The River and the Source is a genealogy. The book covers several families in the lineage of Akoko. Families are the basic social unit hence have a lot to contribute to the society. Here are some of the roles of the family as captured by Margaret Ogola.
Firstly, the family determines the continuity of the society. When Akoko gives birth to Obura, the people of Sakwa appreciate given that it was the chief’s family and therefore they are assured of an heir.
Secondly, the family represents prosperity. Akoko’s family represents economic prosperity. She teaches her children to be hardworking and productive. Obura learns to wake up early and when he fails to wake up as scheduled, Akoko gets worried and that was when Obura went missing.
Thirdly, the family represents a strong bond of unity. When Obura goes missing Akoko feels a pain only a mother feels. The chief Owuor Kembo feels shattered and goes into a silent mode. On the other hand, when the news of Obura’s death come, Nyabera is shattered and blames the white man who takes innocent young men who have nothing to do with the war to go and fight in the war they knew little about.
Family also presents transition, the chief Odero gave his girl to the people of Sakwa in marriage. Similarly, Akoko organizes the marriage of Awiti to Antony Oloo Sigu. Aoro too has to visit Wandia’s parents to affirm his commitment in marrying their daughter.
In the other circles, family play a vital role in building love and care. When Aoro and Tony forget about the younger boys, their father gets very punitive on them. He teaches them care which they interpret as a new way of dealing with the younger duo.
The final role of family is responsibility. Mark after his wayward behaviour, learns to be more responsible in taking care of his family. Akoko lived a life of care and motivation to her family. She was more than willing to work hard and make sure that her children had been provided for. Even in old age, when Owuor Sino was itching with the desire to receive her blessings to join priesthood, he found her in the garden.
It is important to note that a family, as portrayed by Ogola is a lineage and does not at all rely on the patrilineal inclination. It however transcend traditional idiosyncrasies and embraces new norms where accommodation and understanding are vital ingredients. The book underscores the values of appreciating both genders equally and not as the Luo had empowered the boy over the girl. It is however laughable where Wandia Mugo seem to be the man of the house and Aoro the woman given that the Agikuyu are known for their matrilineal look in identifying hierarchy of generation.
Musyoxx answered the question on February 28, 2018 at 15:52
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‘Bitterness breeds courage and opportunities to some but breeds vipers to others.’ Support this using The River and the Source
(Solved)
‘Bitterness breeds courage and opportunities to some but breeds vipers to others.’ Support this using The River and the Source
Date posted:
February 28, 2018
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Answers (1)
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Date posted:
February 27, 2018
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Read the Oral poem below and then answer the questions that follow.
HUNGER
Hunger makes a person climb up to the ceiling
And hold on to the rafters
It...
(Solved)
Read the Oral poem below and then answer the questions that follow.
HUNGER
Hunger makes a person climb up to the ceiling
And hold on to the rafters
It makes a person lie down.
But not feel at rest.
It makes a person lie down
And count the rafters.
When the Moslem is not hungry, he says:
“We are forbidden to eat monkey.”
When Ibrahim is hungry, he eats baboon!
When hunger beats the woman in the Koinange,
She will run out into the street in daytime.
One who is hungry does not care for taboos
One who is hungry does not care for death
One who is hungry will take
Out of the sacrifice money
Hunger will open it.
“I Have filled my belly yesterday”
Does bite with hunger.
We have to sacrifice daily to it.
Date posted:
February 27, 2018
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Answers (1)
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The River and the Source: Margaret A. OgolaRead the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow.“Hey, was an army passing this way, Mother?” asked...
(Solved)
The River and the Source: Margaret A. Ogola
Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow.
“Hey, was an army passing this way, Mother?” asked Aoro.
“It is not every day my grandchildren – all of them, come to see me; and I am a farmer; I have plenty of food – fresh from the garden, not like that frozen tasteless stuff you people eat in the city.”
“Agreed! Agreed!” answered her eldest son waving a juicy looking drumstick in the air. She noticed with motherly approval that he had started to fill out and his eyes were happy and settled. For a while, she had feared that this particular son was headed for trouble. But that had been long ago in his boyhood. She had been mistaken – happy mistake. She noted with concern, however, that Wandia seemed to have little to say. Something was a miss.
After the meal the children ran out to chase whatever farm animals they could find and to exercise their city cramped limbs. Aoro and Tony decided to take a walk together. Opiyo and his twin went to admire a herd of high breed cattle. Mark sat on the veranda admiring his scampering many hued grandchildren and Elizabeth and Wandia went to the kitchen – the only place where a woman can expect not to be disturbed for a while, especially when all are well fed.
“Yes tell me. Is he giving you a hard time or something?” Elizabeth asked and Wandia looked at her startled.
“No! No! I mean – gosh – am I so obvious?”
“ I can read you like a book, my girl.”
“I have a scholarship to study in America for a year.”
“And he is against it?”
“No! He is not. In fact he is all for it. But how can I leave him with five children?”
“Don’t worry about him. You see if you don’t go, it is something that will haunt you – a lost chance is very hard to live with. We will all chip in to give him a hand with the children. Mary is also there in Nairobi with absolutely no responsibility whatsoever. They will be OK. Just organize your affairs and go do what you have to do.
“Oh, thank you so much! Now I can tell the good news to my own family. I didn’t want to have to disappoint them.” The two women looked at each other with understanding. The leaving and cleaving was always more difficult for a woman who has to tear herself from so much, and give so much – which almost always went unnoticed.
