By : W.

MUTUTWA

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About the author
W. Mututwa is an English and Literature in English teacher at St. Faith’s High School, Rusape.
Qualifications : PhD in Communication (University of Fort Hare)
MSc in Media and Society Studies (MSU)
4th year honors in English and Media Studies (GZU)
BA General (GZU)
Email address : wishesmtutwa@gmail.com

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The Context Question
Context questions can be very accessible making it very possible for the learner
to score 25 out of 25. However, if the learner has not mastered skills to respond
to this type of questions, it is also very easy to dismally fail. However, the
purpose of this book is to empower the learner with skills to answer the context
questions. Context questions usually test on the learner’s understanding of
characterisation, emotions or feelings, tone, attitude and style with reference to
the given passage.
Firstly, it is crucial to highlight the areas which often give learners difficulty
when responding to context questions.
1. Repetition
Learners tend to repeat the same idea (feeling, character, style etc). It should be
remembered that certain words have synonyms, so when a learner uses a
synonym for the answer already presented, that answer will not score.
Below is an example of a repetition.
Baas Die is cruel as depicted when he instructs Cde Pasi to shoot Mai Tawanda
regardless of her plea for forgiveness. This shows that he has no respect for
humanity.
Baas Die is diabolic as evidenced when he orders the killing of Mellecker.
Although Mellecker is an evil white man, killing a human being is unjustifiable.
Both the answers above are correct but only one of them will score because the
same idea presented in the first answer has been repeated through the use of a
synonym ‘diabolic’ in the second answer.

2. Generalisation
The general rule for answering all literature questions is to follow the PIE
method.
P= POINT eg. [Baas Die is cruel]

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I= ILLUSTRATION eg. [He instructs Pasi to shoot Mai Tawanda]
E= EFFECT. eg. [This shows that he has no respect for humanity.]
The POINT is that key sentence that directly responds to the given question.
The learner should not waste time beating about the bush but should offer just
one key sentence and it is enough.
The ILLUSTRATION is the evidence taken from the text. In a context
question, the evidence must come from the given passage. Any evidence
extracted outside the passage will render your answer null and void. Evidence
can either be paraphrased or taken directly from the passage. When paraphrased,
the learner should make sure that the paraphrased part does not change the
original meaning of that idea as given in the text. When evidence is taken
directly from the passage, the learner should use proper punctuation.
Information taken from the passage must be inside quotations.

The EFFECT is just as crucial as the other components. Many learners tend to
forget or ignore this part in their answers, thus losing marks unnecessarily.
EFFECT is the personal voice of the learner where he/she offers a justification
for the answer given in the POINT.
If it is a feeling, eg I feel happy when Rutendo tears Barry’s photos into pieces.
This marks the end of her relationship with the white man whom her fellow
country man are fighting at the war front. I am happy because she has finally
realised that she cannot be in love with an enemy of her people.
The purpose of the EFFECT is for the learner to convince the examiner so that
the examiner appreciates the learner’s point of view.
Still on generalisation, some learners tend to generalise the POINT especially
when responding to questions on character and feeling/ emotion. The
illustration below shows a generalised answer and a spot on point.
A generalised answer
Rutendo is a girl who understands modern lifestyle as suggested when she
dances the waltz with Barry. This shows that by going to school she gets an
opportunity to learn western culture.

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A spot on Answer
Rutendo is modern as suggested when she dances the waltz with Barry. This
shows that by going to school she gets an opportunity to learn western culture.
Note that the underlined word is an adjective. Character traits must be
adjectives. Read English Language textbooks to find out more about adjectives.

3. MISMATCH
This is a very common weakness in learners. They tend to offer a point whose
evidence does not show any connection or relationship with the given point.
When this happens, the Point, Evidence and Effect will not be speaking to each
other, rendering the answer null and void. An example is given below:
I feel happy when the white police shout to marchers. He say, “sit down, all of
you! Bloody munts!” He is showing that he is a cruel man who hates the blacks
for protesting.
The answer is disconnected in every sense. The feeling of happiness for the
marchers who are being abused is not supported. While it is possible for one to
feel happy, the learner should have offered a very convincing justification why
the happiness is appropriate. The EFFECT given is divorced from the feeling. It
seems to suggest that the learner dislikes the white man’s cruelty on the
marchers.
This weakness is also common in questions on style. A learner may say :
“The writer uses personification, ‘The fruit tree stood in the desert for several
years, until it finally gave in to the ravages of mankind.” Therefore, the death of
the tree is a symbol of coming of problems in the characters’ lives.
Note that the illustration given by the learner does not reflect personification as
indicated in the key sentence. Therefore, this answer will not score on the basis
that there is mismatch between the point and the evidence.

