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1002.2

ENGLISH FIRST LANGUAGESTANDARD GRADE

PAPER 2 (LITERATURE)

NOVEMBER 2001

TIME: 2 HOURS

WESTERN CAPE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

SENIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION

Write on the cover o/your answer book, after the word "Subject"-

ENGLISH FIRST LANGUAGE STANDARD GRADE(SECOND PAPER)

This question paper consists of 14 pages and an Addendum.

2 ENGLISH FIRST LANGUAGE SG(PAPER 2)

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INSTRUCTIONS:

CHOICE OF QUESTIONS:

1. Questions have been set on FIVE books in four sections(Poetry, Drama, Short Stories, Two Novels,).

2. Choose any THREE sections. Follow the instructions in the sections of your choice.

3. Section A (POETRY) contains four questions of 10 marks each. Answer any THREEquestions, should you choose this section. Please note that the unseen-poem questionis not compulsory.

4. Section B, C and D contain one contextual question and two essay questions per book.Candidates may choose either the contextual or essay questions. DO NOT, however,answer MORE THAN ONE question from a section.

NOTE:

ARRANGEMENT OF ANSWERS:

Begin each section on a new page. Do not write headings for your answers. Write only thequestion numbers.

LENGTH OF CONTEXTUAL ANSWERS:

Aim at conciseness and relevance. Be guided by mark allocation.Answer in your own words as far as possible, except when quoting.

The MINI-ESSAY is part of the contextual question and should be approximately 150 words inlength.

LENGTH OF ESSAY ANSWERS

The suggested length is approximately 350 words Avoid retelling the story; answer the question.

PRESENTATION

Orderly presentation and accuracy in grammar, spelling and punctuation will count in yourfavour. Candidates may be penalised up to one third of the mark gained in contextual answers forerrors in language usage, spelling and punctuation.

PERSONAL JUDGEMENT

Do not hesitate to give your personal judgement frankly where required. Examiners will assessyour answers on the competence with which they are expressed and your understanding of thework.

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ENGLISH FIRST LANGUAGE SG(PAPER 2)

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I SECTION A: POETRY

NB: Jfyou have chosen Section A, you must answer any three questions in this section.Please note that the unseen poem (Question 1) is not compulsory.

OUESTION 1: Unseen: Mother to son by Langston Hughes

Refer to the poem in the Annexure.

1.1 Line 2: Lifefor me ain't been no crystal stairWhat do you think life would have been like for the poet if it had been a"crystal stair"? [2]

1.2 What does the poet imply happens to one if one climbs a staircase with"tacks" and "splinters" on it? [2]

1.3 Line 8: But all the time/l'se been ... turnin' corners, / and sometimes goin'in the darkWhat does the staircase suggest about the poet's life when she says that shehas been

1.3.1 "tumin' corners"?1.3.2 "goin' in the dark"?

1.4 Lines 14-19: Using your own words, summarise the advice that themother gives her son. Start like this: "Son, let me give you someadvice..."


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QUESTION 2: On his Blindness by John Milton

Refer to the poem in the Annexure

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

Lines 1-2: from these lines quote two separate words that reveal the contrastbetween the poet's former state and his present one. [2]

Lines 1-2: When I consider ,.. Ere half my daysWrite down only the letter of the most appropriate answer. The wordsabove suggest that the poet

ABCD

is grateful that he has at least had sight in the past.feels resentful about the loss of his sight.is trying to justify the loss of his sight.believes that his sight will be returned to him. [2]

Write down only the word that marks the beginning of the change of moodin the poem. [1]

Lines 10-11: ... Who best / Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. Say inyour own words what these words mean. Start with, "Patience replies that. .." [2]

[1]What "yoke" does the poet have to bear?

On his Blindness is a sonnet. How do we know this? Give two reasons. [2]

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QUESTION 3: Mending Wall by Robert Frost

Refer to the excerpt in the Annexure.

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

Line 8: But they would have the rabbit out ofhiding

Write down only the letter of the most appropriate answer. This linesuggests that the poet's attitude towards the hunters is that of

A.B.C.D.

irritation and annoyance.resignation and despair.amusement and resignation.acceptance and amusement.

Lines 10-15: Write down only the letter of the most appropriate answer. Thewords that best define the poet's relationship with his neighbour in these lines,are

A.B.C.D.

animosity and suspicion.hatred and distrust.remoteness and courtesy.friendliness and cooperation.

