Global Literature
The River Between: Final
Read the two education articles in the packet, then answer ALL of the following questions. These questions are HUGE questions. We don’t expect you to solve all the problems of the world, but we do expect thoughtful responses with supporting evidence from the novel and the readings to back up your opinions.
Requirements:
1. Answers must be thoughtful and complete
2. All answers must be typed and proofread
3. There is no set length requirement – quality is more important than quantity, but keep in mind that good answers have specific examples to strengthen your ideas.
4. More importantly, your answers need to go beyond the book and articles. This means that we want to see you analyze, interpret, and critique the material in your response.
Questions:
1. Tradition vs. Modernization: Cultures inevitably change as they come into contact with outside ideas and influences. However, there are over 6,000 cultures around the world on the brink of extinction. What do The River Between and the articles on education say about the loss of culture? What are the dangers of losing these cultures and what are the positives of a more homogeneous (uniform) world culture? What are some ways to begin to address this problem? What role does education play in this conflict? Support your answers with at least one specific example from The River Between and at least one specific example from each of the three articles.
Figurative Language and Theme: In great literary works, authors use literary devices to explore themes, and questions. This includes focusing on plot structure, figurative language (symbols, metaphors, similes, personification, etc), setting, character development, and allusions. Argue Ngugi wa Thiongo’s position on the major questions listed below:
2. Did Waiyaki succeed in fulfilling the prophecy? How did Ngugi use literary devices to support his opinion regarding this throughout the novel? Support your answers with at least one specific example from The River Between (include at least one quote from the book in this response).
3. What is the purpose of the biblical allusions? How and why did the author decide to turn Waiyaki into a Christ-like figure? How did Ngugi use literary devices to support his opinion regarding this throughout the novel? Support your answers with at least one specific example from The River Between (include at least one quote from the book in this response).
4. Which is more important to an individual: your duty to your family and community or your individual freedom, dreams, and goals? How did Ngugi use literary devices to support his opinion regarding this throughout the novel? Support your answers with at least one specific example from The River Between (include at least one quote from the book in this response).
Our goal is to have you explore these issues intelligently and apply your understanding of The River Between.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
The River Between Final Graded Discussion
Name(s):_____________________
_____________________
The River Between by Nguigi wa Thiongo
Final Discussion
1. DO you thinnk Waiyaki succeeded in uniting the ridges (i.e. follow the prophecy)?
Explain:
2. What, do you think, happened to Waiyaki and Nyambura
3. How did Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s use biblical allusions and traditional African beliefs to support the theme of this work?
4. Do you think Ngugi wa Thiong’o was objective (unbiased) in the novel?
Explain:
5. How effective is fiction as a tool to understand history?
6. Do you think Waiyaki made a mistake in asking Nyambura to marry him?
7. Ngugi wa Thiong’o uses all literary elements to create a cohesive exploration of the main question in this novel: Is it possible for traditional beliefs/ communities and colonial societies to come together or does colonialism create such deep chasms within colonized communities that the future of such communities is sabotaged?
A. How did Ngugi wa Thiong’o answer this question in this novel?
B. How did Ngugi wa Thiong’o use the following elements to explore conflicts and reconciliation?
i. Plot structure
ii. imagery
iii. Setting
8. There are many parallel characters in this novel. Can you match them up (several characters are used more than once)?
These characters:
A. want to unite Christianity and traditional beliefs
B. see themselves as saviors
C. are struggling with choice: should they betray or harm a person they love?
D. have dominating fathers
9. What might the purpose of all these character parallels be?
_____________________
The River Between by Nguigi wa Thiongo
Final Discussion
1. DO you thinnk Waiyaki succeeded in uniting the ridges (i.e. follow the prophecy)?
Explain:
2. What, do you think, happened to Waiyaki and Nyambura
3. How did Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s use biblical allusions and traditional African beliefs to support the theme of this work?
4. Do you think Ngugi wa Thiong’o was objective (unbiased) in the novel?
Explain:
5. How effective is fiction as a tool to understand history?
6. Do you think Waiyaki made a mistake in asking Nyambura to marry him?
7. Ngugi wa Thiong’o uses all literary elements to create a cohesive exploration of the main question in this novel: Is it possible for traditional beliefs/ communities and colonial societies to come together or does colonialism create such deep chasms within colonized communities that the future of such communities is sabotaged?
