Author: Wam Literature

Currently teaching English Literature. I am interested in poetry and writing novels. Let us work together to achieve our intended success. In order to serve you better, We will be posting questions discussion on our daughter blog: www.mwashy.blogspot.com.

BETRAYAL IN THE CITY KCSE REVISION 2018


  1. “A society’s image is dependent on its governance.” Using illustrations from Francis Imbuga’s Betrayal in the City, write an essay in support of this statement. READ HERE
  2. “True motherhood is not necessarily biological.” Write an essay illustrating this statement using Bertolt Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle.HERE
  3. “The outside of this cell may be inside of another.” With illustrations from the play Betrayal in the City, write an essay to discuss what Jere means by this statement. HERE
  4. Explain how the kitchen cabinet is responsible for the government of kafira. Drawing your illustrations from Francis Imbugas play betrayal in the city. ANSWER HERE
  5. “There are times when our actions are motivated by self-sacrifice.” Write an essay using specific illustrations from The Caucasian Chalk Circle to support this statement. ANSWER HERE

BETRAYAL IN THE CITY KCSE REVISION 2018 (part 2)


Hello World, we are committed to helping you achieve the best in academics. Drop us your questions in literature and we shall get back to you. Here is our second part.

Thank for your support:

  1. Azdak, despite his Solomonic Wisdom, has some disgraceful traits. Write an essay in support of the statement basing your illustrations on Bertolt Brecht’sThe Caucasian Chalk Circle  Answers here
  2. Runaway oppression and many other injustices are the order of the day in Kafira. Discuss this statement using illustrations from Francis Imbuga’s ‘Betrayal in the City’  Answer here
  3. Greed for worldly possessions can lead to uncontrollable madness. Using Kino, draw illustrations from John Steinbeck’s The Pearl. Answer here
  4. Using illustrations from Betrayal in the City, Explain how Francis Imbuga has addressed the issue of bad governance.  Answer here
  5. ‘Some people abandon family members during difficult times for the sake of their own material thirst.’ With illustrations from The Caucasian Chalk Circle by Bertolt Brecht, Write an essay on the truth of this statement. Click this to go to answers

 

BETRAYAL IN THE CITY KCSE 2018 ESSAY REVIEW (part one)


  1. “Not all those you think are happy at your fortune actually are.” With a close reference to Steinbeck’s The Pearl, write an essay on how selfishness is provoked by Kino’s pearl. Find answers here
  2. Revenge can impede progress. Discuss the validity of this statement drawing illustrations from they play Betrayal in the City by Francis Imbuga. Get the discussion here
  3. Elites can play a major role in salvaging countries marred by poor governance. Discuss basing illustrations from Francis Imbuga’s Betrayal in the City. Get the correct answer here
  4. WHEN THE MADNESS OF AN ENTIRE NATION DISTURBS A SOLITARY MIND, IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO SAY THAT THE MAN IS MAD. DISCUSS THIS IN LINE WITH IMBUGA’S BETRAYAL IN THE CITY. Read more here
  5. Discuss how John Steinbeck uses allegory in his Short novel The Pearl to pass along his message. Answer here

Hello students, post here more questions and we promise to work hard to respond to them in the shortest time possible.

Our daily answers to your questions will appear on our blog: Wam Literature – https://mwashy.blogspot.com/

ANALYSIS OF THE PEARL


A short novel by John Steinbeck 

Before we begin, Answers to your questions are here

Analysis by Musungu Okach

About the Author

John Ernst Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California on February 27th, 1902. John shares the name with his Father. His mother’s name was Olive Hamilton Steinbeck. Steinbeck’s interest in writing begun from his childhood- as a child, his mother would read stories to him- a privilege that made him to be ahead of his peers in Class. At 14, Steinbeck had resolved to become a writer and he would send stories to local newspapers under a pseudonym. Similarly some of the stories would be read in class.

Although he did well to join Stanford University, Steinbeck never completed his college degree. His interest was in gathering as much information from different classes that interested him than getting a degree.

Steinbeck’s writing career took shape in 1928 when he completed his first work The Cup of Gold that would be published in 1929. To a God Unknown would be published in 1933 which will be followed by other works of fiction that truly defined him as an acclaimed author. Throughout his career, Steinbeck wrote works that invoked both negative and positive reviews from critics eg 1936 In Dubious Battle about labour organizers.

