The Forbidden Clothes- by Jamila Gavin

Purpose and audiance courage, independance "... my dad'll have to kill me before he stops me having what freedom is left" teenagers

Summary

15 year old Pakistani girl named Nasreen
She has to wear the traditional clothing
She sneaks around with Louise meanwhile her Mom worries
She gets caught and beaten
She runs away to Louise's house
She comes back for her sixtheeth birthday to marry and follow tradition

Don't judge a book by it's cover

Language and meaning are shaped by culture and context

English teacher

Barrier with Nasreen

She had to be punished because she was a disgrace to the community

Nasreen felt like she had to go back...

" I made a pact with myself that we i'm sixteen i return to my community. It's where I really belong."

Text, Context and Meaning

The story allows the reader to see from both perspectives

Cultural contrast

Fight between religious beliefs and independance

Language changes

Nasreen and friends Vs Nasreen and Family

Theme

The theme of this story is to not “judge a book by its cover”. In this case, it is “do not judge a girl by her appearance”. At school, Nasreen is seen as a shy girl from Pakistan with her veil, and head coverings. But underneath it all, she leads another life. Outside of school, Nasreen leads the life of a common Western girl, with her makeup, tight clothes, and a rebel attitude.

Settings

1) Place: Merton Close, Liverpool

2) Time: 1992

3) Social Conditions: teenagers in the modern society love to drink and smoke; while cultural people are strictly cultural

4) Mood or atmosphere: anxious because of Nasreen’s behavior, and happy because of Nasreen's freedom

Conflict

Types:

1) External: Nasreen vs. her parents Nasreen leads a second life that her parents are unaware of. The conflict is evident through the fact that she lies to her mother about studying with her friend, while she is actually partying instead.

2) Internal: Nasreen vs. her cultural background Nasreen is quite confused by the fact that she wants to be free and act like everybody else, but she also does not want to disrespect her family in the sense that they will never forgive her.

Kinds:

1)Man vs. Man (physical): Nasreen vs. her mother The conflict between Nasreen and her mother is more visibly evident towards the end of the story when she is caught by her father; but more so internally through the worries and thoughts of her mother, as she can definitely tell by the that Nasreen has changed in terms of her attitude.

2) Man vs. Circumstances (classical): Nasreen vs. a choice Throughout the story, Nasreen is conflicted deeply by the idea that she has in reality, only one option. She knows that when she is sixteen, she will be married off in an arranged marriage. That is why she chooses to have fun while she can. She also contemplates running away; as she feels that she will still be able to have fun, and avoid her depressive future.

3)Man vs. Society (social): Nasreen vs. The Community At the end of the story, Nasreen is caught by her father. He tells Nasreen that he has heard from people in the community that they have seen her without her traditional clothing, and acting like a "Western Girl". He finds out that it has been going on for months. The idea that the community has in her mind, betrayed her secret, leaves Nasreen feeling sad.

4)Man vs. Himself/Herself (physiological): Nasreen’s battle to do what pleases herself and her family In the story, Nasreen wants to do what pleases herself but also her family. Her choice was evident by the fact that she wanted to be free before she turned 16, and then allow herself to have an arranged marriage, like her parents wanted. Through her option, she is able to please both herself and her parents.

Point of View

Innocent Eye

This is the best choice because the innocent eye is Nasreen’s mother. In the story, she is deeply worried for her daughter. She can see that Nasreen has changed from a shy girl, into a young woman who has courage and wants to stand out at school. Mrs. Khan is seen as the shadow of the story as she is always in the background, worrying about Nasreen. All Mrs. Khan wants is the best for her daughter. She feels that if Nasreen stops associating with Louise, everything will go back to normal, and Nasreen will be her little girl again.

World Crises

1) Flooding In 2010, Pakistan was victim to major flooding. 20 million people suffered from this flooding; millions of people were injured and killed.

2) High Pricing High pricing for food, water and other everyday essentials followed the rise of the Pakistan flooding of 2010. This was the fall of many people becoming unemployed. In our society, this is also evident today, as many people are unemployed and cannot find work.

3) Discrimination against Women Throughout history, women in Middle Eastern of Asian countries have faced much discrimination. Particularily after the world crises in Pakistan, women were unable to find substantle work.