A. How did Ngugi wa Thiong’o answer this question in this novel?
B. How did Ngugi wa Thiong’o use the following elements to explore conflicts and reconciliation?
i. Plot structure
ii. imagery
iii. Setting
8. There are many parallel characters in this novel. Can you match them up (several characters are used more than once)?
These characters:
A. want to unite Christianity and traditional beliefs
B. see themselves as saviors
C. are struggling with choice: should they betray or harm a person they love?
D. have dominating fathers
9. What might the purpose of all these character parallels be?
Friday, January 18, 2008
Golden Lines
FInd an example of a simile, metaphor, or personification in The River Between. Then, create an artistic representation of the figurative language like the ones above. Some lines you may use include:
"There shall come a people with clothes like butterflies"(2)
"The white man cannot speak the language of the hills" (7)
"The hidden things of the hills were being revealed to him" (14)
"The rumours! Spreading like fire in a plain of dry grass" (122)
Thursday, January 17, 2008
River Between Study Guide #4
Global Literature Name:_______________________________
Unit: The River Between
Study Guide 4, Chapters 17-21 (pgs. 84-116)
Create a metaphor for each of the following characters in the novel.
1. Waiyaki is a(n):
2. Muthoni is a(n):
3. Nyambura is a(n):
4. Joshua is a(n):
5. Kabonyi is a(n):
6. Kamau is a(n):
7. Miriamu is a(n):
8. Livingston is a(n):
9. Kinuthia is a(n):
Find 3 quotes for each of these characters relating to the following themes and the cultural lens they use when viewing these issues: education, leadership, tradition.
Muthoni
Waiyaki
Livingstone
Joshua
Kabonyi
Unit: The River Between
Study Guide 4, Chapters 17-21 (pgs. 84-116)
Create a metaphor for each of the following characters in the novel.
1. Waiyaki is a(n):
2. Muthoni is a(n):
3. Nyambura is a(n):
4. Joshua is a(n):
5. Kabonyi is a(n):
6. Kamau is a(n):
7. Miriamu is a(n):
8. Livingston is a(n):
9. Kinuthia is a(n):
Find 3 quotes for each of these characters relating to the following themes and the cultural lens they use when viewing these issues: education, leadership, tradition.
Muthoni
Waiyaki
Livingstone
Joshua
Kabonyi
Monday, January 14, 2008
The River Between Study Guide #3
The River Between Name:_______________________________
Study Guide 12-16
Chapter 12
1. What action has Kabonyi taken and how does Waiyaki feel about this situation?
2. What new law of the church was now put into effect? How would this affect Waiyaki?
3. What event is implied at the end of chapter 12?
Chapter 13
1. Why did Waiyaki and Kamau dislike each other?
2. What is the “new kiama”?
3. What might Ngugi have intended with his emphasis on water and the rain in this chapter?
4. A symbol is a concrete object used to represent an idea. Explain some of the water symbolism in this chapter.
5. What could the rain be compared to on page 66?
Chapter 14
1. What was Marioshoni? Whose idea had it been? Why has it come into existence?
2. How do chapters 13 and 14 seem out of order? Explain why Ngugi might have put them in the order he did.
3. What is “the white man’s magic”?
4. The importance of circumcision in Gikuyu culture is reviewed on page 68. Summarize what it says?
5. Reread the description of the rivalry between Makuyu and Kameno (p. 69-70). Describe where the rivalry is now, what each side stands for, and Waiyaki’s place in the rivalry.
Chapter 15
1. Personification is a figure of speech in which a nonhuman thing is given human characteristics. Give an example of personification on page 73.
2. “And all at once, Waiyaki recognized the shape in his mind that had refused to melt into nothingness.” (p. 74) Identify who/ what the shape is.
3. Nyambura’s emotional state since the death of Muthoni has been one of great loneliness and grief. Where does she find companionship?
Chapter 16
1. Using context clues, define the following words:
thingira (p. 78)
Shambas (p. 79)
2. Give a two sentence description of Njahi. (p. 79)
3. Describe Waiyaki’s confusion regarding the following in this chapter:
The old prophecy:
Kabonyi:
4. Why did Waiyaki forgive Nyambura for not visiting him at the school as they had agreed?
5. Waiyaki receives a warning from______________ at his mother’s hut. This person tells him to be careful of ______________, who dislikes Waiyaki out of ______________.