Because of his writing, some of Steinbeck’s works would be re-written into play eg Of Men and Mice(1937)  and The Grapes of Wrath (1938.) The idea of writing The Pearl was conceived while Steinbeck with his long-time friend a marine biologist Ed Ricketts was on a trip in the Gulf of California where he heard the story of a boy with a giant pearl. The story would become the inspiration for this 1944 book.

Summary of the plot

Conceived on Steinbeck’s trip in the Gulf of California, the Pearl is set in a small town of La Paz. The book divides the La Paz into a modest town run by European immigrants and the outskirts, near the shoreline where the local people live. The pearl tells the story of a pearl fisherman who fortune befalls after a misfortune. The story of Kino and his dedicated wife Juana start with a misfortune when Kino’s son Coyotito is bitten with a scorpion and the only doctor refuses to treat the boy. However, fortune comes with the finding of a ‘pearl of the world’- a pearl so large and magnificent that sends a shrill in the small village and the town beyond.

On hearing the news of Kino’s find, the doctor claims a stake of the pearl by inducing sickness in Coyotito who was obviously doing well after the home remedy. The European priest also joins the queue by inquiring whether the family had had a proper wedding and whether the child had been baptized. On the other hand, the pearl buyers dream of how they will get favours from their boss when they presented the pearl while every member of La Paz dreams, including the beggars, of how the pearl will be of benefit to them.

Though Kino has plans about his pearl, the forces of evil against him are so intense that he ends up killing in order to protect the pearl and at the same time his family. Realizing the futility of fighting for the pearl; after his son is killed, Kino returns the pearl to the ocean and resumes his simple fisherman life.

Chapter one

The author uses detailed description to set the story in the brush village where our protagonist Kino lives with his family. We learn about the simple life the people lead and the early mornings Kino and his wife wake to begin the day. Between Kino and the wife, there is little conversation but actions speak. Although the morning is peaceful and Kino is to enjoy his breakfast, he is rudely interrupted by a scorpion making its way on a rope to the hanging box where his baby boy Coyotito lay.

Although Kino is steady enough to prance at the scorpion, the movement in the cot causes the scorpion to fall into the cot biting the boy. In their desperation, Kino and his wife Juana decide to take the child to the town to see the doctor. The rest of the village and the idle in the town follow Kino to see the reaction of the doctor who was used to seeing people with man most of whom were not Kino’s people.

The doctor turns them down because Kino’s payment was valueless pearls. Kino is infuriated but there was nothing he could do but return home.

Observation from the chapter

Kino and his wife lead a silent life each clinging to their own thoughts. There is a striking difference between Kino and wife in that when Juana wakes up she walks on bear feet but Kino uses sandals.

The difference in Kino and his wife is also the difference between the town people and Kino’s people who live in brush houses. Kino’s people hold the people in high esteem as seen with the servant and so does Kino’s wife hold her husband.

Poverty and lack of money causes Kino and his wife not to get the medical attention deserved for their first born and only son.

Questions from the Chapter

  1. Do you think it is appropriate to quantify someone’s life in monetary terms?
  2. Kino’s people used to make songs, what do you think made them to stop making new songs?
  3. Why do you think the people in the town left Kino and Juana at the gate after the doctor had declined to attend to Coyotito?

Themes from the chapter

  1. Poverty

Kino and his people live in brush houses, dress poorly and sleep clothed in the love of God and the rags. The assessment of the beggars at the church (pg25) places Kino and his people among the poor- people who cannot afford the luxuries of life and a doctor. In fact the doctor declines to look at their helpless infant even after offering the pathetic worthless pearls Kino had (pg28).

  1. Contentment

Though Kino and his people live from hand to mouth, they seem contented with life. Kino enjoys waking up in the morning to wait patiently for breakfast (pg20) and working with his wife at pearl hunting (pg23).

  1. Sycophancy

The beggars in town are said to know every person’s character, especially those who went to the church. The doctor is described to be mean and greedy given the pennies he gives in alms. The doctor, though a religious man procured abortions and the women who asked for such services were frequent church goers (pg25 and 27).

