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Blossoms' refer to flowers of plants especially ones producing edible fruits.
Savanna' refer to a mixed woodland and grassland ecosystem mainly containing trees.
Simply put,blossoms of Savannah imply flowering plants which are ready to produce fruits that grow in a woodland or grassland.It brings out the uniqueness and outstanding traits of such plants that survive and thrive in harsh ecosystem.
It simple terms,the title implies outstanding achievements that are arrived at despite harsh conditions.This is the message the writer brings out by creating female characters who fight for what they believe in ultimately succeed despite the cultural hindrances that they encounter.
This title in metaphoric terms refers to the two Ole Kae lo's daughters Taiyo and Resian. The two are at the verge of womanhood and they suffer hardships after moving to the rural home of Nasila. Having grown in Nakuru town.The two were not used to the challenges that they encounter in Nasila. It is after getting to Nasila that they come face to face with the reality of the Maasai culture and traditions,most of which they consider outdated.Unlike many of their age mates,the to have not undergone the cut.This makes them to be mocked and threatened. Teiyo is forced to undergo it but Resian is lucky to escape the ordeal,she escaped from the old man who was to be her husband,Oloisuduri.She further suffers in the the hands of Olorinkoi who wants her circumcised before forcefuly taking her as his wife.
Despite all the harsh conditions of the Maasai culture,the two soldier on with a determination to fight to fight what they consider outdated.They get to meet famous Emakererei who was their role model and with whom they had all along aspired to work with.Though the meeting is not under the best circumstances ,the two get the opportunity to actualize their dream of joining Egerton University.
Similary ,Minik ene Nkoitoi,the Emekererei is seen as a source of the blossoms of Savannah.Her ranch has flowers and trees that blossom despite being in arid area.It is no wonder Taiyo Imagines she is in paradise when she sees all green lawns,beautiful flower gardens and tall leafy trees,Resian loves the beauty of the compound.The flourishing flowers are symbolic of many girls that Emekererei has rescued and who continue to flourish through education.She fights the outdated practices of early forced marriages and FGM a battle which she is slowly winning.By the time she arrives at her ranch,there are five hundred other girls who she has already rescued.Despite the fact that many people are against her and her attempts to save the girl child,she still keeps the fight.It is through her that Resian and her sister Taiyo rescued and enrolled at the university as they had always wanted.
All the girls that she rescues from from female circumcision and early marriage are blossoms that continue to thrive despite tough situation.From the song sang by the girls during the farewell party of Taiyo and Resian,the girls refer to themselves as the blossoms of the savanna.
In conclusion,it is clear that Blossoms of the Savannah appropriately represents the aim of the story where the author brings out female characters who tirelessly fight for liberation from demeaning and outdated cultural practices like FGM and forced marriages and at the end of it they win the battle.
marto answered the question on April 17, 2018 at 09:42
- Greed and materialism are the source of all evil in the society. Support this with illustration from the novel Blossoms of Savannah.(Solved)
Greed and materialism are the source of all evil in the society. Support this with illustration from the novel Blossoms of Savannah.
Date posted: April 17, 2018. Answers (1)
- Oloisudori is a despicable character.Justify this statement basing your answer on the novel Blossoms of the Savannah.(Solved)
Oloisudori is a despicable character.Justify this statement basing your answer on the novel Blossoms of the Savannah.
Date posted: April 17, 2018. Answers (1)
- "What do you mean?" In page 61,62 in the excerpt, if she aligned herself with a person who Nasila regarded as having such an obnoxious...(Solved)
In page 61,62 in the excerpt,if she aligned herself with a person who Nasila regarded as having such an obnoxious reputation where would her marriage stand? a)Place the excerpt in its immediate context b)Explain the three themes in the excerpt 6 marks c)illustrate the use of allusion and explain its use.3 marks
d)Why was Minik ene Nkoitoi regarded as a devil incarnatein Naisela?2 marks
e)Give two character traits of Mama Milanoi that are brought out in this excerpt.4 marks
f)Rewrite in reported speech " What do you mean?" 1 mark
Date posted: April 15, 2018. Answers (1)
- Read the following excerpt carefully and then answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Old man, left:(suspiciously)Is this us?
Old man,right:(amid laughter):How could it be a way of influencing you,Surab,you the valley thief?Everyone knows you will take the cheese and the valley too.(laughter.)All i expected from you is an honest answer.Do you like the cheese.
