- Drawing illustrations from the short story Hitting Budapest by No Violet Bulawayo, in the anthology, Memories We Lost and Other Stories, write an essay on...(Solved)
Drawing illustrations from the short story Hitting Budapest by No Violet Bulawayo, in the anthology, Memories We Lost and Other Stories, write an essay on the devastating effects of poverty.
Date posted: August 27, 2019. Answers (1)
- 'Human beings are naturally opportunistic.' Justify this statement with close reference to The Pearl by John Steinbeck. (Solved)
'Human beings are naturally opportunistic.' Justify this statement with close reference to The Pearl by John Steinbeck.
Date posted: August 27, 2019. Answers (1)
- 'Never judge a book by its cover.' Using illustrations from the play, A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen, support this statement.(Solved)
'Never judge a book by its cover.' Using illustrations from the play, A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen, support this statement.
Date posted: August 27, 2019. Answers (1)
- Close relationship with leaders can make one to commit a crime with impunity. Drawing illustrations from the play, Inheritance by David Mulwa, support this statement.(Solved)
Close relationship with leaders can make one to commit a crime with impunity. Drawing illustrations from the play, Inheritance by David Mulwa, support this statement.
Date posted: August 27, 2019. Answers (1)
- 'Religious hypocrisy leads to exploitation of the vulnerable.' Justify this statement with illustrations from the short story, the Folded Leafing the anthology Memories We Lost...(Solved)
'Religious hypocrisy leads to exploitation of the vulnerable.' Justify this statement with illustrations from the short story, the Folded Leafing the anthology Memories We Lost and Other Stories.
Date posted: August 27, 2019. Answers (1)
- Determination is the driving force that helps Kino and Juana overcome misfortunes. Write an essay to support this statement with close reference to the Pearl...(Solved)
Determination is the driving force that helps Kino and Juana overcome misfortunes. Write an essay to support this statement with close reference to the Pearl by John Steinbeck.
Date posted: August 27, 2019. Answers (1)
- 'Money is the source of all evil." Support this statement with illustrations from the play, A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen. (Solved)
'Money is the source of all evil.' Support this statement with illustrations from the play, A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen.
Date posted: August 27, 2019. Answers (1)
- 'What goes around comes around.' Using illustrations from the play, Inheritance by David Mulwa, justify this statement.(Solved)
'What goes around comes around.' Using illustrations from the play, Inheritance by David Mulwa, justify this statement.
Date posted: August 27, 2019. Answers (1)
- "War is ugly." Drawing illustrations from the short story, The President by Mariatu Kamara in the anthology Memories We Lost and Other Stories, validate this...(Solved)
"War is ugly." Drawing illustrations from the short story, The President by Mariatu Kamara in the anthology Memories We Lost and Other Stories, validate this statement.
Date posted: August 27, 2019. Answers (1)
- Despite colonisation, the Kino's strongly hold onto their traditional faith. Validate this statement with reference to 'The Pearl' by John Steinbeck. (Solved)
Despite colonisation, the Kino's strongly hold onto their traditional faith. Validate this statement with reference to 'The Pearl' by John Steinbeck.
Date posted: August 27, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the passage below and then answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the passage below and then answer the questions that follow.
A long, long time ago, there was a man and his wife. They had built their hut in the middle of the forest but they had fenced round the homestead to keep wild animals from entering the compound. Now this man used to go to the smithy to join the other smiths in ironwork. This time, when he went, he left his wife heavy with child.
In this forest, there was a big ogre. As soon as the man went away the ogre came into the compound with a heavy load of firewood. When he brought the load to the compound, he dropped it outside with a big thud of this firewood.
He went inside the hut where he made some porridge. He drank it. To the expectant woman he said, “Woman with child, take this. You don’t want, I shall eat it for you.” And he ate all the porridge. Now this happened everyday for many days and the expectant mother grew as weak as the reeds by the riverside. When the time came for her delivery, the ogre crudely assisted her but he did not give her food.
Now the woman continued to be starved and grew weaker and weaker. She became very worried yet she did not lose heart. Every day she used to spread her castor oil seeds in the sun for she hoped to make oil for the child’s skin.
One day when she had spread her castor oil seeds in the sun, a dove came and helped herself to some seeds. The woman said to her, “You always come here to eat my seeds. Will you go if I send you?”