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 4. Incoherent narration
When responding to part be of the context question which usually asks the
learner to give an account of events that happened in the text, learners
sometimes treat this casually and give a haphazard account of the events. Such
an answer will not score high marks. The best approach to answer a question
that requires a narration of events the learner should arrange the ideas in the
sequence they happen in the text then write. A very good answer is that which
manages to pick even the smallest detail from the text.

The choice of a context question must be guided by the learner’s knowledge of

part(b) of the question because it carries more marks(15). It is pointless to go
for the context question when you only know the part (a) which is usually out of
10 an then you don’t know part (b) which usually carry 15 marks. The learner
must first be convinced that he/she is able to answer the question which carries
more marks in order to settle for context. However, the new curriculum leaves
very little room to the learner to skip a context question, so the best thing is to
read the text widely in order to avoid challenges like this in the examination.

5. INACURACIES
One of the most common weaknesses in learners when answering questions on
narrating events that occurred in the text is offering inaccurate information.
When a learner does not recall the exact names of characters in the text and ends
up giving inaccurate names and falsifying events, the learner is exposing
himself or herself to the examiner. Remember, knowledge of the text in
Literature is highly rewarding.

REVISION QUESTIONS

1.Read the following passage and answer the questions which follow it:
“Excuse me please.” Rutendo said politely. “I would like to enter the classroom.
“They looked at each other mischievously and one of the boys Edmore said,
”Yes if you just kiss me, surely you will have your way.” He said this whilst
advancing to her and she was shocked. He grabbed her tight and painfully. Her
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anger rose, she mustered her strength and she pounded Edmore with a fist on his
face.
Those who knew Edmore well knew he would not take such a challenge from a
girl and so the fight began. In like a flash of lightning she felt his hard fist on
her face. She staggered but did not fall. She didn’t know where she got the
strength from but all she knew is that she was angry and flew at Edmore. She
does not how she hit him but only realized what she had done to him after
Edmore fell on his back. In no time she was on top of him pounding his head
with her fist he started bleeding from the nose.

1(a) What feelings are aroused in you as you read the passage? [10]
I feel impressed by Rutendo’s respectful character. She says to the boys
“Excuse me please”. This shows that she is morally upright as she uses
appropriate register to negotiate her way.
I feel irritated and angry with Edmore when he makes Rutendo in order to
open the way for her. He says “if you kiss me, surely you will have your way.”
Such remarks are a blatant disrespect for women and individual freedoms.
I feel sympathetic for Rutendo who is vulnerable in the midst of the abusive
boys. Edmore “grabbed her tight and painfully” giving an impression that he
intends to abuse her. The violent way that Edmore uses also generates fear as
Rutendo’s life is in danger.
A feeling of admiration for Rutendo is generated when she fights back. She hit
Edmore and was “pounding on his head with her fist.” One admires the fighting
spirit in Rutendo as she refuses to let men abuse her.

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 (b) Give a detailed account of the encounter when Rutendo defeats Patrick
in a fight [15]

Expectations: Answer should be in the order in which events happen in the

text. A very good answer should show thorough knowledge of the text,
meaning that every smallest detail must be raised.

SAMPLE ANSWER
Patrick walks up to Rutendo and asks her if she thinks she can stand up to any
man at the college? While he is asking, he is poking her forehead with his
forefinger. He presses, hard and Rutendo will soon learn that men are men and
she is just a woman. Rutendo moves away but Patrick moved closer to her and
knocks her head with his knuckles. Rutendo stepped backwards again but
Patrick followed her.
When Patrick attempts to knock Rutendo again, Rutendo pushes his hand away.
Then Patrick slaps Rutendo in the face with his hand. Rutendo responds by
picking a backboard ruler and slams it into Patrick’s face. She gives him serious
blows. Patrick tries to grab the ruler away but Rutendo gives him no chance.
The two moved to an open space where Patrick manages to grab the ruler away
and throws it into the ground. Patrick tries to lift his leg in an attempt to kick her
but it is too late. Rutendo ducks and reaches for Patrick’s flying foot and
pushes him back.Then he loses his footing and falls.