Old man.left:The answer is yes.
Old man,right:Really.(Bitterly)I might have known you knew nothing ab out cheese.
Old man,left:Why?when I tell you I like it?
Old man,right:Because you cant like it.Because our goats don't like the new grass.The grazing land over there is no good,whatever the young folks say.You can't live there.It doesn't even smell of morning in the morning.(several people laugh)Please put that in your report.
Delegate:Don't mind them;they got your point .After all,why does a man love his country?Because the bread tastes better there,there,the air smells better.Voices sound stronger ,the sky is higher ,the ground is easier to walk on. Isn't that so?
Old man,right:The valley belongs to us by law.
Girl Tractorist;In any case,the laws must be re examined to see if they they are still right.
Old man,right:That goes without saying.But doesn't it make a difference what kind of neighbors you have ?We want to come back just to have you as our neighbors,valley thieves!you can all laugh again.
Old man,left:(laughing):Then why don't you listen to what your neighbor,Kato Vatchang,our agriculturalist,has to say about the valley.
Peasant Woman,right:comrade specialist,we're not horse trading.I can't take your cap, hand you another and say this one's better.It may be better ,but you prefer your own.
Girl tractorist:A piece of land is not a cap-not in our country,comrade.
Delegate: Don't get angry.Its true a piece of land.In any event,what we need to know is exactly what you people would do with the valley if you had it.(To those on the left)
Others :Yes ,let Kato speak.
Adapted from the Caucasian chalk circle.
Questions
a)Give a brief account of what led to what is happening in this excerpt.(4 marks)
b)In your own words state what the OLD MAN to the right's argument is.(3 marks)
c)What does the OLD MAN to the right imply by,"Everyone knows you will take the cheese and the valley,too"?(2 marks)
d)According to the soldier to the left,not so long ago,people didn't have ................freedom.(Fill in the blank space with the most appropriate words.) 1 mark
e)Basing your answer on what transpires in this excerpt,describe the character and role of delegates.(4 marks)
f)What is the theme of this excerpt?(2 marks)
g)Describe the mood of the gathering.(2 marks0
h)What is the significance of this meeting in relation to the message of the play?(2 marks)
i)"I can't take your cap,hand you another,and say,this ones's better (1 mark)
j)Outline Kato's points that comes immediately after this excerpt (3 marks)
Date posted: April 14, 2018. Answers (1)
- Describe the events that take place in chapter four of Blossoms of Savannah(Solved)
Describe the events that take place in chapter four of Blossoms of Savannah.
Date posted: April 13, 2018. Answers (1)
- How can one know that audience are attentive when reciting poem?(Solved)
How can one know that audience are attentive when reciting poem?
Date posted: April 13, 2018. Answers (1)
- Why the title Blossoms of the Savannah?(Solved)
Why the title Blossoms of the Savannah?
Date posted: April 12, 2018. Answers (1)
- What forced Kaelo's family to relocate to Nasila(Solved)
What forced Kaelo's family to relocate to Nasila
Date posted: April 6, 2018. Answers (1)
- Name three types of oral narratives(Solved)
Name three types of oral narratives.
Date posted: April 6, 2018. Answers (1)
- Highlight 10 Maa cultures portrayed in blossoms of the Savannah(Solved)
Highlight 10 Maa cultures portrayed in blossoms of the Savannah.
Date posted: April 5, 2018. Answers (1)
- Define and make short notes on the following literary terms: character and characterization(Solved)
Define and make short notes on the following literary terms: character and characterization.
Date posted: April 3, 2018. Answers (1)
- Features of dilemma narrative(Solved)
Features of dilemma narrative.
Date posted: April 2, 2018. Answers (1)
- Discuss four themes in Caucasian Chalk Circle(Solved)
Discuss four themes in Caucasian Chalk Circle.
Date posted: March 21, 2018. Answers (1)
- Is oral literature important or useful in modern society? Using specific examples demonstrate your view either for or against the statement.(Solved)
Is oral literature important or useful in modern society? Using specific examples demonstrate your view either for or against the statement.
Date posted: March 17, 2018. Answers (1)
- Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow:
BEGGAR IN THREE PIECE
My jumbo
Shot its way
Across the sky
To distant lands
Across blue seas.
I descended the...(Solved)
Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow:
BEGGAR IN THREE PIECE
My jumbo
Shot its way
Across the sky
To distant lands
Across blue seas.