Line 19: 'Stay where you are until our backs are turned!'What does the poet imply happens to the stones when their backs are turned?

Line 27: 'Goodfences make good neighbours. '

Explain clearly in your own words what the neighbour means by this.

Write down only the letter of the most appropriate answer. The poet's attitudetowards the neighbour's words in line 27 ('Goodfences make good neighbours ')may best be described as that of

A.B.C.D.

agreement and approval.resentment and anger.disapproval and rejection.doubt and anger.

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OUESTION 4: An abandoned bundle by Oswald MtshaliRefer to the poem in the annexure.

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

Write down only the letter ofthe most appropriate answer. The simile instanza I suggests that "White City Jabavu" is

A.B.C.D.

smoky and dirty.diseased and corrupted.unhealthy in the morning.huge and frightening.

Explain in your own words how the poverty of the environment is suggested in

A.B.

stanza 2.stanza 3.

Stanza 3: squirming bundleFrom stanza 4, quote the phrase that creates a horrifying contrast withthe phrase above.

Write down only the letter of the most appropriate answer. The ironicimagery in the final stanza suggests that the mother

A.B.C.D.

felt an innocent love for her baby.was young and beautiful.was pure and innocent.felt no concern for her baby. [2]

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I SECTION B: DRAMA

N.B. Jfyou have chosen Section B, you may answer only one question/rom this section i.e.Question 5 Q!:.Question 6 Qr Question 7.

OUESTION 5: King Lear by W. Shakespeare: Contextual

Refer to the passage in the Annexure.

5.1

5.2

5.3

5.4

5.5

5.6

5.7

5.8

5.9

Line 42: Edmund: How now! What's the matter? Part!Edmund has come upon a confrontation. Explain what has just happened.

Line 51: Kent: No marvel, you have so bestirred your valour.In what tone would Kent say these words? Justify your answer.

Line 59: Oswald: This ancient ruffian, Sir, whose life J havespar 'd at suit 0/ his grey beard,-

How do you suppose Oswald would wish Cornwall to view him(Oswald) in the light of these words? Make two distinct points.

Lines 61-64: Write down only the letter of the most appropriate answer.Kent's response to Oswald's words may best be described as that of

A.B.e.D.

anger and fear.indignation and anxiety.outrage and contempt.disgust and hopelessness.

Lines 93-10 I: Cornwall implies that Kent is a hypocrite. According toCornwall, why is this so?

Line 107: Cornwall: What mean 'st by this?Why does Cornwall not understand Kent's words?

Lines 114-123: From these lines, quote the phrase that Oswald uses inorder to place the blame on Kent for what had happened between himself(Oswald) and King.

Line 137: Regan: Till noon! Till night, my Lord; and all night too.Explain what these words reveal about Regan.

Mini essay: Comment on Kent's character as it is revealed in this passage.Refer only to the passage and quote trom it to support what you say.

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QUESTIQN 6: King Lear: Essay

Towards the conclusion of the play, Edgar says "The Gods are just".Do you think that the "gods" were just in their final treatment of Lear, and of each ofhis three daughters, Goneril, Regan and Cordelia?Give your views in a well-supported essay.

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QUESTION 7: King Lear: Essay

Early in the play, Edmund asks himself, "Why bastard? Wherefore base?.. Why brandthey us / with base? With baseness? Bastardy?"Show how Edmund's resentment of his position in life prompts his actions and leadsto his downfall.

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I SECTION C: SHORT STORIES

N.B. If you have chosen Section C, you may answer only one question from this section i.e.Question 8 QI. Question 9 QI. Question 10.

OUESTION 8: Cut and Come Again by H.E. Bates: Contextual

Refer to the passage in the Annexure.

8.2

8.4

8.5

8.6

8.1 Line I: The world was like a bubble... He broke it abruptly...Say what the young man really broke.

Line II: he.she was looking across the wheatfield as thoughfascinatedby some object afar off.Explain why the young woman was doing this.

8.3 Line 19: "I never said so. When did 1 say so? When did 1say it?"Write down only the number of the most appropriate answer. The youngman's tone may best be described as that of

A.B.C.D.

curiosity, resentment and regret.interest, pain and bewilderment.defensiveness, denial and contempt.anger, resentment and defensiveness.