4) Anaemic children Due to the high pricing of food, children had a difficult time finding food to eat. This unfortunately made them become anaemic.

Characters

Nasreen Khan: She is a 15 year old girl from Pakistan. She does not like her family culture so she dresses like a Western girl with her best friend; tight clothes and makeup, without her parents awareness. She feels that she only has a limited time to be free, before she turns 16; which is the marriage age.

Mrs. Khan: Mrs. Khan is Nasreen’s mother. Her mother believes that her best friend and high school have turned Nasreen into somebody else. She wishes that Nasreen would stop acting like a different person, and go back to being the person that she used to be.

Louise Dibben: She is Nasreen’s best friend. She is seen as a bad influence to Nasreen as she smokes, and wears tight fitting clothing.

Margot Henderson: She is Mrs. Khan’s English teacher. She volunteers out of her free time. Margot Henderson does not like to teach Mrs. Khan English, as Mrs. Khan is very slow at learning.

Craig Dibben: Louise’s younger brother.

Carl: A boy that Nasreen has a crush on.

Mark: Louise’s boyfriend.

Rashid Khan: Nasreen’s father. He beats her with a belt whenever she does not behave. He finds out from the town that Nasreen has been shaming his family behind his back, and he feels betrayed.

Head Teacher: He or she questions Nasreen’s choice to disrespect her family. They are told by Nasreen that she just wants to be free before she is 16, because then she will have to marry someone that she does not know, and become a house wife; nothing more.


In the story of "The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell," we are introduced to a rather interesting character, Dame Ragnell. We meet Dame Ragnell in the beginning of the story when King Arthur is riding his horse into Ingelswood Forest. He then meets a lady, Dame Ragnell, who is described to be absolutely hideous and grotesque. The story gives a complete description of this old, foul woman:

Her face was red, her nose snotid withalle,
Her mouithe wide, her teethe yallowe overe alle,
With blerid eyen gretter then a balle;
Her mouithe was not to lak;
Her teeth hing over her lippes;
Her cheekis as wemen hippes.

Dame Ragnell is a repulsive creature. She's described as a big, broad-shouldered woman with yellow, rotten teeth hanging over her mouth, great big eyes, and a big red face with cheeks the size of a lady's hips.

King Arthur runs in trouble and is given twelve months to find the answer to the question, "What do women most desire?" With his life riding on this answer, King Arthur desperately asks Dame Ragnell to tell him what women most desire. She tells him that women most desire power and sovereignty in marriage. But she tells him this only after he promises that one of his knights, Sir Gawain, will wed her. Sir Gawain does indeed marry her, but only because of his strong loyalty to his king. Sir Gawain is disgusted by her appearance, but he knows this is the only way to save King Arthur. People pity Sir Gawain, a very handsome man who possesses nobility and honor, for having to marry such a loathly woman.

Dame Ragnell has no manners, especially at the dinner table. When she feasts at King Arthur's court, she eats as much food as six grown men:

Her nailes were long inchis three; 
Therewithe she breke her mete ungoodly;

Dame Ragnell's appearance is the result of her stepmother's wicked spell. Her stepmother cursed Dame Ragnell many years ago and the spell can only be broken if she weds a man who gives her sovereignty in their marriage. The spell has yet to be broken…that is until she is married to Sir Gawain. Then, she gives Sir Gawain the ultimatum that he can either choose for Dame Ragnell to be beautiful during the day for all men to admire, and at night she will be ugly for Sir Gawain, or for her to be ugly during the day and beautiful at night for Sir Gawain to enjoy. He tells Dame Ragnell that he will allow her to make the decision:

The choise is hard.
To chese the best it is froward.
Wheder choise that I chese,
To have you faire on nightes and no more,
That wold greve my hart righte sore
And my worship shold I lese.
And if I desire on days to have you faire,
Then on nightes I shold have a simple repaire.
Now fain wold I chose the best,
I ne wot in this world what I shall saye,
But do as ye list now my lady gaye.
The choise I put in your fist.

And because he gives her sovereignty in the marriage, he is able to break the horrible spell and she is no more a hideous creature, but a fair woman…both day and night.