Study Guide 12-16
Chapter 12
1. What action has Kabonyi taken and how does Waiyaki feel about this situation?
2. What new law of the church was now put into effect? How would this affect Waiyaki?
3. What event is implied at the end of chapter 12?
Chapter 13
1. Why did Waiyaki and Kamau dislike each other?
2. What is the “new kiama”?
3. What might Ngugi have intended with his emphasis on water and the rain in this chapter?
4. A symbol is a concrete object used to represent an idea. Explain some of the water symbolism in this chapter.
5. What could the rain be compared to on page 66?
Chapter 14
1. What was Marioshoni? Whose idea had it been? Why has it come into existence?
2. How do chapters 13 and 14 seem out of order? Explain why Ngugi might have put them in the order he did.
3. What is “the white man’s magic”?
4. The importance of circumcision in Gikuyu culture is reviewed on page 68. Summarize what it says?
5. Reread the description of the rivalry between Makuyu and Kameno (p. 69-70). Describe where the rivalry is now, what each side stands for, and Waiyaki’s place in the rivalry.
Chapter 15
1. Personification is a figure of speech in which a nonhuman thing is given human characteristics. Give an example of personification on page 73.
2. “And all at once, Waiyaki recognized the shape in his mind that had refused to melt into nothingness.” (p. 74) Identify who/ what the shape is.
3. Nyambura’s emotional state since the death of Muthoni has been one of great loneliness and grief. Where does she find companionship?
Chapter 16
1. Using context clues, define the following words:
thingira (p. 78)
Shambas (p. 79)
2. Give a two sentence description of Njahi. (p. 79)
3. Describe Waiyaki’s confusion regarding the following in this chapter:
The old prophecy:
Kabonyi:
4. Why did Waiyaki forgive Nyambura for not visiting him at the school as they had agreed?
5. Waiyaki receives a warning from______________ at his mother’s hut. This person tells him to be careful of ______________, who dislikes Waiyaki out of ______________.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
River Between Study Guide #2
The River Between
Chapter 6
1. Why does Nyambura feel guilty when she thinks of her upcoming circumcision?
2. Why does Muthoni feel distraught?
3. How does Nyambura react to her sister’s news?
4. Why does Muthoni feel that her father’s ideas about circumcision are hypocritical?
5. How will Muthoni proceed with her plans?
6. Again, Ngugi wa Thiong’o uses foreshadowing. What does the bad omen tell us?
Chapter 7
1. Discuss the symbolism used in the following passage:
Joshua’s house was different. His was a tin-roofed rectangular building standing quite distinctly by itself on the ridge. The tin roof was already decaying and let in rain freely, so on top of the roof could be seen little scraps of sacking that covered the very bad parts. The building, standing so distinctly and defiantly, was perhaps an indication that the isolation of Makuyu form the rest of the world was being broken down (28).
2. Discuss the irony of Joshua’s tirade against Mugo wa Kibiro on p. 29.
3. What has caused Joshua to overcome his fear of returning to his Gikuyu village?
4. Explain Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s use of plot structure here. He has just introduced Muthoni and her moral dilemma and now introduces Joshua to the reader. How does this affect the reader?
5. What is Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s purpose in mentioning Christmas and the initiation rites in the same sentence on p. 30?
6. What is the significance f Joshua’s view of himself as someone who would lead the people out of Egypt and to the Promised Land?
7. Why does Joshua beat Miriamu?
8. Why are the people of the ridges growing angry at Joshua?
Chapter 8
1. Discuss Miriamu’s inner conflict.
2. As you read this chapter, be alert to the harsh verbs Ngugi uses to describe Joshua’s interactions with is family members.
Three of these are:
A.
B. C.
3. Why does Joshua say, “From that day Muthoni ceased to exist for him” and, “Let her go back to Egypt . He, Joshua, would travel, on, on to the new Jerusalem”?
Chapter 9
1. What does the great harvest before the famine allude to in the bible?
2. Chege believes, on page 38, that there are ways other than taking up guns to beat the white man. What, do you think, is he referring to?
