to jail. This shame a fear causes him to jump into the sea. CHARACTERS AND CHARACTERIZATION Ali Mahfouz Deceitful: he tells people that he is a medical student and even puts a picture on face book that shows him at the surgeons' college with college books yet the books are only telephone directories. He only does menial jobs in Ireland. In addition he walks with little white buds in his ears as if he is listening to music from the iPod yet he doesn't even know how to load the gadget with music. Hardworking: Ali does all kinds of jobs in Ireland to cater for his upkeep. For instance he slices kebab meat; while working for two Egyptian brothers, also he power-washes cars, scrubs pots and wipes tables. Sociable: He makes many friends when he just arrives in Ireland. He is quite charming and makes Slattery to laugh all the time despite being in a serious situation. Stubborn: He has been warned by Tarrant not to cause any problem while they travel yet he attempts to escape twice. Furthermore, the government has tried to deport him twice, where every time he is disruptive on the plane threatening of blowing up the plane with a bomb in his possession. Despite all these he still lives in Ireland. Sarcastic: Tells Slattery and Tarrant that they are travelling in style and that they are on a mighty journey yet he is being deported.


Furthermore, the government has tried to deport him twice, where every time he is disruptive on the plane threatening of blowing up the plane with a bomb in his possession. Despite all these he still lives in Ireland. Sarcastic: Tells Slattery and Tarrant that they are travelling in style and that they are on a mighty journey yet he is being deported. Determined: He attempts all means to prevent his deportation. He threatens to blow up the plane twice; he attempts to escape from Slattery and Tarrant in France and Spain. As last resort he decides to drown himself in water provided it is away to escape from being deported. Observant: He is keen enough to note that Slattery has good Fre Ali also notes that Slattery has no wedding band despite him being in mid-thirties and handsome. DNvsioned: Ali loses hope with life in his country because of pove scxh that his family is cramped together in the apartment, then imagines of life in prison, lack of food, clothing and having to pay bribes. This shame and fear causes him to jump into the sea. Slattery Jovial: He is charming and laughing all the time when Ali cracks jokes. Tactful: He manipulatively talks the French woman out of her thinking of helping Ali. He manages to convince her that any interference will mean they Slattery and Tarrant will leave Ali to be the responsibility of the French government. Tarrant Aggressive: He blocks Ali into a corner before barking orders to him, and threatens to smack him if he tries any nonsense. When Ali attempts to escape in Spain, he hits him to the Serious: He does not get involved in laughter when Ali cracks jokes that leave Slattery in stitches. He remains stony faced as strict: orders Ali to go back where they were when Ali runs LANGUAGE USESTYLES PERSONIFICATIONThe author uses personification a great deal in this story. This is very effective because we get a clear description of events. In the first paragraph, it is said that the Oscar Wilde ferry rested in the Welford harbor. Resting being a human attribute has been given to the ferry. Other examples include; The room hummed as the turbine span. The sound of the ship as it moves becomes very clear here, humming. The tiny fish seemed inquisitive. Inquisitive is also a human attribute given to fish to make the description clear.


The different two types of rains in the two countries symbolize their different challenges to survival as Ali says it is easy in Morocco than in Ireland. REVISION QUESTIONS Poverty and lack of employment largely contribute to illegal migration. Discuss Immigration is nobody's best choice. Whys Compare and contrast the character traits of Slattery and Tarrant. Discuss the traits of All as brought out in this story. What factors contribute to people migrating illegally to other countries? Dialogue has played a key role in character and plot development in the story. Discuss. Disillusionment is detrimental to human living. Discuss 9.The Folded Leaf by Segun Afolabi Summary of the incidents Segun Afolabi's 'The Folded Leaf, is a short story that was shortlisted for Caine Prize 2015.it boasts of its urgency to address burning contemporary issues in Nigeria. Bunmi's voice introduces most of the characters through whom the narrative will move forward. While characters like Bunmi, Samuel, Tunde and Mrs Kekere are introduced with peculiar health challenges, others like Bola, Papa and the Ejiofohs accompany them; and together, they form the narrative backbone with Bunmi as the main narrator. The story is about a Christian community comprising of various family members who in spite of health challenges have had to contend with the reality of their being, and to live a normal communal Christian life. But when after a strong resolve of collective contributions, they set out on a journey to Lagos in search of healing, from a man of God who doesn't seem to have answers to their questions, a new reality which will alter or question the basis of their Christian faith and practice is unfolded. THEMES a Religion The author explores the role of religion in our daily lives portrayed in the contemporary Nigeria and the larger Afri Religion is used to brainwash the followers of some deities that f more superior to the others. Churches in the urban area a portrayed to be superior to churches in the rural areas. It is throu this portrayal that we see villagers, worse still the village preache like Reverend Abbe and Reverend Okulaia leading th congregation to a point of donating towards Mrs. Eiiofoh, Mr Kekere, Bola and Bunmi among other travellers, for their journey Lagos, going to seek for healing from pastor Fayemi "P.92" The issue of religion is becoming a melting pot in Nigeria, and Afric at large. Religion seems to rob the individual of choice.