In Transforming Moments by Gcina Mhlophe we have the theme of insecurity, confidence, isolation independence, identity, acceptance and change. Narrated in the first person it becomes clear to the reader from the beginning of the story that Mhlophe may be exploring the theme of insecurity and confidence. The narrator is worried about her self-image even going as far as describing her hair as being like ‘dry grass in winter.’ Which is an unflattering way to describe one’s hair. If anything the narrator feels not only insecure about how she looks but also lacks confidence. It may also be important that the narrator compares herself physically to how other girls look as this would again play on the theme of confidence or rather the lack of it. The fact that the other girls in the school tease the narrator about her looks (and boys) may also be significant as she is being isolated by her peers due to how she looks and feels about boys. The other girls don’t seem to be able to accept that the narrator has a right to be disinterested when it comes to boys. She is not following anyone’s lead. Though she is insecure about her looks she appears to have the ability to think for herself. There is also a sense that some of the boys in the narrator’s class dislike her due to her appearance and nothing else. If anything Mhlophe may be highlighting how swallow the male can be.


In Pink Bow Tie by Paul Jennings we have the theme of honesty, appearance, desire, opportunity, fear, discontent, acceptance, change and curiosity. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed fourteen year old boy the reader realises after reading the story that Jennings may be exploring the theme of honesty. If the narrator is to be believed then it would appear that everything he tells Old Splodge is true. That the narrator is being honest. Though the story the narrator tells Old Splodge might be considered by some to be fantastical if not improbable. However if the reader suspends their disbelief then they will realise that Jennings is also exploring the theme of appearance. Not everything is as it seems. Something that is noticeable by Old Splodge’s assumption that the narrator dyed his hair rather than it turning white out of fright. It is also interesting that each of the characters with the exception of the mean guy use the age rager to their advantage. It is as though they desire or wish to be a certain age and the age rager assists them. The old lady in particular may be important as she chooses to be sixteen again. It is as though the age rager is giving the old lady the opportunity to relive her life.

Where previously the old lady might have considered that her life was near an end. With the age rager she has been rejuvenated back to the age of sixteen. Each character in the story has an opportunity to reset their life to an age that they are comfortable with. Something that in reality many people would like to be able to do. If anything the age rager has the ability to make a person immortal. Such is its power. However with such power comes danger. Something that is noticeable by the mean guy’s misuse of the age rager. The result being that the mean guy ends up killing himself. The fact that the narrator himself does not use the age rager is also interesting. He has every opportunity to however he refrains from using it. This could be important as the narrator may realise that the age ranger though it has its advantages also has its downsides too. It is also possible that the narrator though he is in trouble twice in two days in school realises that his life may not necessarily need to be changed. He accepts his age, his limitations and knows that life will progress normally for him. Where the other characters have implemented a change in their life. The narrator is most likely happy. Despite being in trouble.

He may be romantically interested in Miss Newton and the age rager would help him when it comes to the issue of asking Miss Newton out. However the narrator is in no rush to change his life. Having seen what happened the mean guy. If anything the narrator may be comfortable as a fourteen year old boy. Though at the same time afraid of the powers of the age rager. Which leaves the reader wondering that perhaps all of the other characters in the story may be discontent with their age and as such with their lives. Something which may be very true for Old Splodge who has most likely used the age rager to turn back the clock so that he can be eighteen again and romantically involved with Miss Newham. If anything Old Splodge may be driven by lust. Knowing that as a man who is about to retire he has no possibility of grabbing Miss Newham’s attention. However with the aid of the age rager. Things change and are very much different.

The fact that the narrator does not get into trouble at the end of the story is also interesting as by not getting into trouble the reader tends to believe his story that little bit more. Though as mentioned it is a fantastical tale. However that may be the point that Jennings is attempting to make. Just because a story or tale may be fantastical or deemed to be unbelievable does not mean that it is not true. The fact that Jennings introduces the pink bow tie again at the end of the story leads the reader to believe that Old Splodge has used the age rager. Also no letter arrived at the narrator’s home instructing the narrator’s parents that the narrator was suspended from school. In reality some of the characters have changed their ages to suit their desires or needs. Something that is particularly true when it comes to the old lady and Old Splodge. The one person who has remained static throughout the story is the narrator. The reader aware that driven by fear and acceptance the narrator has no interest in using the age rager. He can see the positives and the negatives of such a powerful machine and does not wish to use it. Hence the narrator giving the age rager to Old Splodge who driven by curiosity choose to turn himself back into an eighteen year old.

