Other types of irony are situational, comic and tragic irony. The playwright has used this style in several areas in The Caucasian Chalk Circle. The irony of situation is that George Abashwili, the Governor plans to remodel and enlarge his palace. ... In the afternoon his Excellency will confer with prominent architects. Pg 19 He even proposes to pull down the peasant shacks on the estate. Natella says, All those wretched slums are to be torn down to make room for a garden. Pg 15 . This is ironical in that this will be a garden for the privileged at the expense of the poor majority. Irony is further seen when this same estate is confiscated for the state at the court when Azdak declares it would be given to the people and made into a play ground for children. He says, ....your estates fall to the city...Azdak s gardens. Pg 98 Also the Governor s plans do not pull through because he is executed that afternoon. The Play Wright uses the noble child Michael, to bring out irony. Being the only son to the Governor, he has two doctors for his medical care. It is ironical when the coup takes place, the doctors Niko Mikadze and Nika Loladze abandon the child. Mika says, ...Do you really think ...little brat s account? Pg 21 . The situational irony is that the child has two doctors while the common people are suffering. The Governor s wife, who thinks that the Governor pays more attention to Michael than to her, is more concerned with her elegant dresses and forgets her baby. Ironically, Grusha a servant girl saves the child from being killed by the Fat Prince. She is more willing to be a guardian to the infant than her wealthy mistress. The biological mother of the child. The incident when Grusha plans to abandon Michael at the doorstep of a peasant woman s house has been developed through use of irony. Grusha s plans are well intentioned since she thinks the peasant will be kind enough to give Michael milk and she assumes that are far enough from the city. This is exemplified when she says, now you have wet yourself again...you can t ask that can you? Pg 34 . Irony is brought to the fore when her thoughts are displayed in the chorus, because I am single....someone who s newly poor. Pg 35 .


Grusha s plans are well intentioned since she thinks the peasant will be kind enough to give Michael milk and she assumes that are far enough from the city. This is exemplified when she says, now you have wet yourself again...you can t ask that can you? Pg 34 . Irony is brought to the fore when her thoughts are displayed in the chorus, because I am single....someone who s newly poor. Pg 35 . When she meets the ironshirts she runs back to save Michael. Ironically, her plan with the peasant woman betrays Grusha, who hits the corporal over the head with a log of wood just to save Michael. When Grusha manages to cross the rotten bridge, she laughs her way to freedom and shows the Ironshirts the child. Ironically, this freedom does not last for long as she suffers in her brother s house because of Michael. She is too weak to walk and her sister-in-law who is portrayed to be religious ironically does not apply the religious principles but uses religion as an excuse to kickGrusha out of her home. Lavrenti only allows Grusha to live in his house over winter. Due to the same reasons he has given to his religious wife over Grusha s marital status, Lavrenti forces Grusha to marry a dying man from the other side of the mountains. This is especially because of the presence of the illegitimate child. The irony of the situation is that the brotherly love that Grusha had expected from Lavrenti is not forthcoming; he ends up complicating Grusha s live when he organizes for the fake wedding. Jussup, Grusha s dying husband, illness is developed in an ironic manner. The peasants comment on Jussup s health status. They initially thought Jussup was faking illness in order to avoid being drafted in to war. They regret having felt that way because Jussup really appears about to die. When the guests continue to talk and eat, one of them remarks that the army can no longer draft anyone as the war is over. Jussup suddenly sits up in bed; the most ironic possible scenario of his death is no more. He is alive and kicking. Azdak s judgement at the court is presented in an ironic manner.


Jussup suddenly sits up in bed; the most ironic possible scenario of his death is no more. He is alive and kicking. Azdak s judgement at the court is presented in an ironic manner. Brecht has used this style to point out that Azdak is a disappointed man and would not cause disappointment to others. The judgment pronounced on the cases in ironical. The doctor who operates a patient on the wrong leg is acquitted for perpetrating an unpardonable error on his practice. The farmer who accuses the old man for receiving his stolen animal is fined five hundred piasters and ironically the suspect is made to sit the same table with the judge ....you granny and you....and Azdak! Pg 82 Natella, the Governor s wife, is using the child Michael as a means of acquiring inheritance. Her claim that she is the mother of Michael is not due to her motherly love. The Chalk Circle brings out an ironic twist when Grusha does not pull Michael. Ironically, Natella the real mother rushes to pull the child but Grusha says, I brought him up! Shall I also tear him into bits? I can t! Pg 98 This determined the deserving mother as the one who is motherly. USE OF IMAGERYImagery refers to the use of figurative language to represent ideas, objects or actions. It can also be defined as the use of descriptive language that appeals to our senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. This is mainly done through metaphors and similes. A MetaphorsA metaphor is a figure of speech in which an expression word or phrase which ordinarily refers to one thing is used to denote another in order to suggest a similarity. It suggests the likeness between the two. The girls Tractorist says, I started the fire myself, This means she started the onslaught herself against the Nazis. Pg 97 There is also reference to a bloody time pg 13 . This denotes time of war characterized by violence and death. In the chorus pg 32 , the ironshirts pursuing Grusha are likened to bloodhounds , dogs that are known for their powerful sense of smell.


Pg 97 There is also reference to a bloody time pg 13 . This denotes time of war characterized by violence and death. In the chorus pg 32 , the ironshirts pursuing Grusha are likened to bloodhounds , dogs that are known for their powerful sense of smell. On page 65, Azdak likens the old man grand prince to a bedbug to suggest he is a pest Azdak thinks it is Ludovika who assaults the stable man with a dangerous weapon which means she is provocative. The Fat prince refers to his nephew my little fox pg 71 to hint at his traits and to show how confident he is that he will be made the judge. B SimilesThis is a figure of speech that directly compares two things that are related using connective words such as like , as or resembles The Governor Georgi Abashwili is described thus: He was rich as Croesus, pg 7 this compares him to the king of Lydia who was defeated by Persians and was known for his immense wealth, his name is synonymous with wealth. The singer castigates the insensitive leaders thus: O blindness of the great! They go their way like gods..... pg 20 After the coup, the servants say among themselves, we ll be slaughtered like chickens, as always pg 21 . This suggests they are not safe. Simon asks Grusha, Is the lady as healthy as a fish in water? Pg 22 . Grusha is compared to a thief; probably for the reader to pass judgement on whether she is justifies to take Michael, we are told: As if she was a thief she crept away! Pg 29 When Grusha is sheltered at her brother s house, she tells Michael that they should make themselves as small as cockroaches pg 47 to escape the wrath of her sister-in-law.


Simon asks Grusha, Is the lady as healthy as a fish in water? Pg 22 . Grusha is compared to a thief; probably for the reader to pass judgement on whether she is justifies to take Michael, we are told: As if she was a thief she crept away! Pg 29 When Grusha is sheltered at her brother s house, she tells Michael that they should make themselves as small as cockroaches pg 47 to escape the wrath of her sister-in-law. Indeed, Lavrenti remarks, why are you sitting there muffled up like coachmen.... pg 48 To suggest that she cannot run away from Michael, Grusha tells him, I came by you as the peat trees comes by sparrows pg 49 Azdak says law is a sensitive organ, .....like the spleen, in delivering justice, we are told by the singer he, Broke law like bread he gave them. Pg 82 SONGSMany songs have been sung by Arkadi and other characters in the play. Some are at the beginning of the scene, others within the scene and at the end of the scene. The governor is introduced through a song. Before we meet him, we are told about what king of a person he is as follows:- He was rich as CroesusHe had a beautiful wifeHe had a healthy baby pg 13 We learn that he has many beggars and petitioners whom he ignores. This song juxtaposes the rich governor with the majority poor folks who wait for hand outs in form of coins which are distributed by a servant. Simon Shashava, the soldier, and Grusha, a kitchen maid are also introduced to us before we meet them. We learn of their relationship. The song on pg 18 is summative. It summarizes the action. The Governor s palace foreshadows restlessness. The palace is said to be a fortress but is surrounded by soldiers. We anticipate the death of the Governor. ..... Noon was the hour to die. These words are followed by the appearance of the Fat Prince. The stage is set for the execution of the Governor by the Fat Prince. The tension surrounding the Governor s execution is found in the song on pg 20 , in the song, stage directions are given e.g.


For instance it says, ...who had no bread at all have full granaries... pg 84PROVERBS AND WISE SAYINGSMany proverbs have been used by the playwright. The capability to use proverbs in one s conversation is interpreted as a sign of wisdom. It also shows masterly of one s own language sinceproverbs and wise sayings require comprehension of metaphors, similes and symbols in one s community. When Grusha points out to Simon that it must be dangerous for him to accompany Natella Abashwilias her guard on her flight, he replies with a wise saying- in Tiflis, they say: Isn t the stabbing dangerous for the knife? Pg 21 means as the knife stabs what it is supposed to, it is also in danger of breaking or bending but it still stabs anyway. Likewise, a soldier protects others despite the danger he exposes himself. When they meet in the courtyard and Grusha is rushing to collect her personal effects, She accepts Simon s proposal long before he even proposes. Simon feels embarrassed and responds, haste, theysay is the wind that blows down the scaffold a temporary building built for workers round a building that is being constructed, If they are blown away then the builders will not be able to buildthe permanent structure as they will have no where to stay just like Grusha and Simon will not have a marriage if she is not patient enough to listen to the information that will cement that relationship. When Michael and other boys are playing the game of cutting off the Governor s head, the other children want Michael to play the Governor s role of just bending and his head is cut off but Michael adamantly refuses and says he wants to be the person to cut off. The other children disagree but Michael is adamant so when they shout to Grusha that Michael won t play his part, Grusha laughsand says, Even the little duck is a swimmer, they say. Pg 58 Meaning even though Michael is young, you cannot command him since he is the son of a Governor and so others do what he demands and not vice versa. When Azdak discovers that the fleeing duke is not a peasant but a land owner he orders him out but the Duke make him a proposition.


