UNDERSTANDING

English Literature O’level

Question & Answer Handbook

2024
EDITI
ON

S. Sithole
New Curriculum
 UNDERSTANDING O’LEVEL COMMENTARY IN ENGLISH

(Questions with answers) STUDY PACK

S. SITHOLE

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 CONTENTS
The Valley of Tantalika - Richard Rayner...................................................... 4
Shadows on the Horizon: Stephen Mpofu .................................................... 25
I will Wait-Bertha Msoro.............................................................................. 37
Romeo and Juliet: William Shakespeare: ..................................................... 49
Goldings William: Lord of the Flies............................................................. 74
Animal farm: George Orwell ........................................................................ 88
Blackboy: Richard Wright ............................................................................ 92

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 THE VALLEY OF TANTALIKA - RICHARD RAYNER
1. Read the passage below and answer the questions which follow.

All along the central Zambezi valley, from the gorges east of the Victoria Falls
to where the river twisted abruptly north from Kariba, over 150 miles away,
an early summer storm was raging thunderously across the hills and
escarpments, the sheets of rain washing away deep-down topsoil, dust-dry
from the winter months, soaking the forest trees down to their roots.

Far away, south-west of Kariba and quite close to the river bank, the lightning
slashed and cracked over the mopane trees growing thickly on a low rise,
where an impala doe sought privacy from the rest of the herd among the dense
riverine bush and tall grasses. It was the same birth site she had used before,
where she felt safest from predators and the unwelcome attention of young
curious males.

Swilila, the docile one, was no youngster. By human standards she was
middle-aged, and had produced her first-born when she had been two years
old, her second and third at two yearly intervals thereafter. None had survived
for long. The first had been taken by wild dogs, the second snatched from her
by a tawny eagle, and the last had been carried away by flood waters sweeping
along the river early in the year.

She lay down for a while, head raised, ears stretched back, and groomed
herself briefly. Then, shifting uncomfortably, she got up and wandered about,
careful to keep out of sight, her hind legs slightly straddled, until she collapsed
into a clump of grass, bleached white by the sun. For a long time she lay,
straining, helping the new life struggling within her to release itself from the
darkness in which it had grown for seven months. She tried to rise again, but
fell back and lay on her side, with hind legs backward-splayed.

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 When the little impala came, front hooves first, struggling and sliding on to
the wet grass, an explosive shaft of lightning flared to the fork of nearby tree,
splitting the branches. One fell, its foliage brushing gently against Swilila’s
flank- a comforting and reassuring caress.

It was at that moment she knew, with animal certainty, that this one would be
different, that he would not only survive to maturity but would, in some way,
make his mark in the small herd she had run with since her birth. She would
see him grow, unlike her others, into a fine impala ram, braver and wiser than
any other- even his father Mwami, the leader of the herd- in this small corner
of the Great Valley which would be his world. Because she knew he would be
brave and wise, she named him Kali-Anuka.

a) What emotions are evoked in you when you read the above passage? (10)

b) Show how Kali –Anuka lives up to his name- ‘brave and wise’ in the
novel. (15)

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 B) SHOW HOW KALI-ANUKA LIVES UP TO HIS NAME- ‘BRAVE
AND WISE’ IN THE NOVEL. (15)

To show his bravery, Kali-Anuka is trained to swim by his father Mwami as a

young ram in rivers infested with crocodiles and manages to survive.

His decision to join Tantalika on the journey to the place of Mabuyu is wise
since this would allow him to hear the message about the Zimikile’s intention
to destroy the Great Valley from Fura Uswa the godkin rather than just hearing
from Tantalika. This journey also makes him independent after Tantalika and
Vutuka leave him alone on the return journey from the place of Mabuyu.

Again on the journey, Kali-Anuka is able to brave the crocodile infested rivers
led by Tantalika. In most cases Kali-Anuka would be trailing behind and he
could be attacked by other aquatic creatures but he is not afraid.

Kali-Anuka is also brave enough to go down the steep slopes and the abyss-
like place of Mabuyu. His quest to know why the Zimikile’s wish to take the
Great Valley shows that he is wise.

He is able to brave the night alone after Tantalika had disappeared with
Vutuka. Owls hooted and there were night sounds that threatened his life. He
is also brave enough to take chances to travel through the bushes alone even
if he was emaciated and weak.

On the return journey from the place of Mabuyu he comes across a huge
python that could swallow him but he does not panic. Throughout this journey
storms were raging menacingly but Kali-Anuka is courageous enough to keep
on going.

When he is captured by Ijongojongo and his team he does not panic but
remains steady and composed.

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 2. READ THE PASSAGE BELOW AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS
WHICH FOLLOW.
‘Wa buka?’ squeaked Tantalika, and stood with his head above the weed, his
dark eyes sparkling a greeting.

‘I am well- and all the better for seeing you Tantalika!’ answered Kali-Anuka,
all thought of an unpleasant death by a crocodile dispelled.

‘Oh, Tantalika- we are so pleased you’ve come!’Kusomona agreed. ‘How did

you find us?’

Fura-Uswa told me where you had been taken by the Zimikile. As soon as we
knew, we came, and settled in a settled in a splendid holt under some rocks
quite close by. There are no crabs or mussels there, but the river’s full of fish.’

‘And Vutuka?’ asked Kusomona. ‘Is she…? Has she…?’

The otter’s teeth chattered gaily, and he held up three fingers.

‘All males,’ he said, ‘and all swimming fine.’

At once there was another eruption of the weed, and four heads popped above
the surface. One of them belonged to Vutuka, who shrieked with joy, and in a
moment all were rushing about in great excitement, nipping at the impala’s
legs with their sharp little teeth.

Later, in the heat of the day, while the three young cubs slept curled together
close to their mother, Kali-Anuka told the parent otters of the events which
had led to the enlarged Pambuka herd coming to its new habitat, and although
he could not compete with the impala story, Tantalika related his own.

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 A) HOW IS A JOVIAL ATMOSPHERE CREATED IN THE ABOVE
PASSAGE? (10)
Answers
2a) The use of code switching by Tantalika, ‘wa buka?’ expresses his intimacy
and affection for Kali Anuka. Wa buka means how are you and this shows
how he is so happy to see Kali-Anuka.

The exclamatory language by Kali-Anuka when he says ‘I am well- and all

the better for seeing you Tantalika!’ shows how he is so excited to see
Tantalika alive.

The author also makes use of apt diction to suggest a jovial atmosphere. The
use of words like, ‘pleased’, ‘joy’ and ‘sparkling’ shows that the meeting was
a pleasant one in which all parties were merry.

The body language/gestures by Tantalika when he chatters his teeth gaily

indicates that he is cheerful at having three cubs. As readers we also admire
her for being blessed with the family.