Summary

This story is about a boy, who get called in to the Principal´s office because he dyed his hair. At the office the boy told the principal a funny story about a Age Rager. The principal didn't believe him, but when the boy took the Age Rager out of his backpack and the principal used it - he believed him. The principal got 18 years old, and fell in love with his secratary, who also was the boy´s crush. He summed it up that it was one good and one bad thing about the Age Rager: The good thing is that the old grumpy principal is gone, and the bad thing is that the cute secretary got a boyfriend.

What we think about the text: well, it was a quite strange text, but we liked it. It was funny whit a little twist in the end. It was a weird story the I person told the principal so we understand that he didn't believed him for the first, but when he tried it, he got this pretty lady.


In The Doll’s House by Katherine Mansfield we have the theme of class, prejudice, connection, hope, appearance and equality. Taken from her The Doves’ Nest and Other Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Mansfield may be exploring the theme of class. The Burnell family, with the exception of Kezia, consider themselves to be above others particularly when it comes to the Kelveys. It would appear that the Burnells define themselves by their social status (or class) and due to the fact that Mrs Kelvey is a working class woman and the possible fact that Mr Kelvey is in prison the Burnells consider themselves to be above the Kelveys. There is also a sense that the Burnell’s are ostracizing the Kelvey’s simply because they may be different to them. If anything it is possible that the Burnell’s do not wish to associate themselves with the Kelvey’s because of the Kelvey’s appearance (both physical and social).

It is also noticeable that the other children (and the teacher) in the school, like the Burnells, also consider themselves to be better than the Kelveys. Again this assumption appears to be based not only on the working class status of Mrs Kelvey but also by the fact that Mrs Kelvey is so poor that she needs to dress her daughters with cloth from items that her neighbours no longer need. If anything all the characters (again with the exception of Kezia) in the story judge the Kelveys based on, not only their perceived lower class status but also by their physical appearance. Just as Lil and Else look different to those around them by the way they are dressed, the other children (and the Burnells and the teacher) view the Kelveys as being different. Each character in the story (again with the exception of Kezia) is prejudicial towards the Kelveys. The fact that neither Lil or Else speak throughout the story (although Else does speak at the end) may also be important as by not allowing (or having) either child speak Mansfield may be suggesting that in life, neither Lil or Else have a voice (or remain unheard). It is also noticeable that Kezia too, is limited in what she can say. It is left to Isabel to tell the children in the school about the doll’s house, based purely on the fact that she is the oldest of the Burnell children. In many ways by not allowing the Kelvey girls and Kezia to speak, Mansfield is connecting each of them to each other. She is allowing them to be the same or equal, removing any class distinction that may exist.

There is also some symbolism in the story which may be significant. The doll’s house itself can be seen to symbolise the upper class Burnells. By associating the doll’s house with the Burnells, Mansfield is possibly suggesting that the Burnells, because they are the only people with a doll’s house, are likewise different to those around them (they are upper class). Something that is a little clearer to the reader when Mansfield tells the reader that Mrs Burnell only sent her children to the local school, not because she felt it would be good for them but because there was no other school available. It may also be important that there is a smell coming from the doll’s house. It is possible that by introducing the smell to the house, symbolically Mansfield is also suggesting that all is not right with the Burnells (socially prejudiced). The gate that Kezia is sitting on, and which she swings open may also be symbolic. It is possible that Mansfield is likening the gate (at least symbolically) to the social prejudice that Mrs Burnell (and others) have towards the Kelveys. By allowing Kezia to open the gate to Lil and Else, Mansfield may be suggesting that likewise, Kezia is removing any obstruction or social prejudice towards Lil and Else, so that both can be just like the other children in the story, to be their equal. The little lamp inside the doll’s house may also be important as Mansfield may be using it to symbolise hope or connection. Of all the children only Kezia and Else seem to be impressed by the lamp. This may be important as it is possible that symbolically (through the lamp), Mansfield is not only allowing hope into Else’s (and Lil’s) life, so that they can be treated as equals to the other children in the story but Mansfield may also be directly connecting Else and Kezia, tearing down any class barriers that may exist between both girls and which may have been built by Mrs Burnell or Aunt Beryl.