Rutendo jumps viciously and sits on Patrick’s stomach and starts pounding into
his face as hard as she could. Patrick does not fight back but covers his face.
Finally Rutendo gets tired and stands up. Sister Consolata gets her up moves her
away from the crowd.

2. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it.

“Rhodesia is so beautiful my dear. Look at those purple and blue flowers in the
background, pure indigenous white flowers in the distance. That’s why I think I
should die fighting for this country.” Die fighting for other people’s country,
you mean? Why don’t you go back to England and die fighting for England?
You have not planted those flowers. God gave them to people of this country

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and everything that’s in it.” She knew she was hitting below the belt but she
could not just ignore it. Barry lay on his back as she said this then laughed. He
was getting used to her loose temper and controversial remarks and he seemed
to know how to handle her.

“Politics is a subject that will always spoil our happiness and I think we would
do well to keep away from it. You are young, but I can tell you that I have been
to many so called independent African countries. They are an eyesore. Big
beautiful government buildings, built by the white man, including schools now
lying in deplorable states. The beautiful flowers and lawns which once used to
grow now spidery dust paths. Litter everywhere, smelly sidewalks and
uncollected rubbish. The once neatly tarred roads now littered with potholes or
shall we say dish-holes. Hospitals without medicines, corrupt systems and
officials – its poverty, misery galore, except for a “select” few, I could go on
and on.

2(a) How is a tense atmosphere created in the passage? [10]

EXPECTATIONS: This question demands knowledge of narrative techniques

or literary devices that are used in the passage. The P.I.E System should apply.
P stands for POINT and in this case it is the literary device used. ‘I’ stands for
illustration which means you have to show textual evidence where the technique
is found. The last one is the Effect. You have to demonstrate the idea being
communicated by the device used in relation to the subject in question. In this
case the subject in question is a tense atmosphere.

MODEL ANSWER
The use of a rhetoric question by Rutendo is very appropriate. She asks, “Die
for other people’s country, you mean?.”Rutendo is expressing outrage and
bitterness that Barry is fighting for a country which is not his birthright.

Barry uses contrast to present Rutendo as naive. He says “You are young, but I
can tell you that I have been to many so called independent African countries.”
He uses this contrast to reinforce his argument that Africans cannot run their
own countries even if they get independent, thus infuriating Rutendo.

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The descriptive language through the use of adjective to describe independent
African states as “an eyesore” reflect Barry’s dislike of Africans whom he
thinks are incapable of running their own countries.
Barry uses a flashback to reflect that African states were well managed under
the colonial administration. He says “once neatly tarred roads now littered with
potholes”. This shows that Barry is bitter about the failure of African leaders to
maintain standards set by the colonial administration.
Barry turns to be sarcastic in order to show his disappointment with African
leaders for running down their countries. The countries are characterized by
what he calls “dish holes” an extension of pot-holes. He is bitter that African
leadership is a failure.

(b) Describe other incidents which reflect racism in Rhodesia. [15]

John refers to the youth movement as terrorists. He suspects that the chief is in
the same boat with the terrorists since he is not disturbed by any news of their
where about. When Jan takes the villages’ cattle as a form of punishment for
failing to tell him where Ngonya is. The people report the matter to the District
Officer but because he was white, he did not take any action. Racism is depicted
in Barry’s sister’s attitude towards inter-racial relationship between Barry and
Rutendo. Barry lies to her that he has impregnated a black girl. In response, she
cries regretting Barry’s choice as it would destroy their heritage. The laws of
Rhodesia are racist as they do not allow inter-racial marriages.

The media are racist in their reporting Rutendo realizes that when they go
shopping with Barry, the newspaper was dominated with white man’s news and
nothing significant to the black man. Therefore, the media views whites as
superior and the blacks as inferior.

Barry is psychologically haunted by racism. He regrets that Rutendo is black as

this is standing on the way to their happiness. He wishes if Rutendo could shed
off her skin and put on white skin. This suggests that he is now conscious of the
colour barrier between him and Rutendo.

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3. Read the following passage and answer the questions which follow it:

“Congratulate me on what Ambuya?” Grandmother picked up a burning log

from the fire and almost poked Rutendo’s mouth with it. She had to duck as
she stood up because some of the flickers of the fire had dropped onto her
dress. She shook them off and sat down again. She wouldn’t dare walk away
because that would spell more trouble than she was in now. She didn’t ask
again but waited for her grandmother to speak.