It is throu this portrayal that we see villagers, worse still the village preache like Reverend Abbe and Reverend Okulaia leading th congregation to a point of donating towards Mrs. Eiiofoh, Mr Kekere, Bola and Bunmi among other travellers, for their journey Lagos, going to seek for healing from pastor Fayemi "P.92" The issue of religion is becoming a melting pot in Nigeria, and Afric at large. Religion seems to rob the individual of choice. Religi extremist leads to hypocrisy, obsession, aiienation and fear. It through this religion that people lack self acceptance. Not until the get robbed of their money, do they come in termswith their physica challenges. Bumni the narrator, who cannot see, begins t understand her own life and accept it after having made a Ion journey to lagos city to be attended by pastor Fayemi's church, vain The narrator, Bunmi begins to come to good terms with her life, an self-actualization is seen whereby she accepts that her physic impairment is God given, therefore appreciates reverend Abb who prays for people, even when they have paid no mone p 94 Prayers are not left aside in all the doings. The faithful' travelling to Lagos; gather for a prayer led by Reverent Ab before setting off for their journey to Lagos. '. Bless Samuel, tamer Jehovah, "today, today, please- send him new prayers are perceived as a tool of spiritual healing, nourishment a Poverty and class barriers Another theme that comes out clearly is the class stratification in the contemporary Nigeria. The story adroitly brings to light, the ever existing gap between the rich haves and the poor have no's right from the village to the suburbs of the capital, Lagos, people are seen to be poor, compared to those who lives in the urban centers. Mrs. Kerekere pleads with the policemen on their way to Lagos, that they are not rich P.84 . In fact, the money they are spending on their way to Lagos is a donation from their local church that alone, they couldn't manage to afford it. Comparison is made with the urban people who are very rich.


Kerekere pleads with the policemen on their way to Lagos, that they are not rich P.84 . In fact, the money they are spending on their way to Lagos is a donation from their local church that alone, they couldn't manage to afford it. Comparison is made with the urban people who are very rich. Daddy cool is better known in the account of his helicopter and Gulfstream jet, and his homes in Florida and Switzerland and somewhere in the Caribbean p 81 a perception Afolabi is trying to imply that there are multiple ways of viewing life, in different apheres, by using the narrative voice of the blind narrator Bunmi to elaborate on the theme of perception: Appearance to me may not be your own appearance. And my own understanding of own self, may not compare with other people's perceptions. But do any of us identify the same thing in exactly the same way? Is the colour blue the same? And does the leaf smell? Bola thinks sometimes. So don't worry, he says. And Bola's right about most thingsIn trying to avoid authorial interference, Afolabi tells his through this blind twelve-year-old whose narrative power inheres her strong stimulus, curiosity, perception and scepticism; a narr who relies on interviewing skills like probing, prompting, scoop and interrogation to account for the plot's progression. TECHNIQUE AND LANGUAGE USE a first person narrative voice This narration has been told from the perceptive of a first person narrator. The 'l' narrator is therefore the protagonist in the story and he narrates the events as he experienced them. This kind of narration makes the events to be quite immediate to the reader and hence, it becomes engaging to read. Segun Afolabi also uses present tense instead of the usual past tense we would expect in a story about events that happened in the past it is as if he is giving commentary on the event. A rapport therefore between the narrator and the reader is created. B Suspense The feeling of worry or excitement that a person develops when the develop a feeling that something is going to happen is what is callec suspense. The folded leaf creates some desire to know whad happens to Bumni, Sam and Mrs. Kekere who are on their way tc meet pastor Fayemi for healing. Throughout the narration, the reader is kept gluedto the text, to see how things will end.