The ending of the story is also interesting. Despite the continued social prejudice of Aunt Beryl (by telling Lil and Else to go home and not come back again), Else appears to be unaffected. As she is sitting beside Lil, she tells her ‘I seen the little lamp.’ This line may be important as it not only connects Else to Kezia but by seeing the lamp, Else realises that she is no different to Kezia. Through Kezia’s breaking down of any class barrier that may have existed between Lil, Else and herself, Else (and Lil) are allowed to be just like all the other children (equal) in the story.


In The Fur Coat by Sean O’Faolain we have the theme of desire, aspiration, appearance, change and identity. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that O’Faolain may be exploring the theme of desire. Molly strongly wants to get the fur coat. She believes that she will be properly dressed should she own a fur coat. However her basic instincts stop her from getting the coat. This may be important as O’Faolain may be using the fur coat as symbolism for success and Molly may feel as though she does not really deserve the fur coat. The success that the family has achieved is more to do with her husband’s appointment as Parliamentary Secretary than it is to do with anything that Molly has done. Molly’s life is simple. She looks after her children, is a full time housewife and rather than buying new clothes for her children mends their clothes. Which could also be important. A fur coat as Molly is fully aware is an expensive purchase. The money could be used for clothes for the children rather than having Molly spend it on herself. If anything Molly may feel swept away or overwhelmed by her husband’s appointment. Imagining herself to be able to live a life she has never lived before.

O’Faolain also appears to be exploring the theme of appearance and just how important appearance is to Molly. Something that is noticeable when Molly makes reference to the wives of both DeValera and General Mulcahy. She is likening herself to these women as though she too has the same importance due to her husband’s new appointment. Maguire’s appointment means that Molly will mix in new circles and she wants to look good and to be an equal to others. Something she does not feel she is at the moment. At the moment Molly sees herself as no more than an ordinary housewife unlike the wives of DeValera and General Mulcahy. If anything there is a sense that Molly may feel ashamed of who she is and believes that a fur coat or even a set of new dresses will change her for the better. That Molly is just as good as the wives of DeValera and General Mulcahy.

It is also noticeable that Molly becomes preoccupied with getting a fur coat, listing the various types of coats to Maguire along with the cost of each coat. This preoccupation is important as it suggests that Molly is dissatisfied with her life and that she wishes for something else. However it is also noticeable that Molly at times is being practical when it comes to the cost of a coat. This may be important as it suggests that Molly can still understand the value of money. Something that has possibly been triggered by her circumstances (Maguire in prison). If anything Molly is unprepared for the new circle that she will be mixing in and may have low self-esteem. Believing that how she appears (the clothes she wears) is more important than the character she is. It is also possible that Molly is placing others on a pedestal that they may not necessarily deserve. The wives of DeValera and General Mulcahy’s being an example. The end of the story is also interesting as

Molly comes full circle and accepts that she does not want (or need) a fur coat. Despite Maguire providing her with the money Molly has second thoughts. Though Molly tells Maguire she doesn’t know why she has changed her mind it is possible that Molly has realised that she is who she is. That she does not need to compete with the wives of DeValera or General Mulcahy. That she does not need to change who she is. It might also be a case that Molly realises that she may have been selfish, thinking only of herself and not her family. It is also possible that Molly, having spent so many years struggling, is defeated or beaten and no longer has the energy required to be something that she knows she really isn’t. Molly has lived her life as part of a political struggle and may not be able to forget this. For that reason she probably is aware that the fur coat is more for appearance than practicality. Yet Molly is unable as previously mentioned to forget who she is. Regardless of the change in the political landscape of Ireland and Maguire’s new appointment Molly can remember what it is like to struggle. Something that is also noticeable by the fact that she spent the evening mending her children’s clothes. It may also be possible that Molly has realised that a fur coat symbolises the spoils of war. A war that cost so many lives and resulted in Maguire’s imprisonment. Molly may no longer feel comfortable with the idea of wearing a fur coat when others have sacrificed so much for her freedom. The reader sensing at the end of the story that Molly has not forgotten her true identity. The wife of a former political prisoner and the mother of children in a fledgling State (Ireland).