By Azdak replying that, I m my own master, said the servant; and cut off his foot, means one does not have to do outrageous activities to prove that one is independent minded. Simon replies by showing that, people are able to see through their tormentors hypocrisy when the latter professes to love the farmer and therefore still give them their due. This is proved when he says, I love you as a father said the Czar to the peasants, and had the Czarevitch s head chopped off. Azdak knows that despite the appearance, he is still on the poor people s side yet Simon does not realize this, so that is why he concludes the discussion by saying, A fool s worst enemy is himself. Pg 94 From all the above, it is important to note that, the cook, Grusha, Azdak and Simon are the only people who portray positive traits in the society. They portray a sense of wisom as seen when they are highlighted as the only characters that employ proverbs and wise sayings. ALLUSIONAllusion refers to a passing reference or indirect mention of something or someone the reader is expected to know. The playwright alludes to the king of Lydia 560 BC-547BC who was defeated by Persians and was known for his immense wealth on pg 7. We are told that the Governor Georgi Abashwili was, rich as Croesus. The girls tractorist also quotes the poet Vladimir Mayakovsy, pg 10, a Georgian born in 1883. He wrote the poems, The Cloud and I which are among the most popular during his time. Singer alludes to Jesus when he remarks, And now you don t need an architect, a carpenter will do, pg 20 . The Governor needs Jesus to save him from his predicament. The play infers from both a Chinese play Circle of chalk written in 1300 AD and a biblical story The judgement of Solomon- 1 Kings 3: 16-28 In the Chinese story, a young girl, Hai-tang, bears a child as the second wife of a wealthy man. His first wife claims the child is her own. However, the second wife is judged the true mother when she refuses to pull the child apart in the test of the Chalk Circle.


The play infers from both a Chinese play Circle of chalk written in 1300 AD and a biblical story The judgement of Solomon- 1 Kings 3: 16-28 In the Chinese story, a young girl, Hai-tang, bears a child as the second wife of a wealthy man. His first wife claims the child is her own. However, the second wife is judged the true mother when she refuses to pull the child apart in the test of the Chalk Circle. In the biblical story, two women live in the same house and both bear a chil d. One baby dies in the night and its mother swaps him for the living baby. Both claim the living child is their own. Solomon orders that the child be cut in two and each half be given to each mother. The real mother of the child gives up the child rather than see him harmed and is judged to be the true mother. SARCASMThis is the use of humorous language to ridicule or to convey scorn, especially saying one thing but implying the opposite. The Fat Prince is sarcastic when he says, and little Michael is a governor from head to foot! Tititi! Pg 15 . Simon is sarcastic when he tells Grusha: Why shouldn t I wash the linen by the willows! That s good, really good! Pg 17 . On pg 18, the singer says, And the goose was plucked and roasted But the goose was not eaten this time. This refers to the killing of the Governor and draws an analogy to the goose Grusha kills for the Governor s family. When the singer says, And now you don t need an architect, a carpenter will do, pg 20 , the playwright is sarcastic towards religion as this alludes to the fact that the Governor needs Jesus, who was a carpenter to intervene on this Easter Sunday. This will of course not happen. The dying man refers to Grusha as, A nice thing you ve saddled me with! A simpleton for a wife! Pg 57 When Grusha is fined ten pisters for using indecent language in court, she sarcastically lambasts Azdak and his corrupt ways by saying, A fine kind of Justice!


The Christian church has been used as a tool to support the upper class and keep the lower classes in their places. The historical church subverts the original teaching of Christ who treated all humans with respect. The garden that Governor Abashwili want to establish for his son by knocking down slums for thepoor symbolises oppression and insensitivity of the rich towards the poor. Ironically, Azdak later rules that the Governor s estate should revert to the poorFORESHADOWINGForeshadowing is a situation where a writer gives a sign of something that will come later on a work of art, that which is important or appalling. When the Fat Prince greets his brother Governor Georgi Abashwili, this is quite unusual until the Governor remarks, .....But did you hear Brother Kazbeki wish me a happy Easter? Which is all very well, but I don t believe it did rain last night. Pg 16 . The relationship between the brothers is thus foreshadowed by the Governor s comment, in which he expresses surprise at being greeted by his brother. The brother later executes him. Natella, the governor s wife, seems to have an unstable mind and poses, I hardly know if my head s still on. Where is Michael? .......... Pg 24 . Later she forgets to carry his as she flees. Another important moment is when Natella, the governor s wife, tells, her adjutant how jealous of Michael she really is, She is desperate for attention from her husband. But Georgi, of course, will only build for his little Michael, Never for me! Michael is all! All for Michael! This jealousy of her child is important since she abandons him later in the act. Shortly before Azdak makes the ruling on who should take Michael between Natella and Grusha, the boy smiles at the latter. This foreshadows the ruling made by the judge as Grusha is finally given child. Azdak tells the old man Grand Duke to encircle the cheese on the plate like it might be snatched from him pg 65 This foreshadows the chalk circle that is drawn to choose a mother for the child,Michael. Pg 97 REVISION QUESTIONS AND EXPECTED POINTSQuestion 1Justice is an important institution in any well governed community.


This foreshadows the ruling made by the judge as Grusha is finally given child. Azdak tells the old man Grand Duke to encircle the cheese on the plate like it might be snatched from him pg 65 This foreshadows the chalk circle that is drawn to choose a mother for the child,Michael. Pg 97 REVISION QUESTIONS AND EXPECTED POINTSQuestion 1Justice is an important institution in any well governed community. Explain the truth of the above assertion with reference to Bertolt Brecht s The Caucasian Chalk Circle 20mks i In the prologue there is the dispute over the ownership of the valley, presided over by the delegate from the capital, Tiflis. -. Emphasis is laid on fairness in order to avoid the reoccurrence of future disputes. -. The fruit farmers and the goat herders amicably discuss a resolution to the dispute. -. It is decided that the land goes to the fruit and vine growers amicably as they would make better use of the land. -. The agreement is followed by a party to seal the deal ii Justice is also portrayed by the test of the chalk circle- In the old story, the real mother is revealed by the test. -. Her feelings for the child are too deep to allow her to gain it by force that injures the child- The child is taken from the natural mother, Natella Abashwili who is only after the inheritance and given to the false mother Grusha Vashnadze who has the greatest feelings of love for the boy Michael Abashwili iii Justice is also shown in the way Azdak s good turn in protecting and giving shelter to the Grand Duke. -. Eventually he is rewarded when the Grand Duke appoints Judge just in time to save him from the hangman s noose- Azdak then proceeds to dispense justice to the poor and down trodden in a manner never witnessed before in the land. Iv Adzak s two year reign as Judge is treated as an era of rough justice especially for the poor and vulnerable in society. -. The singer says he broke the rules to save them- At long last the poor and the lowly had someone who was not too holy to be bribed by empty hands. QUESTION 2Human weaknesses affect characters negatively.


Iv Adzak s two year reign as Judge is treated as an era of rough justice especially for the poor and vulnerable in society. -. The singer says he broke the rules to save them- At long last the poor and the lowly had someone who was not too holy to be bribed by empty hands. QUESTION 2Human weaknesses affect characters negatively. Explain the truth of the above assertion with reference to Bertolt Brecht s The Caucasian Chalk Circle 20mks Points of interpretationThe following must come out clearly;- Weakness of a character- Details of that weakness- How it affects that character negativelyW1. Natela Abashwili s weakness on adoring things. -. She forgets her child at the time of war and takes clothes and boots instead, pg 25 - The maid escapes with the child to save his life but Natela later goes for the child because she wants to inherit the governor s estate. -. She loses both the child and the estate. WII The fat prince greed and hunger for power- Eliminates his brother to get his power,WIII The governor s lack of concern for his subjects. -. He oppresses his subjects forcing people to go to war, charging high taxation. -. He loses his life and power. WIV- Lavrenti and his wife undermines family values. -. Fails to give Grusha a warm welcome though she comes from town where war has broken out tired and sickWV The self righteous nature of Aniko shown through her hypocritical actionsWVI- Natela s hatred for the poor. She undermines Grusha during the court case feeling thatGrusha is too poor to keep the child. -. She finally loses the child to the poor Grusha due to her arrogance. Question 3Discuss the consequences of Fighting and war in any society with evidence from Bertolt Brecht s The Caucasian Chalk Circle. IntroductionFighting and war in any society has far reaching consequences. During war people s normal lifestyle way of living is disrupted and there is a lot of destruction of property and lives. Bertolt Bretch has shown how war affects people in his play, The Caucasian Chalk Circle. Body- During war, the innocent and the vulnerable suffer the most from the effects of war and fighting.


During war people s normal lifestyle way of living is disrupted and there is a lot of destruction of property and lives. Bertolt Bretch has shown how war affects people in his play, The Caucasian Chalk Circle. Body- During war, the innocent and the vulnerable suffer the most from the effects of war and fighting. The servants say this about their employer, the Governor s family: They even have to have their weeping done for them p 26 . Michael is being hunted down to be killed yet he is not aware of the war, being only an infant. -. There is disruption of people s normal lifestyles as farms and homes are abandoned. Resettlement has to be negotiated afresh after the war. See p7 prologue . As a result of war, there are ruins of a war ravaged Caucasian village, the people orchard is already destroyed and the once beautiful dairy farm is a ruin. -. People s livelihoods are destroyed as the goat herders complain of the low quality of cheese they now produce from their new settlement. The old man whom Grusha requests to sell her some milk retorts: Go to the soldiers if you want milk. The soldiers of the Grand Duke burn the houses of innocent people and kill them making it difficult for them to live peacefully. -. War creates internal refugees. The farmers and the goat herders have been displaced from their homes having been uprooted by the Germans. Grusha and her fellow workers flee into the Northern Mountains as a result of fighting in the city. -. Fighting and war breeds civil wars and counter coups as warring groups fight for supremacy. The grand Duke is overthrown by the princes who murder his governor but they are in turn rounded up and killed when the Grand Duke takes back powers. -. There is rampant landlessness during the war and fighting as seen in the cases presented before Azkak. He has been a thief as Shauwa says. The soldiers and policemen also break the law they are meant to uphold. The two farming groups goat herders and the fruit growers are landless. -. War results in exploitation and oppression. For instance, in The song of injustice in Persia. It is stated that the kings are driven by greed in their quest to acquire new territories by impoverishing peasants. Their sense of imperialism drives them into unrealistic adventures that Azdak refers to as the roof of the world ironically, as the soldiers kill each other, the marshals assault each other.