Said the dove, “let me eat my fill and then you can send me wherever you want. The dove ate until she had had enough.
“Where do you want to send me?”
“Go to the smithy and when you see the smiths ,sing these words:
Mutuiuukutuaisaangalalai x2
Mukauniwasyaiyeisaangalalai
Avyuviiawaniyiimu iii saangalalai
Yisikuyanakwivua iii
Saangalalaisa.
(Blacksmith smithing on your iron x 2
Your wife has given birth
Assisted by an ogre
Which eats all it has prepared)
And the dove went to the smiths and sang the song:
Blacksmith smithing on your iron x 2
Your wife has given birth
Assisted by an ogre
Which eats all it has prepared.
What is this thing – of a – bird saying, disturbing our work?” said one man throwing a stone at the dove. But the dove perched herself on another tree and sang again.
Blacksmith smithing on your iron x 2
Your wife has given birth
Assisted by an ogre
Which eats all it has prepared.
This time the men said;
“Haiya, perhaps this bird has a message for us. Who of us left his wife heavy with a child?”
Said one man, “I left my wife heavy.”
“Eei, take your things. Go home. This message might be yours. Your wife might have given birth and she is in danger.”
At home, the ogre was still tormenting the woman. He used to go to the shamba, dig out the sweet potatoes, prepare them and offer them to her when they were already in his mouth, “Woman with child take this. You don’t want it, I’ll eat it for you.”
One day when the sun stood in the middle of the compound, her husband arrived from the smithy. He hid himself in the darkest corner of the hut and awaited the ogre. When the ogre arrived he cooked, ate all the food and slept on the naked floor. From his mouth came green, yellow and red foam that was a sign that he was fast asleep.
It was then that the blacksmith came down and speared him through and through until he was dead. Then the man and his wife moved and built a new home in another place.
a) Classify the above narrative and give a reason for your classification.
b) In the story, what shows that the ogre never intended to share the food with the woman?
c) Discuss any two features in the story that qualify it as a traditional oral narrative.
d) With an illustration for each, describe two character traits of the ogre
e) Of what use is the song in the story?
f) What is the livelihood of the people from which this story is derived?
g) What moral lesson do you learn from this story?
Date posted: August 19, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the oral narrative below and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the oral narrative below and answer the questions that follow.
There was once only one wise being in all the world, and that was Kwaku Ananse, the spider .But Kwaku Ananse wished to keep all this wisdom to himself.
One day, bored with having to stay and guard his wisdom all day, Kwaku Ananse decided to store it away and hide it in a safe place. So he called his wife, Aso, and asked her to make him a big pot into which he could put all his wisdom.
Aso went down to the riverbank and collected clay .She carefully made a big pot - a great pot with a narrow opening at the top so it could be easily sealed. Then she put the pot out in the sun to bake, and with the remainder of the clay, fashioned a stopper.
When the pot was finished, Aso took it to her husband, who, after making sure that there were no cracks in it, gathered together all his wisdom and pushed it well down into the pot .He covered it with some cocoa-yam leaves, then put in the stopper and tied it on with some strong twine
Now Kwaku Ananse had decided to hide the pot way up in the branches of a huge, silk-cotton tree that grew some distance away in the forest .It was over three metres wide, and the spikes on its trunk would stop all but the most intrepid spiders from climbing it.
Carrying the pot in front of him, he made his way through the forest, followed – unbeknown - by his small son, Ntikuma. At last he reached the great tree and started to attempt to climb it. He hung the pot by a rope around his neck, with the stopper just below his nose so he could make quite sure it did not tip over.
Alas, try as he would ,KwakuAnanse could not climb the tree ,for the pot kept getting in the way of his arms and he found he was unable to grip the trunk .He tried ,and tried, and tried, but with no success.
He grew hot and sticky and started to swear angrily.
Now, Ntikuma was watching his father from behind a tree, puzzled by his curious antics. At last, when Kwaku Ananse’s swearing grew really bad, he could stand it no longer and came up to his father timidly.
“Surely my father”, he said, “If you wish to take that pot up the tree you should tie it to your back, not your front. Then your hands would be free.”