In The Last Breath by Sam Kahiga we have the theme of conflict, control, selflessness, sacrifice, love, gratitude and change. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Kahiga might be exploring the theme of conflict and love. The narrator is very much in love with Eva however his father does not agree with the romance due to the fact that Eva is blind. If anything it is the father who is blind as he cannot see it in himself to look beyond Eva’s disability. He is stuck in his ways and adamant that the narrator will not marry Eva. It may also be important that in the first three sentences of the story Kahiga makes reference to eyes and sight. It is possible that Kahiga is using irony, particularly when it comes to the narrator’s father. There is also a sense that the narrator’s life is being controlled by his father. Not only when it comes to his relationship with Eva but his job choice was a decision made for him by his father. It is as though the narrator is not allowed to follow the path he wishes to follow due to the input of his father. The father is the one who is gauging for the narrator what is suitable and what will make the narrator happy. In reality the narrator’s father is controlling him and the narrator is acutely aware of this. Rather than being happy with the choices his father has made for him the narrator is sad and bitter about the circumstances he finds himself in. The narrator’s mother also plays a significant role in the story and is more understanding of how the narrator feels about Eva. However it is interesting that she like her husband does not think that it is a good idea for the narrator to marry Eva. The mother’s role is more of a peacemaker between father and son. It may also be significant that Kahiga tells the reader that the sunshine has left the narrator’s mother. It is possible that she is symbolically as much in the dark as her husband is when it comes to the narrator wanting to marry Eva. There is also no doubting that the friction between father and son has taken an effect on the narrator now that he knows his father is dying of cancer. He does not wish his father to be dead rather he silently loves him and begins to possibly accept his father for who he is. The battles that they have fought over Eva do not appear to take on the same significance. The engagement ring also plays a significant role in the story. Though it has the outward appearance of being something cheap it’s deeper meaning and importance cannot be underestimated. It is a symbol again no matter how cheap it may look of the narrator’s love for Eva.

The fact that the narrator’s father also donates his cornea to Eva shows a redemptive quality within the father. His stance on Eva has changed dramatically as too has his view of the narrator’s relationship with Eva. With his pending death he appears to have an epiphany or moment of realisation and for the first time is sacrificing something of himself in order to help the narrator and Eva. Where previously the narrator’s father had scorned upon the idea of the narrator marrying Eva his act of generosity in giving Eva sight suggests that the narrator’s father for the first time in the story understands his son and acknowledges that he is in love with Eva. The narrator’s father is making sacrifices which will benefit not only the narrator but Eva too. In what can only be described as an act of altruism. If anything the narrator’s father is setting aside his own feelings and acting selflessly. Where many would focus on themselves at the time of their death the narrator’s father doesn’t. He thinks of his son and Eva. The end of the story is also interesting as Kahiga appears to be exploring the theme of gratitude. The narrator while he is standing by his father’s grave thanks his father for his kindness. Even though he suspects that his father can’t hear him (mute grave). He is still none the less grateful for his father’s actions despite the fact that his father was ill and dying when he decided to donate his cornea to Eva. Again the narrator’s father was acting selflessly and for the benefit of another human being. The reader is also left to assume that Eva and the narrator have gotten married as Eva is waiting for the narrator at the end of the story in the narrator’s home. Not only is there a sense of gratitude from the narrator but he appears to be happy too. His father’s donation has given the woman he loves sight. Where at the start of the story there was conflict at the end there is resolution and happiness. The narrator being able for the first time to live his life as he wants to live it and not how others might want him to live which had previously been the case in the story when the narrator’s father attempted successfully to control the narrator’s life.