For instance, in The song of injustice in Persia. It is stated that the kings are driven by greed in their quest to acquire new territories by impoverishing peasants. Their sense of imperialism drives them into unrealistic adventures that Azdak refers to as the roof of the world ironically, as the soldiers kill each other, the marshals assault each other. -. There is fear and apprehensions which are direct effects of this war. Jussup feigns illness and lies in bed for a long time for fear of being drafted into the war. He only recovers when he hears that the war has ended. The song of the centre clearly portrays the fear among the soldiers at the front line. It says that if one wants to survive the war and come back home one has to remain at the center p47. The peasant woman at whose door Grusha leaves Michael shows extreme fear and apprehension at the sight of the soldiers. She disowns Grusha s agreement with her to claims that the child is hers and instead falls down on her knees begging for mercy. Grusha has to flee again with Michael. Accept any other relevant point. Expect 4 well developed illustrated points. Question 4. The society depicted in The Caucasian Chalk Circle is one that ignores important issues and gives priority to less serious ones leading often with disastrous consequences. Discuss the validity of the statement with illustrations from the play. Introduction: May be General or SpecificMany people ignore the important things that matter in their lives and instead pay attention to useless things that don t add value to their lives often leading to dire consequences. This is true of characters in the play like Natella Abashwili, the governor and others as discussed below. The governor- Immensely rich yet has many beggars, petitioners etc at his door. -. Refuses to hear the message from the wounded rider before the mass and ever after leading to his tragic death. Page 16 -19Natella Abashwili- Concerned about the dresses to pack leading to her abandoning her baby. -. In the court she is interested in getting Michael back only because of the estates left by her husband. -. She ends up losing the baby to GrushaAniko and Lavrenti- Can t stand Grusha with her baby . Aniko is so religious to accept Grusha- Lavrenti forces Grusha to marry a dying man whom she does not love.


- In the court she is interested in getting Michael back only because of the estates left by her husband. -. She ends up losing the baby to GrushaAniko and Lavrenti- Can t stand Grusha with her baby . Aniko is so religious to accept Grusha- Lavrenti forces Grusha to marry a dying man whom she does not love. He pays the mother of the man a huge sum and later the marriage is dissolved by Azdak. Jussup s mother- Interested in marrying her son before he dies and no attempts to treat him- She has to feed the guests at the wedding, hiring a monk and later her son is divorced. Black Mailer. -. Interested in knowing whether a certain land owner raped his niece or not and not the plight of the niece. -. Heavily fined. Invalid- Gets a stroke when he hears the doctor he paid fees to train is treating free- Heavily fined. Prince Kazbeki- One of the princes who ran down the war- Wants his unqualified nephew appointed the judge- Embarrassed by Azdak in the mock trial and later killed on the return of the dukeQuestion 5Bertolt Bretch; The Caucasian Chalk Circle What there is shall go to those who are good for it . With illustrations from the play the caucasian chalk circle, write an essay in support of this statement.


In the Caucasian Chalk circle, such a person is Grusha. Grusha goes through many challenges in order to save and adopt Michael. Some of these challenges are discusses belowAccept any other relevant introductionCONTENT i She sacrifices the little she has in order to sustain Michael. She buys milk exorbitantly ii She is forced to come up with ingenuinenes way of eluding the red shirts who are after him. She knocks one of them down with a piece of wood, enduring her life in the process. Iii She crosses of dangerous bridge, endangering her life and Michael s iv She has to contend with a society that frowns upon single motherhood. She is forced to accept marriage to an invalid called Jussup in order to normalize her status vi Her relationship with her fianc e, Simon , is endangered. Vi She is force to go through a court processes in order to gain custody of MichaelQuestion 7 True mother hood is not necessarily biological Write an essay illustrating this statement using Bertolt Brecht s , The Caucasian chalk Circle . NatellaAbashiwili, the biological mother of Michael abandons the child as she feels the city .She is more interested in her fine linen and shoes as well as horse carriages- It takes the motherly instinct of the kitchen maid Grusha to retrieve the baby and fend for it offering protection and nourishment- Grusha adopts the body and risks being captured by the soldiers and crosses the dangerous and rotten bridge to save the life of Michael from the iron shirts- The mockery of Grusha s sister-in-law concerning the illegitimate child, Michael does not affect her affection for the young boy- Vashnadze endures an arranged and difficult marriage on paper to a dying man, Jussup: for the sake of the child- A mere kitchen help Grusha fights for the custody of Michael in court and does not pull him to her side in the test of the chalk circle so as not to tear him up. She fears to destroy the boy she has nurtured and brought up expensively as a real mother.


This is seen as she was the best student in Thompson Falls High School; she then went to Alliance high school and later earned a degree in medicine from the University of Nairobi in 1984 and later a master s degree in pediatrics in the year 1990. In addition to her writing career she worked at the Kenyatta National Hospital until 19994 before she ventured into private sector. As a woman of high position she held various prestigious positions. This is seen as she was the medical director of Cottolengo Hospice for orphans with AIDS. She also held the position of the Executive director of the Family Life Counseling Association of Kenya. She was also the director of the institute of HEALTH Care Management at Strathmore Business School. Apart from The River and the Source she has authored; I swear by Apollo, A Place of Destiny, Mandate of the People, she also co-authored Educating in Human Love with her husband Dr. George OgollaOf her first novel Ogolla says The inspiration for this book came from my mother who handed down to me the wisdom and lives of her own mother and grandmother. This strength and support that is found in the African family is the most important part of our culture and should be preserved and nurtured at all costs. INTRODUCTIONThe River and the Source follows four generations of Kenyan women in a rapidly changing society. It belongs to a growing body of literary works that follows the feminist literary criticism of literature. They address themselves to issues pertaining to the welfare of women in African societies that are seemingly so patriarchal male dominated . It captures the Kenyan soul of the future and the need to bring freedom, equality and gender consciousness across ethnic, religious and racial lines. The River and the Source is a presentation of women seeking liberation from the oppressive male dominated society. Just like a river which originates from a spring; a source of an underground water, the birth of Akoko daughter to chief Gogni of Yimbo signifies thebeginning of the river. The river is threatened to drying up by hardships after hardship but the river flows on. The novel won the Kenyatta prize for fiction in 1995 and also the Commonwealth Writers Prize for best first book in Africa in 1995. THE TITLET he title The River and the Source suggests the flow of a river from some point to the sea.


The river is threatened to drying up by hardships after hardship but the river flows on. The novel won the Kenyatta prize for fiction in 1995 and also the Commonwealth Writers Prize for best first book in Africa in 1995. THE TITLET he title The River and the Source suggests the flow of a river from some point to the sea. The novel traces the symbolic journey of women from patriarchal invisibility where women are ignored and in the background to autonomous existence where women chart their own destiny . The river starts as a spring which is Obanda Akoko-the girl child. Akoko is the source of this river. The river refers to the efforts that Akoko establishes of trying to liberate women from a patriarchal society that looks down upon them. Akoko faces challenges as a woman in a male dominated society. She overcomes them and the river continues to flow through Nyabera. Akoko is the source of the liberating force that flows from this oppressive and demeaning social system. In literature, the river symbolically refers to continuity hence life is a continuum and the struggle for liberation is therefore a continuous process. Therefore, from Akoko the river gains momentum at every stage through capable and competent women like Nyabera, Awiti, and finally Wandia. The river and the source therefore refers to the journey of women empowerment that was begun or whose source is Akoko and the continued efforts of other women like Nyabera, Awiti and Wandia in ensuring that women remain empowered hence the river s continued flow. The novel is thus a message of empowerment and hope for women who must rise up and take up their rightful equal position in society. This is summarized by Chief Odero Gogni s statement, A home without daughters is like a spring without a source. SETTINGSetting refers to the historical moment in time or the geographical location in which the story takes place i.e. the location and time in which a narrative takes place. The story begins 30 years before the Kenya-Uganda railway reached Kisumu. The story ends in the 1990s at the advent of multiparty politics in Kenya. The plot covers a number of generations that oscillates betweenYimbo and Sakwa Akoko s birthplace and marital home respectively in today s Nyanza Province in Kenya. It later spread to Gem, Kisumu,Nakuru and Nairobi in succeeding generations of Akoko s family tree.


The story ends in the 1990s at the advent of multiparty politics in Kenya. The plot covers a number of generations that oscillates betweenYimbo and Sakwa Akoko s birthplace and marital home respectively in today s Nyanza Province in Kenya. It later spread to Gem, Kisumu,Nakuru and Nairobi in succeeding generations of Akoko s family tree. PLOT SUMMARYPART 1: THE GIRL CHILDThis part of the novel introduces us to a vibrant Akoko who is vibrant, beautiful and hardworking. This part focus on the Luo cultural practices. The naming traditions, the duties expected to be performed by the different genders, and the preference of the boy child to the girl child. Her father s expectation that a boy will be born and the view that girls ill be married to go and cook in another mans house are evidence of this. The writer uses this partto highlight the importance of the girl child as we not that Akoko manages to gain her father s love and attention, something that was not usual among the luo. Tradition is further highlighted in the Nak ceremony, that is performed before Akoko s suitor are welcomed to present their suits. Her father s love for her is shown when Akoko s father turns down 12 suitors. He purposely did so because, in the men who flocked his compound, none reached the standards he had set. He wants the best for his daughter thus wants her to get married to a chief as a mikai. It is for this reason he readily accept Owuor Kembo s proposal. The Girl Child surprises us with the immense strength of a woman. Akoko Obanda is an epitome of wealth. She works hard to set a pedestal that was previously unimagined. ,. Akoko provided for herself and built her own family wealth. She encouraged and trained her children to be hardworking and disciplined. She promoted self reliance and mutual relationships with her subjects. CHAPTER 1 AKOKO'S BIRTHThe chapter begins with the birth of Akoko Adoyo Akelo Obanda. Her father, Chief Odero Goggin expected a son because of the value placed by society in boys over girls. The naming of Akoko is done according to tradition and she ends up having four names. Adoyo born during the weeding season. Obanda- according to dreams by the father and grandmother. Akelo after a step grandmother who had died.