The two settings alluded to in the passage also are conducive for a jovial
atmosphere. ‘…in the heat of the day’ and ‘under the shade of a stocky tree’
are soothing environments for the two groups of friends to relax happily.

Tantalika’s friendship with the Pambuka herd had come about when he had
been a cub, not long independent of his parents. He had been clumsily chasing
a young spring hare, losing it as it slid down the entrance to a burrow, when
the heavy branch of dead rain-tree had fallen from the ravages of termites
pinning his tail to the flat rock upon which he sat. Mwami found him and with
another ram they lifted the branch with their fragile horns, risking breakage
just enough for the little otter to slip his tail from the trap between rough bark

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 After Tantalika and Vutuka’s disappearance, they reappear looking for their
Pambuka family which culminates in the reunion in the passage above.

3. DISCUSS THE ROLE AD CHARACTER OF TANTALIKA IN THE

NOVEL, “THE VALLEY OF TANTALIKA”. (25)

In the novel, Tantalika the otter is a central character who helps propel the
plot, embodies a number of themes and has various traits.

Tantalika is presented as an agile character. His name means he who moves

quickly, like a spider. His ability to traverse the Great Valley- going to and fro
the place of Mabuyu, up and down the Kariba gorge to meet Fura-Uswa shows
how agile he is. He is able to swim across the vast waters of the Great Valley.

Rayner also presents Tantalika as a comic figure. The author directly describes
Tantalika as always full of fun. He loved playing tricks on his friends. He
scorns Kali-Anuka as, ‘…looking about ready for the vultures’ after Tantalika
emaciated. This was just a way to tease him.

Tantalika is presented a spiritual figure as he is able to communicate with

Fura-Uswa the godkin at sacred places like the place of Mabuyu and the
Kariba gorge where the river narrows. He always recognized the moment
when Fura-Uswa wished to communicate with him. He is also the medium
who gets messages directly from Fura-Uswa. He felt a strange sensation
whenever Fura-Uswa wished to communicate with him. Pictures formed in his
mind and he was guided to the meeting place or wherever he wanted Tantalika
to go.

Tantalika is presented as apologetic. After offending Kali-Anuka by

trivializing Mwami’s death he comes back to Kali and said, ‘I am sorry I lost

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 At the end of the novel, Tantalika looks for the Pambuka family to reunite with
them and they happily reunite.

Tantalika is also romantic as an animal lover. When time is ripe, he finds a

suiter, Vutuka whom he caresses and they play underwater games. We see him
chirp at Vutuka, move closer, put his forepaws o the stone and looked up into
her face. He chirped again reaching up to touch her nose with his, then licked
her face. He catches fish and crabs for her. In the end the romance culminates
into the birth of the three cubs by Vutuka.

Tantalika is also presented as intelligent. He is quick to learn the language of

the Pambuka. When he meets the other Pambuka`s later on his journey from
the place of Mabuyu, they are surprised that Tantalika could speak the
language of the impalas. He is the only animal who could understand the
language of Fura-Uswa in the Great Valley.

Tantalika is also appreciative. This is illustrated when Mwami rescues him

from the trap by the tree when he was a cub. Ever since then, Tantalika felt he
owed a debt of gratitude which he tried to repay in many ways.

In the novel, Tantalika plays the role of a messenger- a go-between between

the animals and Fura-Uswa the godkin. He is the one who takes messages from
Fura-Uswa and informs the animals that the valley was under threat from the
Zimikile. Tantalika passes the message to the Pambuka family and this later
saves them from the floods. One can also conclude that he is the animal savior.

Tantalika embodies the theme of friendship. After having been saved by

Mwami, Tantalika felt he owed the debt of gratitude to the Pambuka family.
We then see him learning the Pambuka language and constantly visiting the
Pambuka to advise them about the messages from Fura-Uswa. Out of concern,

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 4. OUTLINE THE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE ANIMALS IN THE
GREAT VALLEY. (25)

The animals in the Great Valley face a threat of death. Swilila’s first born had
been taken by wild dogs, the second snatched from her by a tawny eagle and
the last had been carried away by floodwaters. Mwami was shot by a Zimikile
and later died from the wound. Fura-Uswa was also shot dead and his species
the white rhino was becoming extinct. There are tales of whole herds of
impalas wiped out by explosions from deadly Zimikile sticks, not only impalas
but all the large species of animals.

The animals also face extinction. The white rhino whose spirit was Fura-Uswa
had been the last of a species which had thrived, though never in great
numbers. He was easier game for hunters. By early in the century, there were
no more white rhinos in the valley except for one. In the same vein, Tantalika’s
species of the otter is rare in the Great Valley. The author says that Tantalika
lived a lonely life until he finds Vutuka.

Pollution is another problem affecting the animals of the Great Valley. There
is noise pollution from the roaring machines of the Zimikile. Tantalika reports
seeing a massive chain, each link of it larger than himself scouring the ground.
Explosions from the rifles also scared the animals in the Great Valley. The
Zimikile birds also cast their deadly mist over the countryside killing
mosquitoes and tsetse flies and the species that fed on these insects also died
from the spray. Clouds of blue grey smoke rose high into the air from several
points where stakes of timber burned away.

Animal habitats were also destroyed by the Zimikile. Tantalika saw huge
machines toppling down trees, snapping branches, roots dragged out
mercilessly from the subsoil. The Zimikile destroyed hundreds of trees that

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 5. DISCUSS THE THEME OF GREEDY AS BROUGHT IN THE
NOVEL “THE VALLEY OF TANTALIKA”. (25)

The theme of greedy is revealed when the Zimikile kill animals for meat and
their skins. This is illustrated when Mwami reports that he had knowledge of
much killing of animals of all kinds and the destruction of bush and woodland
in places high in the hills. Tantalika had seen the black Zimikile wearing
animal skins in the BaTonga villages. Great birds bigger and noisier than any
which had frequented the valley before had been seen and heard flying low
over the land, their wings rigid and unbeating. Sometimes a mist issued from
their bowels killing all insects touched by it, in the air or on the ground. They
died in their hundreds of thousands, in their millions. Animals eating the
insects became ill and often died. Whole herds of impalas were wiped out by
explosions from the deadly Zimikile sticks. At one time four Zimikile shoot
an impala lamb ad it dropped on the sand and was carried to the boat and
dumped carelessly for the pot. These insects they kill to ensure that the valley
is habitable to themselves.

To show their greedy, the Zimikile destroy the Great Valley. According to
Fura-Uswa, the Zimikile wish to destroy the Great Valley and everything in
it. They want to build a dam wall that will capture the waters to give light
where there is darkness, to give heat where there is cold, where there is warmth
and to make the strength they do not have themselves to drive strange
machines which are beyond Fura-Uswa's comprehension. Fura-Uswa
concludes that, ‘Man turns everything on earth to his own ends.’ This clearly
illustrates how man is greedy and selfish.

