TALEDI AREA OFFICE ENGLISH FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE GRADE 12 SHORT STORIES GUIDE 2017
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TALEDI AREA OFFICE
ENGLISH
FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE
GRADE 12
SHORT STORIES GUIDE
2017
Page 1
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AOINDEX
NO TITLE AUTHOR PAGE
Intro Characteristics of a short story 3
1 A chip of glass ruby Nadine Gordimer 7
2 Village people Bessie Head 11
3 The fur coat Sean O’Faolian 14
4 The doll’s house Katherine Mansfield 17
5 Transforming moments Gcina Mhlophe 20
6 The last breath Sam Kahiga 25
7 Next door Kurt Vonnegut 28
8 The new tribe Buchi Emecheta 32
9 Sources 35
Page 2
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AOCHARACTERISTICS OF A SHORT STORY
1. Introduction
A short story is a piece of prose fiction that can be read in one sitting. Emerging from earlier
oral storytelling traditions in the 17th century, the short story has grown to encompass a
body of work so diverse as to defy easy characterization.
At its most prototypical the short story features a small cast of named characters, and
focuses on a self-contained incident with the intent of evoking a "single effect" or mood. In
doing so, short stories make use of plot, resonance, and other dynamic components to a far
greater degree than is typical of an anecdote, yet to a far lesser degree than a novel. While
the short story is largely distinct from the novel, authors of both generally draw from a
common pool of literary techniques.
Short stories have no set length. In terms of word count there is no official demarcation
between an anecdote, a short story, and a novel. Rather, the form's parameters are given
by the rhetorical and practical context in which a given story is produced and considered, so
that what constitutes a short story may differ between genres, countries, eras, and
commentators.
The short story has been considered both an apprenticeship form preceding more lengthy
works, and a crafted form in its own right, collected together in books of similar length,
price, and distribution as novels.
2. Elements of a short story
2.1. Setting
The setting of a short story is the time and place in which it happens. Authors often
use descriptions of landscape, scenery, buildings, seasons or weather to provide a
strong sense of setting.
2.2. Characterisation
A character is a person, or sometimes even an animal, who takes part in the action
of a short story or other literary work.
Due to the limitations of the genre, short stories typically focus on just one or a
couple characters.
As short stories usually cover such brief periods of time, even a single character may
never be fully developed.
Page 3
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AO There are two meanings for the word character:
Persons in a work of fiction
Short stories use few characters.
One character is clearly central to the story with all major events having some
importance to this character – he/she is the PROTAGONIST.
The opposer of the main character is called the ANTAGONIST.
The Characteristics of a Person
In order for a story to seem real to the reader its characters must seem real.
Characterization is the information the author gives the reader about the
characters themselves.
Characters are convincing if they are: consistent, motivated, and life-like
(resemble real people)
The author reveal a character in several ways through:
a) his/her physical appearance
b) what he/she says, thinks, feels and dreams
c) what he/she does or does not do
d) what others say about him/her and how others react to him/her
Characters can be:
1. Individual – round, many sided and complex personalities.
2. Developing – dynamic, many sided personalities that change, for better or
worse, by the end of the story.
3. Static – stereotype, have one or two characteristics that never change and are
emphasized e.g. brilliant detective
2.3. Plot
A plot is a series of events and character actions that relate to the central conflict.
The plot is how the author arranges events to develop his basic idea. It is the
sequence of events in a story or play.
The plot is a planned, logical series of events having a beginning, middle, and
end.
The short story usually has one plot so it can be read in one sitting.
2.4. The course of action/ revealing of the plot
Rising Action
This is where the events in the story become complicated and the conflict in the
story is revealed (events between the introduction and climax).
Climax
This is the highest point of interest and the turning point of the story. The reader
wonders what will happen next; will the conflict be resolved or not?
Page 4
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AO Falling action
The events and complications begin to resolve themselves. The reader knows
what has happened next and if the conflict was resolved or not (events between
climax and denouement).
Resolution / Denouement
This is the final outcome or untangling of events in the story.
This is where the events in the story become complicated and the conflict in the
story is revealed (events between the introduction and climax).
2.5. Conflict
The conflict is a struggle between two people or things in a short story. The main
character is usually on one side of the central conflict.
On the other side, the main character may struggle against another important
character, against the forces of nature, against society, or even against something
inside himself or herself (feelings, emotions, illness).
Conflict is also essential to the plot. Without conflict there is no plot. It is the
opposition of forces which ties one incident to another and makes the plot move.
Within a short story there may be only one central struggle, or there may be one
dominant struggle with many minor ones.
Two types of conflict:
External
A struggle with a force outside one’s self.
Internal
A struggle within one’s self; a person must make some decision, overcome
pain, quiet their temper, resist an urge, etc.
Conflict can also occur in the following situations:
Man vs. Man (physical)
The leading character struggles with his physical strength against other men,
forces of nature, or animals.
Man vs. Circumstances (classical)
The leading character struggles against fate, or the circumstances of life
facing him/her.
Man vs. Society (social)
The leading character struggles against ideas, practices, or customs of other
people.
Man vs. Himself/Herself (psychological)
The leading character struggles with himself/herself; with his/her own soul,
ideas of right or wrong, physical limitations, choices, etc.
Page 5
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AO2.6. Theme
The theme is the central idea or belief in a short story.
The theme in a piece of fiction’s controlling idea or its central insight.
The theme may be the author’s thoughts about a topic or view of human nature.
The title of the short story usually points to what the writer is saying and he may
use various figures of speech to emphasize his theme, such as: symbol, allusion,
simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or irony.
2.7. Point of view
Point of view is defined as the angle from which the story is told:
Innocent Eye
The story is told through the eyes of a child (his/her judgment being different
from that of an adult)
Stream of Consciousness
The story is told so that the reader feels as if they are inside the head of one
character and knows all their thoughts and reactions.
First Person
The story is told by the protagonist or one of the characters who interacts closely
with the protagonist or other characters (using pronouns I, me, we, etc). The
reader sees the story through this person’s eyes as he/she experiences it and
only knows what he/she knows or feels.