Ananse was furious. Here was his small son teaching him a lesson – a lesson which he realized was only too true. Shaking with anger and exhaustion, he lifted the pot intending to take it off and chastise his son .His hands were slippery with sweat and the great pot was heavy. It slipped through his fingers and crashed to the ground. The pot burst open and the contents were scattered far and wide .There was a storm coming, and the wind swept through the forest, lifting the wisdom and carrying it on its way. The rain poured down and swept the wisdom into the steams, which carried it into the sea .Thus wisdom spread throughout the world.
(a) Giving a reason, identify the sub-genre of the above narrative.
b)Why did Kwaku Ananse decide to hide his wisdom?
c)How did Ananse make sure that his wisdom was safe in the pot ?
d)Why was it difficult for Ananse to climb the tree with the pot?
e)Identify and illustrate one character trait of each of the following as brought out in the above narrative:
(i)Kwaku Ananse -
ii)Aso -
(f) What two aspects of this narrative qualify it as oral?
(g) Identify and illustrate one economic activity of the community from which this narrative was taken
h)Which is the suitable audience for this story and why?
Date posted: August 19, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow.
Rank: Is there anything wrong?
Nora: No, no, not in the least. It is only something it is my new dress —
Rank: What? Your new dress is lying there.
Nora: Oh, yes, that one; butthis is another. I ordered it. Torvald mustn't know about it —
Rank: Oho! Then that was the great secret.
Nora: Of course. Just go in to him; he is sitting in the inner room, Keep him as long as—
Rank: Make your kind easy; I won't let him escape. (Goes into HELMER'S room)
Nora: (to the MAID) And he is standing waiting in the kitchen?
Maid: Yes, he came up the back stairs.
Nora: But didn't you tell him no one was in?
Maid: Yes, but it was no good.
Nora: He won't go away?
Maid: No; he says he won't until he has seen you, ma'am.
Nora: Well, let him come in —but quietly. Hellen, you mustn't say anything about it to anyone. It is a surprise for my husband.
Maid: Yes, ma'am, i quite understand. (Exit)
Nora: This dreadful thing is going to happen! It will happen in spite of me! No, no, no, it can't happen — it shan't happen! (She bolts the door of HELMER'S room. The MAID opens the hall door for KROGSTAD and shuts it after him. He is wearing a fur coat, high boots and a furcap.)
Nora: (advancing towards him) Speak low — my husband is at home.
Krogstad: No matter about that.
Nora: What do you want of me?
Krogstad: An explanation of something
Nora: Make haste then. What is it?
Krogstad: You know, I suppose, that I have got my dismissal.
Nora: I couldn't prevent it, Mr. Krogstade I fought as hard as a I could on your side, but it was no good.
Krogstad: Does your husband love you so little, then? He knows what I can expose you to, and yet he ventures —
Nora: How can you suppose that he has any knowledge of the sort?
Questions:
a) Place the excerpt in its immediate context.
b) What is it that Nora claims to be another that she ordered? What does it reveal about her character trait?
c) This dreadful thing is going to happen! What is it that Nora fears will happen?
d) What character trait of Nora is brought outin the excerpt?
e) What is the presentation of Rank in the excerpt?
f) What major theme comes out in the excerpt?
g) What is the meaning of the following words as used in the excerpt?
Date posted: August 19, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow.
Rank: Is there anything wrong?
Nora: No, no, not in the least. It is only something it is my new dress —
Rank: What? Your new dress is lying there.
Nora: Oh, yes, that one; butthis is another. I ordered it. Torvald mustn't know about it —
Rank: Oho! Then that was the great secret.
Nora: Of course. Just go in to him; he is sitting in the inner room, Keep him as long as—
Rank: Make your kind easy; I won't let him escape. (Goes into HELMER'S room)
Nora: (to the MAID) And he is standing waiting in the kitchen?
Maid: Yes, he came up the back stairs.
Nora: But didn't you tell him no one was in?
Maid: Yes, but it was no good.
Nora: He won't go away?
Maid: No; he says he won't until he has seen you, ma'am.
Nora: Well, let him come in —but quietly. Hellen, you mustn't say anything about it to anyone. It is a surprise for my husband.
Maid: Yes, ma'am, i quite understand. (Exit)
Nora: This dreadful thing is going to happen! It will happen in spite of me! No, no, no, it can't happen — it shan't happen! (She bolts the door of HELMER'S room. The MAID opens the hall door for KROGSTAD and shuts it after him. He is wearing a fur coat, high boots and a furcap.)
