Get premium membership and access questions with answers, video lessons as well as revision papers.

Illustrate how women suffer the effects of gender inequality and discrimination in the African Traditional Society as depicted in the River and the Source.

      

Illustrate how women suffer the effects of gender inequality and discrimination in the African Traditional Society as depicted in the River and the Source.

  

Answers


Martin
Gender inequality refers to unequal treatment of people based on gender.It comes from differences in gender roles.Gender discrimination is based on a person's gender,mostly against women.

Male superiority is illustrated when chief Gogni anticipates another son when he says "another rock for my sling".It is said that Chief Gogni had covered himself in considerable glory by siring seven sons.In that community,men do not pay attention to women because they will grow up and leave their fathers land and go cook for other clans.Instead boys as lazy as they are are seen as continuity of the clan.

A man owns a womans body and soul. Otieno believes that all women are the same and he struggles to understand why Chief Kembo never beats his wife. Akoko is grateful that her husband had ignored the sour relationship that existed between wives and husbands to treat her like a queen. Akoko says that the relationship between husbands and their wives is like that between cats and dogs or like the one between ravens and chickens.

After the death of Akoko's husband, Otieno sits on the stool arrogantly and inherits everything, grabs everything including Akokos own wealth because she is a widow and son less. It is said that " ....she felt the weight of injustice women have felt since time immemorial in her male dominated world".
The tradition chiefdom is male dominated that only sons can inherit the stool. The council of Jodongo is a preserve of men such that no woman however intelligent she is , is allowed to be a member.
Despite all the challenges placed on their way to success,natural or artificial, the women in the novel overcome these barriers to become pioneers in various aspects of their lives . Women outshine men who have everything in place for them.
marto answered the question on June 20, 2017 at 08:26


Next: What is the difference between domestic and international tourism?
Previous: Discuss the theory of operant Conditioning according to B.F Skinner.

View More English Literature Questions and Answers | Return to Questions Index


Learn High School English on YouTube

Related Questions


  • Show how Irony has been used in Caucasian Chalk Circle by Bertolt Bretch.(Solved)

    Show how Irony has been used in Caucasian Chalk Circle by Bertolt Bretch.

    Date posted: June 20, 2017.  Answers (1)

  • "The Caucasian Chalk Circle is an embodiment of justice" . Write an essay to illustrate this in close reference to Bertolt Bretch' s the Caucasian Chalk Circle.(Solved)

    "The Caucasian Chalk Circle is an embodiment of justice" . Write an essay to illustrate this in close reference to Bertolt Bretch' s the Caucasian Chalk Circle.

    Date posted: June 20, 2017.  Answers (1)

  • Bertolt Bretch has used Betrayal as a major concern in Caucasian Chalk Circle.Write an essay to illustrate this.(Solved)

    Bertolt Bretch has used Betrayal as a major concern in Caucasian Chalk Circle. Write an essay to illustrate this.

    Date posted: June 20, 2017.  Answers (1)

  • Write a composition to show how Bertolt Bretch has used the theme of Self-sacrifice in Caucasian chalk circle.(Solved)

    Write a composition to show how Bertolt Bretch has used the theme of Self-sacrifice in Caucasian chalk circle.

    Date posted: June 19, 2017.  Answers (1)

  • Write a composition to illustrate how materialism or greed have been used by Bertolt Bretch in his play the Caucasian Chalk Circle.(Solved)

    Write a composition to illustrate how materialism or greed have been used by Bertolt Bretch in his play the Caucasian Chalk Circle.

    Date posted: June 19, 2017.  Answers (1)

  • Negligence is one of the major concerns Bertolt Bretch has used in the play Caucasian Chalk Circle.Write an essay in support of the above statement.(Solved)


    Negligence is one of the major concerns Bertolt Bretch has used in the play Caucasian Chalk Circle.Write an essay in support of the above statement.

    Date posted: June 19, 2017.  Answers (1)

  • Love is one of the major issues Bertolt Bretch strongly brings out in the play the caucasian Chalk Circle. Write a composition in support of the above statement with close reference to the novel.(Solved)

    Love is one of the major issues Bertolt Bretch strongly brings out in the play the caucasian Chalk Circle.
    Write a composition in support of the above statement with close reference to the novel.

    Date posted: June 19, 2017.  Answers (1)

  • Use of song is a strong tool of communication.Write a composition in support ot this statement with close refernce to Bertolt Brecht's play 'The Caucasian Chalk Circle'(Solved)

    Use of song is a strong tool of communication.Write a composition in support ot this statement with close refernce to Bertolt Brecht's play 'The Caucasian Chalk Circle'

    Date posted: June 17, 2017.  Answers (1)

  • Bertolt Brecht's play The Caucasian Chalk Circle are two stories that come together at the end. Support this statement with details from the text giving.(Solved)

    Bertolt Brecht's play The Caucasian Chalk Circle are two stories that come together at the end. Support this statement with details from the text given.

