PASSED LIKE A SHADOW ANALYSIS BY BERNAD MAPALALA

PASSED LIKE A SHADOW ANALYSIS BY BERNAD MAPALALA

TITLE: PASSED LIKE A SHADOW

AUTHOR: BERNARD MAPALALA

PUBLISHERS:DAR ES SALAAM UNIVERSITY PRESS.

SETTING: WESTERN PART OF UGANDA
 

Passed Like a Shadow is a novel written by Bernard Mapalala, a Tanzanian author. The book was first published in 2006. The novel chronicles how the slim (UKIMWI) disease, HIV/AIDS slithered its way into Adyeri's and David's families and the resultant effects of its intrusion in both families.




STORY OVERVIEW

Mapalala begins his masterpiece by a prologue in which he cites the real example in Dar es Salaam Tanzania, where a passenger boarded a bus from Kinondoni on his way to hospital. The man appears to have lost his weight in a span of time, and he is very suspicious about the blood test that he is about to go and perform

The laboratory technician was his friend who had an ambiguous moment when it comes on giving out the test results. The man’s test truly indicated that he was HIV positive

While the technician asks himself severally on how he will give the results to his friend, he remembers the way he attended the funerals of his own three blood brothers in Bukoba.

The disease seems to unite the whole East Africa

CHAPTER ONE

The author cites in Adyeri’s home where a sister called Abooki cooks a very delicious meal, then after eating, the father appears while staggering due to his high intake of alcohol, Abooki brings some food for her father where Atwoki (Abooki’s brother) spills the food tray.

The struggles begin, where Adyeri beats Atwoki severely, on the process, the mother ( Amoti ) returns home from the market only to find adyeri beating Atwoki. Amoti interrupts where now the beating also meets her. It’s a fight between a mother and a father. Atwoki tries to save his mother, and when she gets a chance she runs away. Adyeri also leaves home to another woman (nyumba Ndogo), he didn’t come back that night.

CHAPTER TWO

Vicky ( the daughter of Adyeri’s late sister) comes back home with a fiancé (munyamahanga - alien). Earlier Vicky ran away from home after having a serious fight with Adyeri his uncle when he finds her along the street riding a bycicle contrary to the ethics of the tribe. Amoti does not receive this guest happily. The fiancé (Akena) wants to marry  Vicky, but adyeri imposes very high bride price for him which makes him (akena ) to fail to marry Vicky.

The bride price was:

15 heads ofcattle, including three bulls;

8 goats

50,000/= shillings for buying bark cloth

15,000/= shillings for buying daddy’s walking stick and

2 jerry cans of beer

Akena leaves away with failure altogether with his panel of negotiation.

Vicky remains stressed and frustrated, Amoti is happy for what has happened. Adyeri curses the man for failing to reach for the deal.

CHAPTER THREE

Abooki and Atwoki are at school (std II), Atwoki, joyfully playing childish games, very talented ones, but poverty undermines him they don’t have even a radio at his home. From school, they go home together with Abooki, but Abooki plays an extra role of cooking the evening meal.

Araali is their uncle, he comes to visit them, he brings them with gifts, and they really love him. He brings food, this act shames Adyeri who comes home alcoholized and staggering. Adyeri accuses himself of failing to provide for his house.

CHAPTER FOUR

Vicky joins the group of whores ( Kunihira and Tusiime) who did not well finish their secondary education due to their bad adolescent behaviours. They own a tailoring shop at Kachwamba, financed by a Muzungu boyfriend; they finally manage to pollute Vicky’s mind. They are prostitutious advising Vicky to have ran away with that man (Akena). They convince her to have boyfriends, Vicky is deceived, falls in the trap, she adorns her self, the boys chase her like the way flies follow the rotten meet. Vicky succeeds to fish a big fish, she moves away from home for once and for all. Gone for good.