I descended the ladder
To a waiting ribbon
Of blood-red carpet
A quick glance at my
Three piece suit
And the tie
That beautifully strangled my neck.
On my left hand hang
My beaded knobkerrie
On my right clutched
My rusty inter-Nation begging Bowl
On my face I wore humility and need
And of course dignity.
Sir, the dearth of food
Has rendered by people thin
And hungry
Scoop us a little
You know,
Just a little,
To keep them till next rains’
‘But Sir, beggars
In three piece
Are a rare sight
But your suit is beautiful
- Honestly
Now my suit
Which cost me a fortune
In a Parisian Textile
Has denied me a fortune
And my countrymen, lie.
L.O. Sunkuli
Questions
a) Who is the persona in this poem?
b) What is the subject matter of this poem?
c) Explain the satire in this poem and comment on its effectiveness.
d) Describe the tone of the poem.
e) Explain what the last stanza implies.
f) Explain the meaning of the following lines as used in the poem.
i) My Jumbo
Shots its way
Across the sky
ii) That beautifully strangled my neck.
iii) To keep them till next rains.
Date posted: March 16, 2018. Answers (1)
- COMPREHENSION
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
A boy learns from his father without even realizing that he is learning. He...(Solved)
COMPREHENSION
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
A boy learns from his father without even realizing that he is learning. He associates with his father’s masculinity and learns what it entails.
Children are always making decisions. They watch what happens around them and decide what to do to find belonging and connection. They do not automatically mimic the behavior and values of their parents as they are thinking and feeling people who decide for themselves what works.
A father’s role in raising children has changed dramatically with modernization of the society. In past generations, sons were groomed to follow their father’s footsteps, apprenticing at work and adopting their outlook to life.
Nowadays, fathers go out to work wherever their skills take them or where work can be found. Many boys grow up yearning for the closeness with their fathers.
The father is someone who comes to eat, sometimes looks over homework, hears about the son’s infractions of the day and watches television then goes to bed.
Parenting has become a mother’s business while father is out there eking a living. Research shows that fathers are an integral part of their son’s healthy emotional, physical and cognitive growth.
Boys whose fathers love them can demonstrate that love in consistent caring ways, have fewer problems later in life with their peers or in their studies and do not display delinquent behavior.
But teaching a young man how to become a man involves more than just being there. It is a conscious process of mentoring, training and connection that creates a desire for a boy to become the kind of a man we hope he will become.
Many factors come into play, especially in the boy’s formative stage. Recently, I was speaking to a gentleman who in retrospect ascribes his violent behavior to anger brought about by the ill treatment of his mother by his father.
One of the most important influences a father can have on his son is largely through the quality of relationship with the mother. A father who relates well with the mother of his children is more likely to have sons who are psychologically and emotionally healthier. Fathers who treat the mother of their sons with respect and deal with any conflict within the relationship in an appropriate manner are more likely to have boys who understand how women should be treated. They are less likely to be aggressive towards women.
Children with involved, caring fathers have better education outcomes. Fathers often push for achievement, while mothers stress on the boy’s well-being, both of which are important for healthy development.
A study of children of school-going age found that boys with involved fathers have fewer social behaviour problems and are likely to have good emotional health, to be high achievers and avoid drug use, violence and delinquent behavior.
(Adapted from the Standard Sunday Magazine 29th June, 2014)
a) Mention any two things that show that a father’s presence is important in a boy’s life.
b) How does a boy learn from his father?
c) How do children find belonging and connection?
d) Make notes on the ways in which a father can positively influence his son.
e) Many factors come to play (Supply a question tag)
f) Nowadays many fathers go to work wherever their skills take them.
(Rewrite in the present perfect continuous tense)
g) What does teaching a young man involve?
h) Give the meaning of the following words as used in the passage.
1) Mimic
2) Masculinity
3) Groomed
4) Retrospect
i) Supply a suitable title for the passage.
Date posted: March 16, 2018. Answers (1)
- Read the extract below then answer the questions that follow.
“Father! Mother! Come quickly! Tony is dying! He burst into their room throwing his manners...(Solved)
Read the extract below then answer the questions that follow.
“Father! Mother! Come quickly! Tony is dying! He burst into their room throwing his manners completely to the wind. Elizabeth was already on her way across the room. Like all mothers she slept without sleeping and Tony’s screams had brought her to consciousness and to her feet before Aoro started out of the room. Mark struggled to wake up and saw his wife streaking out of the room.