Omniscient
The author can narrate the story using the omniscient point of view. He can
move from character to character, event to event, having free access to the
thoughts, feelings and motivations of his characters and he introduces
information where and when he chooses.
There are two main types of omniscient point of view:
a) Omniscient Limited
The author tells the story in third person (using pronouns they, she, he, it, etc).
We know only what the character knows and what the author allows him/her to
tell us. We can see the thoughts and feelings of characters if the author chooses
to reveal them to us.
b) Omniscient Objective
The author tells the story in the third person. It appears as though a camera is
following the characters, going anywhere, and recording only what is seen and
heard. There is no comment on the characters or their thoughts. No
interpretations are offered. The reader is placed in the position of spectator
without the author there to explain. The reader has to interpret events on his
own.
Page 6
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AOA CHIP OF GLASS RUBY
(Nadine Gordimer)
Summary
This short story is about an Indian Moslem woman who wanted to make a difference. Her
name is Zanip Bamjee. She lived with her husband Mr. Bamjee, and their children. They
lived with other African and Indian families in a poor neighbourhood. Mrs. Bamjee was a
political activist who felt obligated to help the people in need. One way she helped her
community was by making leaflets and protesting against the government. She did this
because the black community was being taken away from their homes and deep down she
felt like that was going to happen to them. Her son Jimmy supported her.
Mr. Bamjee on the other hand saw things differently and thought they were going to get in
trouble. Mrs. Bamjee was later thrown into jail with other activists who tried to make a
difference. Mr. Bamjee began to wonder why he even married his wife, and Girlie reminded
him that he married her because Mrs. Bamjee doesn’t want anybody to feel left out and no
one else is like her.
Mrs. Bamjee is humble, she understands that beauty is more than the outward appearance.
She is a woman who is not afraid to say what she wants and to make a difference. She
doesn't care that it’s dangerous and that she's a woman, which is frowned upon in that
society. She never acts like she's strange or out of the ordinary for being so passionate
about politics. She cares more about others than herself. She constantly puts everyone else
first.
Vocabulary list
Word Meaning
sideboard An item of furniture traditionally in the dining room to serve food.
scraggy lean / thin
incitement Action of causing / provoking unlawful behaviour.
mannerism Gesture / way of speaking that’s a habit.
morose Ill-tempered / sullen
bewildered / baffled confused
scandalous disgraceful
reproach Expressing disappointment.
muffler scarf
orthodox Following tradition / practice.
mauve pale purple colour
Page 7
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AOQuestions
1. To what apartheid group do the Bamjees belong? How do you know?
2. Describe what comes “hidden in a wash basket in a black man’s taxi,” and tell what
exactly it’s used for.
3. Describe the kids’ activities that first night and explain why are we told about their
activities in such detail?
4. How does the current Mrs. Bamjee differ from the girl she was?
5. Describe the visitors to the Bamjee home.
How does the way his wife relates to them influence his view of his wife?
6. Does Bamjee share his wife’s interest in politics? Motivate your answer.
7. What does the message Mrs. Bamjee send to Girlie tell us about Mrs. Bamjee and
her relationship with her children?
8. How does Mrs. Bamjee get her husband’s mind off of the scary fact Dr. Kahn was
arrested?
9. Mr. Bamjee wonders why he married this widow with five children.
What does he conclude at this point in the story?
10. What happens when the government finds out about Mrs. Bamjee’s activities?
12. On page 26, it says “Ma is there because things like this happen.”
12.1. What is meant by “things like this?”
12.2. Explain how things like this led to their mother being jailed.
13. Why exactly is Mr. Bamjee “baffled, mad and hopeless”?
14. Mr. Bamjee says “What importance is my birthday while she’s sitting there in a
prison?”
14.1. What is Fatima’s answer?
14.2. Her reply answers another of his questions. Which one? What is the answer?
Page 8
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AOAnswers
1. They are Indian people.
The teacher at school mentioned that Mrs.Bamjee wants the Indians to be the
same as the natives.
Mrs. Bamjee wore a sari.
The family was Moslems.
2. It was a duplicating machine / copier used by Mrs. Bamjee to make anti-apartheid
leaflets.
3. The older children were doing homework, and the younger ones were playing.
All activities took place in the living room.
It is described in detail to highlight the following aspects:
The house was small and there was no room in the bedrooms for the
children’s activities.
The family did everything together.
Mrs. Bamjee has a close relationship with her children.
The children are curios about the duplicating machine and what Mrs. Bamjee
was going to use it for.
4. She was a fashionable young women with a chip of glass ruby in her nostril but
currently she did not care about her outward appearance as she was very thin, wore
cheap saris and her hair was greasy.
5. Strangers visited the house and varied from native women to prominent community
members. Mr. Bramjee does not like his wife’s interaction with the visitors, because
he new they were discussing politics. / He was bitter about the fact that she invited
all kinds of people to their home, in contrast with the behaviour of other
Indian/Moslem women.
6. No, he believes that the natives should fight their own battles and that the Indian
people should stay out of it.
7. Mrs. Bamjee had a close relationship with her children. Even after Girlie has moved
out, her mother can still ask her to assist the family when needed.
8. Mrs. Bamjee made a new dress for her daughter and Mr. Bamjee was reassured by
this domestic act. She refrained from political activities that night.
9. He was attracted to her because she was not like other women.
10. Two coloured policemen from the Special Branch were send to arrest her and then
she was jailed.
11.1. People discriminate against each other on basis of race and colour.
11.2. His mother wanted to assist the native people in their fight against the apartheid’s
government and was jailed because it was against the law to have political
gatherings and to spread political material, like the leaflets she printed.
Page 9
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AO12. He could not understand that the good Moslem woman he married turned into a
political activist.
13.1. She says her mother does not wasn’t anybody to be left out. She cared about all
people.
13.2. Previously he wondered why he married the ugly widow with five children and now
realizes it’s because she is different from other people in the way that she cares
about everybody indiscriminately.