The folded leaf creates some desire to know whad happens to Bumni, Sam and Mrs. Kekere who are on their way tc meet pastor Fayemi for healing. Throughout the narration, the reader is kept gluedto the text, to see how things will end. Even the village preacher, reverent Abbe is wishful that God may bless, heal and lead them to the capital, Lagos. ". Bless Samuel, father today, today, please- send him new c Contrast This is a literary technique in which the author sets two people, events or objects in opposition to each other in order to show Afolabi uses contrast as a technique to drive in his thematic concerns with ease. Reverent Abbe is a servant of God in a village church, who prays to people to gain hope and restoration without pay. She leads a very humble life and she is depicted as a true believer, who loves her congregation. Her church donates whole heartedly to finance the long anticipated journey to Lagos The author contrasts her with pastor Adejola Fayemi, or Daddy Cool as he is better known on account of his helicopter, jets and lavish lifestyle. His followers deny Bumnis' access to seeing him, even after paying all the money they had carried to the church. A Use of dialogue Afolabi uses dialogue richly to develop his characters and themes. He reproduces the exact words that characters are supposed to have spoken. Cases in point are as follows; 'What do you have inside?". A voice demands from outside the bus. Police, " Bola whispers "Just people, " the driver says "we go Lagos. '. How many of you?". P 83 This conversation reveals the experience the narrator and the other travellers face as they travel to Lagos. This and many other dialogues are used to foreground the thematic concerns and enliven the plot development. B Local idiom The author uses local language. Since this story is set in the both Nigerian suburbs and Nigerian city, Lagos, the use of local dialect makes it easy not only to identify the setting, but also to give it a local flavor. The following are examples of local dialects used; agbada, which means a four-piece attire worn by men; eshayu, which means thank you, na so meaning yes, it's true; among others. Characterization a Narrator The narrator is a blind twelve-year-old whose narrative power is inheres in her strong will and introspecting personality.


Since this story is set in the both Nigerian suburbs and Nigerian city, Lagos, the use of local dialect makes it easy not only to identify the setting, but also to give it a local flavor. The following are examples of local dialects used; agbada, which means a four-piece attire worn by men; eshayu, which means thank you, na so meaning yes, it's true; among others. Characterization a Narrator The narrator is a blind twelve-year-old whose narrative power is inheres in her strong will and introspecting personality. She is an examining girl who is young, honest and hopeful that she will receive healing after attending the church service in town. She is indeed determined to meeting pastor Daddy Cool and therefore becomes too obnoxious, on learning that it will not be possible. The story end when she is more strong and ambitious in spite of all the happenings that she has started to understand that at least she has life, a good one for that effect. B Reverend Abbe Reverend Abbe is a pastor who is depicted as a servant of God, leading a true deity church. So loving and caring she is that she organizes her church members in the village for donations to the narrator's journey to seek healing. HShe is a committed and dedicated Christian that though a deacon she is, members of the church prefer her to reverend Okulaia, who the reverend-in-charge is. She is trustable that the narrator says that she is complacent having her as a clergy, who prays for people without asking for money from them 294 c Pastor Adeiola Fayemi. He is portrayed as a fat cat tycoon, leading a wealth life. He runs a church in the Lagos capital. Religion seems to rob the individual of choice. Religious extremist people really suffer a lot through him, making him an exploitative person. Not until they get robbed of their money, do they come in terms with their physical challenges. Papa has given out all the money that had been contributed, and denied access to the pastoral place pulpit p 90 ln this case therefore, Afolabi's story represents the new face of pseudo-Christian practice in Nigeria, through him, which is hinged on the gospel of healing miracles and prosperity. Activity 1. Discuss the following oral techniques in the story: a Use of songs b Humour and comic relief c Exaggeration d Dialogue 2.


