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The short story Ilieva and Olembo (Ed). When the Sun goes down and other Stories. With illustrations from Moyez G. Vassanjis short story, 'Leaving', show that a...

      

The short story

Ilieva and Olembo (Ed). When the Sun goes down and other Stories.

With illustrations from Moyez G. Vassanjis short story, 'Leaving', show that a determined heart overcomes barriers.

  

Answers


Martin
a) The short story: When the Sun Goes Down and Other Stories.

Introduction

i) General

With a specific dream, an identified goal and a resolve to work towards such a target, all hindrances get surmounted albeit not easily. All one needs is to decide to do something and the rest becomes part of what one should go through to achieve. This is exemplified by Aloo in Moyez G.Vassanjis story, leaving.

ii) Specific

From the onset of the story „leaving? by Moyez G.Vassanji, Aloo is said to have turned out to be exceptionally bright in his studies. He comes from a family that values success in academics and life thus it seems to be in him to succeed in life, therefore success in studies appears to be his goal. The argument below proves this.
(Any viable introduction 2 marks)

Body/Context

Di- Aloo's excitement. Mr Datoo, a former student of Aloo?s School now on a visit from America ignites in Aloo the desire to excel in studies and go to a university in America. Aloo is in his final year in school and the idea excites him.(P34)

- Begins to search for names of American universities from books

- Writes to numerous universities requesting for admission ;(p34)

- Responses came and aloo become even the more excited and even learned of subjects he had never heard: before: genetics, cosmology, artificial intelligence…he went into a soul search on whether he was capable of going there. “He was not sure if he could, if he was good enough.

He suffered periods of intense hope and hopeless periods (P34)

- It is therefore no little surprise that Aloo scores straight As in his final examination, determined to go America.
Dii-Aloo's ambition- he applies to study medicine in a local university but the admission came as a set-back. He had been listed
to take agriculture, his application having been corrupted by someone. He could not imagine being an agricultural officer in a
rural area. (p35)- This become another stepping stone for a new resolve to go to America

- Gets overjoyed on receiving an invitation letter from the California Institute of Technology offering him a place with a
Scholarship. He thought this was the way to go and says:
'The hell I'll do agriculture' he grinned

- He had overcome the barrier to study agriculture. (p 35)
Diii-Poverty. For Aloo to go to America, it seemed an uphill task; too ambitious for his mother who was not well off with a lot in her hands.

- Aloo's mother saw no way of raising Aloo's pocket money of 400 dollars, let alone the air ticket. “As she said this, Aloo?s prospects seemed to get dimmer!' (p 35)

- Aloo proposes that they raise a loan as he would work there and send the money back, but his mother only says: “You may have uncles in America who would help you….. but no one here will.'

- Aloo feels frustrated.
Div-Mother?s possessiveness. Aloo?s mother loves her children very much and would not want to lose any or stay away from
them- she was possessive.
- She tried all she could to distract him but could not. She even tried talking him out of the idea;
'And why do you want to go far away from us? Is this why I raised you for…. to go away to a foreign place? Won?t you
miss us?

Do we mean so little to you? If something happens….'

- Aloo argues back amid tears that many kids went and returned

- Blames his mother for encouraging and letting him apply only frustrate him (p36)

- Aloo almost gives up and starts to prepare for agriculture course, but as way of fighting back, he never again brought up the
matter at home and only read novels.(p36)

- A little while later, Aloos mother decides they seek advice of Mr Velji, a former administrator of Aloos school. Mr Veljis
opinion reignites the fire in Aloo:

The boy is right' he said. 'The university is good and they are giving him bursary. I congratulate you'. (p37) -But Mr Veljis warning that Aloo will get lost in America makes him bitter again. He say to his mother. 'All the rich kids go every year and they are not lost,

- He is still fighting back for a way to go to America.
Dv-mother's fears.At Long last, Aloo's mother gives in to her sons desire but makes him swear he would not marry a white woman , would not forget them, drink alcohol nor smoke. Aloo promises to do none of his mother's fears. -Aloo leaves for California via London to see a friend from where he writes a letter home praising the place. -Truly a determined heart will overcome barriers. Had Aloo not worked hard, he would have studied Agriculture against his wish and ability.
(Mark 4 points well illustrated 3:3:3:3=12)

Conclusion

We should not let ourselves be put down by people or circumstances against our wish, but should put up a brave fight without antagonizing ourselves with anyone. (2 mks)
marto answered the question on April 9, 2019 at 06:09


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