CHAPTER FIVE

Adyeri is welcome at Kinyamasika Primary school to attend the graduation, where he is mocked for what he has achieved in his life, what is he proud of now?, as he has already grown old, what memories will he leave in the world? The children sing a song that reflects the above message. He even leaves the hall before the end of the ceremony. In this chapter Adyeri is reflected of being an ex head master of St. Leo’s High School, where he engaged in love affairs with his secretary Birugi, he built a house for her, and opened  a shop for her, yet he had many other maids around. He is then approved of having HIV/AIDS. He breaks away with Birugi, where his belongings are thrown out of the house he built for her. Now the children’s education s cared by uncle Araali.

CHAPTER SIX

Atwoki rises into a marvelous footballer; he wins a spectacular goal for Uganda V/S Egypt. The Uganda president invites him for dinner in the white house palace. He grows famous as the bullet of Fort portal. He builds his mother a house. News come to them that their father Adyeri is deadly sick, they leastly care. After some time, the car brakes at their door, it’s the half dead body of their sick father. The men who brought Adyeri released a very wise advice for the family

CHAPTER SEVEN

Atwoki is invited to Kampala by his friend David; there Atwoki is pressurized to engage in un safe sexual affairs, he is surrounded by sexually explicit girls, magazines, out goings. David’s father is also a womanizer, and he does not act as a father to David. David takes his father like a brother; they ironically plant the advertisements that say “JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST AIDS. USE CONDOMS” Atwoki is connected to a girl/woman called Edda by David.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Vicky is married (locally) to a wealthy business man, Vicky cooks good food, (this man had married many wives and divorced them and four children)  un fortunately Vicky  is barren,  she cannot deliver babies; this forces them to go to the witch doctor to check for a medicine, by the advice of her husband

They travel during the mid night through their car, they reach to the witch doctors home, he demands money (the witch doctor). He uses shared tools to prick Vicky’s stomach and tattoos it with his wizard dose. He lies that Vicky will have twins. Vicky is contaminated by HIV.

CHAPTER NINE

Adyeri dies of HIV/AIDS, many mourns for him, particularly his drinking pals. they argue a lot of things, like where did Adyeri get this disease, can his son be the victim too? no! where is the origin of this disease? The Bazungu?

Atwoki goes to Kampala, three months passes, no word from him, he just sent a little money. So the burden of responsibility rests in Abooki’s hands

Abooki boards a bus to Kasese to see if Vicky can finance them, she finds Vicky is very sick, Vicky gives her a sufficient (large) amount of money. Vicky is affected already.

Abooki visits a friend called John, john cons her and rapes her, spoils her virginity

CHAPTER TEN

Abooki is more stressed, she suspects of being infected, she goes for a blood test where she is proved of being negative. The technician( Jonathan)  loves  Abooki at the first sight, same applies to Abooki.

Atwoki arrives in Katumba, he finds his mother is already buried, he was very healthily poor.

They go to visit uncle Araali who forgives Atwoki and sympathetically welcomes him home. Uncle’s home was very beautiful.

(Source http://mkwiduchalz.blogspot.com/2015/10/passed-like-shadow-analysis.html?m=1*)

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THE BLACK HERMIT ANALYSIS BOOK BY NGUGI WA THIONG'O

THE BLACK HERMIT ANALYSIS BOOK BY NGUGI WA THIONG'O

Title:The Black Hermit,
a play by Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiongʼo,
 


SYNOPSIS OF THE BOOK
is the story of a young man, Remi, who is the first of his tribe to attend university. Amidst the backdrop of a politically torn country, Remi himself is torn between his sense of tribalism and nationalism. This struggle runs deep, as he finds it at the heart of his afflictions between himself, his marriage and familial relations, and his greater sense of obligations to his people and the country. The overwhelming nature of these problems drives him into isolation as a black hermit. His self-imposed exile into the city leads him to find contentment in the Jane, his new lover, and nightly clubbing. However, after he is lobbied to return to the tribe, he must now confront the demons of his past.

Act 1
Scene 1

The play opens with Remi's wife and mother, Thoni and Nyobi, respectively, carrying out household chores. A conversation is struck as both admit to suffering from the absence of their beloved Remi. Thoni's distress is caused by her lack of fulfillment of motherly and womanly obligations to her tribe. Nyobi seeks to comfort her daughter-in-law, directing her to escape her sorrow: I hate to see your youth wearing away, falling into bits like a cloth hung in the sun.