Line 28: Why was the young man "not really tasting" the food?

Lines 29-30: "And they sat for a moment or two in silence, waitingfor eachother to speak, but as though at peace with one another, in the warm half-spring,half-winter sunshine under the shelter of the great hedge. "

Quote three separate words that help to create the atmosphere in this sentence.

Line 45: He started to peel the onion, the dry sunbrown outer skin cracklinglike scorched paper.

8.6.1 Explain what the simile suggests about the present situation.8.6.2 Quote a phrase further on which extends the idea of this simile.

8.7 What evidence is there in the passage of

8.7.1 the young woman's thoughtfulness towards the young man?8.7.2 the young man's thoughtfulness towards the young woman?

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8.8 Mini-essay: show how the young couple hurt and provoke each other in thepassage. Refer only to the passage in your essay, and quote to supportwhat you say. [10]

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QUESTION 9: The Red Coat by Herman Charles Bosman: Essay

Satire may be defined as a kind of humorous mockery. Comment on whatBosman is satirising (humorously mocking) in this story.

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QUESTION 10: The Gift of the Magi by 0 Henry: Essay

A Christmas Sacrifice might be an appropriate alternative title for this story.Discuss the story in terms of this alternative title, explaining why this alternative titlemight be appropriate. /30/


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I SECTION D: NOVEL

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald ill: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

N.D. Jfyou have chosen Section D, you may answer only one of the six questions in this section.

OUESTION 11: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Contextual

Refer to the passage in the Annexure

II.l

I\.2

11.3

I\.4

I \.5

I\.6

I \.7

I \.8

I\.9

Line I: Say what the reasons were for the "curiosity" about Gatsby.

Line 3-4: ... the automobiles ... drove sulkilv away.Say what the underlined word suggests about the visitors.

How is it suggested that the "unfamiliar butler" (Line 5) was probablynot a proper butler by profession? Make two distinct points.

Line 22: "1 wanted somebody who wouldn't gossip. "Despite this, what evidence is there earlier in the passage that gossip seemsto be unavoidable? Make two distinct points.

Line 22-23: "Daisy comes over quite often - in the afternoons."Suggest why Daisy visits in the afternoons, and not, it seems, at other times.

Line 21-27: Quote a phrase from these lines which conveys Nick's attitudeto Gatsby's domestic arrangements.

Line 31-32: ... the rather harrowing scene that Gatsby had outlined in the garden.Nick is referring to an earlier conversation he had had with Gatsby after a party thatDaisy had attended at Gatsby's house.What had Gatsby told Nick then, that Nick finds "harrowing"?

Lines 28-29: Miss Baker would be there.For what reason, other than courtesy, would Gatsby inform Nick of this?

Mini-essay: The next day was broiling...Referring only to lines 33 7--4, show how the impression of heat is createdin the descriptions of the people on the train and of the environment.

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QUESTIQN 12: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Essay

"You can't repeat the past.""Can't repeat the past?" he (Gatsby) cried incredulously. "Why of course you can!"

Here Nick is speaking to Gatsby about Gatsby's love for Daisy. Do you think thatGatsby proves to be right - that he can repeat the past? Give your views in a well-supported essay. /30/

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QUESTION 13: The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald: Essay

Catherine leaned close to me and whispered in my ear: "Neither of them canstand the person they're married to. "How true is Catherine's assessment of Tom in his relationship with Daisy, andof Myrtle in her relationship with George?Discuss this in a well-supported essay. /30/

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QUESTION 14: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe: Contextual

Refer to the excerpt in the Annexure.

14.1

14.2

14.3

14.4

14.5

14.6

14.7

14.8

14.9

Line 5: "I have brought you here because you joined together to molestothers, to burn people's houses and their place ofworship."Referring to what had happened before this excerpt, say why the men haddone this.

Line 3: "If any man ill-treats you we shall come to your rescue."Say why, in the light of the excerpt, the reader may see some irony in this.

Line 7: "... our queen, the most powerful ruler in the world."What effect are these words designed to have on the six men?

Lines 10-15: From these lines, quote two separate words that suggestthe mood of the six men.

Line 25: Write down only the number ofthe most appropriate answer."We could have been in Umuru now waiting to be hanged,"In this response to Okonkwo's remark, the speaker implies that

A.B.C.D.

they should have listened to Okonkwo in the first place.they should have left their village before this happened to them.they are in this position because ofOkonkwo.Okonkwo's advice was not wise.