Page 10
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AOVILLAGE PEOPLE
(Bessie Head)
Summary
In Village People Bessie Head's realist/modernist approach to story-telling and her use of
these metaphors shone through in telling the lives of the people in a village. Her
descriptions of village life are spot-on and her understanding of events and the complex
interrelationships is unrivalled. She unequivocally stated what the problems are and called
upon those in authority - politicians, gods - to do better. Thus, it is in searching for solutions
to these problems that makes her write about politics and religions and challenges her
belief in a supreme being; for she can't comprehend a supreme being who can look on
whilst innocent people die of hunger even though he is supposed to be omnipotent.
Vocabulary list
Word Meaning
vastness very great extent/size
immense extremely large
calamity An event causing great damage / a disaster.
capacity The maximum amount something can contain.
hedge fence / boundary
hydrogen chemical element
fertile soil Soil able to produce crops.
Questions
1. Identify and explain the figure of speech in the following sentence from the text:
“Poverty has a home in Africa – like a quiet second skin.”
2. How does the community deal with the death of a baby?
3. Explain what happens with a person that tries to deal with painful events on his/her
own?
4. According to the author, village people “tend to push aside all new intrusion.” Why
can it be seen as a negative action?
5. Why did the old women (story 1) collapse?
6. Explain the crowd’s reaction to the old women’s weakness.
7. How did the old women’s family repay the narrator’s kindness?
8. What does the narrator mean when she says, “… that gods walk about her barefoot
with no ermine and gold studded cloaks.”
Page 11
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AO9. Describe the difference in the way the villagers and the politician deals with the
drought in story 2.
10. Why is the goat central to the survival of the villagers?
11. Give a reason why the narrator in story to wants to improve herself.
12. Explain the reason for the contrast in the way the birds and the narrator welcome
sunrise each day.
13. Identify common themes in the opening essay and the two stories that follow.
Answers
1. Simile
Poverty in Africa is an everyday occurrence, something the people are used to living
with; it is part of their existence.
2. The community members join the mother in her mourning period by sitting with her to
help and ease the pain until she is ready to join the normal daily activities again.
3. According to the narrator such people go insane / mad and will wander around,
muttering to themselves.
4. If the community is not open to change and new ideas, they are easily confused and
torn apart because they do not have alternative ways of dealing with challenges as
opposed to people who are exposed to different ways of dealing with societal
matters.
5. She was starving. / She was hungry.
6. The crowd laughed when she said she was hungry because they felt embarrassed
as one is not suppose to admit to a weakness so openly. They did not want to be
confronted with the responsibility of taking care of her, so they turned around and
left.
7. One of the family members brought her a pail of water daily.
8. Ordinary people perform acts of kindness without expecting anything in return.
Godly actions, like showing mercy and kindness, is performed by poor people, going
barefoot.
9. The villagers wait patiently, day after day, for the rain to come. The politician cries
and prays for rain, trying to force God to hear his prayers.
Page 12
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AO10. The goat is the only animal that can survive the drought because it eats anything.
The people then eat the goat in order to survive.
11. She wants to break the cycle of poverty and hunger.
She does not want to fall pregnant and worry about a baby.
12. The birds will welcome the sunrise as they are diurnal animals (they function best in
daylight.) The narrator meets the sun with dread, because during the draught it
scorches / sears the earth, bringing about death.
13. Poverty
Dependence on the land to survive
Ubuntu / compassion and humanity
Fear of the unknown
The harshness / cruelty of Mother Africa
Page 13
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AOTHE FUR COAT
(Sean O’Faolian)
Summary
Seán O’Faoláin provides limited detail and description about Paddy and Molly’s lives. The
only thing that he reveals about their earlier lives is that “the years had polished her hard—
politics, revolution, husband in and out of prison, children reared with the help of relatives
and Prisoners’ Dependents’ funds. You could see the years on her fingertips, too pink, too
coarse, and in her diamond-bright eyes.” These two sentences present an image of the
many young couples who spent time apart while the husbands fought for an independent
Ireland. The author relies on their conversation and their actions to reveal the
characteristics they both now possess. They are complex, contradictory, and realistic.
The author’s disappointment with the politics of Ireland and the inflexibility of the Roman
Catholic Church is also subtly woven throughout the story by the actions of Paddy and
Molly. Rather than explicitly discussing the rigidity of the church or the pain and suffering of
Irish politics, he relies on the sophistication of the reader to understand the root of Molly’s
guilt about accepting the fur coat and Paddy’s reaction to being called mean.
Paddy and Molly know each other about as well as two people can know each other, but
Paddy does not realize that Molly needs to be told that she deserves the coat. On the other
hand, Molly, herself, is not sure why she cannot accept the coat. O’Faoláin implies or
suggests situations and relies on the reader’s experiences with life and human nature to
understand what is not said.
Vocabulary list
Word Meaning
chidingly Reprimand to improve
extravagant Lacking restraint in spending money / resources
sedately Calm / quiet / composed
vulgar Lacking good taste
grandeur Impressive appearance / style
judiciously With good judgement / sense
notions Ideas
hankering A strong desire to have or do something
dance frock Dance dress
wretched Miserable / unhappy / sad
shallow Of little depth
triumphantly Happy because of a victory / achievement
mackintosh raincoat
Page 14
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AOQuestions
1. What position is Paddy promoted to?
2. How does Paddy’s promotion influence Molly perception of their social status?
3. Explain what the following sentence from the text tells you about Molly’s life:
“You could see the years on her fingertips, too pink, too course …”
4. Explain why it is ironic when Molly says she doesn’t want a fur coat just for the show.
5. Describe Molly’s frame of mind when she put the children to bed. Motivate your
answer by quoting seven consecutive words from the text.
6. Provide a reason why Paddy is so shocked when he found out what a broadtail fur
coat is made of.
7. On page 78 Paddy lists the advantages of having a fur coat. Why is Molly getting so
angry that she throws the basket with mending at him?