Adoyo born during the weeding season. Obanda- according to dreams by the father and grandmother. Akelo after a step grandmother who had died. Akoko is given to her as she is noisy. The traditional values of the community like polygamy and preference for the male children are also brought out in the fathers desire to have a son. There is insight in to the naming rituals of the community as Akoko is given several names. The belief in superstition is also reflected on in the way Akoko's illness is dealt with and results in Akoko s final name, Akello. Akoko proves to be uniquely determined as she is able to compete with her numerous brothers. This earns her the admiration of both her father and elder brother, Oloo. By the end of the chapter Akoko is grown and of marriageable age and known for her diligence and hard work. CHAPTER 2: BETROTHAL OF AKOKOThis chapter focuses on the betrothal and marriage of Akoko. We are introduced to the young chief Owuor Kembo, a man of Nyadhi or style, who arrives at Yimbo with his delegation from Sakwa. They are warmly received and all the ways of chik are observed. Chief odero is quite pleased as the daughter is going to be the first wife to chief owuor. According to chik one cannot be chief unless he is married hence necessitating the arrival of the delegation from Sakwa to ask for Akoko's hand in marriage. Negotiations for the bride price are carried out through their spokes people. Chief odero asks for a high bride price out of jealousy for the number of daughter to sons his daughter's suitors had compared to him. Chief owuor Kembo described as a man of style agrees to pay the bride price without bargaining, much to the protest of his brother and delegation. The negotiations are concluded by the presentation of Akoko to her future husband. CHAPTER 3; AKOKO S MOVE TO SAKWAA group of young warriors drive the cattle that had being agreed on as the bride price during the negotiations. They are warmly welcome and well fed according to chik. On the morning of the next day the warriors take off with Akoko after having engaged in mock battles with her brothers before they ran off with Akoko. Akoko herself is also meant to resist so that it may not be said that she went willingly.


They are warmly welcome and well fed according to chik. On the morning of the next day the warriors take off with Akoko after having engaged in mock battles with her brothers before they ran off with Akoko. Akoko herself is also meant to resist so that it may not be said that she went willingly. They rest for a short while before Akoko is delivered to Sakwa. The people of Sakwa admire her and agree that she was worth the thirty head of cattle. Akoko settles in to marriage life and is well accepted by the community. She soon becomes pregnant with her first child. The community is highly superstitious and do not say anything about it. Though the pregnancy is uneventful but the delivery is harrowing. The child is named Obura. However Akoko is under pressure to bear more children as the society expects her to bear as many children as her bride price. Her mother in law even urges Owuor to marry another wife. Later Akoko gets pregnant with Nyabera and then has difficulty during the birth. CHAPTER 4 AKOKO'S CONFLICT WITH NYAR ASEMBOAs a result of Owuor''s refusal to marry another with and Akoko s low birth rate, conflict arises between Akoko and her mother in law. Her mother in law is also offended by the monogamous state of her son and his refusal to take a second wife. They compare him to his younger brother who already had two wives and many more children. One day as she is in the fields, she hears that her mother in law Nyar Asembo accused her of bewitching owuor Kembo so that he would not marry another wife. Akoko who is deeply offended by the accusations stays the night and on the morning of the next day calls for the people s attention to state her case. She defends herself by emphasizing that she has always been hard -working and a good wife. After this she leaves for Yimbo. Owuor returns and is angered by the events that took place when he was away. He throttles his brother and almost hits his mother. He then starts a reconciliatory mission. CHAPTER 5 RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICTThe delegation from Sakwa arrives in Yimbo and is coolly received. Being accused of witchcraft was no light matter and the people of Yimbo were not pleased. The elders are gathered and Akoko is asked to give her version of events.


CHAPTER 5 RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICTThe delegation from Sakwa arrives in Yimbo and is coolly received. Being accused of witchcraft was no light matter and the people of Yimbo were not pleased. The elders are gathered and Akoko is asked to give her version of events. She presents the accusations made against her that include witchcraft, standing in the way of her husband s marriage to other women, and having given birth at a slow rate. After the presentation of her case, Owuordefends himself stating that he had not been around when theunfortunate event happened and had dealt with those responsible. The Jodongo agree to resolve the issue and warn Akoko against making rush decisions in future. An appeasement of a goat was to be given to the maro. CHAPTER 6 FAMILY LIFEAfter Akoko s return to Sakwa she is soon pregnant again with a son, the delivery of the child is difficult. The child is named Owang Sino. Owang Sino is drawn to his father and they are quite fond of each other. There is a contrast between owuor and Otieno. Owuor who is monogamous has a happy wife who he treats like a queen. Otieno on the other hand has four wives who he treated like sluts and they obliged him. There are rumours of white men jorochere and the establishment of a colonial government. Obura gets intrigued andsuggests that his mother allow him to tour the world. She reprimands for the thought and advises him to seek a wife. She also reminds him of his role as the first born son Both his father and mother are alarmed at this new development. Chief Owuor forbids Obura from seeing Nyaroche and Ambere and has the later sent away. CHAPTER 7 OBURA'S DISAPPEARANCEObura disappears from his hut, and Akoko is disturbed by the disappearance. Chief owuor sends out scouts to try and track them. They return and inform the chief that he had left in the company of Nyaroche and Ambere. Akoko prays earnestly that no harm should come to her son. The chief organises for search parties to follow them. Unfortunately they return two days later and report that the three were picked up by white men and could not be traced farther.


Akoko prays earnestly that no harm should come to her son. The chief organises for search parties to follow them. Unfortunately they return two days later and report that the three were picked up by white men and could not be traced farther. Akoko who was devastated by her son s disappearance has a sense of foreboding and believes Obura might as well be dead. CHAPTER 8 DEATH OF OBURAIt has been a while since Obura disappeared. News of the white man and the colonial government continue. One day two strangely dressed men come to deliver news about Obura. They draw the attention of the entire community as they make their way to chief Owuor's compound. They inform the chief of the war between jo-ingreza and jojerman. They inform the chief of the death of Obura and Ambere as they inform him that Nyaroche is crippled. The chief is furious and throws away the bracelet that he was given. Nyabera picks it up as the community begins to mourn. A mock funeral is performed and a banana trunk is buried in place of Obura's body. CHAPTER 9 DEATHS OF OWUOR AND OWANGAkoko then goes about helping Nyabera overcome her grief and continue with her life. She takes to wearing the bracelet she had picked when the white men came. Akoko works hard and instils the same value in Nyabera. Thus her herd grows so large that she has to get her own watering hole. Nyabera is now a girl of marriageable age. Suitors come in large numbers and Akoko helps her husband pick an appropriate suitor for their daughter. Okumu Angolo is picked as he comes from a neighbouring village. Their first three children live for a short time and then die. Owang Sino also comes of age and jowangyo are dispatched to look for a suitable wife for him. A suitable girl was found from Uyoma. However, Chief owuor who had been ailing for a long time dies and the marriage negotiations are postpone for the burial. Akoko takes her husband s spear and shield and mourns him in great song and style. Owang Sino who had done his best to make his mother happy dies son after the birth of his son, owuor Sino. Alando does not stay to defend her son but chooses to get inherited soon after.


Akoko takes her husband s spear and shield and mourns him in great song and style. Owang Sino who had done his best to make his mother happy dies son after the birth of his son, owuor Sino. Alando does not stay to defend her son but chooses to get inherited soon after. The chief stool is passed to Otieno Kembo as the young owuor Sino is still a toddler and cannot rule until he is married. Akoko is devastated and Nyabera comes to her side to aid her. CHAPTER 10 OTIENO BECOMES CHIEFOtieno takes over the chief stool with greed and arrogance. He squanders the wealth left behind by owuor and even attempts to usurp Akoko's personal wealth. Akoko feels greatly disadvantaged, as she has no male sons or relatives who are of age and would come to her aid. Otieno is unwilling to relinquish the seat. He dispenses with the council of Jodongo and snatches Akoko's wealth. Akoko perceives the challenge and decides to seek help from thejorochere. She takes her grandchild, owuor, to her brother, Oloo. She then visits her daughter, Nyabera who had lost a number of children before she goes on her journey to Kisumu. She reveals her plans to her daughter. CHAPTER 11 AKOKO'S JOURNEY TO KISUMAHer nephews Opiyo and Odongo accompany her. Akoko had earlier tried to send them away but to no avail. They start the journey early in the morning and Akoko takes the opportunity to educate them on the history of the community through stories. They finally arrive in thetown of kisuma and are struck by the difference in structures and dressing of the people. There, they meet Otuoma, who helps them in by hosting them for the night as it was a Sunday and the court was closed. He also informs them that citizens were no longer allowed to carry weapons. They finally present their case to the .DO. And the tribunal. CHAPTER 12 AKOKO'S JUSTICE AND DEPATURE FROM SAKWAAkoko present her case to the D.O. and the tribunal. The D.O. Ask s that the case be postpone for three months so that the claims may be investigated. The twins embellish the story that they tell to the future generations.


The D.O. Ask s that the case be postpone for three months so that the claims may be investigated. The twins embellish the story that they tell to the future generations. Akoko returns to Sakwa to find Otieno's greed having grown a great deal and her wealth significantly reduced. Investigators come to Sakwa, and the disgruntled people are only too willing to help. Akoko is summoned soon after and the case is reopened before the D.C. The D.C. Rules that Otieno Kembo be forcefully removed from the chief stool and he council of Jodongo rule. Otieno was also made to pay all that he had grabbed. Akoko then returned to Sakwa and took the reminder of her wealth. She returned to Yimbo to live as a migogo in her brother Oloo's house. PART TWO: THE ART OF GIVINGThe Art of Giving is Self sacrifice. It is putting away all you believed in and embracing the others needs. Akoko in this chapter gives more than she receives. The part I ends when she has lost all that she could have held to in her matrimonial home. She forsakes her happy life as a married woman and goes home to lead a desolate life as a migogo. A migogo meant that, she will be looked down upon by her brothers wife. She would be ridiculed and if we remember well; Akoko did not take lightly ridicule or sneer. There was a time she shouted down her mother-in-law maro for accusing her of being a witch juok . Akoko knew very well what she was getting into when she settled down in her brother Oloo s house. She was ready to live with them as long as her grandson Owuor Sino found comfort other than being molested in Otieno s household. She left the wealth she had built in years in Sakwa to live among her paternal household. Giving involves denial of one s comfort for the sake of others. Nyabera tries in earnest to get and raise children for her and her husband Okumu. When Okumu dies, she tries it with Ogoma Kwach but all fails. In despair and with only one child, she joins Christianity. Sheleaves her mother, daughter and nephew in Aluor to satisfy her quest but returns having failed. She learns the hard way that, it s better to be content than trying to find happiness where there is none.