Nora: (advancing towards him) Speak low — my husband is at home.
Krogstad: No matter about that.
Nora: What do you want of me?
Krogstad: An explanation of something.
Nora: Make haste then. What is it?
Krogstad: You know, I suppose, that I have got my dismissal.
Nora: I couldn't prevent it, Mr. Krogstade I fought as hard as a I could on your side, but it was no good.
Krogstad: Does your husband love you so little, then? He knows what I can expose you to, and yet he ventures —
Nora: How can you suppose that he has any knowledge of the sort?
Questions:
a) Place the excerpt in its immediate context.
b) What is it that Nora claims to be another that she ordered? What does it reveal about her character trait?
c) This dreadful thing is going to happen! What is it that Nora fears will happen?
d) What character trait of Nora is brought out in the excerpt?
e) What is the presentation of Rank in the excerpt? .
f) What major theme comes out in the excerpt?
g) What is the meaning of the following words as used in the excerpt?
Date posted: August 16, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the extract below and then answer the questions that follow: Nora: (drops her cloak) Someone is coming now! ........(Solved)
Read the extract below and then answer the questions that follow:
Nora: (drops her cloak) Someone is coming now! (Goes to the door and listens.) No — it is no one. Of course, no one
Christmas Day — nor tomorrow either. But perhaps— (opens the door and looks out.) No, nothing in the letterbox; it is quite empty. (comes forward) What rubbish! Of course, he can't be in earnest about it. Such a thing couldn't happen: it is impossible — I have three little children. (enter the NURSE from the room on the left, carrying a big cardboard box)
Nurse: At last I have found the box with the fancy dress.
Nora: Thanks; put it on the table.
Nurse: (doing so) But it is very much in want of mending.
Nora: I should like to tear it into a hundred thousand pieces.
Nurse: What an idea! It can easily be put in order—just a little patience.
Nora: Yes, I will go and get Mrs. Linde to come and help me with it.
Nurse: What, out again? In this horrible weather? You will catch cold, ma'am, and make yourself ill.
Nora: Well, worse than that might happen. How are the children?
Nurse: The poor little souls are playing with their Christmas presents, but —
Nora: Do they ask much for me?
Nurse: You see, they are so accustomed to having their mamma with them.
Nora: Yes, but, nurse, I shall not be able to be so much with them now as I was before.
Nurse: Oh well, young children easily get accustomed to anything.
Nora: Do you think so? Do you think they would forget their mother if she went away altogether?
Nurse: Good heavens! - Went away altogether?
Nora: Nurse, I want you to tell me something I have often wondered about how could you have the heart to put your own child out among strangers?
Nurse: I was obliged to, if I wanted to be little Nora's nurse.
Nora: Yes, but how could you be willing to do it?
Nurse: What, when I was going to get such a good place by it? A poor girl who has got into trouble should be glad to. Besides, that wicked man didn't do a single thing for me.
Nora: But I suppose your daughter has quite forgotten you.
Nurse: No, indeed she hasn't. She wrote to me when she was confirmed, and when she was married.
Nora: (putting her arms round her neck) Dear old Anne, you were a good mother to me when I was little.
Nurse: Little Nora, poor dear, had no other mother but me.
Nora: And if my little ones had no other mother, I am sure you would — What nonsense I am talking! (opens the box) Go in to them. Now I must You will see tomorrow how charming I shall look.
Nurse: lam sure there will be no one at the ball so charming as you, ma'am. (goes into the room on the left)
Questions
a) Why is Nora looking worried that someone might be at the door?
b) The nurse reveals that she had to leave her daughter behind in order to serve as Nora's nurse. Explain the theme brought out from this revelation.
c) What does this conversation between Nora and the Nurse foreshadow?
d) Other than foreshadow, give another styles that is brought out in the excerpt
e) Someone is coming now! (Change into a negative sentence).
Date posted: August 16, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the extract below from DOLL’S HOUSE and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the extract below from DOLL’S HOUSE and answer the questions that follow.
Mrs. Linde: Still I think the sick are those who most need taking care of.
Rank: (shrugging his shoulders) Yes, there you are. That is the sentiment that is turning Society into a sick-house. (NORA, who has been absorbed in her thoughts, breaks out into smothered laugher and claps her hands).
Rank: Why do you laugh at that? Have you any notion what Society really is?