A knock at the door distracts them only to reveal the presence of one of the tribe's elders. A premonition had occurred in the village messenger, an oracle, that the strength and bounty of the village would return should the green seed, Remi, along with his university education, be planted. The elder, on behalf of the other elders, approaches Nyobi asking for her blessing in the plan to bring Remi back to the tribe. She obliges the messenger and mission her blessing but seeks out the power of Christ to return her son.

Scene 2

The elders of the tribe are congregating to discuss the plight of the tribe. Uhuru, or freedom, was promised yet not delivered by the Africanist Party and their neighbors who they conceive to be aspiring against them are surely to be blamed for their misfortune. Their salvation would be in Remi, the prodigal, educated son of the tribe, would lead their tribe back to strength and influence; therefore, the leader along with additional elders, along with Nyobi's blessing, elect to travel to the city.

Scene 3

Nyobi fears the elder's efforts will not work without divine intervention from the God of Christ. She visits the tribe's priest for spiritual guidance and comfort, not only for herself but for her daughter-in-law, Thoni, whose demeanor is affected by Remi's absence. She doubts the tribe's elders will be effective in returning him, so after the priest offers her words of comfort, she pleads the case for him to travel to the city and convince Remi to return. He obliges.

Act 2
Scene 1

Over the last few weeks, Remi has become increasingly mindful of home. Jane, his long time lover since moving to the city, has noticed this and addressed him about it. His thoughts and concerns are with his mother, so much so that he has become distant from Jane and negligent in remembering their plans. Jane wants for Remi to open up about his past, even suggesting that the two should visit his home. Nevertheless, he evades her inquiries, and the two depart to a night club.

Scene 2

Remi then gets a surprise visit from a longtime friend and colleague, Omange. The two engage in an impassioned debate about social issues in the country. At a glance, it appears to be of the typical matters. race relations, politics and regime transitions, tribalism versus nationalism, etc., are all brought up. Yet, things take a turn, as Remi discusses his politically active past at his university and in his tribe.

He goes on to reveal that his childhood crush, who was to be married to his brother, was left widowed following his brother's accidental death, and that under tribal custom, he was to marry her. This was his reason for leaving, as surely, she could not have loved him, and, given his political ideology, he could not agree with following tribal law.

Just as Omange suggests that Remi return home to reconcile this grievance, the elders enter; Remi requests of Omange to depart and to prevent Jane from entering. The elders lobby Remi regarding the same manner, his return to the tribe. However, they desire of him to lead them politically and to be the liaison between them and the government. Remi grows agitated, as the same tribalistic passions he once escaped have followed him. He sends them off, as he vaguely fails to agree or disagree with their demand.

Their departure is followed shortly by the arrival of the tribe's Christian Priest. Shockingly, he too arrives to ask for Remi's return. This time, he approaches the task from a religious and emotional perspective: God needs you... Your mother needs you.Finally, after this emotional lobby, Remi agrees to return. He comes to the realization that up until now he has been a hermit, hiding from his conflictions.

Scene 3

Days pass as the date of departure draws near. For obvious reasons, Jane is upset that he's leaving and begs him to allow her to join him. He provides the reasoning that their cultural differences wouldn't permit her to function within the tribe. Further interrogation reveals that Remi's true reasoning for denying her the trip, and the reason for his coming to the city: his tribal marriage. She becomes distraught and leaves him.

Act 3
Scene 1

The day has now come when Remi is to return. While Nyobi is filled with excitement, Thoni contains fear in her heart. Premonitions and dreams fill her mind with symbols that signal to her a less than harmonious return of her beloved. Comforting from both Nyobi and the Pastor prove ineffective, and upon the arrival of Remi, her feelings were proven true. In his return, he detests the tribalistic urges pushed by the elders and rejects the efforts of both his mother and the Pastor to reunite with his wife.