In despair and with only one child, she joins Christianity. Sheleaves her mother, daughter and nephew in Aluor to satisfy her quest but returns having failed. She learns the hard way that, it s better to be content than trying to find happiness where there is none. The biggest sacrifice ever in part II however is when Akoko blesses her grandson Petro Owuor Sino Peter Owuor Kembo to take on his vocation. In accepting to this outrageous decision, Akoko loses her right to reclaim her matrimonial home and the continuity of her and her husband s lineage- given that most African communities were patrilineal. In letting Peter become a vicar, she made him and those of her keen lose the chief stool to the younger family in Sakwa. Therefore Giving is an art since few people are ready to go to such extremes as Akoko, Nyabera and those around her, to let those they love enjoy their life to the fullestCHAPTER 1 OKUMU'S DEATHNyabera suffers the deaths of her children. She gets pregnant and gives birth to a baby girl. A ritual is performed to aid in the survival of the child. She is left by the entrance to the homestead and an old lady passing by picked her up and brought her to them. She is therefore named Awiti. Okumu falls ill and dies when Awiti is three years old. Nyabera is inherited by a close relative, Ogoma Kwach. He is drawn to Nyabera's wealth and hard work and foregoes his duty to his first wife. As a result he is reported to e council of Jodongo and reprimanded. Nyabera is hurt by their decision and seeks an alternate source of comfort. She has heard a lot about Christianity and seeks out Pillipo to give her more information. Nyabera gives out her wealth then travels to Yimbo to inform her mother of her decision. She leaves Awiti with Akoko then departs for Gem to start her new life. CHPTER 2. NYABERA IS BAPTISEDNyabera travels from Yimbo to gem and arrives very late. She spends the night in the catechist s house. She explains herself to the catechist on the morning of the next day. He takes her to the chapel and she is inducted in to Christianity. She learns the ways of the new religion quickly and thirstily.


She explains herself to the catechist on the morning of the next day. He takes her to the chapel and she is inducted in to Christianity. She learns the ways of the new religion quickly and thirstily. She is then baptised Maria. CHAPTER 3 NYABERA'S RETURNNyabera returns from Gem and goes to her mother in Yimbo. Though Akoko can tell that she is pleased with the new religion and her new name, she is able to tell that her daughter is uneasy. Nyabera opens up and admits that she felt that something was lacking as she was alone in Aluor. She asks her mother to accompany her to gem. Akoko agrees and together with her grandchildren travel to Gem. CHAPTER 4 LIFE IN GEMOn arrival in Aluor the children are enrolled in catechism classes and reading classes where they show determination and zeal in their study. They are baptised into Christianity and they receive new names. Owuor is renamed Peter, Awiti is named Elizabeth and Akoko is named veronica. Soon after, news reaches Maria that Ogoma Kwach's wife had died. The desire to have children drives her to return to her matrimonial home without an explanation to her mother. Meanwhile peter develops an interest in priesthood and confides in Awiti. He is afraid to tell Akoko as he does not want to disappoint her. The two decide to wait for Nyabera to return so that they seek her assistance. CHAPTER 5 THE VOCATIONAfter a few years, Nyabera returns to Aluor, dejected and beaten by life. She confesses to her mother Akoko, before proceeding to spend the night in church. Owuor proves to be quite helpful to her and she loves him like a son. Owuor takes to reading bible verses to Nyaberawhich she finds quite comforting. He then informs her about his desire to take up the vocation. They then proceed to talk to Akoko. Akoko agrees on the condition that he changes his name to peter owuor Kembo. Owuor is able to pursue priesthood. CHAPTER 6 AWITI'S EDUCATIONOwuor joins the seminary and his cousin is enrolled into primary school. There are very few girls as the society does not value the education of the girl child. Also a lot of girls get married at a young age. Elizabeth proves to be diligent and tops the class all through.


There are very few girls as the society does not value the education of the girl child. Also a lot of girls get married at a young age. Elizabeth proves to be diligent and tops the class all through. By the time she sits for the final exam she is the only girl in the class. She excels and is invited to a teachers' training college. Nyabera fears that she might lose her and is unwilling to accept the news. Akoko reprimands Nyabera for her behaviour and urges her to allow her daughter to pursue her dreams. Akoko misses her husband and wishes he were present to helm with the decision. CHAPTER 7 LIFE IN COLLEGEAwiti work hard in college and unlike the other students, she does not engage in relationships like the other students. She turns down overtures from several men and is therefore feared. This is made worse when it is learnt that herb brother is in the seminary and both her mother and grandmother live at the mission. She finally meets Mark Antony Oloo Sigu during an exeat. Mark inquires about her and informs her about himself. He mentions that he was in the army and has been called to work in Nakuru. They part when she agrees to reply to his letters when he writes. CHAPTER 8 AWITI'S BETROTHALAwiti and mark interact through the letters they send each other. They talk about their lives, families and each other. After a few months of the engagements, mark states that he would like to meet her parents. Awiti goes to Aluor to deliver the exciting piece of news. Her mother, Maria is a bit opposed but Akoko wins her over and preparations are made. Male relatives are sent for from Yimbo and Sakwa. Peter owuor Kembo is also sent for from the seminary. They make preparations for the day and kong is brewed and several delicacies made. The day arrives and mark Antony arrives with his delegation. He is dressed in military fatigues a monkey head dress and bears a shield. They are warmly welcome and introductions done. To the surprise of mark and his delegation, the bride price is set at a token bull, two cows and six goats. There is much celebration after the negotiations are completed. Akoko is hard laughing with her grandson in law.


To the surprise of mark and his delegation, the bride price is set at a token bull, two cows and six goats. There is much celebration after the negotiations are completed. Akoko is hard laughing with her grandson in law. She dies peacefully in her sleep later in the nightCHAPTER 9 AKOKO IS LAID TO RESTAkoko is buried in Aluor in where she had spent most of life. Peter owuor Kembo is among the deacons who conduct the mass. Her death is hard to accept as she seemed to be full of life. Awiti is so devastated that she almost calls of the wedding. Nyabera comforts her by telling the life story of Akoko. She finally calms down and apologises to Mark, who had been with peter owuor. CHAPTER 10 AWITI'S MARRIAGEAfter the mourning period, peter goes to Rome to complete his studies. He is later ordained a priest and his first duty was to preside over the wedding between Elizabeth and mark. The newly wedded couple moves from Aluor to live in Nakuru. Shortly afterwards, Elizabeth becomes pregnant. Unfortunately she and mark misdiagnose the symptoms for malaria thus leading to the loss of the twins. It takes a long time before she can conceive again. Her mother in law start to complain about the lack of grandchildren but mark stops her from prying. Elizabeth gets pregnant again and this time the couple are happy and cautious to ensure nothing goes wrong. PART 3 LOVE AND LIFELove and Life yanks us from the painful oppression of death into a new realm of love and understanding. Mark Sigu, we can now imagine what they talked about with Akoko, steers his family away from tradition into the new sphere of the evolving world. He is blessed with 7 children 4 boys and three girls. Each child has different personality. We see Mark and Elizabeth as capable parents who administer discipline and love to their children. The two parents provide education food and shelter to their new life and work best to establish family unity. Despite her love for her children, Elizabeth keeps a straight head and clear vision not to spoil her kids. She stands behind when Aoro is punished by his father, though she knew the punishment was punitive and way above discipline, she took a back step until it was time for her intervention.


The two parents provide education food and shelter to their new life and work best to establish family unity. Despite her love for her children, Elizabeth keeps a straight head and clear vision not to spoil her kids. She stands behind when Aoro is punished by his father, though she knew the punishment was punitive and way above discipline, she took a back step until it was time for her intervention. She also steps back when Mark pours his love over their last born Mary but does her best to reign him in so that Mary does not end up too spoilt. On the other hand, we silently follow the children as they grow into adulthood. From the brave and confident Vera to her timid and self possessed twin sister. The relationship of the two girls sours as they take on different personalities in life. Aoro and Antony also come outstrongly shaping their destinies different ways though the show unrivalled level of competence. Aoro takes medicine while Anthoy joins the seminary. The twins Opiyo and Odongo also manifest differently. CHAPTER 1 THE YOUNG COUPLEElizabeth delivers twins, veronica and Rebecca. The two girls have varying personalities. Vera is independent, intelligent and protective of her sister. Rebecca on the other hand, is quite attractive and self -centred. When they are two years old, Elizabeth gave birth to another child, a boy Aoro. Due to the state of emergency, mark opts to move his family back to Aluor. His mother is quite unhappy about this but he does not change his stand. Mark gets lonely while Elizabeth is away and engages in extramarital affairs. A certain girl stays with him for some time and later claims that she is pregnant. This brings mark back to his sense and he sends her away. He then goes to Aluor to get his family. Elizabeth hears rumours of the infidelity but says nothing about it. CHAPTER 2: VERA AND BECKY S EDUCATION. Kenya gains independence and the citizens celebrate. The country is faced with numerous challenges but equally numerous opportunities. Mark gets promoted and moves to a bigger house as his family has grown. He now has seven children that include Vera, Becky, Aoro, Antony, Opiyo Odongo and Mary. Vera is an excellent student in school. Becky on the other hand does not give her studies much effort.