8. Group together Molly’s reasons for and against a fur coat.
9. Molly tells Paddy that he is mean. Do you agree with her? Provide a reason for your
answer.
10. Give a brief outline of Paddy’s contribution to the ongoing conversation about the fur
coat.
11. “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.” Explain how this statement is
applicable to the short story The Fur Coat.
Answers
1. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Roads and Railways.
2. Molly perceives them as now from a higher social class than before, thus her request
for a fur coat to wear to upcoming social events she might be invited to.
3. Molly had a hard life as a housewife and her hands bear witness to the manual work,
like cleaning and mending, she had to do herself.
4. The explanation she gave for wanting the fur coat is evidence that she want it to not
feel inferior to the other women who attend social gatherings. She wants to look the
part of wife to a Secretary of a Minister.
5. Molly is mad / furious / angry / frustrated. “… throwing sacks of turf into a cellar.”
Page 15
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AO6. He is shocked that women can wear coats made of the fur of unborn lambs.
7. Molly already explained to Paddy why she wants / needs a fur coat and she thinks
that the reasons he list is contradictory to hers.
Molly feels that Paddy is trying to patronize her because he doesn’t want her to buy
a fur coat.
Molly is frustrated that Paddy does not understand her side of the argument and that
he’s being insensitive towards her needs.
8. Reasons for:
She deserves it.
She can wear it over her ordinary clothes, thus saving money.
It will make a good impression on the other ladies in their social circle.
Reasons against:
It is too expensive.
It will make her seem vulgar / extravagant.
9. Yes, Paddy are insensitive to the fact that Molly worked very hard all those years to
keep body and soul together and that she now deserves to be spoilt.
OR
No, Paddy urges her to go and buy the fur coat. He even provides her with reasons
why it will be a useful purchase.
10. At first Paddy is very excited and tells Molly to buy two coats. As Molly starts to
argue against the purchase and provide reasons why she should not have the coat,
Paddy loses interest and continues with the design for the pier he was busy with.
When Molly accuses him of being mean, he loses his temper and ignores her for
three days. In the end Paddy asks Molly is she still wants the coat and urges her to
go and buy it but Molly stays indecisive.
11. Men and women think and reason differently about certain things. Molly’s
explanation for wanting the fur coat is based on her personal needs of recognition
and acceptance in her new position as wife of an important man. Paddy’s
explanation for buying the fur coat is practical because he lists reasons such as it will
keep her warm and prevent her from getting a cold. They are not able to understand
each other’s reasons which escalate into conflict. Although the conflict between them
is resolved at the end, Molly is still not at peace about the fur coat.
Page 16
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AOTHE DOLL’S HOUSE
(Katherine Mansfield)
Summary and analysis
In The Doll’s House by Katherine Mansfield we have the theme of class, prejudice,
connection, hope, appearance and equality. Taken from her The Doves’ Nest and Other
Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after
reading the story the reader realises that Mansfield may be exploring the theme of class.
The Burnell family, with the exception of Kezia, consider themselves to be above others
particularly when it comes to the Kelveys. It would appear that the Burnells define
themselves by their social status (or class) and due to the fact that Mrs Kelvey is a working
class woman and the possible fact that Mr Kelvey is in prison the Burnells consider
themselves to be above the Kelveys. There is also a sense that the Burnell’s are ostracizing
the Kelvey’s simply because they may be different to them. If anything it is possible that the
Burnell’s do not wish to associate themselves with the Kelvey’s because of the Kelvey’s
appearance (both physical and social).
It is also noticeable that the other children (and the teacher) in the school, like the Burnells,
also consider themselves to be better than the Kelveys. Again this assumption appears to
be based not only on the working class status of Mrs Kelvey but also by the fact that Mrs
Kelvey is so poor that she needs to dress her daughters with cloth from items that her
neighbours no longer need. If anything all the characters (again with the exception of Kezia)
in the story judge the Kelveys based on, not only their perceived lower class status but also
by their physical appearance. Just as Lil and Else look different to those around them by
the way they are dressed, the other children (and the Burnells and the teacher) view the
Kelveys as being different. Each character in the story (again with the exception of Kezia) is
prejudicial towards the Kelveys.
There is also some symbolism in the story which may be significant. The doll’s house itself
can be seen to symbolise the upper class Burnells. By associating the doll’s house with the
Burnells, Mansfield is possibly suggesting that the Burnells, because they are the only
people with a doll’s house, are likewise different to those around them (they are upper
class).
The gate that Kezia is sitting on, and which she swings open may also be symbolic. It is
possible that Mansfield is likening the gate (at least symbolically) to the social prejudice that
Mrs Burnell (and others) have towards the Kelveys. By allowing Kezia to open the gate to
Lil and Else, Mansfield may be suggesting that likewise, Kezia is removing any obstruction
or social prejudice towards Lil and Else, so that both can be just like the other children in
the story, to be their equal. The little lamp inside the doll’s house may also be important as
Mansfield may be using it to symbolise hope or connection.
The ending of the story is also interesting. Despite the continued social prejudice of Aunt
Beryl (by telling Lil and Else to go home and not come back again), Else appears to be
Page 17
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AOunaffected. As she is sitting beside Lil, she tells her ‘I seen the little lamp.’ This line may be
important as it not only connects Else to Kezia but by seeing the lamp, Else realises that
she is no different to Kezia. Through Kezia’s breaking down of any class barrier that may
have existed between Lil, Else and herself, Else (and Lil) are allowed to be just like all the
other children (equal) in the story.
Vocabulary list
Word Meaning
varnish Hard protective layer to cover especially wooden surfaces.
carter Transporter
despair Complete loss of hope.
traipsing To walk reluctantly
solemn Formal / dignified / sincere
hovered To hang in the air.
titter Giggle
pinafores Collarless, sleeveless dress
humming A slow steady sound like that of a bee.
Questions
1. What is the story “The Doll’s House” concerned with? What is the underlying theme?
2. Whose social attitudes are an important aspect of the story? Why do you think that
is?