Papa has given out all the money that had been contributed, and denied access to the pastoral place pulpit p 90 ln this case therefore, Afolabi's story represents the new face of pseudo-Christian practice in Nigeria, through him, which is hinged on the gospel of healing miracles and prosperity. Activity 1. Discuss the following oral techniques in the story: a Use of songs b Humour and comic relief c Exaggeration d Dialogue 2. Put the following excerpt in its immediate context. I have always been blind. How they appear to me and my understanding of myself, might not compare with other 3. Describe the character traits of Pastor Feyemi as exhibited in perception. The story 10. HITTING BUDAPEST By NoViolet Bulawayo. BACKGROUND The short story "Hitting Budapest" by NoViolet Bulawayo follows six African children on their trip to steal guavas from a rich neighborhood. The author has structured the short story in three scenes marked by suspension points. The first scene presents the trip to Budapest; the second focuses on the way back, while the third marks a strange incident when the children discover a hanged woman in the bushes of Paradise. The story also follows the plot elements, having an exposition, a rising action, a climax and a falling action NoViolet examines convoluted issues of social inequality and inadequate access to resources in such an amazing way through her creative determination and imagination to improve the material conditions of her characters. Africa is the richest in the world in terms of natural resource endowments, despite this poverty wracks havoc in most, if not all, parts of the continent where apparently children and women are the most affected. Summary of incidents The story is about five young girls, mostly pre-teen, moving from their shanty town of Paradise to the estates of Budapest in search Of guavas and anything that matter. As they make their tourney towards Budapest they converse as all children do. It is through this that we get to know that Chipo, a girl of ten years, has been impregnated her grandfather. At Budapest they met a white woman of 33 years who had just come from London, eating ice-cream. They looked longingly at this icecream only for her to throw what is left of it into the dustbin and take a picture of them.


It is through this that we get to know that Chipo, a girl of ten years, has been impregnated her grandfather. At Budapest they met a white woman of 33 years who had just come from London, eating ice-cream. They looked longingly at this icecream only for her to throw what is left of it into the dustbin and take a picture of them. On their way back they shared their dreams with each other: to travel to America, get big houses and cars. Whereas IMF is a street at Budapest, AU is a street at Paradise, the shanty town. The kids steal, eat and go back to the shanty to meet a dead woman dangling from a tree. Their hunger allows them to conquer their fear of death and they steal her shoes so they can sell them in order to buy bread. But the real story is in the class divide, in the loss of innocence, immigration, violence, defilement, poverty, extreme hunger, and dejection. Initially, this story reads as a metaphor where some Africans in search of better lives travel abroad. Again, Paradise and Budapest represent the economic duality that we have in most countries where extreme poverty exists side by side with all the skyscrapers and glass-houses. However, as the story unfolds, the metaphorical view changed. Back at Paradise, the children went to ease themselves in the bush where they saw a woman dangling from a rope-a possible suicide. The children decided to remove the shoes the dead woman was wearing and sell them for bread. SETTING Published in 201 0, the short story "Hitting Budapest" by NoViolet Bulawayo is set in an African country, most likely Zimbabwe, the author's native country. Time and physical settingThe time setting is during guava season and the action spans over a day in the lives of six children. The main physical setting is the rich neighborhood Budapest, but also the way to Budapest from the shanty town called Paradise. Budapest is depicted in detail by the narrator to show the between the poor area they come from and the richness of nearby neighborhood. Buf not an ordinary country it looks like everybody woke up one day and closed their gates, doors, and windows, picked up thei passports, and left for better countries. Even the air is empty; no burning things, no smell of cooking food or something rotting. Iust plain air with nothing in its hands.