Lines 31-39: From these lines give two examples of the way in whichTumour spread in the village.

Lines 40-46: From these lines quote an image that conveys the attitude ofthe village people to the events.

Lines 51-52: It was as if cold water had been poured on it.Explain in your own words what these words convey about the mood ofthe people in Okonkwo's compound.

Refer to the final paragraph.

14.9.1 Say what Ezinma's actions suggest about the young woman herself.14.9.2 Explain why Okonkwo would probably not have been surprised by

Ezinma's actions

14.10 Mini-essay: Referring only to the excerpt, show the dishonesty andharshness of the court messengers.

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QUESTION 15: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe: Essay

And so Okonkwo was ruled by one passion - to hate everything that his fatherUnoka had loved. One of those things was gentleness and another was idleness.

Show how Okonkwo' s hatred of gentleness and idleness helped to make him richand powerful.

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QUESTION 16: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe: Essay

Obierika ... turned suddenly to the District commissioner and saidferociously:"That man was one of the greatest men in Umuofia. You drove him to kill himself."

Clearly, the District Commissioner himself is not entirely to blame. Whom orwhat would you blame for the tragic end of Okonkwo?Give your views in a well-supported essay.

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1002.2A

ADDENDUM

ENGLISH FIRST LANGUAGESTANDARD GRADE

PAPER 2 (LITERATURE)

NOVEMBER 2001

TIME: 2 HOURS

WESTERN CAPE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

SENIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION

This Addendum consists of 13 pages..

2

Unseen: Mother to Son by Langston Hughes (Refer to Question I)

Well, son, I'll tell you:Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.It's had tacks in it,And splinters,And boards torn up,And places with no carpets on the floor-Bare.But all the timeI'se been a-climbin' on,And reachin' landin'sAnd turnin' corners,And sometimes goin' in the darkWhere there ain't been no light.So, boy, don't you turn backDon't you set down on the steps'Cause you find it kinder hard.Don't you fall now-I'se still climbin',And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

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On his Blindness by John Milton (Refer to Question 2)

When I consider how my light is spent,Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,And that one Talent which is death to hide,Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bentTo serve therewith my Maker, and presentMy true account, lest He returning chide,"Ooth God exact day-labour, light denied?"I fondly ask. But Patience, to preventThat murmur, soon replies, "God doth not needEither man's work or his own gifts. Who bestBear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His stateIs Kingly: thousands at his bidding speedAnd post o'er Land and Ocean without rest;They also serve who only stand and wait"

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4Mending Wall: (excerpt) by Robert Frost (Refer to Question 3)

Something there is that doesn't love a wall,That sends the frozen-ground-swell under itAnd spills the upper boulders in the sun,And makes gaps even two can pass abreastThe work of hunters is another thing:I have come after them and made repairWhere they have left not one stone on a stone,But they would have the rabbit out of hidingTo please the yelping dogs. The gaps I mean,No one has seen them made or heard them made,But at spring mending-time we find them there.I let my neighbour know beyond the hill;And on a day we meet to walk the lineAnd set the wall between us once again.We keep the wall between us as we go.To each the boulders that have fallen to each.And some are loaves and some so nearly ballsWe have to use a spell to make them balimce:'Stay where you are until are backs are turned!'We wear our fingers rough with handling them.Oh, just another kind of outdoor game,One on a side. It comes to little more:There where it is we do not need the wall:He is all pine and I am apple orchard.My apple trees will never get acrossAnd eat the cones under his pines, I tell him.He only says, "Good fences make good neighbours."

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An abandoned bundle by Oswald Mtshali (Refer to Question 4)

The morning mistand chimney smokeof White City Jabavuflowed thick yellowas pus oozingfrom a gigantic sore.

It smothered our little houseslike fish caught in a net.

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Scavenging dogsdraped in red bandanas of bloodfought fiercelyfor a squirming bundle.

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I threw a brick;they bared fangsflicked velvet tongues of scarletand scurried away,leaving a mutilated corpse -

an infant dumped on a rubbish heap-'Oh Baby in the Mangersleep wellon human dung.'

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Its motherhad melted into the rays of the rising sun,her face glittering with innocenceher heart as pure as untrarnpled dew.

