Form Analysis in Novel

‘The Form in A wreath for Fr Mayer Analyse the form in 4 wreath for Fr Mayer

AUTHOR: SN. NDUNGURU

SETTING: SONGEA,TANZANIA

PUBLISHER: HEINEMANN

YEAR: 1997

CHARACTERS AND CHARACTERIZATION

• FR.DENIS MOYO:A parishioner at Mkongo parish and a main charaeter in the novel

He is caring,committed and good hearted. He cares about the health of other people. For ‘example, he dealt effectively with the problem of cholera outbreak at Mkongo. He was well informed about the eauses of cholera and measures which can be taken to alleviate the problem.

He helped people to get rid of cholera. He did it by educating people the importance of bosling drinking water.He is an outstanding character due to his critical thinking and humanity

• BWANAPIMAA witchdoctor at Mkongo village. He is a swindler and cheats people at

Mkongo that he can cure cholera using traditianal medicine. He is superstitions since he believes in magic power. He uses his magic power to eam income from illiterate villagers. He gets hens,cows and money fiom people to cure them, He is a very exploiting as he uses peoples’ problems and ignorance to get money from them.He tells people that he knows many traditional medicine. He likes money more than anything, He uses any possible way to get money. For

‘example, he assisted Miteo to accomplish the mission of stealing cartons of medicine from Mkongo parish

• CHRISTOPHER MITEO:Bwanapima’s brother-in-law. Worked at Mkongo parish on

behalf of the late Kalistus, He is portrayed as a thief. He was charged of Kalistus murder and theft. He admits that he 1s daring in crimesplundering and robbing He apologizes for committing murder and stealing. He is a dishonest character He is a person not to be trusted. He caused the death of Katistus due to his mission of stealing medicine at the parish,

• PATRICK MILLINGA:A Ruvuma regional Police Commander(RPC). Portrayed as @

cooperative, keen and diligent man, He cooperated with the Mkongo parishioners under Fr Kafupi on the pending case of the murder of Kalistus when Insp Mpangala failed to handle the matter. He is very attentive when listening to peoples’ problems,

• YOMBAYOMBA:A chairman of Mkongo village He is superstitious as he believes that

magic power can assist him in his leadership. He consults the witchdoctor in whatever he wants to do. He is hypocritical since he pretends to be good and helpful when he sees that there is something to gain from the matter. He is an envious person. He wishes that some priviledge that ‘other people have should be his. For examplehe is envy of Kalistus* work at the mission ‘The form in Passed Like a Shadow Analyse the form in Passed Like a Shadow

AUTHOR: BERNARD MAPALALA.

SETTING: WESTERN PART OF UGANDA

PUBLISHER: DAR-ES-SALAAM UNIVERSITY PRESS (DUP)

YEAR: 2006

TITLE: PASSED LIKE A SHADOW

This 1s a symbolic title which reflects the catastrophe that attacked the member of the two families, Adyeri’s family and David's family. They all passed away like a vanishing shadow, except only one member of Adyeri’s family (Abooki) who survived the pandemic,

• SETTING: The setting of novel “PASSED LIKE A SHADOW" is Westem part of

Uganda. ‘The book was written during the end of Tanzania and U ganda war (1979)

• PLOT:A chronological arrangement of events in the story. Eg, in “Passed like a

shadow’ the first chapter of the novel introduces Atwoki and Abooki. In chapter six and seven we are introduced to Atwoki as a famous footballer. Adyeri was brought back home serious sick, after few days he passes away. Atwoki becomes a victim; he wishes to dic in Kitagwenda ‘The plot ofthis book is straight – forward narration.