The children, who apparently have some very powerful grinders in their tummies started rushing back into the house to ask for this, that or the other to eat and their solitude was broken as they attended to their needs, but Wandia was now at peace.
Father Tony and Aoro were reminiscing, about the escapades of their boyhood and each memory was punctuated by great gales of laughter. Eventually they got around to more serious talk.
“Great girl you have there.” Observed Tony.
“Yes. I am a lucky man. She does a wonderful job with the kids – Becky’s as well as ours. How about you Tony?
How’s the priesthood? Are you happy?”
“Absolutely. It is my life and it fulfills me completely. You know the priesthood is quiet like medicine.
Date posted:
February 27, 2018
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Answers (1)
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Communication technology has given impetus to effective communication inspite of various complications that it has posed.Explain this statement
(Solved)
Communication technology has given impetus to effective communication inspite of various complications that it has posed. Explain this statement
Date posted:
February 27, 2018
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Answers (1)
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“Betrayal in the City” Francis Imbuga.
“When the Madness of the entire nation disturbs a solitary mind, it is not enough to say the man is...
(Solved)
“Betrayal in the City” Francis Imbuga.
“When the Madness of the entire nation disturbs a solitary mind, it is not enough to say the man is mad”. Basing your answer on Francis Imbuga’s Betrayal in the City show the validity of this statement.
Date posted:
February 22, 2018
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Answers (1)
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Francis Imbuga, Betrayal in the City
Injustice propagated by leaders in Kafira has led to the suffering of the citizens. Discuss this statement basing...
(Solved)
Francis Imbuga, Betrayal in the City
Injustice propagated by leaders in Kafira has led to the suffering of the citizens. Discuss this statement basing your illustrations on the play Betrayal in the City.
Date posted:
February 22, 2018
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Answers (1)
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When people try to practice their rights under an intolerable government, they land in trouble. With reference to characters in the Betrayal in the City...
(Solved)
When people try to practice their rights under an intolerable government, they land in trouble. With reference to characters in the Betrayal in the City by Francis Imbuga, illustrate the statement.
Date posted:
February 22, 2018
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Answers (1)
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Read the article below and answer the questions that follow.
The Guilty of Giving
You've seen that heap of rags
That pollutes the air-conditioned
City Centre
That louse that creeps...
(Solved)
Read the article below and answer the questions that follow.
The Guilty of Giving
You've seen that heap of rags
That pollutes the air-conditioned
City Centre
That louse that creeps about
In the clean core of sophistication;
Youve seen him waylay his betters
And make them start
Especially when they have no change
You recall the day you came upon him
And were startled by his silent presence
Intruding into you preoccupation:
You hurled a coin
Which missed the mark
And rolled into the gutter
Where he groped for it
With a chilling grotesque gratitude
That followed you down the street
You dived into the nearest shop
To escape the stare
Of the scandalized crowd
That found you guilty
Of recalling attention
To the impenetrable patience
They had learnt not to see.
Laban Erapu
(a) Who is the Persona in this poem
(b) Paraphrase the subject matter of this poem
(c) Explain the title of the poem by discussing three different ' guilts'
(d) Identify three poetic devices used by the poet.
(e) What is the tone of this poem?
(f) Explain the meaning of the following lines:
And make them start
Which missed the mark
To escape the stare
Date posted:
February 16, 2018
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Answers (1)
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Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow:
Repentant
Yesterday my emotions
burst like a dam
and flowed violently
onto your innocent self.
Today deluged with
a deep sense of...
(Solved)
Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow:
Repentant
Yesterday my emotions
burst like a dam
and flowed violently
onto your innocent self.
Today deluged with
a deep sense of regret
I hold out my hand
a gesture of reconciliation.
Seeking to forget
The galling bitterness
Of that regrettable moment
When I caused you pain.
A.D. Amateshe.
i) Describe the rhyme scheme in this poem.
ii). Which word would you stress in line 2 of the first stanza?
a) What tone would you use to recite the poem and why?
(b) For each of the following words, write another word that is pronounced the same.
Sale:
Boos:
Cymbal:
Douse:
Morning:
(c) (i) Indicate and name the sound patterns used in the following proverbs:
(i) Better beg than steal.
(ii) Health is better than wealth.
(iii) Time and tide wait for no man.
(iv) Money makes money.
(ii) Give an illustration of the riddling process.
(d) Imagine you are narrating a trickster narrative to children.What would you do to make the performance interesting? Explain.
(e) For each of the following sets of words, underline the odd one out according to the pronunciation of the underlined sounds.
Knot Weapon Saw Breathe
Note Weed Sow Breath
Not Wed So Breadth
Date posted:
February 16, 2018
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February 14, 2018
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February 13, 2018
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January 31, 2018
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Here you are required to state common themes in Carribean literature. This is a question from a literature unit in bachelor of education in English and literature.
Date posted:
January 26, 2018
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Date posted:
January 23, 2018
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Betrayal in the City – Francis Imbuga. What goes around comes around. Write an essay illustrating his statement drawing illustrations from Francis Imbuga’s Betrayal in...
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Date posted:
January 23, 2018
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With illustrations from Sandisile Tshuma’s story Arrested Development, write...
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Date posted:
January 23, 2018
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Materialism breeds all forms of evils in the society. With close reference to Bertolt Bretch’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle, write an essay in support of...
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Date posted:
January 23, 2018
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Date posted:
January 23, 2018
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