  1. Opulence

The city of stone and plaster has harsh outer walls and inner cool gardens beautiful with well watered flower gardens, caged birds and splash of cooling waters (pg24). In his chamber, the doctor has expensive furnishings and delicate expensive utensils- some oriental while others new (pg27).

  1. Shame

Though Kino had come with a large crowd, when the doctor turns him down, he is left alone in shame. The servant who came to inquire about their business too feels the shame of having to lie to his people given the grave matter that had brought them to seek the doctor.

  1. Religion

One of the central buildings in the city of stone a plaster is the church. Although the church stands as center of moral authority, the people in the town are morally corrupt. Kino’s people on the other hand, grapple with their traditions and the new religion. Juana repeated the ancient magic to ward of the evil of the scorpion while at the same time saying Hail Mary loudly.

  1. Evil

Kino wakes up to a morning different from other mornings, unusually bright with the song of the family in his heart. However, Evil comes in the form of the scorpion which bites his only son Coyotito. The writer uses a song to mark the entry of bad omen “… and he could hear the evil music of the enemy.” (pg21)

  1. Superstition

Juana is afraid for her son when the scorpion slithers down the rope to the baby’s cot. Not knowing which god holds the highest authority, she prays both to the gods of her people and Hail Mary in order to ward of the oncoming evil. Many societies, whose religion was there before the advent of Christianity, find themselves at crossroads when dealing with events beyond human control.  Many like Juana find that invoking both is better than taking a stand.

  1. Family

Kino is a contented man in the beginning of the chapter. When he wakes up in the morning, the first thing he does is look at the hanging box to make sure that his baby is okay before he turns his attention to his wife. It is the song of the family that makes him happy even when outside he enjoys the music of the family as Juana does her morning chores (pg18).

10. Christianity/Catholicism

On the surface, Kino’s people are Christianity. Juana mutters “Hail Mary,” to convince herself that she has truly embraced the new religion. However, the old religions is still deeply embedded within her soul.

Styles and stylistic Devices

  1. Simile: (pg23) “she was like a strong man.” “…as cold as the eyes of a lioness.”
  2. Contrast: (pg24) The author clearly shows the distinction between the inner and outer walls of the town of stone and plaster. Also within the chapter, there is the description of inside Kino’s Brush house (pg18) and the doctor’s house (pg27). Finally, Kino is contented (pg17) with his life while the doctor is discontented (pg27). Juana walks on hard bare feet while Kino wears sandals (pg17).

Chapter two

Steinbeck figuratively expands the setting to the ocean in this chapter in order to lay ground to the economic activity of Kino’s people. When Kino and his wife arrive from their overtures in town, they head straight to the sea to hunt for pearls. Before they join the other pearlers, Juana applied seaweed on the scorpion wound on Coyotito’s shoulder. While in the sea, Kino finds the pearl of the world- a fortune that may change his life forever.

Observations from the chapter

Defeated by their own poverty, Juana decides to use traditional remedy to heal the scorpion wound on her son. Although the method had been tried and tested as an effective method to cure scorpion bites, Juana does not trust it the way she believes in western medicine.

Questions from the chapter

  1. Description is the bane of good writing, find a location you enjoy visiting and write a two paragraph description of the place. use the style and tone used in the chapter.
  2. There are several twists in chapter one and two. For example, Kino wakes up to an optimistic day only to be dampened by the scorpion sting and the doctor’s refusal to heal their son. Find another twist in chapter two. Explain how effective Steinbeck is in changing the flow of the story.

Themes from the chapter

  1. Poverty

In chapter one, we come across a very contented Kino, however poor he is. In this chapter, we come across Kino source of livelihood; pearl hunting. The fact that he inherited the boat he uses tells us that he barely makes enough for his livelihood. The boat was one of the most valuable things Kino possessed despite its age (pg32.)

  1. Fate/luck

Kino and his people lived with belief in destiny and luck. The tedious pearl hunting activities were an exploit of chance. No one knew what the day would bring as they went along with their main economic activity (pg34).

  1. Superstition

When Kino finds the oyster containing the pearl, he hides his excitement and impatience. Juana also notices Kino’s excitement but pretends because they believe that it is not good to want something too much (pg36)

  1. Faith/hope

Kino is hopeful that when he dives, he will find something to help him take his son to the hospital. He also knows that Juana is praying for such a miracle (pg35). It also seems that Kino and his people have lost faith in their traditional remedies against local treatment. Although Juana had covered Coyotito’s wound with seaweed, she does not believe it could work (pg33).