Out of greedy man kills animals and lets them to rot. Tantalika finds the animal
carrion rotting in the sun- food for scavengers after being shot by the Zimikile.

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 The animals had to be relocated to higher ground and they lost their kith and
kin.

As if man’s greed was not enough, he launches Operation Noah. Ijongojongo

and his men begin to rescue the animals but only for his selfish ends. Those
that were rescued had tags stuck on their ears. This meant that the animals
were to be put under captivity and were to be viewed by tourists and at times
to be hunted down by professional hunters.

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 burned away to ashes. This results in the destruction of habitats for some
species and desertification following soil erosion.

The author castigates greedy in the novel. The white Zimikile are destroying
the Great Valley so that they harness the waters to generate hydro-electricity
for them to provide light where there is darkness, warmth where there is cold.
In the process many animals are displaced, the black Zimikile are also
removed from their ancestral land disrupting their livelihood. Some animals
are shot and their carcasses rot in the forests.

The author criticizes all forms of pollution in the Great Valley. The noise from
the Zimikile’s carrier creatures scares away flocks of stork and the impalas are
always alert of any of such noises meant death to them. The massive machines
scouring the land and cutting into hills also scare the animals and their peace
is disturbed. The banging sounds from the rifles carried by the Zimikile were
a terror to the Pambuka herd because in most cases they resulted in the death
of their own. The mist sprayed by the large Zimikile birds were a toxic in the
Great Valley and resulted in massive deaths of insects and animals.

The method used to rescue the animals during Operation Noah is also
castigated by the author. The shouts and the sound of the beating by the
Zimikile lifted a flock of frightened marabou stocks out of the trees and they
flew off to a peaceful land. A herd of impalas in panic ran towards the opposite
shore of the river but turned away into the direction of the trap. There was a
stampede, impalas, warthogs, bush-buck duikers and grysbok, baboons and
monkeys ran fleeing. It was all pandemonium once more, animals tried to leap
out of the net but were trapped. Others were shot to put those that were badly
injured out of pain. Shock acted quickly with some and they instantly died.
The method is criticized for causing death as well as shock in the animals.

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 SHADOWS ON THE HORIZON : STEPHEN MPOFU
1. USING APPROPRIATE EXAMPLES EXAMINE THE THEME OF
SUPERSTITION AS PRESENTED IN THE STORY THE BLACK
POT (25)

The thematic concern of superstition is vividly expressed in the plot of the

Black Pot. There are many incidents in the plot that show supernatural beliefs
of characters in the plot.

Superstition is associated with rural setting as it is revealed in the rural setting

of the village in the Mwenezi district. The setting adheres to the common
traditional and cultural beliefs that are found in rural areas.

Superstitious beliefs are embraced by the elderly or the elderly generation.

This is shown through uncle Marambas’s ritualism to avenge the death of his
day. He is convinced that if he follows the rituals of old before engaging in a
fight with Mr Moyo he will win.

Superstitious beliefs are shown as he sends the young narrator to dig up a

‘mususu’ root, put it across the road and bring a small piece of it. The
narrator’s uncle believed that it was part of powerful process of the ritual that
would have special enhancing effects on his ability.

The superstitious nature of the narrator is shown by his fear of his uncle
carrying an earthen pot in the intense darkness of the night. The ritual of
carrying an earthen pot a symbol of ritualism in the darkness of the night which
is a symbol of evil which enhances the narrator’s fear.

The earthen pot is a symbol of superstitious values held by Uncle Maramba.

The narrator describes it as ‘black and awe–inspiring’ as it is a vessel used in

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 The western education system does not acknowledge the superstitious ancient
way of warfare. The young narrator reveals that they are not taught this at
school this greatly upsets uncle Maramba.

The young narrator and uncle Maramba agree that the white educators left out
this superstitious way of warfare because they feared to look foolish in the
eyes of the world if the Africans “clever war tactics” became known.

Young children and elderly people are shown as in conflict of superstitious

beliefs, the young narrator finds it hard that a bullet can be diverted by the
shear power of the ritual while the uncle say though it may sound like a
“ngano” (folktale) and hard to believe but if the ritual is prepared correctly, it
is possible.

The coincidental death of Mr Moyo suggest perhaps the superstitious belief of

uncle Maramba is justified. The reader is left in suspense and intrigue that
perhaps there is a realistic aspect to suspicious belies in African culture.

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 that the whites had an advantage over the blacks hence creating political
conflict.

Racial conflict is also shown when the white lady calls Chaminuka the narrator
“kaffir” and kicks him out unceremoniously this shows the unfair treatment of
blacks in their own country.

Internal conflict is shown when the narrator couldn’t return home as he would
be unwelcome burden. He suffers from burdening his brother who has his own
family to cater for. He also suffers from the prospect of returning home
unemployed to be an object of ridicule to his parents and rural community.

There is ethnic conflict amongst the blacks. This is evidenced through the
blacks at the employment who sometimes took bribes from fellow black men.
Moreover, they were verbally abusive to other blacks in an unfortunate
predicament.

Verbal conflict is noted when the employment officers call the unemployed
youth ungrateful difficult loafers who are surviving on the soup they are given
by the employment agency. Temba then accuses them of selling jobs. The
confrontation shows conflict amongst the blacks.

Violence is a form of conflict that is presented in the novel. This is shown

when the narrator and his friends’ resort to robbery to survive. He ends up
arrested and his future is destroyed by the economy and political position of
young black in the country.

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 The ‘rara’ collection basket at the church symbolises manipulation of western
religion. An African basket is used to lure congregants into financially
contributing to the church.

The choir of young boys and girls symbolises the future which belongs to the
youth. As they walk out of the church, they symbolise the idea of gaining
personal freedom from the western powers.

The old lady’s parcel of monkey nuts symbolises unity and earnestness of
African congregants. Her unshod feet symbolise poverty while the white cloth
over her parcel symbolised the purity of her giving.

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 the workplace. If the white soldiers or the guerrillas suspected him of betrayal,
he risked getting killed by either of them.

In the story “Bruised on Both Sides” the villagers suffer from the oppression
of both the white soldiers and the guerrillas. Mandere’s wife suffers
intimidation and interrogation from the soldiers, she is also made vulnerable
by her husband absence.

Mandere and his wife are in the face of danger where they are suspected to be
working with terrorist (guerrillas) which is an offense that could see them shot
to death.

The narrator states that “collaboration with the guerrillas is a crime punishable
by summary execution”. This shows that villagers were in constant threat of
being killed. Every move of the villagers was regarded with suspicion, the
food the Mandere’s had cooked is deemed as a meal prepared for terrorists.