CHARACTERS AND CHARACTERIZATION

• AdyerisHe was the father of Atwoki and Abooki, He was a hot-tempered man and an

intesponsible parent. He was a reputable womanizer. Due to his prostitution he was trapped by Birungi and at the end of the day he finds himself a victim, He passed away having passed through great suffering. His family isolaied him and found himself alone

• Amoti:A short woman and very talkative. She was Atwoki and Abooki’s mother. She

had a bad heart and could not forgive other people. A very responsible mother who fulfilled her duty as the mother of the family. She was not faithful in her marriage,

• AtwokicHle was a talented footballer with expectations of becoming a superstar. He was @

good lad and did not know the ways of the world, When he went to Kampala he was disfigured ‘or persuaded by David to start engaging in sexual affairs with girls. He was a kind boy and forgave easily unlike his mother. He becomes a victim of HIV /AIDS as a result of engaging with prostitutes or harlots e.g Edda

• Abooki: She was kind and an introvert, She took care of her mother when she was

seriously sick on bed. She was raped by John and lost her virginity. When she tested for HIV /AIDS and pregnancy, she had negative results. She was optimistic and a good adviser.

• Vicky: She was an orphan whose parents passed away long time ago. She tolerated

mistreatment from her uncle and aunt but later on she ran away and got married to Aliganyira. She became a reputable prostitute as the result of peer pressure She was infected with HIV/AIDS and passed away.

• Uncle Araali: He was a kind man who encouraged Atwoki to be a great footballer in

future. He welcomed Abooki and Atwoki to live with them.

• Aliganyira: He was Vicky's husband, He was a famous business man. He was famous

and he was a womanizer, He was very superstitious, At the end, due to his prostitution he infected his wife (Vicky) with HIV.

• Tusiimeand Kunihira: They were Vicky's friends They were secondary school rejects.

They were prostitutes who earned their daily bread through selling their bodies. They convinced Vicky to sell her body since she was poor and received unfair treatment from her unele and aunt.

• David: Atwoki’s friend in kampala, He was the only son from a rich family, He was @

University reject, He was a reputable prostitute and when Atwoki visited him in kampala, he taught him how to hunt for women He infected girls expressively knowing that he was infected with HIV/AIDS, At the end, David's family perish completely with HIV/AIDS.

• Bada: She was a reputable harlot in kampala. She succeeded to comer Atwoki and

infected him with HIV/AIDS.

• ohn: He was a boy from a rich family. He used the loop hole of helping Abooki to trap

her. He raped her when the girl paid a visit to his room.

• Birungi: She was Adyeri’s secretary at St Leo’s High School, She trapped Adyeri and

comered him. When he notices that Adyeri is bankrupt, she chased him away. At the end Birungi falls a victim of HIV/AIDS

• Jonathan: He was a counselor who used his knowledge of counseling to encourage

Abooki In the end, they fell in love

STLYLE

Style is the technique used by the writer in writing his or her work. Style has to do with the ability of language by the writer,eg. the use of figures of speech. Simple or complex language used by writer

• Hyperbole: E.g. -Abooki was in @ nightmare. Dad gave him a classic slap. Amoti's eye’s

neatly popped out

• Simile. Comparison of two abjeets which ate unlike using “as” or “like” eg she walked

towards him as a lioness (pg.3).He was as humble as a dove (pe 8)

• Sayingse.g. life is not easy (pg 9)I have hit the jackpotMen are like buses (pg 6)
• Personification. Eg. Amoti's eye’s nearly popped out (pe 8)
• Idioms F.g Amoti don’t have a hard heart (pg 28)
• Imagination or imagery language is an art of author to ereate an image: F g, His eye's

Popped out of his face,

• Symbols: Eg regret to have married a pigSlim- HIV/AIDS

The Form in Unanswered Cries

Analyse the form in Unanswered Cries

AUTHOR: OSMAN CONTEH

SETTING: FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE,

PUBLISHER: MACMILLAN

YEAR: 2002

CHARACTERS AND CHARACTERIZATION

‘The Novel “Linanswered eries” has the following characters

• OLABISI:The main character in the novel. She fought in opposition of circumeision. At

the end she won the ease and was not eireumeised

• MAKALAY:Olabisi’s mother, she was educated yet she remained to be superstitious

She believed in women’s circumeision To her, a clean and real woman is the one who is circumcised. The gorka (uncircumcised gir!) was despised and isolated by the society.