3. Who is described using animal images? What do you think this represents?
4. What does the lamp signify? Why do you think that?
5. What does the doll house represent?
6. What does the mutual interest of the lamp for Kezia and Else signify?
7. Is Kezia’s behaviour different from that of her sisters? Provide two reasons.
Answers
1. The story is about:
Class consciousness / differentiation
Social ostracism
Cruelness of children
Children learn through examples set by adults.
Bullying in schools
Page 18
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AO2. Kezia’s societal attitudes are important because she questions the social norm.
The adults’ attitudes about societal class is important, because their children learn
from them and display the same attitudes amongst each other as is seen in the way
they treat the Kelvey-girls.
3. The Kelveys are described using animal images to represents the lower class they
come from. Animals are of a lower class than humans.
4. The lamp signifies truth/ light / awakening. It is in contrast with the other items in the
doll house.
5. The doll house represents upper class society – exquisite, expensive materialistic
details.
6. It signifies that Kezia and Else share the same values in society – they’re simply
looking for playmates, and are not concerned with what class they come from.
7. Kezia invites the Kelveys to see her doll house while the others did not, and she
sees the significance of the lamp while her sisters did not.
Page 19
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AOTRANSFORMING MOMENTS
(Gcina Mhlophe)
Summary
The one thing that stood out the most was the influence that the praise poet had on the
writer. With this one event her whole life changed. The ugly duckling became a beautiful
swan, and all of a sudden her whole perspective changed from "Life was all right.
Everything was going the same ..." to "I felt like jumping and laughing until I could not laugh
any more. I wanted tomorrow to come ..." In the beginning of the story she started by saying
"I thought I was very ugly" and after her encounter with the praise poet she says "my face
didn't feel so ugly - everything just felt fine. My voice sounded like it was a special voice ..."
She started with a very low self esteem and ended truly liking herself. In the first sentence
we are introduced to the author as being a teenager that is lacking in confidence, when she
writes "feeling very unsure of myself". The remainder of the paragraph is dedicated to the
fact that she did "exceptionally well" academically; but this had no influence on the way she
felt about herself. The transformation in this story is on an emotional level. Initially she
experiences herself as being ugly but intelligent; with others only pretending to be her friend
for help with their homework when she writes "some of the girls were forced to be my part-
time friends". She describes her image as "Miss-Ugly-Top-of-the-Class".
It could be argued that she knew what effect the praise poet would have on her. The praise
poet's performance moved the author in such a strong way that she was at a loss for words,
even years later. One could say that the writer had an epiphany the evening of the meeting,
after watching the praise poet, when she said "I made the decision then and there that I
was also a praise poet. That was a beautiful moment for me, to think of myself in that way."
One gets the impression that she felt as if she has given birth to a new creation, her first
poem, the true beginning of her transformation. It is at this point she truly "fell in love with"
herself where she said "everything about me was just perfect".
Vocabulary list
Word Meaning
epitome perfect example
elapsed passed
engrossed deeply interested
rehearsing practising
convince persuade
claimed said
hostility bad feelings
enmity semester half-year
impatiently crossly, angrily
resonant loud, deep
clutching holding tightly
content happy
leaped jumped
Page 20
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AOreflective serious
ululation loud, high-pitched crying
fidget fiddle, play
overwhelming strong
Questions
Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.
Extract A - Paragraphs 1, 2 & 3
1I was seventeen years old and feeling very unsure of myself. With my school work, I was
doing exceptionally well and most of the teachers at the high school loved me – or they
seemed to. My essays were the epitome of good work and they would be read to the whole
class. I was probably proud of myself, even though I didn’t really give it any serious thought.
Somehow, my academic success did not do much for my confidence or give me any self-
love. I thought I was very ugly and the fact that my hair was so hard to manage did not
make things easier. I used to describe it as dry grass in winter. After a while, I even stopped
combing it. I’d wash it and dry it, get dressed in my black skirt and white shirt, which were
not as nice as those of the other girls, and off I’d go to school. To top it all, I had knock-
knees and big feet! I was just so ugly and awkward – I hated myself. And, my God – I sat in
the front desk! Miss-ugly-top-of-the-class.
2 Our school was one of the biggest high schools in the Eastern Cape and we had a great
school choir that simply collected trophies. I remember Bulelwa’s voice every time I think of
our choir. I used to close my eyes and enjoy listening to her sing. I don’t know how many
times I wished I had a tape recorder so that I could tape her voice and have the pleasure of
listening to her for the rest of my life. I must say, I felt great on those rare afternoons when
Bulelwa would come and study with me under the black wattle tree near the teachers’
cottages. I loved that spot. And I also remember that Bulelwa would stand by me when
some of the girls in our dormitory teased me about boys. They knew I was not very
interested in boys and they would go on: ‘But who would want to go out with her? She
doesn’t even try to look good!’
3 I remember this good-looking boy from Port Elizabeth who played rugby. It was halfway
through the year and he still did not have a girlfriend. He was the star of our rugby team. I
knew his name and I’d heard lots about how good he was, but I didn’t really know him – I
was not one to go to the sports field.
Page 21
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AOExtract B - Paragraphs 1,2 & 3
1 And then the imbongi came to greet Father Fikeni. After their longish chat, I was
introduced to him as a very good student – during which time I was frozen and dumb from
disbelief and God knows what else. As I felt the poet’s hot, sweaty hand holding mine, I felt
baptised as a poet too. I think I wanted to say something clever, but all I could do at that
moment was smile and fidget with my button-holes. The poet went on to talk with other
people, who called him Cira.
2 It was a Monday afternoon and I was lying on my stomach in my favourite spot under the
black wattle trees when I wrote my first poem. I’d never had a child, but the great feeling
that swept over me then was too overwhelming for words; I wondered whether that’s how
people feel when they have their first baby. I sat up and read it out loud. I liked the sound of
my own voice, and I liked hearing the poem. I put the paper down and ran my fingers over
my face to feel my features – the smile that wouldn’t leave my face, my nose, my
cheekbones, my eyes, my ears – including the pointy parts at the top that made my ears
look like cups; I even felt my hair and I liked that too. For the first time, I liked the texture of
my hard curly hair and my face didn’t feel so ugly – everything just felt fine. My voice
sounded like it was a special voice, made specially to recite poems with dignity. Resonant –
was that it? That’s the day I fell in love with myself; everything about me was just perfect.