Styles and stylistic devices from the chapter

  1. Personification: (pg31) “… buildings hugging the beach.” “the sea bottom was rich with..” “the morning was young…” (pg33) “..the canoe creased the water and hissed with speed.”
  2. Simile: (pg32) “a shimmer that looked like water.” (pg33) “.. minds of people are unsubstantial as the mirage of the gulf.” (pg34) “…with ruffles like skirts…” (pg37) “…perfect as the moon,” “… as large as a sea gull’s egg.”

Chapter Three

The news of Kino’s find spreads throughout the town. For the first time Kino’s house becomes vibrant with people milling around to see the great pearl. The priest pays them a visit and early into the night, the doctor visits to offer his belated services to Coyotito who had been bitten by a scorpion.

Although Kino bears delusions of grandeur, he realises that the great pearl also poses a great danger to him and his family. The fortune of the pearl is his because he found it but others would also want to gain it. That night while asleep, someone tries to steal it from him. The deeply superstitious Juana believes that the pearl is evil. She begs Kino to throw it away. Kino reassures her that he is a man and he would not let anything harm them.

Observations from the Chapter

Although everyone in the neighbourhood is happy for Kino, their intentions are varied. The priest, for instance, sees how the great pearl will be of benefit to him and the church. The doctor, on the other hand, comes to claim his rightful share by ‘curing’ Coyotito. Despite this, there is growing envy for the pearl that some people are ready to rob while on the other hand, Kino is ready to put his family at risk to safeguard his hard earned wealth.

Questions from the chapter

  1. A great fortune is always bestowed on those with wealth. Discuss the validity of this statement basing your answer on what is going on in the chapter.
  2. What do you think Kino should do to get the most from his pearl?
  3. Establish the relevance of the Swahili saying “Maskini akipata, matako hulia mbwata’ (When the poor gets some wealth, the bottoms (butt) go mbwata” with what is happening in the chapter.

Themes from the Chapter

Opportunism

Though it is Kino who finds the pearl, everyone starts thinking about how the great pearl could be of benefit to them. The priest thinks about the necessary repairs to the church (pg41) and the doctor seriously considers Kino as his client (pg42) for the first time, he goes to the brush houses to treat Kino’s son  (pg51). The beggars too want to share in Kino’s fortune.

Fear/Insecurity

The excitement in Kino is replaced by fear. Although he was optimistic of what the pearl would do, he grows very fearful and suspicious (pg48) of what may become of him with such good fortunes. His fear grows into the defensive one someone breaks into his brush house and tries to steal the pearl (pg58). Juana too fears that the pearl may destroy their family’s peace and quiet and she requests her husband to throw the evil pearl away (pg59).

Optimism/Excitement/ Envy/Expectations

When the book begins, Kino’s people- those in brush houses- seem destined to live in poverty. But, when Kino finds the pearl, there seem to be a ray of hope and the once dull village becomes vibrant. Everyone is excited to see the pearl. In fact, for the first time, Kino’s people see the priest and the doctor come into their neighbourhood. The excitement builds in Kino optimism. He dreams of buying new clothes for himself, son and his wife, taking his son to school and buying a rifle.

However, in spite of all the optimism, certain envy begins to grow among the neighbours, and, this envy builds in Kino fear and rage to protect his hard earned wealth.

Greed/Ignorance/ Illiteracy/Deception

The change of heart in the doctor reveals a deep lust for Kino’s fortune. He would not have come if Kino had not found the great pearl. Also, his questions suggest a motive to steal Kino’s pearl. He asks prying questions (pg56) while observing Kino’s mannerisms to see where Kino could have hidden the pearl. It is no surprise that someone tries to dig at the very spot while Kino and family are asleep (pg59).

Kino’s people have little knowledge. Due to their ignorance, the people of stone houses dupe them all the time. Although Coyotito’s condition had improved greatly, the doctor uses his expertise to induce fever in the boy to manipulate Kino into paying him. Kino feels deceived by even the priest and that is why he dreams of taking his son to school.