Ndayavaya was silent for a while then she put her hands together and said,
“Girls of today do not have any self-worth. Is this why my son is sending you
to school, so that you can be a shame, a disgrace to our family? Why, is the
white man giving you money so that you can sleep with him? You are a dog.
You love money so much that you forget this man is white and is only going
to use you and abandon you. Even if a dog gave you money, you would sleep
with it wouldn’t you?” Grandmother was so angry and Rutendo was sure she
would take a whole burning log from the fire and bash her head with it.

“You are now dating that Boer. Just how is that possible? You tell me how a
girl like you, a chief’s granddaughter, Ndayavaya’s granddaughter, can have a
relationship with a Boer? Very soon you will be showing him our medicines
and all our secrets. In no time we will not have anything of our own. You want
to sell our national pride, our heritage to that Boer friend of yours? I truly
hope you don’t lose your virginity as well, if you haven’t done so already. As
a matter of fact, I shall examine you tomorrow and ascertain whether or not
you are still a virgin.”

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(a) What character of Ndayavaya is portrayed in the above passage[10]

EXPECTATIONS: Character traits must be adjectives. Any form of

generalization eg ‘Ndayavaya has knowledge” does not score. Instead, it
should be ‘Ndayavaya is knowledgeable’

MODEL ANSWER
Ndayavaya is temperamental. This is reflected when she furiously pokes
Rutendo’s mouth with a burning log from the fire. This depicts that she is
angry with Rutendo’s behaviour of falling in love with a white man.

She is depicted as inquisitive as she asks Rutendo why the white man is
giving her money. Her question suggests her strong conviction that Barry is
generous to Rutendo in-order to sexually exploit her. Ndayavaya is portrayed
as sarcastic. She calls Rutendo a dog which is mockery to conjure up her
disgust in Rutendo’s act of falling in love with Barry. To her, Rutendo is
behaving like a prostitute.

Ndayavaya is conservative. She is determined to preserve indigenous

knowledge systems as she questions Rutendo if she wants to sell her national
pride and heritage to a white man. Her rhetoric question suggests that she is
concerned about the threat to their indigenous knowledge systems once Rutendo
falls in love with a white man.

Ndayavaya is also racist as she calls Barry a Boer. The torn is a racist term to
refer to his white breed from Netherlands. Ndayavaya is using this term to show
her dislike for Barry.

4. Discuss the theme of Racism in Rutendo…The Chief’s Granddaughter.

[25]

MODEL ANSWER
The setting of the novel Rutendo….. the chief’s granddaughter is the colonial
period where racial barriers between the colonial hegemony and the colonized
people keep the blacks and white apart. However, Barry and Rutendo make an
attempt to disrupt the racial boundaries that separate them.

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Barry goes against the racist views of the colonial hegemony on blacks to
admire Rutendo. He follows Rutendo to the garden and this is a clear testimony
that he is prepared to circumvent racial limitations and create a relationship with
a black girl.

Black people are also aware of the racial limitations that hinder them from
obtaining education which in turn leads to consciousness. However, Rutendo’s
father believes that the blacks need to embrace the white man’s language in
order to walk with the white man. Learning the white man’s language creates a
window of opportunity for the blacks to be conscious and therefore know what
is good and what is bad.

Jan expresses obsession with Ngonya to the extent that he raps her. While his
sexual abuse of Ngonya is sexist and cruel, his continued search for Ngonya and
threats that he will do something they would not forget depict a deep –seated
attraction to a black girl. He is willing to live with Ngonya, thus an attempt to
break the racial barrier.

The coloured people are a symbol of attempts by both white and black people to
break the racial barrier. Barry convinces her sister about his position to fall in
love with a black girl. He lies to her that he impregnates a black girl and he
explains to her that people are people no matter their colour, race or creed.
Barry demonstrates tolerance and a desire to co-exist with black people,
particularly, Rutendo.

Rutendo is in love with Barry, but her people do not approve of this affair.
However, she desires tradition and pledges her love to Barry. The act of
waltzing with Barry is symbolic of her dedication to co-exist with Barry despite
their racial and cultural differences. The waltz is a western dance so when
Rutendo dances it, she is expressing the beauty that lies in embracing diverse
racial and cultural backgrounds.

Despite their personal desires to cross racial barriers, Barry and Rutendo
haunted by their political differences and this is the force that keeps them apart.
Barry is a victim of racist specialization from the colonial hegemony. Although
he loves Rutendo and wishes to marry her, subconsciously, he retains racist
tendencies when he says he wishes Rutendo would shed off her black skin and

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wear his. This reflects some kind of regret that he is in love with a black girl,
something that is not acceptable by the white community.