The villagers are frogged marched to assist with the derailed train out of their
own will. Villagers could not move or walk to the funeral as they too were
viewed with suspicion. The sticks the old man are holding are regarded as
weapons could lead to death as well.

The villagers despite being innocent are interrogated to report guerrilla activity
and they are coerced into buying ill begotten sugar. At the same time the
villagers suffer persecution from the guerrillas, Mandere is accused of feeding
the Rhodesian forces and assisting them to remove the donkey carcass from
the derailed train.

The guerrillas punish betrayal and misinformation with death, this is shown
when comrade chairman is told that he cannot be allowed to enjoy the best of

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 5. SHOW WHY FANYANA SHOULD BE VIEWED AS A HERO IN
THE PLOT OF SHADOWS ON THE HORIZON. (25)

There are many characteristics of Fanyana that define him as the hero of the
plot. He is at the centre of a political and romantic conflict found in the plot.
In the backdrop of the colonial era he proves to be a revolutionary character.

He is in love and wants to marry the love of his life Memory. He was waiting
to go for teacher training and marry her eventually, he is determined to fight
for Memory and their future despite the dispossession of their land by the
whites, and he did not want to separate from the love of his life.

He is a revolutionary youth who was personally eager to organise other youths

in order to form a strong resistant force. He was sure that the white man could
be defeated. He shows himself as unique when his first impulse is to fight
against the colonial force that had invaded their village.

He loved a strip of fertile very virgin land he wanted to turn it into a filed when
he married Memory. The virgin land is also a symbol of Memory’s virginity.
Fanyana love both Memory and the virgin land with passion.

Fanyana is the hero of the plot because he shared his plan to cease back the
land from the youth. Their rejection off his plan does not deter him, he viewed
it as a minor setback.

He is depicted as a hero when he is described as having a higher level of

education where he had been exposed to literature and discussions on political
developments in other parts of Africa, therefore his perception of life was
broader than that of other youths.

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 Fanyana is a hero shown when he is among the group of men sent out as a
resistant movement against the white settlers, Fanyana was second in
command in the group that intended to use shock tactics to scare the men away.

Fanyana heroism is shown when he defies his father for attempting to assure
them that the resettled could sustain them despite its evident barrenness. He
confronts the sad reality of their situation as black people resettled in arid land
unlike his father who chose to accept their fate.

Fanyana is shown as a hero when he joins the liberation struggle with Memory.
Fanyana left his home as he thought of his virgin land and at Mpopoti which
he knew could sustain his future family. Fanyana is proved as a hero of the
plot when he returns to his virgin land with his wife and children the fruits of
the liberation struggle which is the land.

The heroism of Fanyana continues into the post-colonial era where he declared
that they will continue to fight on the likes of Gambura. A different enemy, a
neo colonialist black like them but with the same vices as their former colonial
masters

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 I WILL WAIT -BERTHA MSORO

1. SHOW HOW RUDO IS PORTRAYED AS A VICTIM IN THE

PLAY.(25)

There are several occasions that show Rudo’s vulnerable position in the pot.
She is strategically positioned to show the plight of the girl child in the
traditional family setups.

Rudo is shown as a victim when she is forced to be the child bride in order to
fulfil her dead sister Tambudzai’s wishes. Rudo is aware that her sister left an
instruction that Togara shouldn’t marry any other woman except her. This
shows that Rudo is robbed of her freedom of choice of husband.

Rudo is presented as a victim when Togara comes to claim her as his wife. He
refuses for her to continue with her education and expect her to resume her
wifely and motherhood duties. Rudo being denied the right to further her
education shows the painful circumstances of girls in African background.

The patriarchal system is traditional background victimises Rudo. This is

shown when her father rejects as a suitor. He supports Togara’s suit because
of the material support he renders to their family. He threatens Rudo with
violence when she attempts to argue her cause hence showing the
victimization of the girl child.

Rudo is victimized by the love triangle she has entered between herself, Leo
James and Togara. She is forced to live as Togara ’house as his wife while
pretending to Leo James that she is the faithful girlfriend waiting for him to
come back to Zimbabwe. She is forced to lie to the love of her life because of
the marriage arranged by the elders.

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 2. EXAMINE HOW THE ASPECTS OF CULTURE IS REVEALED IN
THE PLOT. (25)

There are many aspects of western and African culture that are revealed in the
plot “I Will Wait”.

African traditional is shown when Rudo is expected to follow the wishes of

her dead sister Tambudzai. Tambudzai’s words that Rudo must marry Togara
when she comes of age must be carried out in order to appease and ensure her
spirit rests in peace.

Rudo and Leo James follow the African protocol of courtship when Rudo
introduces her boyfriend Leo James to her aunt. Leo James declares his
intention to marry Rudo to aunt Rutendo as dictated by culture.

Togara also follows African tradition when he visits Atete Rutendo concerning
the fulfilment of his late wife’s wishes. After Tambudzai’s declaration he takes
care of Rudo’s financial needs and that of the family as their son in-law. He
assumes the responsibility of providing for Rudo as her accepted husband. His
visit to Atete Rutendo to ask them to release Rudo to her pending marriage
follows cultural norms.

The playwright reveals African cultural rites of marriage, this is evident when
Atete reveals that in their generation betrothal was represented by exchanging
of clothes “nhumbi”. Leo James reveals a western approach when he states
that they were to exchange engagement rings instead.

African way of life is shown when characters use the Shona traditional way of
greeting and handclapping. It is seen between Atete Rutendo and her two
prospective soon in laws Leo James and Togara despite their polarised life
backgrounds. They observe a cultural and respectful way of greeting.

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 3. WHAT ASPECTS OF LEO JAMES CHARACTER DO YOU FIND
MOST ADMIRABLE? (25)

Leo is well admired for being a lawyer. He is commended for being young
educated professional. Atete Rutendo also comments that lawyers’ salaries are
as good as teachers’ salaries. This shows that he was financially stable as well.

Leo is well admired for his positive stance towards Rudo’s education. His
intention is to marry Rudo in five years’ time when she has completed her
degree. This shows that he values the education of the girl child.

Leo’s traditional greeting to Atete Rutendo is admirable. Despite being a

modern boy raised in the urban areas he is able to observe a cultural manner
of greeting. Moreover, he knows his traditional totems ‘soko, moyondizvo’
showing that he has an appreciation of his cultural background.

Admiration for Leo is evoked when he visits. Atete Rutendo to declare his
intention to marry Rudo. He shows noble intention when he states to. Atete
Rutendo that he wants to introduce her to his family and engage her so that
they can marry in three or four years.

The decision to advance his education is also an admirable one. He travels

abroad for a six-month course to advance his education. This shows he values
the necessity of advancing education in order to perform well in one’s
profession.