Nora: 'What do I care about tiresome Society? I am laughing at something quite different, something extremely amusing. Tell me, Doctor Rank, are all the people who are employed in the Bank dependent on Torvald now?
Rank: Is that what you find so extremely amusing?
Nora: (smiling and humming) That's my affair! (walking about the room) It's perfectly glorious to think that we have — that Torvald has so much power over so many people. (takes the packet in her pocket) Doctor Rank, what do you say to a macaroon?
Rank: What, macaroons? I thought they were forbidden here.
Nora: Yes, but these are some Christine gave me.
Mrs. Linde: What! I ?-
Nora: Oh, well, don't be ashamed! You couldn't know that Torvald had forbidden them. I must tell you that he is afraid they will spoil my teeth. But, bah! — once in a way —That's so, isn't it, Doctor Rank? By your leave! (Puts a macaroon into her mouth) You must have one too, Christine. And I shall have one, just a little one — or at most two. (walking about) I am tremendously happy. There is just one thing in the world now that I should dearly love to do.
Rank: Well, what is that?
Nora: It's something I should dearly love to say. If Torvald could hear me.
Rank: Well, why can't you say it?
Nora: No, I daren't; it is so shocking.
Mrs. Linde: Shocking?
Rank: Well, I should not dvise you to say it. Still, with us you might. What is ti you would so much like to say if Torvald could hear you?
Nora: I should just love to say— Well, I'm dammed!
Rank: Are you mad?
Mrs. Linde: Nora, dear- !
Rank: Say it, here he is! Nora (hiding her packet) Hush! Hush! Hush! ) HELMER comes out of his room, with his coat over his arm and his hat in his hand.)
Nora: Well, Torvald dear, have you got rid of him?
Helmer: Yes, he has just gone.
Nora: Let me introduce you — this is Christine, who has come to town
Helmer: Christine - ? Excuse me, but I don't know — Of course. School friends of my wife's I presume?
Mrs. Linde: Yes, we have known each other since then.
Nora: And just think, she has taken a long journey in order to see you.
Helmer: What do you mean? Mrs. Linde. No, really, I—
Nora: And when she heard you had been appointed manager of the Bank — she travelled here as quick as she could Torvald, I am sure you will be able to do something for Christine, for my sake, won't you?
Questions
a) Why does Mrs. Linde feel that those who are sick need taking care of?
b) Identify use of symbolism in the excerpt.
c) Give Nora's traits brought out in the excerpt.
d) What amuses Nora when she finds out that Helmer has so much power over many people? Explain
e) What is it that Nora would dearly love to say?
f) Hush! Hush! Hush! Identify the style used here.
g) What happens immediately after the excerpt?
Date posted: August 16, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the extract below from DOLL’S HOUSE and answer all the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the extract below from DOLL’S HOUSE and answer all the questions that follow.
Nora: Should? He did sign them.
Krogstad: I had left the date blank; that is to say, your father should himself have inserted the date on which he signed the paper. Do you remember that?
Nora: Yes, I think I remember—
Krogstad: Then I gave you the bond to send by post to your father. Is that not so?
Nora: Yes.
Krogstad: And you naturally did so at once, because five or six days afterwards you brought me the bond with your father's signature. And then I gave you the money.
Nora: Well, haven't I been paying it off regularly?
Krogstad: Fairly so, yes. But to come back to the matter in hand that must have been a very trying time for you, Mrs.
Nora: It was, indeed.
Krogstad: Your father was very ill, wasn't he?
Nora: He was very near his end.
Krogstad: And died soon afterwards?
Nora: Yes:
Krogstad: Tell me, Mrs Helmer, can you remember what day your father died? the month, I mean.
Nora: Papa died on the 29th of September. by any chance on what day of
Krostand: That is correct; I have ascertained it for myself. And, as that is so, there is discrepancy (taking a paper from his pocket) which I cannot account for.
Nora: What discrepancy? I don't know—
Krogstand: The discrepancy consists, Mrs. Helmer, in fact that your father signed this bond three days after his death.
Nora: What do you mean? I don't understand —
Krogstand: Your father died on the 29th of September. But, look here; your father has dated his signature the 2nd of October. It is a discrepancy, isn't it? (NORA is silent) Can you explain it to me?