He now has seven children that include Vera, Becky, Aoro, Antony, Opiyo Odongo and Mary. Vera is an excellent student in school. Becky on the other hand does not give her studies much effort. Vera excels in her primary level exam and is called to a national school which she declines as she wanted that to go to her sister s school. Her parents are concerned but later agree to let her go to a school of her choice. CHAPTER 3 AORO'S ADVENTURESAoro is compared to Obura who was swift bright confident and curious. The company of his younger brothers makes him more adventurous than usual. One day they go fishing at a nearby river. As he and tony are busy one of the twins, Odongo, almost drowns. Opiyo screams alerting the older brothers who come to his rescue. They go back home wet, and shaken. The younger boys blame the older ones for the event and Aoro and tony are punished. The older boys decide to never take their smaller brothers anywhere after the incident. Tony later develops acute appendicitis and is rushed to hospital in the night. Aoro is worried and informs his older sisters. The later receive news that their brother will be well after the operation. CHAPTER 4: AORO'S EPIPHANYAoro is fascinated by Tony s stitches and gains an interest in medicine. He operates on a frog successfully. Uncle peter comes to visit them and though every child warms u to hi, tony is particularly curious about priesthood and has a lot of questions. Mark is a bit apprehensive as he notices that tony is eyeing priesthood. Most parents are not comfortable with their children joining priesthood. Peter is getting a promotion to bishop. He stays a while then visits his aunt Maria in Aluor. It is later on decided that Opiyo and Odongo should go to Aluor to keep their grandmother company and attend the school their mother went to. Aoro excels in his studies and is called to the best school in the country. This inspires tony to work hard so that he can join him. Aoro has difficulty in school and is suspended for indiscipline. Mark deals with him by telling to seek his own food and shelter. Aoro is remorseful and fears his father. He returns to school and does his best.


Mark deals with him by telling to seek his own food and shelter. Aoro is remorseful and fears his father. He returns to school and does his best. CHAPTER 5 MARY'S BIRTHThe chapter takes us back to the birth the pregnancy was difficult for Elizabeth. She developed high blood pressure and threatened miscarriage on several occasion. The doctors feared for both mother and child and they have to be admitted. Mary's birth had to be induced and she is named after her grandmother. Mark loves Mary deeply and gives her all the best. He sends her to private school and makes an effort to personally pick and drop her. This draws envy Becky who was used to being the centre of attention. Becky tries to complain and gets a scathing response from her sister Vera. This results is an argument that leads the sisters to drift apart. CHAPTER 6 MARIA'S DEATHExamination results are announced and Vera has done exceptionally well. Becky attains a second division which she is well pleased with. Antony gets 36 points in his primary certificate examinations and is delighted as he had earned a spot in Aoro's school. Beckysuggests that she would like to get a job but Mark insists that she must continue with her education. A telegram is sent from Aluor informing them that Maria is unwell. Elizabeth is picked from the school by Mark as she is beside herself. Mark does his best to leave everything in order before they leave for Aluor. Elizabeth is beside Maria when he dies in hospital later on that day. CHAPTER 7 BECKY RUNS AWAYOpiyo and Odongo return to Nakuru after the burial of Maria. Education is of importance to the Sigu family as examinations approach and everyone is tense as there are 5 candidates in the house. Aoro was sitting for his O- level, Vera and Becky are sitting for their A-level andOpiyo and Odongo for the certificate of primary education. Vera and Becky are now are in their prime and boys begin to pay a lot of attention to them. Vera meets Tommy Muhambe who is particularly persistent. She brings up the question on whether she can go to a movie with Tommy to her father during dinner. When the results are announced, Aoro excels with 6 distinctions, Vera got two A's and a B, Becky flunked.


Vera meets Tommy Muhambe who is particularly persistent. She brings up the question on whether she can go to a movie with Tommy to her father during dinner. When the results are announced, Aoro excels with 6 distinctions, Vera got two A's and a B, Becky flunked. After the result Becky runs away from home and leaves a note stating that she had gone to try to be an air hostess. Vera tries to explain to her parents that they should let her be. CHAPTER 8 CAMPUS LIFEVera goes to campus and is struck by the new found freedom. Most campus girls are dating rich affluent men or other campus students. Vera maintains her relationship with Tommy butwhen he proposes to her she declines ending their 3 year relationship. Vera leaves with a heavy heart and decide to try and find her sister Becky. She accidentally bumps into her at the airport and leave for Becky apartments. CHAPTER 9 BECKY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH JOHNBecky takes Vera to an affluent block of apartments. She introduces Vera to her fianc , John Courtney, a Canadian national who was a pilot. She tells Vera about her plans to get married, but Vera insists that he must first meet their parents. Vera tries to convince Becky to go back home. On john's persistence she finally agrees to visit her parents. CHAPTER 10 VERA JOINS OPUS DEIVera goes back to her room on campus and tells the day s events to her roommate MaryAnne Ngugi. Vera mentions the heartbreak with Tommy and about her twin sister. The conversation extends to the larger family. Mary Anne then invites her to attend a recollection at Parkview college, which she readily agrees. After mass on Sunday Vera begins to question her religious beliefs. She watches a lay, and goes on with her studies as exams are approaching. When the day comes, Mary -Anne and Vera board a matatu and head for the recollection. Vera is introduced to the members of Opus Dei who had different views about the church, and work challenges. She got out of the church puzzled and Mary-Anne offered to give her books which will help her understand better. PART 4: VARIABLE WINDSVariable winds suggest the changing course of the lives that the family experiences. There are the ups and downs that characterize their lives.


She got out of the church puzzled and Mary-Anne offered to give her books which will help her understand better. PART 4: VARIABLE WINDSVariable winds suggest the changing course of the lives that the family experiences. There are the ups and downs that characterize their lives. Their lives diverge on different paths thatbring with them sweet victories like Aoro s marriage, Wandia s doctorate, happy families among other events. There are also the difficulties like Daniel s down syndrome, Becky s death among other challenges that they encounter. There I also the frosting in the relationship between Becky and the rest of her family. The change in the way her children relate to her and the marked improvement they make under the care of Aoro and Wandia. CHAPTER ONE: AORO TAKES MEDICINEAoro starts medicine at the university. The study of Anatomy Biochemistry and Psychology among other subjects. Anatomy happens to be the most of the competitive subjects. In the laboratory, the students are told to the group themselves into groups of six. Group s ix had Aoro, Wandia, Makau Kithinji, Jeremy Kizingo, Paul Omondi Rakula, and Simon Onyancha. The competition is narrowed to two members of group six. After exams, Wandia beat Aoro with a single point. Aoro takes it in good grace and invites her to have a drink. This signifies the start of a long relationship. CHAPTER 2: AORO'S INTERNSHIPThe internship is hard for Aoro. He has to work around the clock while at the mercy of the residents and doctors. His rounds include the theatre, round in the wards and filling patient information as well as taking laboratory sample. He rarely gets enough sleep. Wandia is also an intern at Machakos general hospital. They are unable to meet for long periods of time as the rarely have time to meet. Aoro is taking a break to rest when Wandia visits him. They talk about marriage and Wandia proposes to Aoro. Wandia informs Aoro thatshe was on her wayto visit her mother who was sick. CHAPTER 3 WANDIAS FAMILYWandia had been raised by a single mother after her father had died while she was young. Her mother had raised money to educate them by working on her coffee farm. Her siblings were all grown up and engaged in different professions.


CHAPTER 3 WANDIAS FAMILYWandia had been raised by a single mother after her father had died while she was young. Her mother had raised money to educate them by working on her coffee farm. Her siblings were all grown up and engaged in different professions. Her sister Esther is a teacher who is married to the headmaster, Michael. Her brother Michael was a business man in Nairobi, Wandia is a doctor and timothy is described as being a good time boy. Wandia's mother suffers from diabetes and has an ulcer on her leg. Wandia's mother is still worried about her farm even though Wandia tells her that she does not need to work so hard. She spends time with her mother and even talks about Aoro. She then goes to spend the night with her sister Esther. She enjoys the company of her nieces and nephews. Later that evening they get time to talk and the topic of Aoro is brought up again. The rest of her family is concern about the different tribes but Wandia is not bothered. CHAPTER 4 WANDIA'S INTRODUCTIONAoro takes Wandia to his parent s farm in Njoro. After the visit to Wandia's family, Aoro wrote his parent a letter informing them that he would be bringing his bride to be home. Elizabeth is eager to meet them and is the one who receives them when they arrive. After the introductions, Elizabeth asks Wandia to help herb in the kitchen, giving mark and Aoro sometime to talk. Mark is concern that Aoro might have made a wrong decision by choosing to marry a kikuyu. Elizabeth and Wandia get along well and become good friends. They return with tea after they feel that the men had enough time to sort out their differences. CHAPTER 5 AORO WEDS WANDIAAoro and Wandia's wedding pulls the family together as that try to make it a success. Becky provides a car and Vera helps them get one of the company houses in Malindi. For the honeymoon. Vera and Wandia grow very close to each other. Becky is separated from john Courtney after he discovered that she was cheating on him. She had custody of their two children, Johnny, and Alicia. Becky lived a promiscuous life and insults Vera when she was confronted about it. Wandia is pregnant with twins and had been asked to stay home due to a cough.


She had custody of their two children, Johnny, and Alicia. Becky lived a promiscuous life and insults Vera when she was confronted about it. Wandia is pregnant with twins and had been asked to stay home due to a cough. Vera visits Wandia and voices her concerns about her sister. They discuss Becky s health which seemed to be on the decline and her children's welfare. Wandia goes into labour. CHAPTER 6 DANIEL'S DOWN S SYNDROMEWandia gets twins, Lisa and Daniel. Daniel has Down syndrome and grows at a slow rate. Lisa grows rapidly and makes the contrast between her and her twin brother so much more glaring. Wandia is devastated by his condition while Aoro feel like he had failed. Daniel is a loving child despite his condition and draws love from all around him. Becky dies of AIDSand Wandia and Aoro take in Alicia and Johnny since Vera, who had been appointed their guardian, cannot as her calling does not allow her to have a home. Becky lives behind a sizeable estate to ensure that they are well provided for. Daniel develops leukaemia as children with Down s syndrome are prone to it. Wandia is shocked by the turn of events. Daniel is taken to hospital and the doctor set about treating him as it is not one of the aggressive forms. Wandia visits church and asks God to save her son and promises to visit church more frequently. CHAPTER 7 FAMILY REUNIONWandia pursues her passion in haematology after the recovery of her son Daniel. She receives a scholarship to study in John Hopkins hospital in Baltimore, USA. She is however worried of living Aoro with the task of looking after their now large family. Alicia andJohnny loved them like their biological parents. At the end of the term all the children wanted to show how well they were doing in school, even Daniel who had Down s Syndrome was doing pretty well. The Aoro's take measure to ensure that the family is well tended whileWandia is away. The plan was to call Mary, Aoro s sister, to stay with the children besides hiring another house help. The family goes to Njoro to visit mark and Elizabeth. Odongo is the farm manager while his twin brother Opiyo is a manager at marks former farm. Opiyo visits with his family too, Edna his wife and their two children. Father tony also drops in.