Scene 2

Filled deeply with sorrow, Thoni attempts to escape the village. Her destiny is to be exiled to the country of darkness -a place where she's visited before- of where she will be free of the pain she experiences. A local woman petitions her to abandon the voyage and return to the tribe. Her efforts are to no avail, however, as Thoni disappears.

Scene 3

Remi remains blinded to Thoni's love until the delivery of her letter, where she pours out her heart. This news transforms his demeanor instantaneously, as he rushes to his house in pursuit of her. To his avail, he finds nothing but Nyobi and the pastor. Nyobi unaffectionately brushes his concerns until she acknowledges the sincerity of them, which causes her to attitude to shift. Nevertheless, all parties become disheartened at the return of Thoni's corpse to the house. Remi is left in pain and sorrow at the sight of his deceased wife as the play concludes.

Themes and concepts

Multiple themes reoccur throughout the play and factor into the plot and character development. One of the main themes involves the pull between Nationalism and Tribalism that exists in the Post-Colonial country. We see these two varying attitudes on political life expressing themselves in how Remi and the elders in his tribe seek to address the tribe's issues. This can be seen directly in Scene three of Act three where Remi and his friend, Omange, agree that to deal with tribalism with ruthless vigour is a part of the solution.
(Source_GOOGLE_WIKIPEDIA)

FORM AND CONTENT ANALYSIS OF THE BLACK HERMIT

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HOUSEBOY NOVEL ANALYSIS BY FREDNAND OYONO (Teacher Hassan Lemunje)

HOUSEBOY NOVEL ANALYSIS BY FREDNAND OYONO

    

TITLE: HOUSEBOY

NOVELIST: FERDINAND OYONO.

SETTING: CAMEROON DURING COLONIALISM. (FRENCH 

COLONIAL RULE)-1963.

INTRODUCTION
.

HOUSEBOY is a novel that tells about Toundi, an African boy who 

finds himself working for the French priests when he escapes the 

brutality of his father. Toundi works for father Gilbert whom he used to 

love, but when his boss died, he was taken by the Commandant who 

employed him as the houseboy. Toundi’s life was not so much good 

with the commandant and especially after the arrival of the wife of 

Commandant, Madame.

TITLE OF THE NOVEL:

The title of the novel is derived from one of the character known as 

Toundi who is the houseboy of the whitemen like Father Gilbert. In his 

servantship as the houseboy, he is brainwashed to believe that his culture 

is nothing and hence abandons his culture. He changes his name in what 

is so called baptism and take the name of Joseph. The houseboy 

symbolizes the exploited and colonized Africans who lose their identity.

The novel is a historical one, showing the life of people of Cameroon 

during colonialism. It shows how they suffered.

Therefore, the title relates much to what is contained in the novel. The

title is relevant.

THINGS TO NOTE IN RELATION TO THE NOVEL.

 The novel was written in form of the diary written by the main 

character namely Toundi before his death.

 Father Gilbert is the one who taught Toundi how to read and 

write.

 Father Gilbert gave Toundi a spiritual education which made him a Catholic Follower

Madame (the wife of the Commandant) was unfaithful to her 

marriage. She betrays her husband by sleeping with the Prison 

Warden.

 The novel shows the African sufferings under French colonial 

rule. People are harshly beaten without reasons. Example

Moreau is cruel and a racist man, he beats Africans to death.

 When Toundi knows about Madame’s extra marital affairs, 

Madame accuses Toundi of theft while Toundi is innocent.

 Toundi is beaten violently by Moreau and by Mendim. He is 

later sent to hospital where he later escapes and goes to his home 

where he dies due to injuries he gets from Moreau in prison.

 Toundi dies trying to question about his identity, he says” What

are we black men who are called French?’.

THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THIS NOVEL:

1.COLONIALISM:

The novel shows how African people suffered under colonialism. 

Whites especially the French in Cameroon torture the natives and 

subject them under harsh conditions.

In this novel, Father Gilbert, Commandant, Madame, and Moreau torture 

and exploit the native Africans like Toundi and Sophie.