    Date posted: June 17, 2017.  Answers (1)

  • Abuse of power is one of the major issues Bertolt Brecht strongly brings out in this play the Caucasian Chalk Circle.Write a composition in support of the above statement with close reference to the novel.(Solved)

    Abuse of power is one of the major issues Bertolt Brecht strongly brings out in this play the Caucasian Chalk Circle.Write a composition in support of the above statement with close reference to the novel.

    Date posted: June 17, 2017.  Answers (1)

  • Use of Proverb is an art that is only mastered by the wise,intelligent and enlightened.Using the text The Caucasian Chalk Circle support the above statement. (Solved)

    Use of Proverb is an art that is only mastered by the wise,intelligent and enlightened.Using the text The Caucasian Chalk Circle support the above statement.

    Date posted: June 17, 2017.  Answers (1)

  • "Poor governance has consequences." Write a composition to illustrate this statement drawing your illustrations from the play Caucasian Chalk Circle.(Solved)

    "Poor governance has consequences." Write a composition to illustrate this statement drawing your illustrations from the play Caucasian Chalk Circle.

    Date posted: June 17, 2017.  Answers (1)

  • "Along his traffic towards justice,Bertolt Brecht in The Caucasian Chalk Circle makes an extensive use of songs." Pick any three songs and show how the playwright uses each of them to develop the plot.(20 marks)(Solved)

    "Along his traffic towards justice,Bertolt Brecht in The Caucasian Chalk Circle makes an extensive use of songs." Pick any three songs and show how the playwright uses each of them to develop the plot.(20 marks)

    Date posted: June 16, 2017.  Answers (1)

  • "In all the cases he listens to,Adzak delivers rulings that consider the weak in society(Solved)

    "In all the cases he listens to, Adzak delivers rulings that consider the weak in society as opposed to the affluent" Closely referring to any three rulings delivered by the judge in The Caucasian Chalk Circle,show how far true this statement is.

    Date posted: June 16, 2017.  Answers (1)

  • "A mother is born. She is never made merely by conceiving,carrying a pregnancy and being delivered of a baby" Closely referring to The Caucasian Chalk Circle show how far true this statement is.(20 marks)(Solved)

    "A mother is born. She is never made merely by conceiving,carrying a pregnancy and being delivered of a baby" Closely referring to The Caucasian Chalk Circle show how far true this statement is.

    Date posted: June 16, 2017.  Answers (1)

  • "When a person combines power and wealth,the person becomes both insensitive and vulnerable to simple manipulation."Write an essay to justify the statement closely referring to Governor George Abashwili in The Caucasian chalk Circle.(Solved)

    "When a person combines power and wealth,the person becomes both insensitive and vulnerable to simple manipulation."Write an essay to justify the statement closely referring to Governor George Abashwili in The Caucasian chalk Circle.

    Date posted: June 16, 2017.  Answers (1)

  • The "prologue is a clear indicator of what is to happen later in the play."Using illustrations from Bertolt Bretch's the Caucasian Chalk Circle,Write an essay to support this statement.(20 Marks)(Solved)

    The "prologue is a clear indicator of what is to happen later in the play."Using illustrations from Bertolt Bretch's the Caucasian Chalk Circle,Write an essay to support this statement.(20 Marks)

    Date posted: June 16, 2017.  Answers (1)

  • Read the extract below and answer the question that follow(Solved)

    Read the extract below and answer the question that follow
    "At least she is from the country,"he said sounding a bit odd.She looked at him and them lowered her eyes to the latter.It was characteristically Aoro-brief and to the point.She felt kind of sorry for Mark.First there had been Becky who had left home unceremoniously only to return with a white man in tow.A very nice man but apparently not nice enough for Becky.He had found out that she was having an affair during his trips abroad and had sued for a divorce.Now she was living alone with the children,financially well off,but unhappy.
    It was one thing to enjoy the thrills of an affair,but a different thing altogether to have a carte blanche to do exactly as you pleased.John had been terribly hurt of course and Mark had been furious with her.
    Then Tony had joined priesthood-Mark resisted it at first but recently during Tony's ordination he had been full of pride for his son-whose face had shoe joy and youthful dedication.
    Vera's case had been the hardest to accept.Mark thought of the world of Vera,and declared that she wanted to join the catholic Prelature of Opus Dei as a non-marrying member.It didn't help that Mark had never heard the Opus Dei and could not understand why Vera could not Marry.But he had eventually accepted because he loved her.Because she looked so happy,so radiant.Anything that could bring such joy and serenity could not be that bad.It was a pity though that she did not wear a veil or a habit.That way he could at least have bragged about her a little to his friends.His children were a source of great envy to his less lucky friends.Vera for one was a fully qualified electronics expert and had a lucrative job in the city with a large salary and all sorts of benefits.Women like that tend to marry the most amazing wimps and Mark had held his breath in fear.But in the end all Vera wanted was to dedicate her life and work to God,and there was no turning back.
    So Elizabeth secretly hoped that Aoro would bring home a nice girl-naturally a luo like himself - who would proceed to have many children all of ordinary black colour.
    a)Place this excerpt in its immediate context(4 marks)
    b)"At least she is from the country."Who is the 'she' referred to in this excerpt(2 marks)
    c)"She felt kind of sorry for mark."Make notes on why Elizabeth feels sorry for her husband(4 marks)
    d) Identify instances of use of irony in this excerpt(4 marks)
    e)It is apparent that Mark is uncomfortable with the choices made by his children.Cite evidence in this excerpt to support this statement.
    f)Describe the character of mark and Becky in this excerpt
    g)Mention and illustrate any two themes in this excerpt(4 marks)
    h)"First there had been Becky who had left home unceremoniously only to return with a white man in tow."(Rewrite beginning:Not only......)