Odongo is the farm manager while his twin brother Opiyo is a manager at marks former farm. Opiyo visits with his family too, Edna his wife and their two children. Father tony also drops in. Wandia tells Elizabeth about the scholarship and she readily agrees, meanwhile Aoro and tony reminisce about their childhood. CHAPTER 8 WANDIA'S GRADUATIONBoth Mugo's and Sigu's families gather to celebrate Wandia s achievement as the first Kenyan woman to get a doctorate degree in medicine. There is a large gathering at the Aoro's home as relatives and friends join them in the celebration. Alicia, a student of design and music at Kenyatta university shadows her aunt Vera. Johnny and Daniel hover around Aoro and Wandia. Johnny faces an identity crisis and wishes to change his name to Aoro's name. He keeps African friends, speaks, Swahili and eats African dishes. Wandia tries to talk to him and afterwards ask Vera to write to John Courtney. Elizabeth wakes up to check on the children who are still up; she looks in on her grandchildren. She gets an attack of dizziness as she tries to adjust them. The following day Aoro receives a call from Opiyo informing him that their mother had died. She is buried next to her daughter as a large crowd comes to bid her farewell. THE RIVER AND THE SOURCETHEMESThemes refer to the general ideas, messages or lessons the writer has portrayed in his her literary piece of work. Therefore, under the study of themes, we particularly narrow our perspective to the main ideas in which the story if founded and on whose axis it revolves, and offers an avenue of continuity. It is important to note that while discussing themes, it is imperative for identification and illustration of the theme to be done, to promote understanding. A theme can simply be said to be the concern of the writer. It is simply what the writer says. FAMILY RELATIONSThe novel addresses various issues revolving around family members, their closeness and their interactions. This is seen through various instances as follows;Chief Odero Gogni loves his daughter Akoko so much as seen through his over protectiveness. He wants the best for his daughter hence turns down 13 suitors he even mentions that a home without daughters is like a spring without a source. Akoko s brother Oloo too is seen to be so close to Akoko and loves her so much.


This is seen through various instances as follows;Chief Odero Gogni loves his daughter Akoko so much as seen through his over protectiveness. He wants the best for his daughter hence turns down 13 suitors he even mentions that a home without daughters is like a spring without a source. Akoko s brother Oloo too is seen to be so close to Akoko and loves her so much. When travelling to Kisuma he sends his sons Opiyo and Oloo to accompany her for protection. Oloofurther does the unthinkable when he welcomes Akoko back when she is a widow and suffering. Owuor kembo and Akoko s marriage is a closely knit union. On marrying Akoko Owuornever marries any other wife despite pressure from his mother. On Owuor s death Akoko mourns him with so much dignity and with songs of praise recounting their life together and his greatness. Nyabera on settling at the new mission picks her mum her daughter and nephew Owuor to stay with them since they were so close to each other. They stay together so happily. Mark Sigu is a hardworking man who loves and fully provides for his family. They are all well educated and trained on responsibility. Mark is concerned when Vera asks for permission to go out with a man and fears for her. When Becky runs away to the city he is so concerned and almost follows her to the city. Aoro s and wandia s family are seen to co-exist and thrive in love and friendship. They even adopt Becky s children Alicia and Johny and even consider them their own. The Courtneychildren had become so much part of the family that Wandia never dreamed of excluding them from her calculations pg 291 GENDER RELATIONSThe society in The River and the Source is seen to be patriarchal. We are told that: If it was hard for a boy to get an education it was well nigh impossible for a girl. The purpose of female existence was marriage and child bearing. P 129 this shows a disregard for women in society and points out to their expectation in society which is pointer to their lowly stature in society. Akoko is born in a family that is dominated by men and encounters many challenges. In fact the expression the girl child points to her oppressed and exploited and threatened Akoko who is growing up as a girl child.


The purpose of female existence was marriage and child bearing. P 129 this shows a disregard for women in society and points out to their expectation in society which is pointer to their lowly stature in society. Akoko is born in a family that is dominated by men and encounters many challenges. In fact the expression the girl child points to her oppressed and exploited and threatened Akoko who is growing up as a girl child. Her struggles are seen even in her assertive and aggressive stance in her first words dwaro mara want mine! Pg 15 Women are expected to be submissive in this society and it is unheard of for a woman to challenge a man. This is however seen in Akoko s resistance against Otieno her brother inlaw who even gets to fear her. When Otieno threatens to assault her she looks him in the eyes and says, just you die! Pg 37 Further when Otieno takes over the chieftaincy and rules with an iron fist, Akoko seeks the intervention of the new administration to protect her wealth. She wins in this and in fact opens new vistas and opportunities for the oppressed especially the women. Gender inequality is seen further in the sense that out of a class of thirty four, there were only two girls one of whom was Awiti and even so she later got married off at the age of sixteen. It s only through Akoko s determination that Awiti is saved from such fate. Awiti is further seen to be exceptional as she maintains first position hence bringing out the success of women despite all odds. She thus wins the envy, admiration and even disapproval by some. As a teacher Awiti manages the children back at Aluor during the emergency without Mark bringing her out as a strong woman. Furthermore, from Awiti s experience we learn of the important role of women in upbringingin that Awiti is saved from the traditional practices of marriage at seventeen through the pioneering and daring spirit of her grandmother and mother. Pg 129 they regarded her as their future and hoped to enhance the continuity of the family through her and this comes to fruition. Akoko and Nyabera thus overcome the obstacles that tend to degrade and suppress women. Wandia s mother is further brought out as a strong woman. Though single she does not become destitute and vulnerable. This is further seen through Wandia who is an epitome of great upbringing through her courage and determination and profession as a doctor.


Wandia s mother is further brought out as a strong woman. Though single she does not become destitute and vulnerable. This is further seen through Wandia who is an epitome of great upbringing through her courage and determination and profession as a doctor. She even undertakes further studies to even acquire the role of professor. The continuity of the river of women empowerment is thus seen through the generationsthrough Akoko, Nyabera, Awiti and Wandia. This is despite the challenges they faced and disregard by society where even for Awiti s case it is said A girl! To be so clever no man would marry her pg 130 despite all these she keeps excelling. CONFLICT IN MARRIAGEThere are several instances of conflict in marriage pointed out in the novel. They are brought either from misunderstanding between the couple or sometimes from external influence. There is a conflict in the marriage between Owuor Kembo and Akoko. This is brought out by the allegations by Nyar Asembo that Akoko has bewitched her son and cast a spell on him so that he doesn t take another wife. Further she complains of her inability to conceive regularly despite the huge bride price. Akoko decides to severe their relationship and goes back to Yimbo but not before summoning a crowd and clearing her name against the allegations. It takes the intervention of the Jodongo to bring her back. Conflict is also seen in the marriage between Elizabeth Awiti and Mark Sigu. This is over her inability to conceive after the miscarriage. She even accuses mark of having given her chloroquin to deliberately make her sterile. The issue is compounded by Mark s mother who demands an explanation for Elizabeth s lack of children. This creates so much tension and mark has to take Elizabeth s side to salvage the situation. Becky s promiscuity leads to the break-up of their marriage with John Courtney. It is said that she exchanged men at will prompting John to divorce her. It is even the reason she gets infected with HIV. There was also conflict in the marriage between Aoro and Wandia over their son Daniel s disease Leukemia. Wandia accuses Aoro of spending too much time outside working when they have children to bring up and take care of. Hi explanations are not heard and she even retorts angrily, Don t honey me. Go to hell. Pg288 RELIGIONThere are aspects of both traditional religion and Christianity in the novel.


Wandia accuses Aoro of spending too much time outside working when they have children to bring up and take care of. Hi explanations are not heard and she even retorts angrily, Don t honey me. Go to hell. Pg288 RELIGIONThere are aspects of both traditional religion and Christianity in the novel. In the traditional religion, we are told that the people believed in Were the god of the eye of the rising sun and ancestral spirits. They made sacrifices and poured libations. Akoko even mentions that it is Were who forms children in ones womb. They even believed that the spirits of the departed influenced the living so much. They could cause dreams to pregnant mothers or relatives to guide in the naming of the young ones. With the coming of missionaries, Christianity is introduced Nyabera is attracted to this new religion and is further fascinated by various characters in the bible, the suffering of Jesus and baptism through which she is named Maria. Akoko later joins Maria in the new religion with the children too where Awiti becomes Sacristan assisting nuns and Owuor becoming an altar boy. Owuor later becomes a priest and ascends to bishop. This even influences Tony Sigu who becomes a priest. Awiti raises her family in religious grounds. This even sees her daughter Vera becoming a non-marrying member of the Opus Dei. Religion impacts on the traditional aspects of life for the people and we see so much changing. Traditionally Akoko was supposed to be buried in her husband s ancestral home at the left of the entrance but due to her change to Christianity she is buried as a Christian in a church cemetery. Furthermore, marriage rites change and with the advent of Christianity has introduced church weddings as seen in the Christian church wedding between Mark andElizabeth presided by father Peter. Vera further becomes an unmarried member of Opus Dei which would not have been accepted traditionally. DEATHThroughout the plot of the book, the writer has eliminated many characters through death some of who never even get a chance to live one ay. Akoko s son Obura Kembo, died at war in Tanganyika. He as well as Ambere K ongoro died in the First World War between the Jo-Ingereza and Jo-jerman. The village went into mourning for the chief s son. The mourning was worsened by the fact that there was no body to morn over and to bury.