(NORA is silent) It is a remarkable thing, too, that the words '2nd of October,' as well as the year, are not written in your father’s handwriting but in one that I think I know. Well, of course it can be explained; your father may have forgotten to date his signature, and someone else may have dated it haphazard before they knew of his death. There is no harm in that. It all depends on the signature of the name; and that is genuine. I suppose, Mrs. Helmer? It was your father himself who signed his name here?
Questions.
a) What is it that Nora claims to have signed? Explain.
b) What does this excerpt reveal about Krogstad's character?
c) Explain key theme brought out in the excerpt?
d) Why did Nora forge her father's signature?
e) What is the meaning of the following words as used in the excerpt?
I. Ascertained
II. Discrepancy
III. Genuine
f) Papa died on the 29th of September (Add a question tag.)
Date posted: August 15, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follows.(Solved)
Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follows.
Mrs. Linde: (Smiles sadly and strokes her hair). It sometimes happens, Nora.
Nora: So you are quite alone. How dreadfully sad that must be. I have three lovely children. You can't see them just now, for they are out with their nurse. But now you must tell me all about it.
Mrs. Linde: No, no; I want to hear about you.
Nora: No, you must begin. I mustn't be selfish today; today I must only think of your affairs. But there is one thing I must tell you. Do you know we have just had a great piece of good luck?
Mrs. Linde: No, what is it?
Nora: Just fancy, my husband has been made manager of the Bank!
Mrs. Linde: Your husband? What good luck!
Nora: Yes, tremendous! A barrister's profession is such an uncertain thing, especially if he won't undertake unsavory cases; and naturally Torvald has never been willing to do that, and I quite agree with him. You may imagine how pleased we are! He is to take up his work in the Bank at the New Year, and then he will have a big salary and lots of commissions. For the future we can live quite differently —we can do just as we like. I feel so relieved and so happy, Christine! It will be splendid to have heaps of money and not need to have any anxiety, won't it?
Mrs. Linde: Yes, anyhow I think it would be delightful to have what one needs.
Nora: No, not only what one needs, but heaps and heaps of money.
Mrs. Linde: (smiling) Nora, Nora, haven't you learned sense yet? In our schooldays you were a great spendthrift. (Laughing) Yes, that is what Torvald says now. (Wags
Nora: her finger at her.) But 'Nora, Nora' is not so silly as you think. We have not been in a position for me to waste money. We have both had to work.
Mrs. Linde: You too?
Nora: Yes; odds and ends, needlework, crotchet-work, embroidery, and that kind of thing. (dropping her voice) And other things as well. You know Torvald left his office when we were married. There was not prospect of promotion there' and he had to try and earn more than before. But during the first year he worked early and late; but he couldn't stand it, and fell dreadfully ill, and the doctors said it was necessary for him to go south.
Mrs. Linde: You spent a whole year in Italy, didn't you?
Questions
a) Place the excerpt in its immediate context.
b) Identify three styles that are used in the excerpt. State their effectiveness.
c) But 'Norah, Nora' is not so silly as you think. What proves that Nora has not been as silly as she was thought to be by many.
d) What theme is brought out in the excerpt?
e) What character traits of Nora and Mrs Linde are brought out in the excerpt?
f) So, you are quite alone. (Add a question tag).
g) What is the meaning of the following words as used in the excerpt?
Barrister
spentthrift
Date posted: August 15, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the excerpt below from doll’s house and answer the questions that follow.
(Solved)
Read the excerpt below from doll’s house and answer the questions that follow.
Nora: Yes!
Helmer: When did my squirrel come home?
Nora: Just now. (Puts the bag of macaroons into her pocket and wipes her mouth.)
come in here, Torvalds, and see what I have bought.
Helmer: Don't disturb me. (A little later, he opens the door and looks into the room, pen in hand.)
Bought, did you say? All these things? Has my little spendthrift been wasting money again?
Nora: Yes but, Torvalds, this year we really can let ourselves go a little. This is the first Christmas that we have not needed to economize.
Helmer: Still, you know, we can't spend money recklessly.
Nora: Yes, Torvalds, we may be a wee bit more reckless now, mayn't we? Just a tiny wee bit! You are going to have a big salary and earn lots and lots of money.
Helmer: Yes, after the New Year; but then it will be a whole quarter before the salary is due.
Nora: Pooh! We can borrow until then.