He also speaks so negatively about African leadership in racist terms. In his

view, African leaders are incapable of governing as suggested by the “dish
holes” seen in post- independence states. This is just but a prejudicial view
which reflects the pervasive nature of racism.
Rutendo eventually comes to consciousness. She finally realizes that despite
being in love with Barry, he still remains the enemy which her country is
fighting on the political front. She resolves to join the war in order to fight
colonial hegemony. Her resolve discontinues her affair with Barry thus
dismissing the whole idea and prospects of racial co-existence.

5. How far do you agree with the view that men are depicted as heartless
and abusive? [25]

Expectations; This is a two-sided question. Learners identify incidents which

prove that men are cruel and abusive and they must also refute the claim by
showing that there are some positive attributes seen in men.

MODEL ANSWER

The novel Rutendo…The Chief’s granddaughter depicts men who are socialized
by patriarchy and colonial order of the day to become heartless and abusive
especially towards women. Jan is abusive towards women and the colonized
people. His obsession for Ngonya leads him to rape the beautiful black girl. He
takes advantage of his superiority to draw Ngonya closer to him by assigning
her to work in his kitchen where he eventually abuses her. Jan also exhibits his
violent traits and heartless dispossession when he is looking for Ngonya’s
whereabouts. He warns her people that if they continue hiding the information
about where she is he would do something they would regret. Indeed, one day
he takes all the villagers’ cattle to his farm. He lacks sympathy for these poor
villagers.

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Patriarchal men are also depicted as heartless and abusive. Regina tells Rutendo
that there were boys at the village who used to beat up girls who did not respond
to their love letters on time. Such abusive tendencies reflect that patriarchal men
have no respect for women and they are socialized to think that they are
superior beings.

Sexism borders on violence against women. The boys at the college are cruel
and abusive towards girls. Edmore attempts to psychologically abuse Rutendo
by demanding a kiss in exchange for entrance into the class. He views women
as sexual objects. His heartless side is depicted when he grabs Rutendo tightly
and painfully. He also hits Rutendo with a fist in the face simply because she
refuses his demands. This cruelty depicts that patriarchal men view women as
second class citizens who must be submissive to men.

The District Administrator is heartless towards the plight of villagers. When Jan
takes away their cattle the villagers report the matter to him but because he is
white he protected his kith and kin, so he did not act upon the case. He lacks
sympathy towards the poor villagers whose source of wealth has been grabbed.
Jan bears cruel tendencies towards blacks unlike his colleague Barry. He is so
frustrated with Barry for his sympathies of the youth movement because his
girlfriend also belongs to the group. John makes an effort to spy on the
movements of the youth movement with the aim of exposing them. He is cruel
in that he seeks to see them being punished for their political activities.

While acknowledging that men are largely depicted as cruel and abusive, there
are some who are positively depicted. Barry is depicted as a tolerant and
modern man. Although he is white, he loves Rutendo and is prepared to
challenge racial and political limitations that separate them. He shows a lot of
love and respect for Rutendo. Rutendo acknowledges that Barry never
attempted to sexually abuse her. He also buys a present for Rutendo. A dress
and such a show of love differentiate him from other abusive men.

Patrick lives new lives in the novel. The old Patrick is abusive but he transforms
to become a tolerant and respectful man. He becomes Rutendo’s close friend
and he respects Rutendo’s decisions. When she refuses to go with him to fetch

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Mazhanje alone, Patrick respects her decision and goes alone. He has totally
changed

6. Discuss the suitability of the title Rutendo…The Chief’s Granddaughter.

[25]

This is a two-sided question. Candidates choose to either argue that the title is
suitable or is not suitable. What should be always remembered is that their
stronger argument should be powerful enough to score 20 marks and the
weaker side, 5 marks.

MODEL ANSWER

The novel largely revolves around the experiences of the protagonist Rutendo
but there are other minor issues detached from Rutendo that are also significant.

The patriarchal society oppresses women views their male counterparts as

superior. In this oppressive society, Rutendo gets an opportunity to go to a
teachers’ training college, hence she stand as a torch – bearer for women
emancipation.