Leo is to be admired for wanting to put a diamond ring on Rudo’s finger as a

promissory act to marry. The diamond ring is a symbol of commitment and
high value he places on the relationship he has with Rudo.

Leo is to be admired for splurging on nice gifts foe Rudo. Firstly, he buys
Rudo watch. When he sends her sheets, a necklace, gold earrings and plenty

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 Rose is significant to show that women sought after marital status. She
persistently pursues Togara by conniving with Atete Rerayi. This shows that
she regarded being Togara wife an utmost achievement as she goes to great
lengths to eliminate Rudo her deemed competition.

Through Rose the playwright is able to expose the use of traditional herbs by
women in marriage. It is rose who suggest that she can find a remedy to make
Togara vomit his ‘mupfuhwira’. This shows that she visited the Nanga often.
Rose and Atete’s dialogue reveal a cultural background where men who love
their wives are suspected to have been bewitched by the use of love portion.

The suffering of daughter in laws in traditional marriages is revealed through

the perpetrator Rose. This is evidenced when she concocts a plan that will lead
to the poisoning and eventual death of Rudo. This shows the dangers of family
members that lurk in marriages for unwanted brides.

The thematic concern of death is raised through Rose. She accidentally gives
Togara the poison meant for Rudo. This reveals the vindictive nature of
women as well, whereby they use dramatic methods to achieve their own ends.

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 6. GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF RUDO’S DREAMS IN THE PLAY.(25)

There are many several times Tambudzayi appeared in Rudo’s dreams to

communicate the fulfilment of her wishes.

The first dream Rudo has she was seated with Tambudzayi’s family Togara
was her left, Tambudzayi was seated opposite Rudo. Tambudzayi two children
Nyasha and Ruvimbo were on Rudo’s right. They were having a meal. Before
they had finished the meal Tambudzayi disappeared. She left Rudo with her
family then Rudo woke up.

The second dream she told Atete Rutendo while crying that she had seen her
again twice since she left Atete Rutendo’s house two days ago. Rudo saw her
the night before last, she saw her come holding her two children. Rudo was
left with her children one on her left and the other on her right.

In the third dream Tambudzayi did not say a word to Rudo. But Tambudzayi
s expression had a commanding expression as if to at Togara and the two
children.

At Leo’s house Rudo woke up all of a sudden, looking over frightened. She
complains that Tambudzayi should hear her plea and let her have her choice
of husband. Rudo accuses Tambudzayi of spending the night haunting her
which is grossly unfair. Tambudzayi appeared in her dreams persistently.

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 ROMEO AND JULIET : WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE:
Remember to support your ideas with details from the play.

Read this passage, and then answer the question that follows it:

Paris: What cursed foot wanders this way to-night

To cross my obsequies and true love’s rite?

What, with a torch! Muffle me, night, awhile. [Retires.

[Enter ROMEO and BALTHASAR, with a torch, a mattock, and a

crow of iron.]

Romeo: Give me that mattock and the wrenching iron.

Hold, take this letter; early in the morning

See thou deliver it to my lord and father.

Give me the light; upon thy life I charge thee,

Whate’er thou hearest or seest, stand all aloof

And do not interrupt me in my course.

Why I descend into this bed of death

Is party to behold my ady’s face,

But chiefly to take thence from her dead fìnger

A precious ring – a ring that I must use

In dear employment; therefore hence, be gone.

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 It is supposed the fair creature died –

And here is come to do some villainous shame

To the dead bodies. I will apprehend him.

Stop thy unhallowed toil, vile Montague.

Can vengeance be pursued further than death?

Condemned villain, I do apprehend thee.

Obey, and go with me; for thou must die.

Romeo: l must indeed; and therefore came I hither.

Good gentle youth, tempt not a desp’rate man;

Fly hence, and leave me. Thnk upon these gone;

Let them affrght thee. I beseech thee, youth,

Put not another sin upon my head

By urging me to fury; O, be gone!

By heaven, I love thee better than myself,

For I come hither arm’d against myself.

Stay not, be gone; live, and hereafter say

A madman’s mercy bid thee run away.

Paris: l do defy thy conjuration,

And apprehend thee for a felon here.

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 B.) GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT LEAD
TO JULIET'S DEATH. [15]
The circumstances that lead to Juliet's death in the play Romeo and Juliet are
caused mainly caused by the feud between the Capulet and the Montague.

Romeo's dear friend Mercutio and Juliet's cousin Tybalt were having a
disagreement, so they fought about it but Romeo’s friend Mercutio ended up
dying from the battle with Tybalt, so Romeo killed Tybalt avenging Mercutio.
Mercutio and Tybalt both were slain that day and Romeo ended up getting
banished from Verona rather than getting the penalty of death on him.

Just before Romeo leaves for Mantua, he goes and sees Friar Lawrence for his
marriage with Juliet. After their secret marriage with the Friar, Romeo flees to
Mantua leaving Juliet behind. Juliet goes to see the Friar so that he could help
her to stop her marriage to Paris. She threatens to kill herself if the Friar refuses
to help her.

The Friar agreed to give Juliet a sleeping portion that would make Juliet appear
dead for a few days, and then Romeo would come and get her just after she
wakes up. Friar Lawrence also writes a letter to Romeo informing him of the
developments they had made with Juliet. However, the plan went wrong when
the letter does not reach Romeo on time. Instead, he receives news that Juliet
is dead and he thought Juliet had really died. Romeo quickly returned to
Verona to moan Juliet. On his way to Verona, Romeo buys poison with the
intention to kill himself.

When Romeo arrives at Juliet’s tomb, he meets Paris who challenges him into
a fight. Romeo kills Paris during the fight and drinks the poison he had brought
with him. Romeo killed himself because he loved Juliet. Soon after Romeo's

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 Nurse: Well, you have made a simple choice; you know not

to choose a man. Romeo! No, not he; though his face

be better than any man’s, yet his leg excels all men’s;

and for a hand, and a foot, and a body, though they be

not to be talk’d on, yet they are past compare. He is not

the flower of courtesy, but I’ll warrant him as gentle as a

lamb. Go thy ways, wench; serve God. What, have you

din’d at home?

Juliet: No, no. But al this did I know before.

What says he of our marriage? What of that?

Nurse: Lord, how my head aches! What a head have I!

It beats as it would fall in twenty pieces.

My back a t’ other side ah, my back, my back!

Beshrew your heart for sending me about

To catch my death with jouncing up and down!

Juliet: I’ faith, I am sorry that thou art not well.

Sweet, sweet, sweet nurse, tell me, what says my love?

