QUestions for the final Kenya articles

Global Literature Part I: Final Essay
The River Between

Read the articles in the packet, then answer one question from Section A and one question from Section B, below. Your goal is to explore these issues intelligently and to apply your understanding of The River Between.

Requirements:
- Answers must be thoughtful and complete.
- All answers must be typed and proofread.
- There is no set length requirement; quality is more important than quantity.
- Answers must be supported with examples from the texts.
- Go beyond the book and articles: analyze, interpret, and critique the materials.

Questions
Section A: Respond to one of the questions in this section. Support your response with at least one specific example from The River Between, and at least two specific examples from the articles in your packet. Use quotation marks and include the page number.

1. What, if anything, should be done about the loss of culture and traditions that is occurring throughout the world?
Consider: Cultures inevitably change as they come into contact with outside ideas and influences AND currently, there are over 6,000 cultures around the world on the brink of extinction. What do The River Between and the articles on education say about the loss of culture? What are the dangers of losing these cultures? What are the positives of a more homogeneous world culture? What are some ways to begin to address this problem?

2. What is the appropriate role of education in Kenya today?
Consider: What role does education play in the conflict between tradition and modernity, or cultural survival vs. cultural extinction? What is your cultural lens when it comes to education? If you’d grown up in Kenya during the times described in The River Between, how might your lens be different? What is the value of tradition? Does this conflict with the need for education? How?

Section B: Respond to one of the following questions. Support your response with at least one specific example from The River Between. Use quotation marks and include the page #.

1. Does Ngugi believe Waiyaki succeeds in fulfilling the prophecy?
Consider: Figurative language and theme. In great literary works, authors use literary devices to explore themes and questions about what it means to be human. These devices include plot structure, figurative language (symbols, metaphors, similes, personification, etc.), setting, character development, and literary allusions. Throughout the novel, how did Ngugi use literary devices to support his opinions regarding these questions? How and why did the author decide to turn Waiyaki into a Christ-like figure?

2. Which does Ngugi believe is more important: duty to family and community, or individual freedom, dreams, and goals?
Consider: (same as above)

You must bring these responses to your next class in order to participate in Part II of the Final Essay process.