Rutendo takes a leading role in challenging patriarchal practices that oppress

women. She fights both Edmore and Patrick who try to challenge her. Edmore
blocks Rutendo’s way into the classroom but Rutendo fights domination and
beats Edmore. Patrick is bitter that Rutendo has challenged men at the college
and challenges her. Rutendo beats Patrick by a blackboard ruler so badly that he
gets admitted in hospital. Rutendo’s denial to be oppressed by men is a
monumental achievement.

Rutendo stands out as an independent woman unlike other women in the novel
who are submissive. She refuses to be dominated by Barry who demands that
she stops talking to the headmaster Mr. Zvenyika but she tells him he cannot
control her life. She also asserts her independence when she refuses to be given
large sums of pocket money by Barry as this would compromise her

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independence. Her independence is so outstanding and suits her protagonist
status.
Women’s participation in the war of liberation of Zimbabwe is symbolized by
Rutendo. She commits herself to joining the struggle by going for military
training. She is prepared to part ways with her white boyfriend for the cause of
her country. Her patriotism is outstanding and makes role in the plot very
significant.

Rutendo also takes a leading role in domestic chores. She tells Barry that she
would use her holiday to help her parents with work. She wakes early in the
morning to sweep the yard then go to water the garden. She is hard-working and
is defiant to do manual jobs traditionally reserved for men such as milking
cows. By being so exemplary, Rutendo reflects that she is a central figure in the
novel.
However, there are other individuals and incidents which are significant in the
novels that deserve to be highlighted. Apart from focusing on Rutendo the novel
also touches of the key issue of racism. Colonial Rhodesia is haunted by racism.
Barry wishes Rutendo could shade her skin to be white and this shows that
racism is pervasive in the society.

Another topical issue that is fore grounded in the novel is conflict between
tradition and modernity. Rutendo and grandmother Ndayavaya are involved in
conflict. Grandmother argues that the colonizer is there to exploit African
knowledge systems while Rutendo insists that they are giving them education
and now Musavhaya is now earning money because of education. This conflict
between tradition and modernity runs throughout the novel thus making it a
very significant subject in the novel.

7. Discuss symbolism in Rutendo…..the chief’s granddaughter. [25]

Expectations: Learners are expected to demonstrate their knowledge of a

symbol then identify the various symbols in the novel and the meanings attached
to them.

Colette Mutangadura employs various symbols which are representations of the

social and economic condition of the colonial era that the novel grapples with.

17
Grandmother Ndayavaya is a symbol of traditional values. She is the custodian
of traditional culture at a time when western culture is threatening to consume
traditional values. She teaches Rutendo that they have their own traditional
knowledge systems even as knowledge of herbs and Rutendo should not tell the
white man about traditional medicines. She is trying to preserve the traditional
knowledge systems from being exploited by the colonizer. When Rutendo has a
stomach ache, she tells her to take a traditional herb and pain subsides.

Andris is a symbol of identity crisis that haunts the characters who are torn
between traditional and modern cultural influences. A white man Jan
impregnates Ngonya who is black and Andris is the product of their
relationship. Andris is neither acceptable to both the traditional society and the
white community. Ngonya becomes a victim of isolation from her people for
being impregnated by a white man. She had to be sent to her relatives in
Manicaland and when she went back to her people with the child, some even
fainted at the coloured child. This shock reflects that they could not accept
Andris as part of them. On the other hand, Andris is abandoned by his father Jan
who never followed to look for his child.

The waltz is a symbol of modernity. Rutendo and Barry dance the waltz to Jim
Reeves’ song “Don’t let me cross over”. That Rutendo is dancing a white man’s
dance; it can be argued that colonial education has corrupted traditional values
in the black man. Every day they learn in the white man’s culture, hence
acculturation/cultural erosion. Rutendo’s fight with both Patrick and Edmore is
a symbolic act of resistance to patriarchal constructions which militate against
women. Edmore blocks Rutendo’s way into the classroom demanding a kiss in
exchange of passage. In defiance, Rutendo pounds on Edmore and defeats him.
She also defeats Patrick who challenged her for resisting male dominance.
Rutendo defeats Edmore who ends up admitted to hospital. By defeating men,
Rutendo is finding a way of expression that women can successfully resist
patriarchal domination.

When Rutendo and Barry are in the woods in Acturas, Barry a vicious snake
targets Barry for an attack but he has to be saved by a warning from Rutendo.
The snake is a symbol of the attack that has targeted their love affairs. It is a
relationship that is struggling to survive because both the traditional culture and

18
the western culture from which Rutendo and Barry come from are intolerant to
inter-racial relationship. Therefore, their affair is threatened.