• ADE JONES:Olabisi's father, He lives in Freetown with another women [OYAH] He is

fond of chasing skits. He opposed her daughter to be circumcised and let the issue be settled in the court of law.

• OVAL:Ade's girlfriend in town. She is a lawyer by profession She is a good woman

since she loves Olabisi like her daughter. She won the case as Ade’s lawyer though on the other hand they were in a love relation,

• DAUDA:Makalay's second husband. He was wise since he did not support his wife on

the issue of circumeising Olabisi

• EDDY:Olabisi’s boyfriend. He let the rat out of the sack about his relationship with

(Olabisi, hence betrayed his girlfriend.

• RUGIATU AND SALAY:Daughters of Yah Possch. They were badly beaten by

Olabilisi at the well and later at the forest, They, like their mother, believe that a clean and real woman is the one who is eitcumeised

• AMADU:The hunter who collided with Olabisi i the forest, He believes in superstitions

since he ties a big amulet on his hand He betrayed Makalay since he let the girl go after being siven money enough to buy two goats by Olabist

• SALAAM SESAY:Makalay’s lawyer He pleaded the ease on the side of Makalay but at

the end they lost the case. Regardless of his knowledge in law, he supported the bondo secret _group on women’s circumeision

• YAH POSSEH:The leader of bondo secret group .She was superstitious and believed in

spirits She is helieved to possess magic power and she is highly feared in the community

• DRAASIATU:A gynaecologist who explained the disadvantages of women circumeision

in the court

Content Analysis in Novel

Content in A wreath for Fr Mayer

Analyse conten: in A wreath for Fr Mayer

THEMES

‘There are several themes found in this novel. Some of these themes arePoverty, superstition, social crimes, immorality, imesponsibility, role and position of religious institutions in the society ete

+ THE ROLE AND POSITION OF RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS IN THE

SOCIETY: The role of religious institutions is 10 promote spiritual growth of people-The churches and Mosques established have that primary role, Apart from spiritual growth of people, religious institutions also provide social services to people. The church provide health, safe and ‘lean water services, This ean be seen at Mkongo parish where the church has built a dispensary Which teats all residents of Mkongo.The church also fights against evils prevailing in the society

that hinder spiritual harmonization of people. The church also educates the society on the causes of diseases like cholera. People are advised to go to hospital whenever they fall sick rather than going to witehdoctors

• CHOLERA (WATERBORNE DISEASE) The writer focuses on the eruption oF

cholera at Mkongo village. The church and the government took initiatives to help people ‘Cholera was caused by poor hygiene,ignorance,poverty and superstition The dirty environment with lack of latrines contribute alot to the spread of the disease Poverty ean be ancther major cause of the disease since people can not afford to buy utensils for boiling drinking water and buying soaps to wash their hands as part of cleanliness, The persistence of cholera is accelerated

by the level of ignorance of the people Lack of good social services especially clean and safe water for drinking foreed people to drink contaminated water from river Mbuchi. Cholera causes ‘death, The disease kills many people especially those who go to the witchdoctor instead of going to the hospital, People at Mkongo village are ignorant and think that they are bewitched.

• SUPERSTITION:A deep rooted belief in the community The belief is based on magic

power,witcheraft and invisible evil spirits, Witehdoetors use that loop hole to collect money from ignorant people For example,Adolfo believed that his grandmother bewitched his child Superstition is seen as a source of all conflicts in the society. Adolfo severely beats his grandmother suspecting her of bewitching his child while the child suffers from cholera Superstition is typically based on deceit and trickery. Superstition is a source of mistreatment of

people in the society. People with beliefs on superstition suspect others for bewitching them For

example Adolfo suspected his grandmother for bewitching his chil.