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KING LEAR from: Act II scene ii (Refer to Question 5)

Edmund:Kent:

Gloucester:Cornwall:

Regan:Cornwall:Oswald:Kent:

Cornwall:Kent:

Cornwall:Oswald:

Kent:

Cornwall:

Kent:Cornwall:Kent:

Enter Edmund, with his rapier drawn

How now! What's the matter? Part!With you, goodman boy, if you please: come, I'llFlesh ye; come on, young master.

Enter Cornwall, Regan, Gloucester, and servants

Weapons! Arms! What's the matter here?Keep peace, upon your lives:He dies that strikes again. What is the matter?The messengers ITomour sister and the King.What is your difference? Speak.I am scarce in breath, my Lord.No marvel, you have so bestirred your valour.You cowardly rascal, nature disclaims in thee: atailor made thee.Thou art a strange fellow; a tailor make a man?A tailor, sir: a stone cutter or a painter could nothave made him so ill, though they had been but twoyears o'th' trade.Speak yet, how grew your quarrel?This ancient ruffian, Sir, whose life I have spar'd atsuit of his grey beard, -Thou whoreson zed! Thou unnecessary letter! MyLord, if you will give me leave, I will tread this unboltedvillain into mortar, and daub the wall of ajakes with him. Spare my grey beard, you wagtail?Peace sirrah!You beastly knave, know you no reverence?Yes, sir; but anger hath a privilege.Why art thou angry?That such a slave as this should wear a sword,Who wears no honesty. Such smiling rogues as these,Like rats oft bite the holy cords a-twainWhich are too intrince t'unloose; smooth every passionThat in the natures of their lords rebel,Bring oil to fire, snow to their colder moods;Renege, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaksWith every gale and vary of their masters,Knowing nought, like dogs, but following.A plague upon your epileptic visage!Smile you my speeches, as I were a fool?Goose, iff had you upon Sarurn Plain,I'd drive ye cackling home to Camelot.

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Cornwall:Gloucester:

Kent:

Cornwall:Kent:Cornwall:Kent:

Cornwall:

Kent:

Cornwall:Kent:

Cornwall:Oswald:

Kent:

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What! Art thou mad, old fellow?How fell you out? Say that.

No contraries hold more antipathyThan I and such a knave.Why dost thou call him knave? What is his fault?His countenance likes me not.No more, perchance, does mine, nor his, nor hers.Sir, 'tis my occupation to be plain:I have seen better faces in my timeThan stands on any shoulder that I seeBefore me at this instant.

This is some fellow,Who, having been prais'd for bluntness, doth affectA saucy roughness, and constrains the garbQuite from his nature: he cannot flatter, he,An honest mind and plain, he must speak truth:And they will take it, so; if not, he's plain.These kind of knaves I know, which in this plainnessHarbour more craft and more corrupter endsThan twenty silly-ducking observants,That stretch their duties nicely.Sir, in good faith, in sincere verity,Under th'allowance of your great aspect,Whose influence, like the wreath of radiant fireOn flickering Phoebus' front, -

What mean'st by this?To go out of my dialect, which you discommendso much. I know, sir, I am no flatterer: he thatbeguiled you in a plain accent was a plain knave;which for my part I will not be, though I should winyour displeasure to entreat me to'tWhat was th'offence you gave him?I never gave him any:It pleas'd the King his master very lateTo strike at me, upon his misconstruction;When he, compact, and flattering his displeasure,Tripp'd me behind; being down, insulted, rail'd,And put upon him such a deal of manThat worthied him, got praises of the KingFor him attempting who was self-subdu'd;And, in the fleshment of this dread exploit,Drew on me here again

None of these rogues and cowardsBut Ajax is their fool.

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Cornwall:

Kent:

Cornwall:

Regan:

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Fetch forth the stocks!You stubborn ancient knave, you reverend braggart,We'll teach you.

Sir, I am too old to learnCall not your stocks for me; I serve the King,On whose employment I was sent to you;You shall do small respect, show too bold maliceAgainst the grace and person of my master,Stocking his messenger.

Fetch forth the stocks!As I have life and honour there shall he sit till noon.Till noon! Till night, my Lord; and all night too.

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Cut and come Again: (excerpt) by H.E. Bates (Refer to Question 8)

The world was like a bubble; very light and airy and careless. He broke it abruptly, almostsavagely.