3 I collected my books and the towel I was lying on, stood up and stretched my limbs. I felt
tall and fit. I felt like jumping and laughing until I could not laugh anymore. I wanted
tomorrow to come so that I could go and buy myself a new notebook to write my poems in.
A woman praise poet – I’d never heard of one, but what did it matter? I could be the first
one! I knew Father Fikeni would agree with me. I couldn’t wait to see his face when I read
him my poem. Across the fence, a big red cock flapped its wings and crowed loudly at me,
as if in agreement.
Refer to Extract A: Paragraph 1
1. The seventeen-year-old narrator feels unsure of herself. Quote four consecutive
words from line 3 of this paragraph that suggests her self-doubt.
2. In which area of her school work did the narrator show a particular talent?
3. Did the protagonist’s academic success result in a fulfilling life for her? Give a reason
for your answer and substantiate your opinion with reference to the text.
Page 22
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AORefer to Extract A: Paragraph 2.
4. What do the words, “that simply collected trophies” imply about the school choir?
5. What is the protagonist’s opinion about Bulelwa? Substantiate your answer with
reference to the text. Refer to Extract A: Paragraph 3.
6. Do you think that the narrator admires the “boy from Port Elizabeth”? Give a reason
for your answer.
Refer to Extract B: Paragraph 1.
7. What is an imbongi?
8. Why had Father Fikeni taken the narrator to meet the imbongi?
9. Why does the narrator find it difficult to express her thoughts while she is in the
presence of the imbongi?
10. Why is her meeting with the imbongi a moment of transformation for the narrator?
Refer to Extract B: Paragraphs 2 and 3
11. These paragraphs show how the narrator has developed as a person. Explain in
detail how the narrator changes during the course of the story. Support your opinions
with reference to Extract A: Paragraph 1 and Extract B: Paragraphs 2 and 3.
Answers
1. “Or they seemed to.”
2. Essay writing
3. No, she said her academic success did not do much for her confidence neither did it
help her to love herself. She thought she was ugly and awkward.
4. The choir was very good and received trophies at all their competitions.
The choir did not sing because they liked it, but to collect trophies / win competitions.
The choir was competition driven.
5. She thought Bulelwa sang exceptionally well. She said she could tape her voice and
listen to it for the rest of her life. She also appreciated Bulelwa’s friendship when
other girls made fun of her.
6. No, she states that she remembered him and heard about him but she was not really
interested in him because she was not interested in sport.
7. It is a praise poet.
Page 23
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AO8. He wanted her to realise that she also has the gift of using her words to inspire other
people.
He wanted her to understand that it is fine to be different and that people have
different talents.
He wanted her to come to terms with whom and what she is in order to develop her
talents and skills.
9. She is mesmerised by his presence and talent.
10. When she meets the praise poet, she realises that she also have the talent to write
poetry and bless people with her words.
She realises that she actually likes herself the way she is and does not feel awkward
or ugly any more.
She realises that she does not have to be like the other girls to be successful; she
should just use the talent she has for writing in order to feel and be successful.
11. Refer to the summary above.
Page 24
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AOTHE LAST BREATH
(Sam Kahinga)
Summary
The story focuses on relationships and different types of love. Romantic love is
demonstrated by the narrator’s love for Eva regardless of her disability. It is also highlighted
through his mother’s love for his father. She lost her sparkle / sunshine when his father was
diagnosed with lung cancer and she realised that he will soon die.
This short story also focuses on the unselfish love a parent has for his/her children. The
narrator’s father donated his corneas to his son’s girlfriend because all he wanted was to
make his son happy.
The complicated relationship between the narrator and his father left him feeling bitter and
misunderstood. He felt his father just wanted to interfere with his plans and that he did not
understand his feelings. Only after his father’s death did the narrator realise to what extend
his father loved him. He realised that he was blind to the fact that his father only had his
best interest at heart.
Vocabulary list
Word Meaning
dormitory A large bedroom for a number of people in a school/institution.
swerved Change direction abruptly.
stubborn Not wanting to change one’s attitude.
savagely In a violent and uncontrolled manner.
wry smile Sarcastic / ironic
imitation jewellery A copy of the original piece of jewellery.
Questions
1. Quote FIVE words from the first sentence of the story that is related to the theme of
blindness and sight.
2. Why was the narrator’s father against his wish to marry Eva?
3. Explain the irony when the narrator tells his father, “Then give her eyes.”
4. Describe the narrator’s feelings about his father’s so called interference in his life.
5. Why do you think the narrator’s mother came to his room after he and his father
returned from their visit with Eva?
Page 25
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AO6. How was Eva able to tell that the narrator was sad the next time they met?
7. Describe how the narrator pictured the proposal to the girl of his dreams and indicate
how it differed from his proposal to Eva.
8. State Eva’s reason for not accepting his ring.
9. Do you think the narrator realised who the donor of Eva’s corneas was? Provide a
reason for your answer.
10. What is the mound of earth the narrator refers to towards the conclusion of the
story?
11. Discuss the narrator’s change of attitude towards his father.
12. How is the line “I was blind but now I see …” (from the well known song Amazing
Grace), applicable to this short story?
Answers
1. “watched, glanced, watching, look, eye”
2. Eva was blind and his father was afraid it will become a problem if they are married.
His father wanted what was best for him and being married to a blind person was not
the best option for living a happy life.
His father thought he was too young to make such a huge decision that will impact
on the rest of his life.
3. His father insisted that he cannot marry Eva because she is blind and he the told his
father to give Eva eyes if that would change things. It is ironic because when the
narrator’s father died of cancer, he donated his corneas to Eva; he gave her eyes to
ensure his son happiness.