Helmer: Nora! (Goes up to her and takes her playfully by the ear). The same little featherhead!
Suppose, now, that I borrowed fifty pounds today, and you spent it all in the Christmas week, and then on New Year’s Eve a slate fell on my head and killed me, and —
Nora: (Putting her hands over his mouth) Ah! Don't say such horrible things.
Helmer: Still, suppose that happened, - what then?
Nora: If that were to happen, I don't suppose I should care whether I owed money or not
Helmer: Yes, but what about the people who had lent it?
Nora: They? Who would bother about them? I should not know who they were.
Helmer: That is like a woman! But seriously, Nora, you know what I think about that. No debt, no borrowing. There can be no freedom or beauty about a home life that depends on borrowing and debt. We two have kept bravely on the straight road so far, and we will Go on the same way for the short time longer that there need be any struggle.
Helmer: That is like a woman! We two have kept bravery on the straight road so far, and we will go on the same way for the short time longer that there need be any struggle.
Questions.
a) What had happened before this excerpt?
b) 'That is like a woman!' What does this reveal about Helmer?
c) Nora says that this is the first Christmas that they need not economize. Why is this so?
d) Give and illustrate two-character traits of Nora brought out in the excerpts
e) Why does Helmer refer to Nora as my little squirrel?
f) From elsewhere in the play, explain why Nora had to hide the macaroons and wipe her mouth when
Date posted: August 15, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow.
Helmer: I have got authority from the retiring manager to undertake the necessary changes in the staff and in the re-arrangement of the work and I must make use of the Christmas week for that, so as to have everything in order for the New Year, Nora. Then that was why this poor Krogstad-
Helmer: Hm!
Nora: (Leans against the back of his chair and strokes his hair) If you hadn’t been so busy I should have asked you a tremendously big favour, Torvald.
Helmer: What is that? Tell me.
Nora: There is no one who has such good taste as you. And I do so want to look nice at the fancy dress ball. Tovarld. Couldn’t you take my hand and decide what I shall go as, and what sort of dress I shall wear?
Helmer: Aha! So my obstinate little woman is obliged to get someone to come to her rescue.
Nora: Yes, Torvald, I can’t get along a bit without your help.
Helmer: Very well. I will think it over; we shall manage to hit upon something
Nora: That is nice of you (goes to the Christmas tree; a short pause) How pretty the red flowers look, but tell me, was it really something very bad that this Krogstad was guilty of?
Helmer: He forged someone’s name. Have you any idea what that means?
Nora: Isn’t it possible that he was driven by necessity?
Helmer: Yes; or, as in so many cases, by imprudence. I am not so heartless as to condemn a man altogether because of a single false step of that kind.
Nora: No, you wouldn’t, would you, Torvald?
Helmer: Many a man has been able to retrieve his character, if he has openly confessed his fault and taken his punishment.
Nora: Punishment -?
Helmer: But Krogstard did nothing of the sort; he got himself out of it by a cunning trick, and that is why he was gone under altogether.
Nora: But do you think it would -?
Helmer: Just think how a guilty man like that has to lie and play the hypocrite with everyone; how he has to wear a mask in the presence of those near dear to him, even before his own wife and children. And about the children ……… that is the most terrible part of it all, Nora.
Nora: How?
Helmer: Because such an atmosphere of lies infects and poisons the whole life of home. Each breath the children take in such a house is full of the germs of evil.
Nora: (coming near him) Are you sure of that?
Helmer: My dear I have often seen it in the course of my life as a lawyer. Almost everyone who has gone to the bad early in life has had a deceitful mother.
Nora: Why do you say ……….. mother?
QUESTIONS
a) Explain the events that lead to this excerpt.
b) In this excerpt, though Helmer and Nora are discussing about Krogstad, they are indirectly referring to Nora’s predicament. Explain.
c) ‘……… so my obstinate little woman is obliged to get someone to her rescue? Explain the ‘rescue’ Nora needs at this point in time.
d) From your knowledge of the text, apart from the fact that Krogstad had forged a signature why else does Helmer detest him
e) Describe any two styles used in this excerpt
f) Give one character trait of Nora from this excerpt.
g) Add a question tag: I can’t get a long a bit without your help
h) The discussion with Helmer leaves Nora terrified. Explain why this
Date posted: August 15, 2019. Answers (1)