Styles and stylistic devices from the chapter

  1. Simile: (pg41) “…like a colonial animal,” (pg43) “… like a scorpion or like hunger…. Or like loneliness…” (pg44) “like a chorus of trumpets in his ears.” (pg46) “..afraid as a man is afraid who says, “I will’ without knowing.” (pg47) “treated them like children.” (pg49) “like a windblown flag” “like the purring of kitten.’ (pg55) “He scattered the old women like chickens.” (pg59) “This pearl is like a sin.”
  2. Personification: (pg41) “A town has a nervous system and a head….” (pg43) “The poison sacs of the town began to manufacture venom…” “when the sun had gone over the mountains…”
  3. Symbolism –(pg53) “ Out in the estuary a tight-woven school of small fishes glittered and broke water to escape a school of great fishes…. And the little night hawks hunted them silently.” (pg60) “… and the little waves beat on the rubbly beach with increased tempo.”
  4. Premonition: (pg60) “It will destroy us all.” Juana cried. “Even our son.” This is telling us of the unfortunate demise of Coyotito.

Chapter Four

Kino takes his pearl to the local dealers in town hoping to get a windfall. Just like when he took his son to the doctor, Kino is followed by a crowd of spectators who want to witness this historic occasion. In town, the dealers are ready to see the great pearl, but working for one man, the dealers offer pea nuts for the pearls brought in by Kino’s people. On this occasion, they went too far by cutting down the price that Kino refuses to part with his pearl. Kino feels cheated.

It is evident that Kino’s people have no idea on how pearls are being sold in other parts of the country. They are at the mercy of the pearl buyers in their local town. Any attempts to venture outside La Paz have never born any fruits. But Kino is determined to get a fair price. He plans to leave the town.

Later in the evening, Kino is attacked by unknown assailants who search him without finding the pearl. Although there is fear allover, Kino is determined to see this through. He is determined to secure his son’s future and that hope gives him the strength to fight the fear building up in him. His wife Juana on the other hand is concerned more with her family’s security than the hope glistening in the pearl.    

Observations from the chapter

Kino is so obsessed with the promise of wealth hidden in the pearl that he fails to see the immediate danger lurking behind the darkness. Although Juana acts as a voice of reason, the unassailable hope in Kino trumps reason and Juana has nothing to do but agree with her man for he is ‘a man.’

Questions from Chapter

  1. Why do you think people followed Kino in large numbers when he went to sell the pearl?
  2. Do you think it was fair for the buyers to present a united front in negotiations?
  3. What made Kino refuse to accept the pearl buyer’s price?
  4. Compare the incident when Kino took his child to the doctor and this one

Themes from the Chapter

  1. Opportunism

Like in the previous chapter, everyone who seem excited about Kino’s pearl are in it because of how it will benefit them. At the church, believers eagerly waited for the pearl to be sold so that Kino can give generously to God. The beggars to knew that they would get their share when the pearl has been sold. (pg63)

When Kino fails to secure a better price from the buyers, he returns with the pearl to his house. In the early hours of the night, Kino is roughed up by unknown assailant who disappears into the night. (pg78-79)

  • Religion (Pg68)

Religion plays a central role in dictating the position of Kino’s people in the society. Although Kino has found a pearl which will earn him a fortune and maybe, change his life, he still grapples with the teaching of the priest. (pg68)

Beggars and people in the church are confident that Kino, after he sells his pearl, would pay tithe handsomely to thank God for his find. This shows how deep religion has penetrated among the people of La Paz. (pg63)

  • Monopoly

Kino’s people are at the mercy of pearl buyers. However, according to the chapter, there are no pearl buyers but a pearl buyer who has employed all the buyers in La Paz. This has made it harder for people of La Paz to get better offers from the pearls. (pg64)

When Kino presents his pearl, he hopes to get a better price for it. However, he is disappointed because the offer goes up to 1500 pesos only. Although the people think that it is a perfectly good price, Kino feels cheated.

  • Deception /collusion 

The priest uses his sermons to brainwash his congregation to submit and live within their confines. Kino says that the priest had preached to them severally to submit and be comfortable within their roles in the society. (pg68)

On the other hand, the pearl buyers portend an appearance of different organisation yet they are only working for one person. In order to keep the people of La Paz in check, they have an agreement to keep the pearl prices as low as one can get in order to subject the people to suffering and abject poverty hence ardent workers.