 Father Gilbert gives Toundi old clothes as payments for serving 

him. This is humiliation.

 Moreau beats, torture and injures Toundi when he knows that the 

boy knows their extra marital affairs with Madame.

 The death of Toundi is also caused by beating of 

Moreau(colonialist).

Ferdinand wants to show us how colonialism was most evil.

2.CATHOLICISM(CHRISTIANITY).

The novel shows the link between colonialism and the early Christianity 

in Africa. The novel shows that colonialists used Christianity to 

brainwash the Africans. Catholic church has been used to convert 

Africans and make them believe that whites are good people although 

they were not. And that their culture was superior while it was not.

Catholic was portrayed as a means of colonization, it was bad.

Father Gilbert, a catholic leader humiliates Toundi, so he is amoral.

Father Vandameyer is abusive, characteristics like Martin are drunkard 

so they pollute the church and make it unworthy.

3.MODERNITY:

The novelist shows that life in Cameroon is changing and becoming 

more modern due to intrusion of colonialism. New ways of life are 

introduced by the whites (The French). Below are the new ways 

introduced.

 Christianity is a new and modern life in Cameroon. Example 

Toundi is converted and baptized as Joseph.

 Schools are built in Dangan

 Foreign language especially French is used by the natives, so it is 

a modern life.

 European entertainments like clubs are also introduced in 

Cameroon for Europeans.

 Colonial leadership is also new in Cameroon. The Commandant 

is the head of leaders.

 Condoms are also indicators of modernity. Condoms were used 

by Madame and the prison Warden.

 Hospitals were also built by the whites.

4.IMMORALITY.

This means moral pollution or lack of morals.

The novel shows that there is moral pollution in our communities. Moral 

decay can be evidenced in the following aspects: -

 There is unfaithfulness and promiscuity in our societies. Example 

Madame has extra marital affairs with The Prisoner Warden.

 Kalisia used to be a prostitute at the coast.

 Toundi betrays his traditions by running away from his home one 

day before his initiation ceremony.

 Toundi’s father uses abusive language to insult Toundi when he 

wants to instruct him something.

In our societies, moral decay can be evidenced, there are people

betraying others, there is infidelity in marriage and prostitution, so the theme is relevant

5.CONFLICT.

This refers to misunderstanding between or among people. Also there 

can be a conflict in oneself called intra personal conflict. Below are 

conflicts depicted in this novel.

 Conflict between whites and African natives.

REASON: Exploitation done by the whites to Africans.

 Conflict between Toundi and his father.

REASON: Toundi’s fight with Tinati over a lump of sugar angered his 

father.

Another reason is Toundi’s father brutality, he beats Toundi too much 

till Toundi decides to run away.

 Conflict between Madame and her husband (the Commandant).

REASON: Unfaithfulness of Madame, she sleeps with another man.

 Conflict between Sophie and Agricultural engineer.

REASON: Maltreatment. The engineer maltreats Sophie, so Sophie is 

angry and decides to steal engineer’s money and clothes.

 Conflict between Toundi and Tinati.

REASON: The fight over a lump of sugar given to them by the whites.

Generally, it is better to solve conflicts wisely so as to avoid big harms 

that can arise. In our communities, conflicts are happening every day but 

it is necessary to handle them with care.

6: BETRAYAL

This refers to going against social morals or mutual agreement. The 

novelist has shown that in our societies there are people who betray 

others. According to the novelist, betrayal is not good. Below are 

betrayals shown in this novel.

 Toundi betrays his father and his traditions by running away 

from his home one day before initiation.

 Father Vandameyer betrays his faith by maltreating the Africans 

especially Toundi.

 Madame betrays her husband (The Commandant) by sleeping with the prisoner Director

7:IDENTITY

WHAT IS IDENTITY?

Identity refers to the sense of who one is.

As an African, one must follow African culture but when he or she 

follows Western culture and undervalue his, he or she can be considered 

to have lost his identity. African people especially women who changes 

their faces to look like whitemen by using cosmetics, they can be 

considered to have lost their identity.