4. He felt bitter because his father didn’t understand his feelings.
He was resentful that his father interfered with his career choice, causing him to be
stuck in a job he did not like.
He felt rebellious / resentful because their ideas have clashed since he can
remember.
Page 26
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AO5. She wanted to ask him to be patient with his father because he was sick.
She told him that his father is dying of cancer and asked him to be careful when he
say things to his father as it may worsen his condition.
She wanted to explain to her son that whatever her husband is doing is with his
son’s best interest at heart because all he wants is for his son to be happy.
6. She said she could not see how he felt, but she could feel that he is sad.
7. He pictured giving the girl a shiny diamond ring and that she will look at him shyly
when he put the ring on her finger. In contrast, he could only afford a cheap copper
ring and Eva could not look him in the eye, because she is blind.
8. Eva said she will only accept the ring when she can look at it / when she is able to
see it.
9. Yes, he felt a great sorrow when Eva told him about the operation.
He went to his father’s grave and thanked him for giving Eva her eyes.
10. It is the narrator’s father’s grave.
11. At the beginning of the story he felt resentful because his father interfered in his life,
but in the end he was grateful for his father sacrifice towards his happiness.
12. The line is applicable in two ways:
Eva was blind but after receiving a cornea transplant she was able to see.
The narrator was blind to his father’s efforts to ensure that he lead a happy life,
but at the end of the story, he saw that his fathers ultimate sacrifice ensured his
happiness and marriage to Eva.
Page 27
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AONEXT DOOR
(Kurt Vonnegut)
Summary
“Next door" is Kurt Vonnegut's portrayal of a young boy experiencing a night at home alone.
The story opens with the boy's parents leaving him without a sitter for the first time while
they are out to the movies. They are secure in the knowledge that in an emergency their
son can contact the neighbours with whom they share a duplex. The irony is that as soon
as they leave, the son becomes increasingly disturbed by an argument between these
neighbours which he hears distinctly through a shared wall.
The disruption is added to by the blaring of the radio which is turned up so the boy's side of
the house won't hear the argument. The noise and confusion build to a crushing climax with
the boy imagining the expressions and faces of the arguing couple. Unable to bear it any
more, he hits on an inspiration. He calls "All Night Sam" the ever present disc jockey and
makes a dedication from Mr. to Mrs. Hager-a plea for reconciliation.
The ensuing explosion when the woman hears the dedication warns us all is not right. It
seems in fact that she is not Mrs. Hager at all. A frantic argument, the sound of gunshots
and the hurried exit of the woman strike terror in the boy's heart. An inquiring policeman
arrives. "Did you hear any gunshots"? Just at this moment Mr. Hager appears at his door.
The boy is relieved to see him alive and well as he thought he and All-Night Sam killed
him.The return of Mrs. Hager is ironic because it was what Paul actually intended when he
made the call to the radio station.
The closing scene is the return of the parents, finding our hero asleep in his clothes. There
is a strong dramatic irony between his parents’ notion of his quiet evening alone and our
knowledge of the adventure he has survived.
Page 28
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AOVocabulary list
Word Meaning
dwellings apartment / house
fidelity faithfulness
radiant shiny
engendered To be the cause of something.
amiably In a friendly / pleasant manner.
spectra A band of colours / position between two extreme points.
frosted frozen / cold
ragged in tatters / torn / ripped
dedication commitment
hoarsely breathy voice
philandering Having an affair / frequently entering into relationships with opposite sex.
cooing soft sound that doves usually make
squealers betrayers
haggard looking exhausted / tired
urbanely polite
foyer entrance hall to a building / house
pungent musk strong smell
frowzy neglected / stuffy
Questions
1. Why is Paul’s father embarrassed that his wife called their son a baby?
2. Explain why Paul is not allowed to see/watch certain movies, magazines, books and
television shows.
3. Why does Mrs. Leonard insist that Mr. Leonard keep his voice down when they are
in their apartment?
4. Identify and explain the figure of speech in each of the following sentences from the
text:
4.1. “It looked like a glistening brown eel, flecked here and there with tiny spectra
where the light struck the hair just so.”
4.2. “… and dusted at the frosted dot on the lens, where the lens had bitten into
the slide.”
4.3. “The music picked up the house and shook it.”
4.4. “And then the tidal wave of music drowned everything again.”
5. Describe the correlation between the level of noise from the next door apartment and
Paul’s fear.
Page 29
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AO6. What was Paul’s intention when he called All-Night Sam?
7. Did Paul’s plan succeed at first? Provide a reason for your answer.
8. Why did Mr. Harger’s lady friend offer Paul a bicycle or candy when she bumped into
him in the hall?
9. How does Paul’s plan come to a conclusion?
10. Compare the way how Paul’s parents see/regard him.
11. What does the content of Paul’s pockets reveal about his loss of innocence?
Answers
1. Paul was eight years old and his father did not regard him as a baby.
He did not want her to talk about their boy as a baby.
He was embarrassed on his son’s behalf because he was not a baby anymore.
2. Mrs. Leonard believed that some of the material in these media types was not
suitable for children.
Mrs. Leonard did not want to expose her young son to inappropriate material.
3. The walls between the apartments were very thin and the neighbours could hear
each other’s conversations.
She wanted to keep their conversation private as the neighbours would be able to
hear them if they raise their voices.
4.1. Simile
The microscope enlarged Paul’s hair to make it look like an eel (a snake-like fish).
Paul’s hair is compared to an eel.
4.2. Personification
The microscope’s lens was damaged when Paul ground it into the slide. The lens is
given the human ability to be able to bite into the slide and leave tooth marks.
4.3. Personification
The music was so loud it felt as if the house was shaking. The music became a giant
who is able to pick up a house and shake it.
4.4. Metaphor
The music engulfed all the other sounds. The music is compared to a huge wave
(tsunami) that can drown out all other things.
Page 30
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AO5. The higher the noise levels from next door rose, the more afraid Paul became that
the neighbours will kill each other.