"I wonder you come at all.""I wonder."The sudden retaliation, quicker even than his own, silenced him. He picked up the

basket, lifted the napkin, looked in, and then stared at the girl again."Had youm?""No.""Better stop.""I don't want none." 10As he sat down, under the hedge that was still uncut, with the basket on his knees, she was

looking across the wheatfield as though fascinated by some object afar off."Stand up there like somebody half-sharp," he muttered."I can go!" she flashed.He seemed not to hear."You don't want me!" she said."Who said so? Who said so?""Well...""I never said so. When did 1say so? When did 1 say it?"He waited for an answer; and when she said nothing it was almost a triumph for him;

as though his words were irrefutable."You don't want me," he said. "That's what it is. That's the drift on it."Once again she said nothing. But now her face had lost its look of mock preoccupation,

and was in pain, filled with thoughts and miseries too complex for her to express. When she didnot answer again he took out the knife from the basket, and then the food: the bread and 25cheese and onion and meat.

He sat for a moment waiting, as though for her. Then he began to eat, sullenly. staring atthe food, not really tasting it. He tried to think of something to say. Then while he was still thinkingshe came and sat down. And they sat for a moment or two in silence, waiting for each other tospeak, but as though at peace with one another, in the warm half-spring, half-winter sunshineunder the shelter of the great hedge.

Better have a mite o'summit," he said."I don't want nothing.""All right. Be different."The silent antagonism renewed itself. He ate heavily. Looking up, he saw her 35

staring at the earth, lost in reflection. And unable to tell what she was thinking, he was troubled.She looked as though she wanted to let it pass, to forget it. He wanted to thrash it out, get to thebottom of it, find the reason of it all. And he challenged her.

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"We allus going on like this?"She seemed indifferent."I don't know.""Don't you want me?""What do you think 1married you for?""Ah, start that again. 1thought we had all that out last night."They were silent again, waiting for each other to speak. He started to peel

the onion, the dry sunbrown outer skin crackling like scorched paper. Then she spoke quitequietly.

"You want too much," she said."Who does? Who does?" He was consumed with a fresh flame of anger. "Prove it, prove it."

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The Great Gatsby (excerpt) by F. Scott Fitzgerald (Refer to Question II)

It was when curiosity about Gatsby was at its highest that the lights in his house failed to goon one Saturday night - and, as obscurely as it had begun, his career as Trimalchio was over.Only gradually did I become aware that the automobiles which turned expectantly into his drivestayed for just a minute and then drove sulkily away. Wondering ifhe were sick I went over to findout - an unfamiliar butler with a villainous face squinted at me suspiciously from the door.

"Is Mr Gatsby sick?""Nope." After a pause he added 'sir' in a dilatory, grudging way."I hadn't seen him around and I was rather worried. Tell him Mr Carraway came over.""Who?" he demanded rudely."Carraway.""Carraway. All right, I'll tell him."Abruptly he slammed the door.My Finn informed me that Gatsby had dismissed every servant in his house a week ago

and replaced them with half a dozen others, who never went into West Egg Village to be bribed bythe tradesmen, but ordered moderate supplies over the telephone. The grocery boy reportedthat the kitchen looked like a pigsty, and the general opinion in the village was that the new peopleweren't servants at all.

Next day Gatsby called me on the phone."Going away?" I enquired."No, old sport.""Hear you fired all your servants.""I wanted somebody who wouldn't gossip. Daisy comes over quite often - in the

afternoons."So the whole caravansary had fallen in like a card house at the disapproval in her eyes."They're some people Wolfsheim wanted to do something for. They're all brothers

and sisters. They used to run a small hotel.""I see."He was calling up at Daisy's request - would I come to lunch at her house tomorrow? Miss

Baker would be there. Halfan hour later Daisy herself telephoned and seemed relieved to find thatI was coming. Something was up. And yet I couldn't believe that they would choose thisoccasion for a scene especially for the rather harrowing scene that Gatsby had outlined in thegarden.

The next day was broiling, almost the last, certainly the warmest, of the summer. As mytrain emerged from the tunnel into sunlight, only the hot whistles ofthe National Biscuit Companybroke the simmering hush at noon. The straw seats of the car hovered on the edge ofcombustion; the woman next to me perspired delicately for a while into her white shirtwaist, andthen, as her newspaper dampened under the fingers, lapsed despairingly into deep heat with adesolate cry. Her pocket-book slapped to the floor.