Styles from the Chapter

  1. Personification – “Then every unit communicates to the whole.” (pg63) The style makes us see the picture of peaceful co-existence of the people of La Paz before Kino good fortune. “The sun was hot yellow that morning, and it drew the moisture from the estuary…….. and hung it in shimmering scarves…” (pg64) describes the day  when Kino was to go and sell the pearl. “The houses belched people, the doorways spewed out children.”( Pg67) “The coin winked into sight and as quickly slipped….” (pg70) “… unwinking as a hawk’s eyes,”
  2. Idiom- “threw caution to the wind.” (Pg65) “…fool’s gold.” (pg72) “…cut of his own head…”
  3. Simile – (pg66)“….like a rash, unmarried, irresponsible man,…” (pg68) “… is like a soldier sent by God to guard some part..”
  4. Dialogue – Between Kino and his brother Juan Tomas (pg67-68)(pg77) between  Juana and Kino (pg79-80)
  5. Metaphor – “…the circling of wolves, the hover of vultures..” (pg73)

 Chapter five

While Kino is asleep, Juana wakes up stealthily, retrieves the pearl and tries to dispose of the evil pearl before it ruins her family. However, she is confronted by Kino who hits her hard in attempt to seize the pearl before it is thrown into the sea.

After attacking his wife, Kino was along the shore to cool his anger when he is also confronted by unknown assailants. In the ensuing struggle, Kino kills a man. But he is wounded. Juana comes to help him. She picks up the pearl which Kino thinks has been taken and hands it back to her husband.

Since Kino had killed a man, they plan to escape before they are attacked by the people of the town. Juana rushes to the house to get Coyotitto and some belongings while Kino goes to the boat. Meanwhile, Kino’s house is put on fire and his boat broken. He has nowhere to go.

Nevertheless, Juan Tomas offers Kino refuge as the day breaks in order that he could hide from the people looking for him. When the evening comes, Kino and his wife live La Paz on the journey to go north and sell the pearl.

Questions from the Chapter

  1. Why do you think Juana tries to throw the pearl away?
  2. Explain how Kino has changed in a span of two days; from a pearl fisherman who loved his wife to a vicious killer. Explain why you think this sudden change occurs in Kino.
  3. Why do you think Juana at least decides to keep the pearl even when she has a chance to throw it away without Kino noticing?
  4. “Do you remember yesterday?” Juana asked. “Do you think that will matter will matter? Do you remember the men of the city? Do you think your explanation will help?” (pg86) Why do you think Juana asked this questions?
  5. Why do you think the writer says on page 86 “And his will was hardened and he was a man again?”  
  6. Explain the implication of this statement: “This pearl has become my soul,” Kino said. “If I give it up I shall lose my soul.”

Observations from the chapter

Having lived his entire life in poverty, Kino is ready to hold onto the pearl with his dear life as the final hope. He will do anything including spanking his wife and kill a man to at least get a glimpse of what good fortune had placed on his table. He even forgets that the only reason he had hoped for the pearl in the beginning was to get money to take Coyotitto to the hospital. The pearl seems to have blinded Kino and estranged him from his community.

Themes from the chapter

Obsession

Kino is so obsessed with the pearl that he almost kills his wife. Having decided that the pearl was his last straw to his freedom, Kino defends the pearl with his dear life. He kills a man, watches as his home is burnt down and sees his peaceful life thrown in shambles but he cannot give up the pearl. Like he tells his brother, the pearl had become his soul. (pg92)

Insecurity and Greed

Kino’s people do not enjoy any sense of security. When he gets the pearl, he attracts all manner of assailants. In this chapter, he is attacked by several assailants who try to grab the pearl from him. He fights them off and kills one of the men. Even though he was fighting for his life, Kino has to run away from La Paz to escape what might come of him.

Violence

Kino seems to have been possessed by some evil force that is driving his survival instincts. His decision is try to his own capacity to salvage his final hope and at least get something from the pearl. He is very much engrossed in protecting the pearl that he brutally beats his wife Juana when she tries to throw the pearl back to the sea. (pg83)

Besides beating Juana, Kino fights assailants while angrily walking away from Juana. Using his knife, he kills one of the attackers. This changes everything in Kino’s life for he had now killed a man. His life and relationship with his people would change. (pg84)

Masculinity

After Juana is beaten by Kino, she does not get mad at him, she understands her man. Kino had told her that he was a man, and according to Juana, this meant that Kino would do anything to prove his masculinity. “Kino would drive his strength against a mountain and plunge his strength against the sea.” (pg84) This would be just to prove that he was a man even if it meant drowning in the sea or hitting unmoving mountain.