The dare or court at which Rutendo’s grandfather would spend his time at is a
symbol of wisdom which traditional culture cherishes even at a time when it is
under the threat of western cultural influences.

In African traditional culture, the land and cattle are symbols of wealth. Jan
punishes the villagers for failing to tell him were Ngonya has been taken to by
taking all their cattle to his farm. The village laments this cruel act and a brave
woman Sadzi wanted to follow Jan but the village restraints her. To reflect the
centrality of cattle, the villagers organize to report the matter to the District
Administrator hoping he would do something but he did not. Therefore, by
losing their cattle to Jan, the village is disposed of wealth. Later they are to lose
another aspect of wealth, the land when they decided to steal their cattle from
Jan’s farm. They left the village for good to settle in another area.

8. Comment on the relationship between Barry and Rutendo. [25]

Expectations: This is a two-sided question. To comment involves

highlighting the negative and the positives in the relationship. The
learner’s personal judgment is highly rewarded.

MODEL ANSWER
The relationship between Rutendo and Barry takes two stages in the novel.
It begins as a friendship but later evolves to be a love affair. The
relationship between the two is friendly throughout the whole novel. To
show this friendship, Barry is willing to help Rutendo tie the cow Salisbury
cattle. He takes the rope to help her out but Rutendo asks him not to.
However, she asks Barry to pull the cow out of the kraal and he does. This
is a sign of friendship as Barry is always there to assist Rutendo wittingly.

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Another incident which reflects friendship is when Barry brings an idea to
improve irrigation. He brings a method of constructing furrows and this is
to help Rutendo by reducing the amount of labour she exerts on watering
the garden.

Friendship is characterized by watching each other’s back. Rutendo sees a

snake advancing towards Barry while out in the woods in Acturas. Rutendo
gives a warning to Barry to swiftly roll over. Barry is not attacked because
of Rutendo’s warning; therefore, their friendship involves protecting each
other from challenges.

The relationship between Barry and Rutendo is romantic. There are

numerous incidents which reflect the strong love relationship between the
two. Barry and Rutendo dance to Jim Reeves’s music. They waltz to the
song while holding hands. The waltz is a romantic dance; therefore ii
reflects their romantic affair.

When Barry returns Rutendo to the college on the day they visit Salisbury,
when they are about to part, they exchange glances which are a reflection of
love. They exchange vows as Barry says Rutendo will become Mrs.
Jameson while Rutendo says Barry will be her husband. By pledging to be
together in marriage, the two exhibit romantic love for each other.

There aspects of a racist relationship between Barry and Rutendo mainly

exhibited by Barry. He openly tells Rutendo that he wishes if she could shed
of her skin and wear a white man’s skin. Barry is indicating that to some
extend he is ashamed of being in love with a black woman who is not
accepted by his people. He even goes on to criticize black leadership as
poor. He tells Rutendo that most independent governments are riddled with
corruption, uncollected rubbish because of poor governance. By looking
down of blacks, Barry is portraying racist views that also have a bearing on
Rutendo. He implies that blacks are incapable of managing their own
affairs.

There is a mutual relationship between Barry and Rutendo. It is a

relationship based on mutual respect. When Barry follows Rutendo to the
Mizhanje forest, he later asks for a parting kiss but Rutendo refuses arguing

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 that they are just friends. Barry listens to Rutendo’s reasons and does not
proceed with the act. Therefore, Barry is a listening partner. There is a love-
hate relationship between Rutendo and Barry. It is an affair that is
characterized by both feelings of love and hatred. At the early stages of their
affair the two are in love. Rutendo and Barry waltz to Jim Reeves’s song.
Barry buys Rutendo a gift of a dress and he takes her to Salisbury for
shopping. These are expressions of love. However, towards the end,
Rutendo’s love for Barry suddenly comes to an end as she is obsessed with
a revolutionary spirit. Her hatred of the white skin is evident when she tears
Barry’s photographs into small pieces and resolves they would meet as
enemies in the liberation struggle. Therefore from being lovers, Rutendo
joins the war to become Barry’s enemy.