3. What is the significance of Waiyaki’s reluctance at the ceremonial dance?
4. What, according to Waiyaki, is Livingstone’s great fault?
5. Why does Muthoni’s rebellion have such a great impact on Waiyaki?
6. What does Waiyaki yearn for at the end of this chapter?
Chapter 10
1. Explain the symbolism of the mist covering the ridges.
2. What does the river stand for in this first paragraph? Why is the water cold?
3. What is the significance of the blood sinking into the soil?
4. Why do Gikuyu feel so hopeless in Muthoni’s illness?
Chapter 11
1. What is the significance of the following quotation: “Waiyaki…..tell Nyambura I see Jesus. And I am a woman, beautiful in the tribe….” (53).
2. Explain the reference to Lot and his wife:
3. How does Chege see Muthoni’s death? Why is he worried?
4. How is death perceived at Siriana?
5. How has Livingstone changed in his time at Siriana?
6. Why does Livingstone think he will be blamed for Muthoni’s death?
7. Why does Livingstone believe that there is a war on now?
Chapter 6
1. Why does Nyambura feel guilty when she thinks of her upcoming circumcision?
2. Why does Muthoni feel distraught?
3. How does Nyambura react to her sister’s news?
4. Why does Muthoni feel that her father’s ideas about circumcision are hypocritical?
5. How will Muthoni proceed with her plans?
6. Again, Ngugi wa Thiong’o uses foreshadowing. What does the bad omen tell us?
Chapter 7
1. Discuss the symbolism used in the following passage:
Joshua’s house was different. His was a tin-roofed rectangular building standing quite distinctly by itself on the ridge. The tin roof was already decaying and let in rain freely, so on top of the roof could be seen little scraps of sacking that covered the very bad parts. The building, standing so distinctly and defiantly, was perhaps an indication that the isolation of Makuyu form the rest of the world was being broken down (28).
2. Discuss the irony of Joshua’s tirade against Mugo wa Kibiro on p. 29.
3. What has caused Joshua to overcome his fear of returning to his Gikuyu village?
4. Explain Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s use of plot structure here. He has just introduced Muthoni and her moral dilemma and now introduces Joshua to the reader. How does this affect the reader?
5. What is Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s purpose in mentioning Christmas and the initiation rites in the same sentence on p. 30?
6. What is the significance f Joshua’s view of himself as someone who would lead the people out of Egypt and to the Promised Land?
7. Why does Joshua beat Miriamu?
8. Why are the people of the ridges growing angry at Joshua?
Chapter 8
1. Discuss Miriamu’s inner conflict.
2. As you read this chapter, be alert to the harsh verbs Ngugi uses to describe Joshua’s interactions with is family members.
Three of these are:
A.
B. C.
3. Why does Joshua say, “From that day Muthoni ceased to exist for him” and, “Let her go back to Egypt . He, Joshua, would travel, on, on to the new Jerusalem”?
Chapter 9
1. What does the great harvest before the famine allude to in the bible?
2. Chege believes, on page 38, that there are ways other than taking up guns to beat the white man. What, do you think, is he referring to?
3. What is the significance of Waiyaki’s reluctance at the ceremonial dance?
4. What, according to Waiyaki, is Livingstone’s great fault?
5. Why does Muthoni’s rebellion have such a great impact on Waiyaki?
6. What does Waiyaki yearn for at the end of this chapter?
Chapter 10
1. Explain the symbolism of the mist covering the ridges.
2. What does the river stand for in this first paragraph? Why is the water cold?
3. What is the significance of the blood sinking into the soil?
4. Why do Gikuyu feel so hopeless in Muthoni’s illness?
Chapter 11
1. What is the significance of the following quotation: “Waiyaki…..tell Nyambura I see Jesus. And I am a woman, beautiful in the tribe….” (53).
2. Explain the reference to Lot and his wife:
3. How does Chege see Muthoni’s death? Why is he worried?
4. How is death perceived at Siriana?
5. How has Livingstone changed in his time at Siriana?
6. Why does Livingstone think he will be blamed for Muthoni’s death?
7. Why does Livingstone believe that there is a war on now?
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
The River Between Study Guide #1
The River Between
Chapter 1
1 Draw the two ridges. Name them and add characters, beliefs, and places of historical and mystical significance.
2 The river, Honia, is also called the river of life. What symbolic role might it play between the two antagonistic ridges?
3 What is the source of antagonism between the ridges?
4 Why does Ngugi tell the reader about Mugo wa Kibiro, Kamiri, and Wachiori?
5 What is the significance of the proverb: “The oilskin of the house is not for rubbing into skin of strangers,” the first and second time it is used in the chapter?