Buf not an ordinary country it looks like everybody woke up one day and closed their gates, doors, and windows, picked up thei passports, and left for better countries. Even the air is empty; no burning things, no smell of cooking food or something rotting. Iust plain air with nothing in its hands. Budapest is big, big house; with the graveled yards and tall fences and walls and flowers and green trees, heavy with fruit p 98 Social setting The social setting in "Hitting Budapest" presents several aspects related to African society and the world society in general. The interactions and conversations between the children show their lack of education as they have no knowledge about human reproduction, but also the commonness of incest and rape among poor Africans Chipo is pregnant with her grandfather P. 98 THEMES The main theme of the short story "Hitting Budapest" by NoViolet Bulawayo is poverty and its dehumanizing effects, which is enhanced through the motif of the gap between the rich and the poor. The author's intention was to show the consequences of poverty experienced by African children and to bring a critique to those who turn a blind eye on the gap between the rich and the poor, hinting at the idea that it is Western states and organizations who bare most of the responsibility for it. J Effects of poverty. The short story explores the dehumanizing effects of poverty through the setting and characters. The action takes places in a poor African area probably Zimbabwe and shows through symbolical setting elements the crude reality of the gap between the rich and the poor. The characters are African children Basta, Chipo, Godknows, Sbho, Stina, and Darling who have no other option to calm their hunger but to go to neighboring rich area Budapest and steal guava fruits p 98 The fact that the children go there frequently suggests that stealing for survival has become something very common, part of their everyday lives. Poverty makes these children to steal even to a dead woman, on their way back to paradise. L Defilement To defile is to violate chastity of a person. Defilement is a major burning factor in most African states today. Defilement becomes a bee sting in that case where the molesters go for children under the age of eighteen years. It becomes a child sexual abuse when an adult or older adolescents use a child for sexual stimulation.


Defilement is a major burning factor in most African states today. Defilement becomes a bee sting in that case where the molesters go for children under the age of eighteen years. It becomes a child sexual abuse when an adult or older adolescents use a child for sexual stimulation. This indeed ruins the Childs life and is against the children rights in many countries of the post colonial Africa. NoViolet Bulawayo did not demean the fact of existence of such people in the society, People who are child molesters. Chipo, a girl of ten years, has been impregnated by her grandfather. Chipo, a young efficacious girl who used to outrun everybody in Paradise, has something in hers stomach, put there by her grandfather P.97 However, indiscipline and immoral behaviors in the society should not go unpunished. Hitting Budapests victim does not go unpunished. He becomes a guest of the state. 2 Immigration To avoid harsh circumstances at home, Africans cross borders and dangerous water masses to go to the west. They do low paying jobs or even sometimes illegal ones. Godknows' uncle left for London long time ago. Now, he does not even write p 1 01 Basta dreams of going abroad after school, actually to Paris. Darling too, dreams of going to America once she grows up. These children have been fed with the societal believe that West is good, not knowing that Africa is rich enough to sustain its people, in terms of resources, once utilized well. Today, Africans are not captured by the slave traders but by the COIonial and post independence governments. These governments have created conditions that forces Africans to go abroad. Techniques and language use a First person narrative voice child narrator. The author uses first person point of view by a girl called Dari. Who is also part of the actions unfolding. As a result, the narrator has limited knowledge on the events and the other characters, and only depicts what happens, based on what she observes: And there, squatting and screaming, is Godknows. He is also pointing ahead in the thick trees, and we see it, a tall thing "What's that?". Somebody, I don't know who, whispers. Nobody answer P. 104 She tells the story as an eye witness, this making the rider to make the episodes in the narration more immediate to the reader.