    Date posted: June 16, 2017.  Answers (1)

  • Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)

    Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.
    "My child,I am terribly ashamed of you.You are no longer yet you have never been anything but selfish with selfishness of a child.You feel that other people may suffer,but as for you,it is your right to be happy.You shake like a reed in the wind because you have never forgiven God for not giving you as many children as other women whom you consider less worthy.And you fell that God owes it to you to make sure that your only child lives and prospers.Learn my child that God owes nobody anything.He gives to all men both wicked and good from his great bounty according to his wisdom and mercy.You are no longer a child yet you understand nothing. Don't you know that from the height of heaven and vastness of his eternity he sees you as you shall be a hundred seasons hence when no one on earth will have any memory of you and your bloodline will have mingled and petered out like a well in the dry season?
    You are not wise,my child,learn wisdom.Put your child in his hands who can both plant and bring fruition.Try to be happy for Awiti when she tells us the news whatever it is .Don't you see the world is changing and that she is acquiring what will make difference as to whether she survives or perishes?"Maria eventually calmed down and her racing heart stilled within her but she heard her daughter's foot steps on the threshhold the band tightened around her again and she started breathing fast-like a woman in labour.She struggled to contol herself.
    a)Explain what happens immediately before this extract.(4 marks)
    b)Identify and illustrate one aspect of character of the following in this extract(4 marks)
    i)Akoko ii)Nyabera

    c)What is it that Awiti is acquiring in the passage that will make her survive or perish?
    d)What are the contents of the letter that Awiti reads to her mother and grandmother immediately after this excerpt (4 marks)
    e)Illustrate the dominant theme in this excerpt(2 marks)
    f)Explain the meaning of the following words and phrases as used in this extract.(4 marks)
    i)you consider less worthy
    ii)Bounty
    iii)A hudred seasons
    iv)Petered
    g)Identify and illustrate two features of style evident in thi extract (4 marks)
    h)"Try to be happy for Awiti when she tells us the news whatever it is."
    (Rewrite this sentence beginning:When.........)

    Date posted: June 16, 2017.  Answers (1)

  • Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow(Solved)

    Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow
    "Now you can see why I didn't want to go home."
    "How can you possibly think of getting married without at least letting them know?Give them a chance.They are your parents and they care about whatever you might think."
    "But he is white! Remember father couldn't even stand Tommy who is only a Luhya from neighbouring province.He will just shout at me."That might be so- he gave me a shock.You'd have to get used to people getting shocked and staring at you.So it is not uprising that your father might react the same way,but it is your duty to tell them"
    "Why don't you tell them."
    "Forget it,once is enough.Dad nearly passed out - so mad was he.I never had to talk so fast or so hard in my life.He wanted to come after you immediately until I pointed out just how large a place Nairobi is.Still i would hate to go through that again.This,dear sister,is your ball game."
    Becky got up and stood looking out of the window at the street below
    "Why is it that i have never felt a part of them?"
    "Because you were too pre occupied with yourself to notice how they really cared.It does help to tear your eyes off the mirror once in a while to really look at other people you know."
    "Hey! you are really angry with me."
    Look Becky.You are an adult.Surely you can face your own father and mother and tell them that this is the man you have chosen.They won't kill you.They can't tie you down.They may or may not give their blessings but atleast they will know that you are safe and happy.I don't have a child ,but if i did,I'd hate to be permanently guessing about her whereabouts and welfare.Besides I think they are damned good parents - if you ask me.If they say so,it is only because they are thinking of your own good.Have you stopped to think how difficult it is going to be for you - and your children?Where will you live?Where does he come from anyway?
    "He is a canadian.We might live in Canada or here in Kenya-we have not decided.He really likes the country and its people,you know.He is a nice man - too nice for his own good.The fact that someone is white does not mean that he is automatically bad and looks down on Africans."
    a)Explain what happens immediately,before and after this excerpt.(4 marks)

    b)Describe the character of Vera and Becky as brought out in this excerpt(4 marks)
    c)How effective is the use of dialogue in this excerpt(4 marks)
    d)Why does Vera feel that Becky should tell their parents about her plans to marry John Courtney?Give your answer in note form (4 marks)
    e)Which is the dominant theme in this excerpt? (2 marks)
    f)Who is Tommy and why does Becky drag him into her discussion with Vera?(4 marks)
    g)"I had never had to talk so fast or so hard in my life."(1 mark)
    h)Explain what leads to the end of the relationship between Becky and John later in the story.(2 marks)

    Date posted: June 16, 2017.  Answers (1)