Nurse: Your love says like an honest gentleman, and a

courteous, and a kind, and a handsome, and, I warrant,

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 A I.) HOW DOES SHAKESPEARE MAKE THIS CONVERSATION
BETWEEN JULIET AND THE NURSE SO ENTERTAINING?
[5]

Answer

The conversation between the Nurse and Juliet is so entertaining because of

several factors. Nurse is coming back from her meeting with Romeo where
she has been sent by Juliet. The Nurse is very reluctant to give Juliet feedback
from the meeting and this makes the conversation so entertaining because
Juliet is impatient. The constant use of Rhetorical questions throughout the
conversation which makes the conversation entertaining as it shows the
friendship between Juliet and the Nurse. The Nurse uses extravagant
exaggerations when telling Juliet about Romeo
“He is not the flower of courtesy, but I’ll warrant him as gentle as a lamb. “

The use of hyperbole makes the conversation entertaining because instead of

the Nurse telling Juliet what Romeo has said she compares him to the flower
of curtsey. This also creates a satiric atmosphere.

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 B.) DISCUSS THE ROLE PLAYED BY THE NURSE IN THE PLAY
ROMEO AND JULIET. [10]
The Nurse is Juliet's maid ever since she was a baby. She plays the role of a
caring mother for Juliet in the play Romeo and Juliet. Taking a closer look at
Juliet's relationship with her mother, one can note that Juliet and her own
mother are not very close. Juliet is more close to the nurse than she is to her
mother. Thus, the Nurse plays the role of a mother and a friend to Juliet.

The Nurse also plays the role of an advisor to Juliet. For example, when Juliet
falls in love with Romeo, she is worried that Romeo is the son of her worst
enemy. She asks the nurse for advice on what to do. The Nurse encourages her
to follow her heart because she noted that love is more powerful than hate.

When Paris comes to ask Juliet's hand in marriage, Juliet's mother comes to
have a conversation with Juliet concerning her marriage to Paris and to prepare
herself for marriage. The nurse takes over the conversation bringing out how
she had nursed Juliet since she was a little baby. On this scene, the Nurse
diverts Juliet's attention from the topic which her mother had come to talk
about which is her marriage to Paris. Ironically, the Nurse saves Juliet from
the confusion of indecision since Juliet had made her decision to love Romeo
Even if he was her energy. The nurse's role is to show the impact of true love.

The Nurse is the only person who seems to understand Juliet in the play
Romeo and Juliet. Her parents are ready to marry her off to a man she doesn't
love Paris. But to show her support for Juliet's interests, the Nurse agrees to
go and meet with Romeo even though it would put her in danger with Capulet.

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 However, Friar Lawrence plays an important part in the narrative development
of Romeo and Juliet. He is naive and detached from society so doesn't fully
appreciate the bitterness of the feud between the Montague's and Capulet. The
intentioned advice that he gives to Romeo and Juliet thus misguided them and
this develops a fearful atmosphere throughout the play. This makes it very
difficult to admire Friar Lawrence. The advice that Friar Lawrence gives sets
the young lovers Romeo and Juliet on a path which the audience senses will
end in tragedy. For example, when he advises Juliet to conform to his plan to
give her a concoction that is meant to make her look like she had died. He
promises to write a letter to Romeo to let him know of his plans.

With regard to his character, Friar Lawrence is a thoughtful and moral man
yet he lacks real insight in human nature like when he fails to foresee the
consequences of his plan with Juliet. When we first meet Friar Lawrence, he
compares plants to human nature concluding that virtue itself turns vice being
misapplied .and vice some time by action dignified. According to his analysis,
Friar Lawrence’s intentions might not have been willingly tragic, especially
considering that Juliet had threatened to kill herself if the Friar refuses to help
her. This could make one admire the Fria’s desire to help Juliet, although it
resulted in the same consequence which is death.

From the first meeting with the Friar, the audience sees how naïve he is to
believe so simply in the goodness of men. It is partly this characteristic that
causes his schemes to end tragically. Friar Lawrence is a man of self-control
who believes that violent delights have violent ends. In other words, people
should be measured and not let passion overrule their good judgment. This is
almost a forewarning of what happens later on in the play when Romeo and
Juliet’s short but passionate love end in death.

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 Sampson and Gregory were only the servants of the Capulet, they still have a
great amount of hatred for the Montague. This really shows how much the
Capulet and Montague dislike each other. Thus, Shakespeare’s portrayal of
the hatred between the Capulet and the Montague contributes to the dramatic
impact of the play Romeo and Juliet.

Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to show the hatred between the Montague
and Capulet. When Sampson and Abram get into a fight, Benvolio, a
Montague kinsman, tries to break them up and draws his sword. Tybalt, a
Capulet, sees him and says ‘what art thou drawn among these heartless hinds?
Turn thee, Benvolio; look upon thy death.’” (1.1.68). Tybalt fights Benvolio;
he does not realize that Benvolio was trying to stop the fight. Since Tybalt has
so much hatred for the Montague, he doesn’t stop to think and just assumes
that Benvolio is trying to attack because he is a Montague. Tybalt assuming
that a Montague would be doing something bad shows his hatred for them.
This therefore suggests that Shakespeare’s portrayal of the hatred between the
Capulet and the Montague contributes to the dramatic impact of the play
Romeo and Juliet.

In addition to that, Juliet is devastated when she realizes her love for Romeo
cannot endure. She expresses her grief to the nurse while saying, “’my only
love sprung from my only hate! Than I must love a loathed enemy.’” (Act I
Scene V Line 138-141). Juliet apprehends that her parents would forbid her to
marry Romeo because he is the son of their worst enemy. Hatred plays a part
in this scene because since the Montague and Capulet families abhor one
another, this in turn affects Juliet. Furthermore, violence is displayed when
Romeo is upset at Tybalt. Romeo expresses his anger towards Tybalt by
saying to him, ‘Alive, in triumph! And Mercutio slain! Staying for thine to
keep him company.’” (Act III Scene I Line 121-127). Romeo’s anger rages

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 5. COMPARE AND CONTRAST ROMEO AND JULIET’S'
CHARACTER. [25]

Answer
Both Romeo and Juliet are passionate, extreme, excitable, intelligent, and
moody young people, well-liked and admired throughout Verona. Romeo is
loyal to his friends, but his behaviour is somewhat unpredictable. For example,
after his breakup with Rosaline, he disappears into the wood to clear his mind,
causing his mother to worry about him. Moreover, when Benvolio encourages
Romeo to look at other women in order to cure his love sickness, at the
beginning of the play, Romeo languishes over his hopeless unreciprocated
love for Rosaline, but as soon as he notices Juliet, he suddenly forgets about
Rosaline. In Juliet, Romeo finds a genuine object for the astounding desire that
he is capable of feeling, and his unyielding love for her takes control of him.