He is also pointing ahead in the thick trees, and we see it, a tall thing "What's that?". Somebody, I don't know who, whispers. Nobody answer P. 104 She tells the story as an eye witness, this making the rider to make the episodes in the narration more immediate to the reader. This allows the author to keep aesthetic distance and give the story an illusion of obiectivity. B Contrast The language of "Hitting Budapest" by NoViolet Bulawayo is simple and easy to follow, though it initially is ambiguous due to the contrast in the names and places which do not seem to match. The names Of the characters suggest an African setting, while the names of place suggest Western places. However, as the story unfolds, the meaning become clearer. People living in the Budapest are very rich. Mello looks pretty, jewellery, smooth brown skin and she does not have a scar to that she is a living person. They have enough to eat. The houses clean and big P. 1 01 The children are leading a shnty poor live in their village, paradise Theirs is to steal Guavas from the villagers. They even steal shoes a dead woman. C Dialogue NOViolet Bulawayo uses dialogue richly, intertwined with narrative Making the story more appealing and dynamic. Many passage, times, the dialogue is simple and humorous: it "What's one day? Tomorrow? Thursday? Next week?" '. Can't you see her stomach is still small? The baby has to grow " "A baby grows outside. That's the reason they are born. So they grow " p 97 The narrative passages, on the other hand, are quite detailed and descriptive, helping reader's better grasp of what is happening nd there, squatting and screaming, is Godknows. He is also pointing ahead in the thick trees, and we see it, a tall thing dangling in a free. ". What's that?". Somebody, I don't know who, whispers. Nobody answers because now we can all see what it is P. 104 a Humour Despite the seriousness of the incidents presented, the story is executed with a lot of humour it is effective as a means of satirizing social foibles such as poverty. The worst thing about guavas, all those seeds gets you constipated when you eat foo much.


During this period chaos are all over the country and the sky fire red. The civil servants are underpaid and therefore strikes and go slows by the workers are common. It is such factors that drive Leila into writing about a classic situation: that of an immigrant couple Sudanese in London . Having been born to a Sudanese father, brought up and schooled in Sudan, Leila understands the plight of Africa as o continent and at the same time celebrates and champions for the values that have held the African continent together. By the use Of scarce characters, Leila uses a couple, Maidy and Samra to represent both sides of African continent: the pros and cons of living in Africa. Maidy embraces the new culture while Samra retreats more and more and becomes withdrawn and isolated from the reality of life around her. In this story of love, culture and alienation, Leila still for trading our culture with the western one but yet retain the pros of our She is not totally opposed to adapting what is good from the own. Culture 'Missing out' depicts its originality by the fact that author uses religion that is widespread in the country of its origin: Sudan. The author's own experiences, especially while at the, niversity, influenced her writing. She pursued Economics at the university, which she found difficult due to high baccalaureate scores and math being a particularly strong subject under the dedicated tutelage of her mother. Other than her personal life and the biographical, which have been major influences and sources of inspiration for her work, Aboulela's literary influences include writers such as Naguib Mahfouz and Tayeb Salih. She also admires works by Doris Lessing, J.M. Coetzee, Ahdaf Soueif, Anita Desai, ChimamandaNgozi Adichie and Abdulrazak Gurnah. SUMMARYSYNOPSIS 'Missing Out' is an emotional and moving story of love, culture, alienation and a longing for home by one of its characters while the Other character blindly sinks into the new culture and hence he is alienated. It's a story of Maidy, a young and ambitious Muslim man living in London. It's a wondrous story that moves rather swiftly, giving the readers the character's conflicts without unnecessarily dwelling too long on their problems.


SUMMARYSYNOPSIS 'Missing Out' is an emotional and moving story of love, culture, alienation and a longing for home by one of its characters while the Other character blindly sinks into the new culture and hence he is alienated. It's a story of Maidy, a young and ambitious Muslim man living in London. It's a wondrous story that moves rather swiftly, giving the readers the character's conflicts without unnecessarily dwelling too long on their problems. This quick pace helps the author to state, though not explicitly, that the story is not about Maidy, but about a sort Of young, ambitious Muslim caught between modernity and tradition. Majdy is sympathetic and his conflict is a universal one, charmingly rendered. E Story revolves around a young man from Sudan who joins college in London. During his first term, Maidy writes home citing he would not make it and that he would give up and return. EntOuragernent from his mother, who strongly believes he can make it. Maidy weds Samra as the mother advocates. This is made to make him concentrate more on his studies and deter him from marrying a white and losing taste of his culture the beauty of his country. Samra learns that Maidy has religion as he doesn't observe the mandatory prayers and in tries to win him back. Samra is nostalgic and has refused to adapt to new life in London and observes he duties as a Muslim woman. On the other hand, Maidy sinks into the new culture and all he sees looking at his origin country, Sudan, is negativity and backwardness. He tries to discourage Samra but she stays aloof and gets excited when it is suggested to her that she was going to spend holiday in Sudan. Maidy later calls home and announces that he desired to remain in London even after his studies. This is ironical as from the beginning he had always expressed attachment to his mother country. SETTING The setting of this story shifts from London to Sudan. This could be a deliberate move by the author to compare and contrast life in Sudan and in London. London is depicted as developed politically, socially and economically. Life in London was swift and 'interfered' with normal life. Maidy argues, 'here in London praying was distraction, an interruption 'p 1 12 London was civilized. Life was easy. Samra wondered how one can buy meat already cut up for her.