In Village People by Bessie Head we have the theme of poverty, conflict, kindness, struggle, acceptance, desperation and connection. Taken from her Tales of Tenderness and Power collection the story is narrated by several different narrators and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Head may be exploring the theme of poverty and acceptance. It is obvious that the village is ravaged with poverty an example of which is the fact that many of the village’s babies die of malnutrition which would suggest that there is very little or no money to feed those who are most in need of nutrition. However it is interesting that there also appears to be an acceptance among those in the village of the circumstances that they find themselves in. It is as though they have accepted life on life’s terms without the possibility of change due to the limitations that are beset on those in the village. It is also interesting that the village is isolated with most communication being done by ox cart or sledge. This may be important as it is possible that Head is suggesting that throughout Africa (at the time the story was written) there were other villages that may have also lived in isolation. Africa may not necessarily have been fully developed or united unlike other counties in the western world. The situation that exists in Africa may have been unique with the continent being under developed.

Head’s description of the old woman may also be important particularly the words that she uses when describing the woman. By describing the woman and her situation as being ‘retched’ Head may be explicitly trying to highlight to the reader the desperation that exists for some in Africa. It may also be symbolically significant that the woman is wearing each of her shoes on the wrong foot as this may suggest at least symbolically that the woman is going in the wrong direction or at least her circumstances are heading in the wrong direction. The difficulties that she is incurring (hunger) may not necessarily need to exist. Though she looks amusing to others there is a far more serious matter at hand. The old woman is desperate for food with her only goal being the will to want to survive by getting food. The young woman’s kindness is also important as it highlights the fact that there is still a level of humanity in Africa. Despite the difficulties that the old woman has incurred the young woman (old woman’s daughter) is able to display gratitude through the act of kindness and bringing the pail of water to the village. In many ways the pail of water connects the old woman, young woman and those in the village. The theme of acceptance is further explored in the Summer Sun section of the story when the young girl is waiting for the rain to fall. Though she doesn’t understand why her family must wait all day under the sun for the rain she still nonetheless accepts that this is the way of the village. It may also be important that the young girl wishes to learn, to further her education as this might suggest that the girl like the land around her has a fertile mind. Symbolically without her knowing it the girl is connected to the land. Just as the rest of her family are. It is also interesting that the girl describes the possible arrival of a child as being illegitimate as this would suggest that the girl may be aware that there is a tradition which is broken and she is not following it (getting married before having children). Though it is probably deliberate that Head mentions that the girl’s sister has also had an illegitimate child as this would further connect the girl to her sister. Whether she wants to or not the girl is following the path her sister has traveled.

There is also a sense of struggle throughout the story particularly when Head is describing the green tree. By telling that reader that everything is ‘jealously guarded’ Head many be suggesting that very little is given away by nature which in turn may suggest that life is a struggle for those who live in the village. Though they are reliant on the rain in order for their crops to grow nothing is given. There is no rain which in turn leads to the increased poverty that exists in the village. It may also be significant that the Head mentions that those who have traveled from the South due to political oppression do not stay in the village for long as this would further highlight just how difficult things are for those in the village. The land is barren. However there still remains a generosity towards those who are passing through the village which suggests that despite the circumstances the people in the village find themselves in. They are still able to not only show kindness towards others but also have an ability to connect with them. Despite being disadvantaged by nature those who live in the village still remain able to adapt to their circumstances and live their lives to the best of their ability. It is as though Head is suggesting that those in the village will not be beaten by their circumstances. Head also appears to be exploring the theme of conflict. Particularly the conflict that an individual can feel within themselves. A conflict that may be caused by others (British imperialism). Unlike the other countries in Africa that have fought for independence the narrator (Lorato) in the Tao section of the story openly admits that his country rather than fighting the thorn that was imperialism or colonialism not only accepts imperialism but defends it too. He also appears to be in conflict with wanting to live in a larger more settled village or town where the difficulties of his own village are not found. If anything there is a conflict within Lorato similar to the conflict that existed in Africa while under British or colonial rule. The end of the story is also interesting as Head does not allow Lorato the satisfaction of any type of resolution. When asked by Kate who he will vote for Lorato tells Kate that he will not be voting at all as he is unsure of who to vote for. This may be important as it further suggests that Lorato like the other characters in the story are living in conflict within themselves.

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