Similarly, Juliet shows her uncontrollable love for Romeo when she kisses her
right on their first meeting. Juliet threatens to commit suicide during her
conversation with Friar Lawrence. She notes that if the Friar cannot help her,
then she would better kill herself. This is because of her love for Romeo.

While Romeo extreme and moody at the beginning of the play, Juliet, on the
other hand, is an innocent girl, a child at the beginning of the play, and is
startled by the sudden power of her love for Romeo. Guided by her feelings
for him, she develops very quickly into a determined, capable, mature, and
loyal woman who tempers her extreme feelings of love with sober-
mindedness.

Romeo is very temperamental person. His character develops considerably

throughout the play in various ways. In the conversation between lady
Montague and Benvolio in Act1 Scene 1, Benvolio notes that Romeo is

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 was the scene where we find out that the nurse actually knows a lot about Juliet
and her personal life compared to Lady Capulet. Juliet is also outgoing in a
way of being close with the nurse because it seems as if Juliet does not mind
telling her anything that she wants. They are like two best friends who met
from a very young age, and still are very close with a strong bond. But, in
Juliet’s case, it can also be because of their traditions, such as marriage. In the
Elizabethan times, Juliet would have been kept at home all the times, while
Romeo would be free, which is why there are many street fights. And, this is
the same for Romeo as well. Instead of being close to his parents, he is closer
towards his friends, Benvolio and Mercutio. He is freer to do whatever he
please to do and makes his own decisions, even meeting and falling in love
with Juliet was his own choice

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 rather than Paris.”(3.5.125-127) Juliet prefers to marry Romeo, her enemy
than marrying Paris.

Romeo and Juliet are inclined by the feud that has lasted before their days that
controls their separate families and as a result their love is marked by hatred.
Therefore, love and hatred are entwined throughout the play with terrible
penalties. Whereas Shakespeare shows that hatred fuels the action and
determines their destinies, love has the capacity to bring about the
understanding of the two families.

In the end, it is inevitable that love conquers all. The two families were able
to reconcile over a shared loss, rather than moral or societal pressure. The love
that Romeo and Juliet had for each other is endless and strong, this was
demonstrated when they both killed themselves to be with each other, in death.
Therefore, it is undeniable that due to the events within the play, that Romeo
and Juliet is more about love, than it is about hate.

“If you ever disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the
peace” (1.1.90-91) these lines clearly state a warning given by the Price to all
members of both families. They were given this warning because of a battle
that took place between the two families in the market. This warning is an
important part of this play because it leads to Romeo’s banishment and his
death later into the story. Another part in the story shows that the violence
leads to Romeo’s and Juliet’s death. This shows the hatred between the
families and how Tybalt is blinded by his hatred and doesn’t really fully
understand what is going on. This important part also shows how the violence
leads to Romeo and Juliet’s death, Tybalt kills Mercutio and Romeo kills
Tybalt in a fit of rage; which gets Romeo banished and separated from Juliet.
“And fire-ey’d fury be my conduct now! Now, Tybalt, take the ‘Villain’ back

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 The island itself serves a dual purpose: it is a symbol of hell as well as paradise.
It is a replica of the planet earth with capacity to sustain life- there is water,
fruit trees and animals on it but also prone to destructive storms. Simon is
mistaken for the beast and is murdered whilst Piggy is killed with a boulder
by Roger. Jack is after Ralph’s like with spears.
The painted faces of Jack ad his hunters symbolize man’s return to barbarism
and primitivism. After painting their faces the boys become blood thirsty
chanting ‘kill the pig!’ They also raid Ralph’s team of fire and steal Piggy’s
spectacles.
All the characters possess their symbolic value. Ralph symbolizes civilization
and order. He sets rules- he who has the conch speaks, the little luns were to
properly use the designated lavatory and fire had to be maintained. He suggests
the idea of building shelters and works on it. Piggy represents the voice of
reason. He suggests they record the names of all the boys. He also tells Jack
that they were not giving Ralph the chief, enough time to reason things out
and make informed decisions. Jack ad Roger symbolize evil. Jack represents
the power hungry and savage. He imposes himself to be chief because he leads
the choir and has been head boy. He breaks away from Ralph’s group, paints
his face to look like a monster so that the young hunters fear him.
The introduction of the dead parachutist symbolizes the fall of adult
supervision. Marooned on the island the young boys become wild killing pigs,
burning the island and eventually killing Piggy and Simon and little lun with
a mulberry mark on the face disappeared forever. The appearance of the naval
officer symbolizes the return of both adult supervision and civilization.
Fighting stops and Ralph is rescued from the bloody thirsty pack of hunters.

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 3. TRACE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE IDEA OF THE BEAST
AMONG THE BOYS IN LORD OF THE FLIES. (25)
The little boy with a mulberry mark on his face was the first one to ask what
the boys would do about the snake thing. He said it was a beastie- a snake
thing ever so big and he claimed he had seen it in the woods. Ralph was totally
against the beast saying the beastie could not stay on a small island like this
one but in bigger continents like Africa and South America. The little boy
insisted that the beastie came in the dark at night. It had come and gone and
come back again wanting to eat him. So he was afraid it would come back
again that night. Jack said that if there was any beast thing he would hunt it
down and kill it.
The hunters took up the idea of the beastie. They talked about a thing, a dark
thing, a beast, some sort of animal but Jack dismissed it saying that there were
only pigs on the island, lions and tigers were found in big continents like
Africa and India. He claimed that as a hunter he had traversed the whole island
and had not come across any beast.
Phil, the little one who had started the idea of the beastie talked about dreaming
fighting things, the twisty things in the trees. He claimed he had woken up
alone in the dark and started calling out Ralph and he saw something moving
among the trees- it was horrid and big. Ralph dismissed it as a nightmare.
Percival, another little lun claimed that the beast came from the sea. Simon
suggested that maybe there was a beast in themselves. Someone suggested that
it could be a ghost. Piggy disputed the idea of ghosts. The debate degenerates
into a heated argument between Jack and Ralph.
Later on the twins Sam and Eric claimed they had seen the beastie and woke
Ralph up. They claimed it was furry and had something moving its head, wings
and it moved too. It kind of sat up. It had eyes and teeth and claws. It followed
them as they ran away and it slank behind the trees and nearly touched one of
them. The boys then decided to hunt down the beastie on areas of the island
where Jack had not gone.
In fear, Jack and Ralph confirm that they had seen the beastie. It had feet and
teeth and it came from the sea. Jack then breaks away from Ralph and after
killing a pig, they ram the head of it into a sharpened stick and claim the head
was food for the beast. In a nightmare, the pig head speaks to Simon and claims
that it was the beast and the boys could not hunt and kill it. In fact according
to the Lord of the Flies that beast was part of the boys. Simon eventually
discovers that the said beast was nothing but the dead body of a parachutist