Maidy argues, 'here in London praying was distraction, an interruption 'p 1 12 London was civilized. Life was easy. Samra wondered how one can buy meat already cut up for her. The author observes, 'every Obiect she touched was perfect, qualify radiated from every little thing 13 London is so developed that even Samrc longed to be ill in order to take medicine which was so seducing. The author says, 'even the pharmacieswere stocked so full of medicine inso many different colors and flavors that she almost longed to ill ' pl 13 Sudan on the other hand is depicted as underdeveloped. Although life in Sudan is still and rhythmic, many elites like Maidy find it ra retrogressive. Unlike in London where begging is illegal, in Sudor beggars are all over. Child labor is a common practice in third world countries as inferred in this story 'Shooing away the baref00 children who passed by with loaded trays trying to sell her che gum, hairpins and matches ' P. 1 08 for the elites like Maidy Sud and by extension African Continent is underdeveloped. MOidy thought Samra would be grateful to him for rescuing her from the backwardness of Khartoum. Chaos is in the city and strikes by the civil servants prevail. This is the plight of Africa. THEMES Change. It is said that change is inevitable. Many traditions of people, particularly Africans change when they go to abroad. This is clearly shown by Maidy who abandons his culture e g the mandatory Islamic prayers. He says, "here in London praying was distraction, an interruption ' It is no wonder his mother gets really shocked when she learns about the sudden change of her son. Additionally, he even sees the very fabric of traditions that have held his life together as 'backwardness' and retrogressive. It is in that view that Maidy thinks that Samra should be grateful for saving her from 'the backwardness of Khartoum ' Maidy was hardworking back in the days. He was brilliant and always came to the top of his class. He even had appeared on a newspaper at sixteen.


It is in that view that Maidy thinks that Samra should be grateful for saving her from 'the backwardness of Khartoum ' Maidy was hardworking back in the days. He was brilliant and always came to the top of his class. He even had appeared on a newspaper at sixteen. In London, Maidy loses his hardworking spirit and 'in his first term at college in London he complained that studies had become hard ' The plight of Africa Leila Aboulela is concerned about the staggering poverty and underdevelopment in Sudan and the inability of African governments to function at the level they ought to. African has resources but is taken away from the Africans. Sudan is underdeveloped. Children at tender age who ought to be in school are in the streets busy hawking to feed their families 'Shooing away the barefooted children who passed by with loaded trays trying to sell her chewing gum ' p 1 08 Africa is suffering from civil wars. Sudan is politically unstable. Samra's teacher says, 'you must be relieved that you are here, all that War and famine back home. The place of women in the society. This is clearly a patriarchal society that believes in the male over female. It is clear that Maidy's mother is left with the responsibility of taking care of her son. Parenting has been left to women. The relationship between Maidy and Samra is domineering one. That could be the reason why Maidy uses abusive language on his wife. She is not supposed to question her husband's behavioral changes. She is not supposed to question him for not doing his prayers and when she does Maidy calls her stupid. TECHNIQUES AND LANGUAGE USE. Narrative voice The author has employed third person narrative mode, where every character is referred to by the narrator as 'he', 'she' or 'they'. This makes it clear that the narrator is an unspecified entity or uninvolved person in the story. This kind of narration brings out the thoughts and intentions of different characters hence their character traits are fully developed. A third person narrator is omniscient and omnipresent. Such narrator has knowledge of all times, people, places and events and this makes it possible to shift the plot from London to Khartoum, Sudan. Even then the narrator's knowledge is "limited" to the characters, that is, the narrator cannot describe things unknown to the focal character.