"Oh my!" she gasped.I picked it up with a weary bend and handed it back to her, holding it at arm's length and

by the extreme tip of the comers to indicate that I had no designs upon it - but every one near byincluding the woman, suspected me just the same.

"Hot!" said the conductor to familiar faces. "Some weather! Hot! .. otot! ... Is it hotenough for you? Is it hot? Is it...?"

My commutation ticket came back to me with a dark stain from his hand. That anyone should care in this heat whose flushed lips he kissed, whose head made damp the pyjamapocket over his heart!

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Things Fall Apart (excerpt) by Chinua Achebe (Refer to question 14)

"We shall not do you any hann," said the District Commissioner to them later, "if only youagree to co-operate with us. We have brought a peaceful administration to you and your people sothat you may be happy. If any man ill-treats you we shall come to your rescue. But we will notallow you to ill-treat others. We have a court of law where we judge cases and administer justicejust as it is done in my own country under a great queen. I have brought you here becauseyou joined together to molest others, to burn people's houses and their place of worship. Thatmust not happen in the dominion of our queen, the most powerful ruler in the world. I havedecided that you will pay a fine of two hundred bags of cowries. You will be released as soon asyou agree to this and undertake to collect that fine from your people. What do you say to that~"

The six men remained sullen and silent and the commissioner left them for a while.He told the court messengers, when he left the guardroom, to treat the men with respect becausethey were the leaders ofUmuofia. They said, "Yes, sir," and saluted.

As soon as the District Commissioner left, the head messenger, who was also theprisoners' barber, took down his razor and shaved off all the hair on the men's heads. They werestill handcuffed, and they just sat and moped.

"Who is the chief among you?" the court messenger asked in jest. "We see that everypauper wears the anklet of title in Umuofia. Does it cost as much as ten cowries?"

The six men ate nothing throughout that day and the next. They were not even given anywater to drink, and they could not go out to urinate or go into the bush when they were pressed. Atnight the messengers came in to taunt them and to knock their shaven heads together.

Even when the men were left alone they found no words to speak to one another. It wasonly on the third day, when they could no longer bear the anger and the insults, that they beganto talk about giving in.

"We should have killed the white man if you had listened to me," Okonkwo snarled."We could have been in Umuru now waiting to be hanged," someone said to him."Who wants to kill the white man?" asked a messenger who had just rushed in. Nobody

spoke."You are not satisfied with your crime, but you must kill the white man on top of it." He

carried a long stick, and he hit each man a few blows on the head and back. Okonkwo waschoked with hate.......................................................................................................................As soon as the six men were locked up, court messengers went into Umuofia to tell the people thattheir leaders would not be released unless they paid a fine of two hundred and fifty bags ofcowries.

"Unless you pay the fine immediately," said their headman, "we will take your leaders toUmuru before the big white man, and hang them."

This story spread quickly through the villages, and was added to as it went. Some said thatthe men had already been taken to Umuru and would be hanged on the following day. Somesaid that their families would also be hanged. Others said that soldiers were already on their wayto shoot the people ofUmuofia as they had done in Abame.

It was the time of the full moon. But that night the voice of children was not heard.The village i/o where they always gathered for a moon-play was empty. The women of Iquedo didnot meet in their secret enclosure to learn a new dance to be displayed later to the village. Youngmen who were always abroad in the moonlight kept their huts that night. Their manly voices werenot heard on the village paths as they went to visit their ftiends and lovers. Umuofia was like astartled animal with ears erect, sniffing the silent, ominous air and not knowing which way torun.

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The silence was broken by the village crier beating his sonorous ogene. He called everyman in Umuofia, from the Akakanma age-group upwards, to a meeting in the market-place afterthe morning meal. He went from one end of the village to the other, and walked all its breadth. Hedid not leave out any of the main footpaths.

Okonkwo's compound was like a deserted homestead. It was as if eold water had beenpoured on it. His family was all there, but everyone spoke in whispers. His daughter Ezinma hadbroken her twenty-eight day visit to the family of her future husband, and returned home when sheheard that her father had been imprisoned, and was going to be hanged. As soon as she got homeshe went to Obierika to ask what the men of Umuofia were going to do about it. But Obierika had notbeen home since morning. His wives thought he had gone to a secret meeting. Ezinma was satisfiedthat something was being done.

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