“What the heck is going on?” He asked the empty room. There was of course no answer, but the panicked sounds in the boys’ room were enough to direct him.
Tony was writhing on the floor; clearly the boy was very sick. Mark rushed to the neighbours to ask for transport. Those were the days before people learned to barricade themselves behind their doors for fear of thugs masquerading as people in distress. The neighbour who owned a VW rushed the sick boy who held on his mother’s lap in the front seat with his father in the back, to the general hospital.
Doctors who stare death in the face on daily basis are never in as much a hurry as relatives would like them to be, but eventually the boy was seen and a diagnosis of acute appendicitis was made. He was scheduled for an emergency operation, but since there was one apparently more serious case before him, it wasn’t until the early hours of the morning that they took him to the theatre, where an ugly inflamed appendix was incised and removed.
Back at home, Aoro was climbing walls with fear and worry. His sisters with the death like slumber of the young had managed to sleep throughout the whole commotion. At dawn he decided enough was enough so he went to their room and shook them awake.
“What is it?” She asked alarmed.
“Tony is sick. He was rushed to hospital at night and they haven’t come back.” He could not add the unspeakable – the fear that his brother was dying or dead.
“Why didn’t you wake us up you idiot?” Asked Vera annoyed such a thing could have happened without her knowing it; so she took it out on her brother. Becky continued to lie in her bed. Few things bored her as much as sickness, suffering and death. She simply could not identify with them. At sixteen she was a breathtaking beauty and had a horde of admirers and aspiring boyfriends none of whom she had yet shown interest in. She did not believe in wasting time. Besides, her sister was always with her and she knew her parents would not take kindly to such goings on. She stretched luxuriously in bed, enjoying the feel of her young lithe body. Aoro, tired of being called names retired back to his room. Vera looked questioningly at her sister, and went to the kitchen to make breakfast. She was beginning to have doubts about the young lady.
Questions
a) What had happened shortly before the excerpt?
b) Father! Mother! Come quickly! Tony is dying. (Rewrite in reported speech)
c) How does Tony’s sickness and treatment affect Aoro’s future life?
d) Contrast the characters of Becky and Vera according to their reaction towards their brother’s sickness.
e) Why had Becky not shown interest in any of her boyfriend?
f) Identify and illustrate any evident theme in the extract.
g) What in the extract shows that Elizabeth is a caring mother?
h) Identify and illustrate any evident style in the extract.
i) Give any two phrasal verbs used in the extract.
j) Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the extract.
1) Writhing
2) Masquerading
3) Appendicitis
4) Incised
5) Commotion
Date posted: March 16, 2018. Answers (1)
- Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow.
Follower
My father worked with a horse plough
His shoulders globed like a full...(Solved)
Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow.
Follower
My father worked with a horse plough
His shoulders globed like a full sail strung
Between the shafts and the furrow
The horses strained at his clicking tongue.
An expert. He would set the wing
And fit the bright steel-pointed sock
The sod rolled heading, with single pluck
Of reins, the sweating team turned round
And back into the land. His eye
Narrowed and angled at the ground,
Mapping the furrow exactly.
I stumbled in his hobnailed wake
Fell sometimes on the polished sod
Sometimes he rode me on his back
Dipping and rising to his plod.
I wanted to grow up a plough,
To close one eye, stiffen my arm,
All I did was follow
In his broad shadow around the farm.
I was a nuisance, tripping, falling,
Yapping always. But today
It is my father who keeps stumbling
Behind me, and will not go away.
Questions
a) Describe what the poem is about.
b) What is the persona’s attitude towards his father?
c) Identify and illustrate any two literary devices used.
d) What is the mood of the poem?
e) Describe two character traits of the father.
f) What is the irony in the last stanza?
g) Which word can replace ‘yapping’?
h) Identify the two different aspects of the title ‘follower’.
Date posted: March 16, 2018. Answers (1)
- Jussup represents hypocrisy that bedevils the society. Justify this statement with reference to Caucasian Chalk Circle(Solved)
Jussup represents hypocrisy that bedevils the society. Justify this statement with reference to Caucasian Chalk Circle.
Date posted: March 15, 2018. Answers (1)
- What is the importance of oral literature?(Solved)
What is the importance of oral literature?
Date posted: March 12, 2018. Answers (1)