A THEME OF IDENTITY IN THE NOVEL.

In his death bed, Toundi asks a rhetorical question about his or their 

identity as Africans. He says, “What are we black men who are called 

French?”. Through this question we learn that the colonized people of 

Cameroon have lost their identity to the extent that they don’t know who 

they are. The people of Cameroon has changed their life styles due to 

being brainwashed by the whites. They think like whites, they speak 

French language instead of their traditional languages, they worship in 

churches instead of worshipping their traditional gods.

The novelist therefore wants the Africans to become aware of 

themselves and protect their identity.

MESSAGES FROM THE NOVEL.

1.Colonialism is an evil system, exploitative and humiliative.

2.Some religious leaders are hypocrites; they preach what they don’t 

practice. Eg is Father Vandameyer.

3.Betrayal, exploitation and humiliation are hindrances to development.

4.Africans must be proud of who they are. They should not undermine 

their status and think that they are inferior.

CHARACTERS AND CHARACTERIZATION.

1.TOUNDI ONDOUA.

 He is the protagonist or main character in the novel.

 He is the young man who come into conflict with his father, as a 

result he runs away from his home and goes to live with Father Gilbert

He is the houseboy. The title of the novel is derived from his 

work or Servantship.

 He is given the name JOSEPH the French. He was baptized and 

became Christian followers. His name Joseph shows how he 

loses his identity.

 He is brainwashed to believe that whites are good and superior 

while they were exploiting him.

 After father Gilbert’s death, he becomes the houseboy of the 

commandant.

 He represents the exploited or colonized Africans

 He also reflects or represents child labour. He started working for 

father Gilbert when he was a child.

2.FATHER GILBERT.

 He is the priest.

 He takes Toundi and live with him

 He teaches Toundi how to read, write and keep a diary.

 He seems kind to Toundi although he humiliates him by giving 

him only old clothes.

 He dies of accident.

 He symbolizes colonizers.

3.FATHER VANDAMEYER.

 He is also the priest.

 He is a hypocrite religious leader who teaches love but he 

himself has no love.

 He is the racist, exploiter and oppressor.

 He maltreats Toundi.

 He also symbolizes colonialism, oppression and humiliation.

4.THE COMMANDANT.

 He is the chief European leader in Dangan.

 He is brutal as he is seen torturing Africans.

 At first he loves Toundi but when his marriage gets in trouble, he hates him

¶MADAME

 Wife of the Commandant.

 Very beautiful

 She betrays the commandant by sleeping with another man, The 

Prisoner Warden.

 She represents the weakness of the whites. (being amoral).

6.SOPHIE.

 She is the young African girl.

 She is the mistress or girlfriend of Agricultural engineer (the 

white) who doesn’t want the relationship known by other people 

especially whites.

 She is humiliated by the engineer because he uses her as a tool 

for pleasure.

 She later on becomes conscious and hates the whites.

RELEVANCE OF THE NOVEL TO TODAY’S SOCIETY.

Although colonialism is no more, yet the novel is relevant because many 

other issues like betrayal, conflict, exploitation, humiliation and 

hypocrisy of religious leaders are still prevalent in our societies. In our 

communities too we still have houseboys who are maltreated by their 

masters. All in all, the novel is relevant.
................

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THE OLD MAN AND THE MEDAL BY FREDNAND OYONO BOOK ANALYSIS By Teacher Hassan Lemunje

• THE OLD MAN AND THE MEDAL BY FREDNAND OYONO BOOK ANALYSIS
•  

The Old Man and the Medal (Le vieux nègre et la médaille) is a 1956 post colonial novel by Cameroonian diplomat and writer Ferdinand Oyono.[1] The novel was translated into English and republished in 1967 in the influential Heinemann African Writers Series.

When reflecting on the novel, in Oyono's obituary, The Guardian writer Shola Adenekan described the novel as "evoking the deep sense of disillusionment felt by those Africans who were committed to the west, yet rejected by their colonial masters."[2](Source Google.comWIKIPEDIA)

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