Chapter 2
1 Explain what was meant with the insult “white man’s slave” (5)? Who is the white man’s slave?
2 Why is Waiyaki respected by the community?
3 The famine mentioned in this chapter is the same as the one mentioned in “Facing Mount Kenya” therefore this novel is set in what time period? What was happening in Kenya at this time?
4 List three specific similarities between the information in “Facing Mount Kenya” and this chapter.
A.
B. C.
5. What is Siriana?
6. Who were converted to Christianity?
Chapter 3
1. What is unusual about Waiyaki’s eyes?
2. Describe Waiyaki’s inner turmoil regarding his upcoming rebirth ceremony.
3. Describe Waiyaki’s response to the ceremony.
4. A found poem is a poem in which the poet uses lines/words from the original text to create a poem that captures the essence of a moment.
Find 10 sentences or parts of sentences that mostly intensely reflect the events of this chapter and put them into the form of a poem. A found poem does not rhyme, and ALL words have to be from the text.
Chapter 4
1. Why does Chege take Waiyaki to the sacred grove?
2. Name three things Waiyaki learns about traditional beliefs.
3. Why do the ridges merge at the end of this chapter?
Chapter 5
1. From whom did Waiyaki descend?
2. What responsibility/role was given to Waiyaki on the mountain?
3. Why does he feel a “heavy cloud pressing on his soul” (20)?
4. Why does Chege send Waiyaki to Siriana and what warning does he give him?
5. Who join Waiyaki at Siriana?
6. What did the missionaries see in Waiyaki? How does this set up a conflict?
Chapters 1-5
1. Ngugi wa Thiong’o uses foreshadowing throughout this novel. Give three specific examples of lines/events that lead you to make predictions about the rest of the novel. What are your predictions?
2. Give three examples of figurative language in these chapters (metaphors, similes, or personification).
3. Write down one line that you find especially beautiful for the image it evokes.
Chapter 1
1 Draw the two ridges. Name them and add characters, beliefs, and places of historical and mystical significance.
2 The river, Honia, is also called the river of life. What symbolic role might it play between the two antagonistic ridges?
3 What is the source of antagonism between the ridges?
4 Why does Ngugi tell the reader about Mugo wa Kibiro, Kamiri, and Wachiori?
5 What is the significance of the proverb: “The oilskin of the house is not for rubbing into skin of strangers,” the first and second time it is used in the chapter?
Chapter 2
1 Explain what was meant with the insult “white man’s slave” (5)? Who is the white man’s slave?
2 Why is Waiyaki respected by the community?
3 The famine mentioned in this chapter is the same as the one mentioned in “Facing Mount Kenya” therefore this novel is set in what time period? What was happening in Kenya at this time?
4 List three specific similarities between the information in “Facing Mount Kenya” and this chapter.
A.
B. C.
5. What is Siriana?
6. Who were converted to Christianity?
Chapter 3
1. What is unusual about Waiyaki’s eyes?
2. Describe Waiyaki’s inner turmoil regarding his upcoming rebirth ceremony.
3. Describe Waiyaki’s response to the ceremony.
4. A found poem is a poem in which the poet uses lines/words from the original text to create a poem that captures the essence of a moment.
Find 10 sentences or parts of sentences that mostly intensely reflect the events of this chapter and put them into the form of a poem. A found poem does not rhyme, and ALL words have to be from the text.
Chapter 4
1. Why does Chege take Waiyaki to the sacred grove?
2. Name three things Waiyaki learns about traditional beliefs.
3. Why do the ridges merge at the end of this chapter?
Chapter 5
1. From whom did Waiyaki descend?
2. What responsibility/role was given to Waiyaki on the mountain?
3. Why does he feel a “heavy cloud pressing on his soul” (20)?
4. Why does Chege send Waiyaki to Siriana and what warning does he give him?
5. Who join Waiyaki at Siriana?
6. What did the missionaries see in Waiyaki? How does this set up a conflict?
Chapters 1-5
1. Ngugi wa Thiong’o uses foreshadowing throughout this novel. Give three specific examples of lines/events that lead you to make predictions about the rest of the novel. What are your predictions?
2. Give three examples of figurative language in these chapters (metaphors, similes, or personification).
3. Write down one line that you find especially beautiful for the image it evokes.
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