River Between Study Guide #2

Name _____________
The River Between Study Guide #2
Use your book to write brief responses to the following questions. Include a page number reference next to each response. (30 points)

Chapter 6
1. Why does Nyambura feel guilty for thinking about circumcision? Use direct quotes in your response. (pg. )



2. Why does Muthoni feel distraught? (pg. )



3. Why does Muthoni feel that her father’s ideas about circumcision are hypocritical? (pg. )



4. Again, Ngugi wa Thiong’o uses foreshadowing. What is the bad omen, and what does it tell us? (pg. )



Chapter 7
1. Discuss the symbolism used in the following passage:
Joshua’s house was different. His was a tin-roofed rectangular building standing quite distinctly by itself on the ridge. The tin roof was already decaying and let in rain freely, so on top of the roof could be seen little scraps of sacking that covered the very bad parts. The building, standing so distinctly and defiantly, was perhaps an indication that the isolation of Makuyu from the rest of the world was being broken down (28).



2. Discuss the irony of Joshua’s tirade against Mugo wa Kibiro on p. 29.


3. What is Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s purpose in mentioning Christmas and the initiation rites in the same sentence on p. 30?
4. What is the significance of Joshua’s view of himself as someone who would lead the people out of Egypt and to the Promised Land? (pg. )



5. Why does Joshua beat Miriamu? (pg. )


6. Why are the people of the ridges growing angry at Joshua? (pg. )


Chapter 8
1. Discuss Miriamu’s inner conflict. (pg. )



2. As you read this chapter, be alert to the harsh verbs Ngugi uses to describe Joshua’s interactions with his family members. Three of these are:
A.
B.
C.
3. Why does Joshua say, “From that day Muthoni ceased to exist for him” and, “Let her go back to Egypt. He, Joshua, would travel, on, on to the new Jerusalem”? (pg. )


Chapter 9
1. Chege believes, on page 38, that there are ways other than taking up guns, to beat the white man. What, do you think, is he referring to? (pg. )


2. What is the significance of Waiyaki’s reluctance at the ceremonial dance? (pg. )


3. List three details that describe the initiation ceremony.
A.
B.
C.
4. Why does Muthoni’s rebellion have a great impact on Waiyaki? (pg. )
Chapter 10
1. Explain the symbolism of the mist covering the ridges.



2. What does the river symbolize in this first paragraph?



3. What is the significance of the blood sinking into the soil?



Chapter 11
1. What is the significance of the following quotation: “Waiyaki…..tell Nyambura I see Jesus. And I am a woman, beautiful in the tribe….” (53).



2. How does Chege see Muthoni’s death? Why is he worried? (pg. )



3. How is the death perceived at Siriana? (pg. )



4. Why does Livingstone believe that Muthoni's death means "the war was now on"? (pg. )