9. Describe Barry’s views on independent African countries and show the

feelings that are evoked in you.
[25]

Barry tells Rutendo that he has been to many independent African countries.
He describes them as an eyesore. There are big beautiful buildings build by
the white man including schools which are new in a deplorable state. The
once beautiful flowers and lawns are now spidery dust paths. In these so
called independent countries, litter is everywhere, the sidewalks are smelly
and uncollected rubbish is a common sight. The once neatly tarred roads are
now full of potholes which he describes as dish-holes. The hospitals are
neglected as they fail to offer medicines while the government officials are
corrupt save for a few. Post-independent African governments are haunted
by unplanned settlements, tribalism, nepotism, negligence of duty and many
other forms of mismanagement.

I feel disappointed with the leadership of the post- independent countries

for neglecting the beautiful countries they inherited from the colonizer.
Barry says there are beautiful buildings but are neglected. This shows that
the black leadership fail to govern.

I feel angry at Barry for harbouring racist views about Africans. He

believes nothing good can come out of these leaders who he claims have
run down African countries inherited from the colonizer. He says litter is

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 found everywhere, clearly suggesting that he thinks Africans are incapable
of governing. These negatives are intentionally selected to point a bad
image of black leadership.

I feel sorry and sad for African leaders for failing to run their countries
because of inexperience on issues of governance. Barry clearly points out
that financial mismanagement in African countries is a sign of inexperience.
He says how you can think people who have never owed a bicycle of their
own can be trusted with government money. Although Barry is sarcastic, I
feel sorry and sad for the Black Nationalist leaders simply inherited the
countries from the colonizer without any knowledge and experience to
govern and now they are overwhelmed.

I feel sympathetic for the ordinary people in post-independent African

states who are languishing in abject poverty because of poor governance by
their leadership. Barry says the hospitals can’t offer medicines to the people
and corrupt systems and officials are responsible for breeding poverty and
misery. The ordinary people are victims of failed leadership and this
generates pity upon their wretched lives.

10. Contrast the characters of John and Barry. [25]

Expectations: Pupils can contrast the characters side by side but the
cheapest method is to handle one character and raise character traits then
when shifting to the other character, a contrasting word has to be used eg:
on the other hand/ in contrast/but/on the other hand/ whilst/ however.

MODEL ANSWER
Barry is romantic. He waltz with Rutendo to Jin Reeves song “Don’t let me
crossover”. He shows that he loves Rutendo. Barry is helpful to Rutendo.
He helps her tie the cow for milking when he offers to assist Rutendo by
taking the rope. He is asked by Rutendo to pull the cow out of the kraal and
he does that willingly thus showing that he is ready to avail himself each
time Rutendo needs help.

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Barry is grateful for the good things that Rutendo does. After Rutendo
saves him from a snake attack, Barry thanks her for saving his life. He says
he will make Rutendo the ruler of his life and mother of his household. This
is a sign gratitude that makes Barry resolves to marry Rutendo for her love
and care for him.

Barry is jealous. He dislikes Mr. Zvenyika for his advances on Rutendo. He

shows his jealousy by sarcastically asking Rutendo how is her headmaster’s
boyfriend. By being sarcastic, Barry depicts a dislike for Mr. Zvenyika who
he suspects is expressing love interest on Rutendo.

Barry is depicted as an appreciative man. He has so much high regard for

Rutendo whom he realized is different from other village girls who would
shout when they talked even when within each other’s earshot. Barry is
appreciating Rutendo’s good social etiquette. She is well groomed to
Barry’s appreciation.

Barry is innovative as he brings an idea that Rutendo’s father use furrows

for irrigation as this would be less labor intensive. His new idea on modern
irrigation methods saves Rutendo from hand labor of watering the garden.

On the other hand, John is racist. He views black people as untrustworthy

when he says they do the opposite of what they say. He implies that blacks
lack principles and this view is shaped by racism.

John is helpful. He hates the youth movement to the extent that he gets
agitated that he does not have any news of their whereabouts. He calls the
youth movement ‘terrorists” which is a derogatory term that demeans them
to murders. This is not true of them but just a portrayal of John’s hatred of
the youth movement.

John is confrontational. John accuses Barry of being lenient with the youth
movement because he loves Rutendo. He is angry that Barry is not doing
enough therefore, he openly tells him to take his sympathies for Rutendo
away.

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Unlike Barry, John is dutiful as he is loyal to his duties as a Rhodesian
soldier. This is clearly depicted when he spy on the movements of the youth
movement on the day he is seen by Rutendo and Wonder among the Gum
tree woodlot spying on them. He picks a letter which contains information
about the new party which Rutendo had mistakenly dropped. John’s
ceaseless spying activities reflect that he is dutiful.

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