• SOCIAL CRIMES AND IMMORALITY: The author reveals various social crimes and

immorality facing his society. Some of these crimes include murder, drug trafficking and theft Drug trafficking face many countries in the World. Drugs are transported and distributed in various parts of the country through secret and illegal means. For example Fr Moyo is implicated in transporting hashish. He carries these illegal drugs without knowing since they were planted in his baa by Michael Drug traffickers are detected using dogs and technology at Airports and other

transport centres. People involved in drug trafficking use skilled people and technology Kidnapping is another socia crime shown by the author. Drug traffickers tend to kidnap whoever gets to know their network Fr Moyo was kidnapped in Birmingham since he revealed the secrets ‘ofthe network. Theft and murder are social crimes that threaten harmony of the society.

• IRRESPONSIBILITY:Bad leadership is revealed by the author. The police foree is

accused of failing to apprehend the culprits, Insp. Mpangala and sub Insp Kapela failed to capture the killers of Kalistus. Instead of apprehending the culprits the police oppressed Mzee Mussa and forced him to name the culprits he did not see. Yombayomba also proved to be an imesponsible leader. It took him hours to gather the villagers when Kalistus was killed. Superstition beliefS can also encourage irresponsibility among leaders as they believe that whatever they want to do,they

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

read show how drug trafficking is done by drug pushers.

• “Cholera outbreak is the product of society life style” Referring to the novel you have

Content in Passed Like a Shadow

THEMES

the disease kills many people suddenly. The following events and situations reveal theexistence ‘eausesand impact of the disease in the society For example in the novel, Tusiime Kunihira, and University students like David and grownups likeAdyeriand David andAdyeri’sfamily perishas they contract HIV/AIDS That shows that all youths are sexually responsible. They stand a high chance of being infected by AIDS.

• POVERTY:In the novel of “Passed like a shadow” poverty is a general situation of

inability to get basic needs. It acts as another catalyst in the spread of AIDS. Due to this situation, some people especially girls look for men who are well off economically so that they may survive. Example Kunihira,tusiimeand someUniversity giris use this way as an altemative to getmoney. For exampleKunihiratell Vicky that “fook how poor your dress is, you must be the ‘most poorly dressed girt in fort porial…."this shows the level of poverty affects the individuals

so that lead people to get HIV/AIDS.

• FAMILY INSTABILITY:The stability of a family brings peace, love, prospect and

success but when there is uncertainty the family loses direction and stands at risk of breaking up. For example conflicts between parents or children and parent, parent irresponsibility, deunkardness, marriage unfaithfalness, job mishandling and HIV/AIDS. Family conflict

exampleAdyeri'sfamily breaks up due to this. He has poor relationship with his children and

wife due to his harsh behavior anddrunkardness. He ends up dying with HIV/AIDS and his family fell apart

• IRRESPONSIBILITY:This shows the habit of not caring or thinking carefully about

something. In this novel there are many events as we can seeAdyeriwas a drunkard and unfaithful to his wife. That led him to have no time to care his family as the result children received poor parental care

• MARRIAGE SYSTEM-Most couples are not faithful to each other as in Passed like a

shadow “'Adyeri had many concubines, one of them beingBirungi. Since he was unfaithful in marriage, he ended up bringing HIV/AIDS to his wife,AmotiAliganyirawas not faithful and hence acquired the disease (HIV/AIDS) and infected hiswife( Vicky),

• CONFLICT:There was a conflict inAdyeri'sfamily betweenAdyeriand his

wifeAmotiAdyeribeing a cruel and irresponsible father was hated by his childrenAtwokiandAbooki Amotiwas not in good terms with Vicky and she caused her to run away fromn home. Adyeriended up in stiff conflict with his ex-concubine,Birungi was due to slim. They had very little knowledge about the disease; hence there was a beliel tomen,Adyeridemanded big bride price fromAkenain order. «to. marry easy. Beauty can make your life different. Put your love for sale…"

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

3 How have the writer of “Passed like a Shadow” used symbolism to present the intended

• “Spread of HIV/AIDS is the product of society life style” Referring tothe novel “Passed

like a Shadow’, verify the statement above.