She sang his famous courtship of her, the great honour he had accorded her throughout their life together, the friendship that existed between them. Akoko instilled in her children and grandchildren a strong sense of loyalty to the family. This value of love and loyalty in the family is seen in Sigu s family. They Mark and Elizabeth work in unison to bring up their seven children. There also exists a relationship of love and care between Mark and Elizabeth. This is evident from the courtship the two has at the beginning of a period of six months. Pg 132.....Their courtship went on in this gentle offhand manner, but at the end of six months, they knew each other pretty well, at least she knew she liked him and he who impetuous knew that he was he was in love and wanted to get married. It is also indicated in the book that Sigu family was a family full of love. Pg 162 All in all, the Sigu family was a happy one. There was money, but not too much and plenty o f lovesimple and unpretentious. There is also love between Wandia and her brothers and sisters. She and her brother and sisters had always been very close, a closeness born of not just blood ties, but of many hardships faced together. Wandia also enjoys a warm relationship with her two nephews and niece. The other children arrived from school and Wandia was lost in hug and demands for sweets and chocolates. Pg 263 In a show of family unity, Wandia and Aoro adopt two children who were Becky s. These are Alicia and Jonny following Becky s death. CHANGEIn the novel, The River and the Source nothing remains the same. The continous cyclic pattern of human life and nature bedecked by numerous changes of both conscious and unconscious orientation. Through these changes, life continous or events continue at different levels affected by changes. Consider these illustrations:-Akoko is way ahead of her time and is appreciative of the need to embrace change early enough. The author says that the clarity of vision and strength of character of Akoko could have been a discomfiture to all men of all ages and she was therefore never really have fitted in that, this or any other century pg142 The coming of the Jorochere whitemen marked the first real threat to the formely tranquil and cohesive traditional African society.


Through these changes, life continous or events continue at different levels affected by changes. Consider these illustrations:-Akoko is way ahead of her time and is appreciative of the need to embrace change early enough. The author says that the clarity of vision and strength of character of Akoko could have been a discomfiture to all men of all ages and she was therefore never really have fitted in that, this or any other century pg142 The coming of the Jorochere whitemen marked the first real threat to the formely tranquil and cohesive traditional African society. A footloose wanderer called Ambere K Ongoso brought stories of the white skinned people pg 48 . Similarly Nyaroche came back withstories about pesa money pg 49. The effect of the coming of the white man in relation to administration of justice, enforcement of law and order, mode of dressing and language is now evident especially in Kisumu. The clerk at the D.O. s office could speak the language of the White man as well as his own. He wore a dazzling white shirt, a thin black tie and white shoes. Opiyo and Odongo while accompanying their aunt Akoko to kisuma were dressed in skins covering only their loins and Akoko was dressed in the tradition skin called chieno. This mode of dressing is contrasted with that of a passer-by they met on their arrival in Kisumu who wore a pair of long shorts and a singlet. The said passer-by had also attended mission school for one year. While in Kisuma, Akoko, Opiyo and Odongo are informed that Kisuma had been renamed Kisumu by the whiteman. The house belonging to Akoko s host is an indicator of changes taking place in the society. His house was a variation of the traditional hut since it had square windows made of wood and a neat wooden door, all painted bright green. Also the buildings in Kisumu looked large and most had white walls and red roofs. Others had tin wall. Akoko s host in Kisumu asvises Opiyo and Odongo to leave their weapons at home since people were now prohibited from carrying weapons since the Sirikal had askaris who offered protection to everyone and kept the peace. The white DC in Kisuma listens to Akoko s position and rules in her favour.


Others had tin wall. Akoko s host in Kisumu asvises Opiyo and Odongo to leave their weapons at home since people were now prohibited from carrying weapons since the Sirikal had askaris who offered protection to everyone and kept the peace. The white DC in Kisuma listens to Akoko s position and rules in her favour. A contingent of Askaris is dispatched to the village to forcibly remove Otieno from his position as chief. He is also made to return all property he had grabbed form his sister-in-law and his grand nephew. This episode shows that the influence of the Jodongo in the administration of justice is gradually waning and in its place is the white man s admin istrative structures. In fact the author acknowledges this reality when she says In spite of the DC s decision, it was only a matter of time before the hereditary chiefdoms were done away with totally. It was a changing world. Pg 93 Christianity is gradually taking root. After being baptized, Nyabera acquires a new name, Maria. Pg 110 By agreeing to accompany Nyabera to Gem mission of Aluor, AKoko has made the decision to move from one life to another. Her pioneering and daring spirit enabled her daughter Awiti to acquire education. By acquiring formal education, Awiti is able to disentangle herself from the yoke of traditions and customs of her people pertaining to the role of women. This conservative mind set of Awiti s people is evident in the statement, The purpose of female existence was marriage and child bearing. According to the community, it was superfluous to educate girls. Awiti s desire to acquire education was made possible through the pioneering and daring spirit her grandmother and mother had pg 129 The impact of formal education is evident in Mark Sigu s ability to speak fluently in perfect English. During his encounter with Elizabeth he tells her that he went to school in St. Mary s Yala and was conscripted into the army while job hunting in Nairobi. The advent of formal employment is a result of formal education. Pg 137 While conversing with Elizabeth, Mark Sigu switches to a combination of English and vernacular-a common manner of speech is an emerging bilingual and tri-lingual Africa. Money was replacing barter trade as a tool of exchange of goods and services.


The advent of formal employment is a result of formal education. Pg 137 While conversing with Elizabeth, Mark Sigu switches to a combination of English and vernacular-a common manner of speech is an emerging bilingual and tri-lingual Africa. Money was replacing barter trade as a tool of exchange of goods and services. Awiti successfully sat her examination at the teacher training college and received her teacher s certificate. She is then posted back to her old school. She earns a salary of fifty shillings a month. Maria initially opposes the idea of her daughter accepting the invitation to join the teacher training college but Akoko prevails upon her. When Awiti informs her mother that she does not know the names of Mark s parents, an appaled Maria laments, What do you mean you don t know! How can you even consider having friendship with a man whose roots and antecedents you don t know? Contrary to dictates of Chik , Elizabeth s re;atives did not send a Jawangyo spy to check out Mark Sigu s background. Akoko reasons with Maria by telling her, Accept it Maria, the world is changing. Pg 143 Akoko has changed the concept of bride price. Contray to the expectations of Elizabeth s suitors from Seme that a heavy bride price was going to ne demanded for Elizabeth, no price is asked except for a token bull, two cows and six goats. Pg 148 In a break from traditions, Akoko was not buried in her husband s ancestral home to the left of the entrance to her house but on the burial ground which the church had prepared. Mixed inter-tribal marriages have started to take root. Elizabeth s flexibility and accommodating nature is evident when she convinces her husband to allow their daughter Vera to accompany Tommy Muhambe, a twenty one year old young Luhya man studying veterinary medicine to the movies. Becky s husband John Courtney is a white man. Wandia s sister Esther points out some of the challenges of inter tribal marriages that Wandia and Aoro may experience. For example few in-laws are endearing, but I can t imagine anything more annoying than their talking to their son, and your children in a language you cannot understand. Aoro a Luo marries Wandia a Kikuyu . Prior to their marriage each introduces his her would be spouse to his her parents.


Wandia s sister Esther points out some of the challenges of inter tribal marriages that Wandia and Aoro may experience. For example few in-laws are endearing, but I can t imagine anything more annoying than their talking to their son, and your children in a language you cannot understand. Aoro a Luo marries Wandia a Kikuyu . Prior to their marriage each introduces his her would be spouse to his her parents. Change is also experienced in the arena of politics. Mention is made of the recently concluded multi-party elections 1992 which marked the end of the single party rule. People hope that the new political dispensation would usher in a new era. Instead it is characterized by confusion and cries of foul by the opposition and declarations of total transparency by the winners. Pg 304 Vera also changes form unbelieving Christian to a member of Opus Dei during her encounter with Maryanne. The two epic journeys Akoko makes are quite significant as far as change is concerned. The first one is her journey to Kisuma accompanied by Opiyo and Odongo. This story elevatedAkoko too heroine and legendary status. It was to be passed down from generation togeneration. The second one is Akoko and Nyabera s journey to Aluor. The children were the future and the future had to be protected. The writer seems to suggest the merging of the past and the present, Akoko told them stories of the heroes of old and the history of Baby Jesus. Father Tony, AKoko s grandson says of Akoko, To her life was like a river, flowing from eternity to eternity. TRADITION AND CUSTOMS Chik traditions governed every aspect of the life of the people. It was the glue which heldthe people together thus preventing disintegration of the fabric of the society and chaos. The naming system in the community is quite elaborate. The children are given more than one name. For instance, Chief Odero Gogni s newly born child is first called Adoyo since she was born during the weeding and hoeing season. The ancestral spirits usually send vivid dreams to the new born baby s parents and in Adoyo s case the child s great uncle, recently dead, a medicine man of great renown sent dreams to both the father and grandmother of the child, resulting in the baby being named Obanda.


The children are given more than one name. For instance, Chief Odero Gogni s newly born child is first called Adoyo since she was born during the weeding and hoeing season. The ancestral spirits usually send vivid dreams to the new born baby s parents and in Adoyo s case the child s great uncle, recently dead, a medicine man of great renown sent dreams to both the father and grandmother of the child, resulting in the baby being named Obanda. Since the baby had an extremely powerful set of lungs she was given the third name, Akoko. Pg 14 Akoko s son is first named Obura the wise one . On the second night after birth the child s father dreamt that Kembo K Agina the late chief was handing him a baby boy from his right hand side; therefore the child was named Obura Kembo. When Adoyo was two weeks old, she suffered a prolonged bout of colic and screaming that went on all night. A reason and solution is sought to the baby s crying. Grandmother- Nyar Alego implores were to spare the child s life. She pleads with her departed mother Achieng to intercede. She also seems to imply that the child s condition may be attri buted to Akelo, her departed sister who died childless. Pg 12 and 13 It was a common practice for potential suitors to send spies jowang yo to check out the background of a would be bride. In the case of AKoko, they reported that she had impeccable antecedents. Chik tradition dictates that a chief must be married. This is what prompted Owuor Kembo having inherited the chieftainship to get married at a relatively young age of twenty years. Pg 19 Marriage negotiations are conducted by elders, Chief Gogni chooses Aloo K Olima an accomplished negotiator as their spokesman. They set a high bride price at thirty head which to everyone s surprise Owuor Kembo promptly accepts without bargaining. Pg 20 The first wife s house Mikai s house holds the centre stage directly facing the gate. Chief Odero Gogni welcomes the visitors prospective suitors and offers them brew Kong o to be sipped through a long reed like straw after libations are first offered to Were.