Styles from the chapter

  1. Simile: (pg83) “…like a shadow she glided towards the door.” “He hissed at her like a snake…” “..followed her as silently as she had gone…” (pg84)“…like sheep before the butcher.” “..stirred like those of a crushed bug,…” (pg86) “…as she would quiet a sick child.” (pg89) “…as quickly as a twig fire dies.” (pg90) “I know I am like leprosy.”
  2. Personification: (pg84) “And the rage left him…” “…frantic fingers searched him…..the pearl……..lay winking behind a little stone in the pathway.” (pg87) “Now the darkness was closing in on his family…” “…for a boat does not have sons..” (pg88) “…tall flame licked in the dark with a crackling..”
  3. Description: (pg85) The author vividly captures how Juana walked on the beach in the moonlight. (pg87-88) The last paragraph captures the events in the brush houses. (pg89) The image of Juan Thomas house.

Chapter six

Kino embarks on the journey northwards in order to find a better price for his pearl. He is accompanied with Juana and his infant son Coyotito. Although Kino covers his tracks carefully, he is quickly followed by three trackers who trace his journey into a forest and a rocky hill.

Kino manages to kill all the trackers but in the process a stray bullet kills Coyotito. Now Kino has nothing to do because all his hopes and dreams die with his son. Empowered and armed with a gun he salvaged from the dead trackers, Kino and Juana return back to La Paz. Their first mission is to throw the pearl back to the sea where it belonged.

Observation from the chapter

Kino seems determined to change his life and his hope lies in the pearl. The pearl gives him energy that kills three assailants. However, he realizes too late that his fight was bringing more harm than the anticipated good. He gives up on his quest, and returns the distasteful pearl to the see.

Themes from the chapter

Resignation/defeat

Kino’s hope for a better life for his family dies with the death of Coyotito. Instead of pursuing his dream for a better life, he comes home and throws the pearl back into the ocean. He had given up on chasing the dream- a dream that was bringing more harm than good.

Styles from the chapter

Personification: (pg95) “…the wind blew fierce and strong, it pelted them with bits of sticks….” “…the stars were cold in a black sky.” “The wind cried and whisked in the brush,…” (pg103) “The singing heat lay over this desert country, and ahead the stone mountains looked cool and welcoming.”

Description: (pg96) “The coyotes cried and laughed in the brush, and the owls screeched…” (pg97) “He watched the ants moving, a little column of them near his to foot, and he put his foot in their path…” (pg98) “When Coyotito awakened she placed him him on the ground in front of her and watched him wave…” (pg101) the passing trackers.

Simile: (pg98) “But she sat still as a sentinel…”  (pg100) “They were as sensitive as hounds.”  “Kino lay as rigid as the tree limb.”  “They scuttled over the ground like animals…” “…whined a little, like excited dogs on a warming trail.” (pg103) “…as nearly all animals do when they are pursued.”

NEW REVIEWS


We will be reviewing the following set Books As from March 2018.

  1. The Pearl – An optional text by John Steinbeck
  2. Blossoms of the Savannah by Henry Ole Kulet. The book replaces Dr Margaret Ogolla’s Magnus Opus The River and the Source.
  3. A Doll’s House by Henrick Ibsen. Interestingly, the book replaces The Caucasian Chalk Circle by the same author.
  4. Memories we Lost By Chris Wanjala an Anthology of Short Stories- an optional Text.
  5. Inheritance by David Mulwa- an optional play.

Look out for our analysis and thank you for the support even while we were away fishing.

Please note, our analyses are majorly focused on Kenyan set text for the 8-4-4 system. However, if you wish for any other reviews from other set books, kindly hit our inbox and we shall gladly help where we can. Meanwhile, Keep those questions coming.

CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE By Bertolt Brecht


CHARACTER AND CHARACTERISATION

MICHAEL ABASHWILI

noble child

Michael Abashwili is the heir to the throne of the governor. His mother Natella Abashwili shows cold love to him but realizes how important Michael is. The governor had entitled his estate to Michael.

Lovable/salient

The kid makes Grusha fall in love with him. Grusha feels an intense attraction towards the kid that she cannot leave him behind to die.

Adorable/vulnerable

Grusha sees how helpless the child is and feels an obligation to look after him. She yearns to be of assistance despite the risks involved.

Insistent/domineering/ambitious/adamant/influential

Even when he couldn’t speak Michael has a pull around him. When Grusha tries to pull herself from him, she finds it hard. While playing with kids he refuses to play his role as the governor and wants to be the one who cuts the Governor. Given he is the youngest, the other boys reluctant lets him have his way showing how influential Michael really is.

CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE by Bertolt Brecht


CHARACTER AND CHARACTERISATION

GEORGE ABASHWILI/ THE GOVERNOR

governor
PHOTO courtesy

He is the wealthiest Governor in Grusinia. He is the brother to Arsen Kazbeki-the Fat Prince. He has a child, Michael with his beautiful wife Natella.

CHARACTER TRAITS

Salient/withdrawn/disconcerted

The governor does no say much. He speaks less and seems unconcerned with things around him. Moreover, he concerns himself with trivial issues like why the Fat Prince wished him a happy Easter. He fails to recognize the presence of a messenger.

Arrogant/insensitive

The Governor does not recognize the value of good leadership. He is very insensitive to the needs of the people. He doesn’t care about the welfare of the people. “The water inspector takes bribes…”(pg14) But all their petitions fall on the deaf ear of the governor. A man whose responsibility is to look after the welfare of the people acts as though he is in a strange land.

Hypocrite/self-satisfied/possessive

The governor goes to church on the Easter Sunday. From what we see it is more of a ritual than a religious man. As can be seen in the singer’s words, the man was more interested in displaying the young Michael Abashwili than in listening to the cries of the many petitioners. He was more interested in meeting the architects than in hearing the poor messenger. He puts his welfare before the needs of the many. He represents a cluster of leaders who traverse the roads promising good fortunes only to turn and become the most corrupt leaders who give handouts in schools and gatherings like biscuits.

Discerning/selfish/megalomaniac/corrupt

He cuts his wife out of the will and writes all his property under Michael. By the standards of his wealth and uncaring demeanour, it is safe to argue that he had a self-confidence that through his immense power, there was no soldier who would go against him. He was surprised to come into contact with bitter betrayal when the loya Ironshirts turned against him.

Having vast amounts of wealth in a society of so many beggars begs the question on the governor’s integrity. He was dirty and power hungry that he felt no pity staring in the eyes of hungry children on begging skinny mothers.

CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE


CHARACTER AND CHARACTERISATION

SIMON SHASHAVA

SIMON

 

Simon is a soldier of the Palace Guard. He is apparently in love with Grusha Vashnadze, he becomes engaged to Grusha but instead Grusha gets married to Jussup . He is loyal to Governor Georgi Abashwili.

CHARACTER TRAITS

Loyal/patriotic

Simon remains loyal even when the Ironshirts stage a coup against the Grand Duke and his Governors. He promises Grusha that, after he is done with his duty of securing the Missus, he would come back for her (pg23). He fights for his country even though he could have gone safely to the Northern Mountains with Grusha. He only comes back when the war is over (pg60).

Brave/survivor/committed

As a soldier Simon displays his thirst for blood, instead of running away with a girl he loves, he lives her a promise and goes on to war. He braves the winter and makes sure that he survives to come back to his beloved (pg61).

Tactical/wise/resilient

He makes sure that he remains alive by fighting tactically. He is not too ambitious to fight at the front neither is he timid to remain behind. He however, plays it calm to stay alive.

He wisely engages Azdak into a game of wits using proverbs. Though Azdak is equal to the task, Simon hits below the belt earning him a contempt of court charge (pg94).

Loving/forgiving/Understanding/Supportive

He shows his liking to the kitchen maid. He goes further and proposes to her. Moreover, he strives to live to his promise and sure enough goes out in search for her until he finds her. Meanwhile, despite the fact that she betrayed him, he finds reason to forgive her and stand by her during the trial in Nuka.