• Marriage is considered to be an important soeial obligation in Affican societies; however,

it sometimes leads the concemed parties into frustration. Show how true is the staiement by referring to the reading you have read.

Content in Unanswered Cries

Analyse content in Unanswered Cries

THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE NOVEL

Tho novel “Unanswered cries” written by Osman Conteh has the following themes

• CONFLICT:This misunderstanding occurred between the following: OLABILISL

VERSUS RUGIATU AND SALAY – The conflict occurred at the forest when Olabisi asked them if they are circumcised or not, so they started fight when Olabisi called them gorka .They also felt jealous as Olabisi came from town; ADES JONES VERSUS MAKALAY: The conflicts between them occurred a the result of lack of faithfulness in marriage. Ades Jones likes chasing skirts. Their marriage broke down due to jealous and lack of understanding between them. The

act of Ade Jones prohibiting her daughter to be circumcised increased the conflict between them; MAKALAY VERSUS OYAH: Oyah took the husband of Makalay. This caused conflict between them as everyone considered that she had right to be wife of Ade Jones. Love jealous played part to their misunderstanding, MAKALAY VERSUS HER DAUGHTER: The conflict was due to Makalay’s demand of citeumcisingOlabisiwithout her will Olabsidid not support her

48 she realized the effects of women circumeision

• BETRAYAL:Makalay betrayed her only daughter (Olsbisi) when she conspited with

bondo secret group to circumcise her. Makalay says” whatever the spirit says I will do” The betrayal of Olabisi's father when he decides to marry a lawyer and leave her wife suffering in the village. Makalaybetrayed her husband when she got a man to live with (Dauda)

• JEALOUS:Makalay felt jealous since her ex-husband fll in love with another woman

Rugiatu ond Salay felt jealous since Olabisi was from the city and shows that she had confidence and self awareness.

• SELF AWARENESS: Olabisi is aware that women circumcision is dangerous to women

during child birth Doctor Asiatu was aware of the problems caused by genital mutilation. Ade Jones was avvare that circumcision of women did more harm good

• PROSTITUTION: This issue of prostitution is portrayed by the writer of this novel. The

writer reveals through the main characterOlabisiwho started engaging in love at the age of fourteen years old Makalaygot pregnaney and hence this proved the failure of circumcision to reduce sexual desire Also Ade Jones was notable skirt chaser He did not control his sexual desire and ended up making love with other women who eame elose to him.

• PHYSICAL. FITNESS:Olabisiwas trained by her boyfriend eddy to defend herself’ She

used her body to defendRugiatuandSalayand other people. So that shows how people can use their bodies to defend themselves,

• AFRICAN CULTURE:The writer portrayed the customs and traditions of Temne

people, the tribe found in Sietra Leone. According to Temne tradition and belies, all women have to be circumcised to reduce sexual desire and become faithful to their husbands. So in their tribe, the woman who is not circumcised is ealledghorka. People believe in magic and outdated ‘customs and traditions.

• POSITION OF WOMEN IN THE SOCIETY:The writer portrays @ woman as

weakereature Womenare circumcised without their will in order to reduce their sexual desire Also women ate portrayed as refreshment tools to men as in the novel; Ade Jones made love with different types of women before he got married toOyah.

• THEROLE OF COERSIVE ORGANS IN DECISION MAKING:The court can be

used by people to get their rights, The dispute between Ade Jones and Makalay was settled in court JudgelansanaKamuruled the jadgment that Olabilisi could not be forced to be circumcised without her own consent since she was grown up. The bondo secret group was defeated before the court

LANGUAGE USED IN THE NOVEL

‘The author uses simple English easy to understand since itis straight forward

MESSAGE FROM THE NOVEL

‘The author shows good message to the society that women circumcision is not good since it brings a big effect to our health such as getting problems during birth, and lead transmission of