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 5. READ THE PASSAGE BELOW AND ANSWER QUESTIONS
WHICH FOLLOW.
A naval officer stood on the sand, looking down at Ralph in wary
astonishment. On the beach behind him was a cutter, her bows hauled up and
held by two ratings. In the stern-sheets another rating held a sub machine gun.
The ululation faltered and died away. The officer looked at Ralph doubtfully
for a moment, then took his hand away from the butt of the revolver.
‘Hullo.’
Squirming a little, conscious of his filthy appearance, Ralph answered shyly.
‘Hullo.’
The officer nodded, as if a question had been answered.
‘Are there any adults- any grown-ups with you?’
Dumbly, Ralph shook his head. He turned a half pace on the sand. A semicircle
of boys, their bodies streaked with coloured clay, sharp sticks in their hands,
were standing on the beach making no noise at all.
‘Fun and games,’ said the officer. The fire reached the coco-nut palms by the
beach and swallowed them noisily. A flame seemingly detached, swung like
an acrobat and licked up the palm heads on the platform. The sky was black.
The officer grinned cheerfully at Ralph. ‘We saw your smoke. What have you
been doing? Having a war or something?’
Ralph nodded.
The officer inspected the little scarecrow in front of him. The kid needed a
bath, a hair-cut, a noise-wipe and a good deal of ointment.
‘Nobody killed I hope? Any dead bodies?’
‘Only two. And they have gone.’
The officer leaned down and looked closely at Ralph.
‘Two? Killed?’
Ralph nodded again. Behind him the whole island was shuddering with flame.
The officer knew as a rule, when people were telling the truth. He whistled
softly.

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 6. Read the passage below and answer the questions which follow.
‘You shut up, you fat slug!’
There was a moment’s struggle and the glimmering conch jigged up and down.
Ralph leapt to his feet.
‘Jack! Jack! You haven’t got the conch! Let him speak.’ Jack’s face swam
near him.
‘And you shut! Who are you, anyway? Sitting there- telling people what to do.
You can’t hunt, you can’t sing-‘
‘I am Chief, I was chosen.’
‘Why should choosing make any difference? Just giving orders that do not
make any sense-‘
‘Piggy’s got the conch.’
‘That’s right- favour Piggy as you always do-‘
‘Jack!’
Jack’s voice sounded in bitter mimicry.
‘Jack! Jack!’
‘The rules! You are breaking the rules!’
‘Who cares?’
Ralph summoned his wits.
‘Because the rules are the only thing which we have got!’
But Jack was shouting against him.
‘Bollocks to the rules! We are strong- we hunt if there is a beast we will hunt
it down! We will close in and beat and beat and beat-!’
He gave a wild woop and leapt down to the pale sand. At once the platform
was full of noise and excitement, scramblings, screams and laughter. The
assembly shredded away and became a discursive and random scatter from the
palms to the water and away along the beach, beyond night sight. Ralph found
his cheek touching the conch and took it from Piggy.

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 ANIMAL FARM

The following questions with answers are derived from the SparkNotes
website.

Why is Animal Farm an allegory?

An allegory is a story in which the events and characters stand for something
besides themselves. The characters and events of Animal Farm represent the
real people and events of the Russian Revolution and its aftermath. Orwell
wrote Animal Farm because he wanted to tell the true story of the Russian
Revolution in a way anyone could understand, even if they didn’t know all the
historical details. However, Animal Farm is not only an allegory of Russian
history. The novella also makes a broader argument about political power and
oppression in general.

Why does Napoleon blame Snowball for everything that goes wrong on
the farm?
Napoleon, aided by Squealer, uses Snowball as a scapegoat, which means that
when something goes wrong, he blames Snowball. As Snowball is not present,
Snowball can’t defend himself and reveal falsehoods in the accusations,
essentially creating a situation in which all of Napoleon’s statements regarding
Snowball are simply accepted as truth. This tactic means that Napoleon does
not need to take responsibility for mistakes and misdeeds, and it also allows
him to continue to receive the animals’ support and respect even when
calamity occurs, as when the windmill collapses. Further, by casting Snowball
in the role of the enemy, Napoleon ensures that his rival will never be able to
return to the farm and challenge his leadership.

Why does Napoleon change the Seven Commandments?

Over time, Napoleon changes all of the Seven Commandments, which were
created to keep the animals humble and on equal footing, to allow the pigs to
enjoy prohibited privileges and comforts. For instance, when the pigs move
into the farmhouse, Napoleon amends the commandment about not sleeping
in a bed to read, “No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets.” Napoleon
changes other commandments as well so the pigs can wear clothes, drink
alcohol, and even kill other animals. By the end of the book, the original
commandments have been reduced to one statement that encapsulates the
authoritarian nature of the farm: “ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME
ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS.”

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 BLACKBOY
The following questions with answers are derived from the SparkNotes
website.

N.B The following essays are designed for revision purposes only not for
examination.
Essay Topic 1

Examine Wright's writing style. How would you describe the prose style?
What kind of vocabulary does he use? Does he use any specific writing
techniques? What meaning does Wright's style give to his story?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the connotations of the word "nigger."

1) What is its original meaning and what has it come to mean?

2) Why is it now considered so wrong to use?

3) Do you think the word has become too powerful?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the differences between how Wright represents white characters and
how he represents black characters.

1) In what way are Wright's representations of white characters

unsympathetic? Are his representations too unsympathetic?

2) In what way does Wright suggest that the way a white person treats a black
person directly influences some of the black people's illegal behaviour? Is this
an accurate representation?

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 Discuss the role of art in Richard’s life. How does Richard talk about art?
Does he value art? What significance do Richard’s feelings about art have
for an overall interpretation of Black Boy?
Richard’s relationship with art begins when he hears Ella the schoolteacher’s
telling of the plot of Bluebeard and His Seven Wives, an event that elicits what
Richard calls his first “total emotional response.” When Granny rushes out
and interrupts this moment, she symbolically brings religion into conflict with
art. From that point forward, Richard’s relationship with art, which is manifest
in his desire to read, develops in contrast to his relationship with religion,
which he sees as an inferior opposing force. Art in effect becomes Richard’s
religion, his only spiritual outlet. He often speaks of art with language
normally associated with religious experience, further suggesting that Richard
regards art as a substitute for religion—that is, as an alternate mode of
redemption. Such a belief accords with his view that meaning comes only from
an attempt to make meaning. To redeem oneself is to create—through art, in
Richard’s case—as much order and meaning in one’s life as possible. Perhaps
the ultimate achievement along these lines is to write one’s autobiography and
impose order upon the whole of one’s experience. In this sense, we might
attribute the very existence of Black Boy itself to Richard’s deep sensitivity to
the meaning of art.

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