6. Paul thought that if All-Night Sam could give a message and dedicate a song to Mrs.
Hager from Mr. Harger, she will see that he loves her and the fighting will end.
7. No, the fight was between Mr. Harger and his girlfriend, Charlotte, and not between
husband and wife as Paul thought. When All-Night Sam dedicated the message to
Mrs. Hager, Charlotte became very angry and the fighting resumed.
8. When Charlotte bumped into him, she tried to bribe him to keep quiet about the fight
and three gun shots he heard.
9. Mr. Harger was not harmed during the fight and Mrs. Harger returned because she
heard the radio message and thought her husband wanted her back. In the end
Paul’s plan had the desired outcome.
10. Paul’s mother regards him as a baby/little boy who cannot do things on his own.
His father believes that he is grown up enough to do certain things on his own, like
staying alone at home for a short period.
11. His mother think that his pocket is filled with childhood mysteries where in fact it is
filled with a bribe to keep quiet about what he had witnessed in his parent’s absence.
Paul’s pocket is filled with bribe money because he witnessed a fight between grown
up people and tried to intervene in his own way.
Paul is a child and believed that all problems could be fixed but in the end the money
in his pocket bears witness to the contrary.
Page 31
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AOTHE NEW TRIBE
(Buchi Emecheta)
Summary
Buchi Emecheta’s The New Tribe (published in 2000 by Heinmann), is a seemingly simple
family story that looks at the issue of racial integration. The story, told from the point of view
of the individuals impacted, centres around their lives growing up in a multi-racial setting.
Ginny, as she is fondly called, is married to a young curate called Arthur and has no child of
her own. She believes her prayer has been answered when a baby girl in a Tesco bag is
brought to her and she earnestly presses for adoption. The child is named Julia. Not long
afterwards, a black woman, Catherine decides to put up her eighteen month old son for
adoption and she chooses Ginny and Arthur. Ginny accepts, though warily and Chester, the
black child finds a home in the personage. Ginny lavishes her love on both children,
especially Chester. She spends time creating an African storybook and reads out one
particular story to him over and over to engrave in him a sense of pride in his heritage.
But, as Chester grows up, so does his sense of not-belonging. The fact that he stands out
different in colour from his sister and parents stares him hard in the face and unlike before,
he begins to detest acting out the orient role always given to him in the school play. He
asks who his true parents are. Ginny and her husband decide to divulge the truth to their
two adopted children. Deeply affected, the two children consequently become withdrawn.
Chester, meanwhile, begins to have recurrent dreams about Nigeria -the country of his
descent.
In The New Tribe, Buchi explores the deeper aspects of mixed-race family life and adoption
– the obstacles and challenges.
Vocabulary list
Word Meaning
aroma Nice smell
vicar Preacher
stupefaction Senseless/ blankness/
parishioners Regular churchgoers/ inhabitants of a specific church
impulsively Acting without thinking about actions
abandoned Having been deserted or left
inseparable Not able to separate
ingenuity Clever/ creative/ innovative
The Orient Countries of the East/ East Asia
squinting One or both eyes partly closed
brutal Violent/ cruel/ cold-blooded
gratitude thankful
Page 32
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AOQuestions
1. What was the “bundle” that was delivered by the paper boy to the doorstep of the
vicar and his wife?
2. Give a reason why you think the paper boy brought the bundle to these specific
people and not to someone else.
3. Quote two words (page 167) from the text to indicate how extensive the search for
the abandoned baby’s parents was and describe the outcome of the search.
4. Distinguish between foster parents and adoptive parents.
5. Why could the adoption of Julia be regarded as a miracle?
6. “One of the social workers now spoke. ‘Chester’s mother is Nigerian.’ The room was
frozen into silence.”
Why do you think Ginny and Arthur was shocked by the above revelation of the
social worker?
7. Indicate the difference in the way Arthur and Ginny dealt with Chester’s adoption
procedures. (Page 169)
8. How did the adoption of the two children change the relationship between Arthur and
Ginny?
9. Identify and explain the figure of speech in the following extract:
“The Arlingtons were like a good strong tree, under whose branches Chester and
Julia sheltered.”
10. Explain the difference between the literal and figurative meaning in the following
words of the principal:
“You little devil, you started the uproar, and now look at you, laughing away with your
sister.”
11. After the Arlingtons told their children that they are adopted, Chester started having
specific dreams about the village he came from. Provide an explanation for the
specific theme of his dreams.
12. How did Arthur’s defiance of his mother’s whish that he plays a wise man in the
nativity play again, change his perception of himself?
Page 33
ENGLISH FAL TALEDI AOAnswers
1. It was an abandoned baby girl.
2. He thought a baby would be best looked after by people from the church.
He thought the vicar would know what to do with the baby.
He knew the vicar and his wife did not have children of their own and would like to
have a baby.
3. “national search”
The baby’s parents could not be found and she was placed in foster care at the
Arlingtons who later adopted her.
4. Foster parents: The government temporarily places a child in the care of a couple or
an individual to look after the child until a permanent solution is found. Foster parent
are paid to look after the child.
Adoptive parents: A couple becomes the legal parents of a child through a legal
process. Adoption is a permanent arrangement.
5. It seems as if Ginny could not have children of her own and the fact that Ginny was
brought to them by chance and they are allowed to adopt her, can be seen as a
miracle.
6. They realized Chester is black/ Nigerian and they already have a white child.
They are shocked because they are white people and the new baby is black.
They are shocked that a black women would leave her baby in the care of white
people.
7. Arthur was very cautious; he didn’t want to get his hopes up high and then be
disappointed.
Ginny was calm and certain about the outcome of the adoption process and said
they will handle obstacles as they arise.
8. Ginny became obsessed with the children and did not pay Arthur a lot of attention
resulting in the lost of intimacy between them.
Ginny was now happy and content in contrast with her longing for a child in the past.
Arthur feels abandoned and sad because he lost his wife’s companionship.
9. simile
The children were safe in the Arlington household.
Page 34
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