A Freedom Song : Marjorie Oludhe-Macgoye

Interpreting Simple Stories

Explain the message from simple stories read

Reading is something most of us practice daily; we read newspapers, magazine, novels and textbooks. However, reading a newspaper differs from reading literature. For one thing, the purpose for reading each one is different, and, therefore, the method must also vary. Reading literature is usually required for your English learning. Although you may feel that reading is the simple task of picking up your book and going through it from cover to cover, there are certain hints that will make reading easier, more understandable, and, in the long run, less time-consuming and more enjoyable.

Literature is an art which uses language carefully to portray a message to society. The following are a few points that may help make your next reading assignment easier to complete.

 

Analyzing short stories

In form One and now in form Two, you have read short stories such as Mabala the Farmer and Kalulu the Hare. You must make reading stories a habit especially if your school has a library. If you do so your vocabulary will improved and you will gain confidence in taking part in class discussions.Choose a book that you can finish reading in one week. A short story is interesting if it 

answers the following features:

Tittle	What is the meaning of the title? Who is the author?
Setting	Does the story happen in one place or many places? Does it last for a short period or does it have several episodes at different times?
characters	Who are they? Do they change their habits? Why are they interesting?
Plot	What problem does the main character face? How is the problem solved? Is the story believable?
Style	Does the author use hints, repletion, songs, dialogue or other techniques?
Theme	How does it relate to the society?
impact	How does the story touch the feelings of the readers?

 

Exercise 1

Choose one of the story books that you have read as a class reader this year. Write down the answers to the following questions

1. What is the title of the book?
2. Who is the author?
3. Name and describe the main character?
4. What does the author say about the rest of the characters?
5. What lesson(s) do we learn from the book?

Interpreting poems
answering questions from poems

Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow

 

 

                      A picture of Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye

A freedom song(by Majorie Oludhe Macgoye)

A Freedom Song : Marjorie Oludhe-Macgoye

Atieno washes dishes,
Atieno plucks the chicken,
Atieno gets up early,
Beds her sacks down in the kitchen,
Atieno eight years old,
Atieno yo.

Since she is my sister’s child,
Atieno needs no pay.
While she works my wife can sit,
Sewing every sunny day:
With he earnings I support,
Atieno yo.

Atieno’ sly and jealous,
Bad example to the kids,
Since she minds them, like a schoolgirl,
Wants their dresses, shoes and beads,
Atieno ten years old,
Atieno yo.

Now my wife has gone to study,
Atieno is less free.
Don’t I keep her, school my own ones,
Pay the party, union fee,
All for progress! Aren't you grateful?
Atieno yo?

Visitors need much attention,
All the more when I work night.
That girl spends too long at market.
Who will teach her what is right?
Atieno rising fourteen,
Atieno yo.

Atieno’s had a baby,
So we know that she is bad.
Fifty fifty it may live,
And repeat the life she had,
Ending in post-partum bleeding,
Atieno yo.

Atieno’s soon replaced;
Meat and sugar more than all,
She ate in such a narrow life,
Were lavished at her funeral.
Atieno’s gone to glory,
Atineo yo.

 

Questions:

1. Who is the imaginary speaker in this poem?
2. Who is Atieno?
3. Where does she sleep? On what?
4. How much is Atieno paid? What reason is given for that?
5. How much housework does the aunt do? Why?