SHS Literature in English: Questions on The Son of Umbele

SHS Literature in English: Questions on The Son of Umbele – Download PDF

This write up consists of questions on The Son of Umbele. See the content overview below

Contents

English Questions on “The Son of Umbele” (with Answers). 2

Multiple Choice Questions on “The Son of Umbele” with Answers. 4

Summary of the son of umbele

“The Son of Umbele” unfolds in three acts, telling the tragic story of Joshua, heir to the powerful and ruthless businesswoman Umbele.

Act I

We meet the humble fisherman Sumako, his ailing wife, and their children Ekey and Benko. Joshua, disguised as a beggar, arrives seeking shelter and assistance. He initially clashes with Benko, but Sumako offers hospitality despite Ekey’s suspicions.

Joshua reveals himself as Umbele’s son, claiming he wants to escape his mother’s influence and seek redemption for her misdeeds. He begins a romantic relationship with Sumako’s daughter Duella, while also befriending Benko.

Act II

Joshua’s true nature starts to emerge. He becomes arrogant and demanding, exploiting Sumako’s generosity and manipulating Duella. His ambitions clash with Benko’s more traditional values, leading to tension and rivalry.

Sumako’s illness worsens, and Joshua makes a reckless deal with a local chief, promising gold in exchange for a mythical fish believed to have healing powers.

Act III

As Sumako passes away, the tension between Joshua and Benko boils over. They engage in a fierce duel, culminating in a tragic accident that leaves Benko fatally wounded. Driven to despair and guilt, Joshua takes his own life.

The play ends with the community grappling with the consequences of Joshua’s actions. Sumako’s spirit appears, urging reconciliation and the rebuilding of their shattered lives.

This summary touches on the main plot points, but the play’s richness lies in its exploration of complex emotions, ethical dilemmas, and the clash between individual ambition and communal obligation.

English Questions on “The Son of Umbele” (with Answers)

Section A: Comprehension (40 marks)

In Act I, what conflicting impressions does the audience form of Joshua? Provide textual evidence to support your answer. (4 marks)

We see Joshua as both vulnerable and manipulative. He arrives disguised as a beggar, seeking help and claiming to want to escape his mother’s influence. This portrays him as someone seeking redemption and connection. However, he quickly starts exploiting Sumako’s generosity and manipulating Duella, showing a side of arrogance and ruthlessness.

How does the use of flashbacks in Act II contribute to the development of the play’s themes? (4 marks)

The flashbacks to Umbele’s past reveal the source of her ruthlessness and ambition, shedding light on Joshua’s upbringing and motivations. This deepens the exploration of themes like family legacy, the cycle of violence, and the struggle between traditional and modern values.

Identify and explain the significance of two symbols used in the play. Provide textual evidence to support your answer. (8 marks)

The Fish: Represents hope, healing, and redemption. Joshua seeks the mythical fish for his ailing mother, symbolizing his desire to make amends for his family’s wrongs. Its elusiveness ultimately reflects the difficulty of escaping the past and achieving true redemption.

The Kaya Cloth: Represents tradition, community, and feminine strength. Ekey’s refusal to give Joshua the cloth symbolizes her commitment to protecting her family’s legacy and values. It also highlights the clash between Joshua’s individualistic ambitions and the community’s needs.

Analyze the significance of the final scenes in Act III. How do they impact the audience’s understanding of the play’s message? (8 marks)

Sumako’s spirit appearing and urging reconciliation emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and rebuilding after tragedy. Benko’s death and Joshua’s suicide serve as stark consequences of their actions, highlighting the dangers of pride, ambition, and neglecting traditional values. These final scenes leave the audience with a sense of sadness and reflection, prompting them to consider the play’s themes of family, responsibility, and the cyclical nature of life.

Discuss the role of fate and free will in “The Son of Umbele.” How do these concepts contribute to the development of the plot and characters? (8 marks)

The play explores the tension between fate and free will. Some characters, like Benko, believe in predetermined paths, while others, like Joshua, strive to carve their own destinies. While some events, like Sumako’s death, seem fated, Joshua’s choices ultimately lead to his tragic downfall, suggesting that individual choices play a significant role in shaping their lives. This tension adds depth and complexity to the characters, making them more than just victims of circumstance.

Section B: Essay (60 marks)

Choose one of the following statements and write an essay in response, supporting your arguments with textual evidence from the play:

“The Son of Umbele” is a powerful tragedy that explores the destructive consequences of ambition and pride.”
“The play highlights the clash between traditional values and the temptations of modernity in post-colonial Africa.”
“Characterize Joshua as a complex and ultimately sympathetic figure in spite of his flaws”

SECTION C OPTIONAL (20)

Compare and contrast the portrayal of family dynamics and generational conflict in “The Son of Umbele” with another literary work you have studied

Multiple Choice Questions on “The Son of Umbele” with Answers

Section A: Comprehension

What disguise does Joshua use to enter Sumako’s village? (1 mark) a) A priest seeking sanctuary b) A royal messenger demanding tribute c) A weary hunter lost in the wilderness d) A destitute beggar seeking compassion

Answer: d) A destitute beggar seeking compassion

What motivates Sumako to cast the golden lure, hoping to catch the mythical fish? (1 mark) a) To gain wealth and prestige for the village b) To fulfill a sacred ritual for ancestors c) To cure her ailing son, Duella d) To appease the angry spirits of the river

Answer: c) To cure her ailing son, Duella

What sparks Benko’s initial suspicion of Joshua’s true identity? (1 mark) a) Joshua’s lack of knowledge about village customs b) A cryptic dream or prophecy revealing a stranger’s arrival c) Scars on Joshua’s hands from wielding a weapon d) A hidden object found in Joshua’s belongings

Answer: c) Scars on Joshua’s hands from wielding a weapon

Who warns Sumako against trusting Joshua and believing his stories? (1 mark) a) The village witch doctor b) An elder with mystical insight c) Her confidante and close friend, Ekey d) Her youngest son, Joshua

Answer: c) Her confidante and close friend, Ekey

What tragic event ultimately triggers the conflict between Joshua and Benko? (1 mark) a) Joshua’s attempt to flee the village with Duella b) The death of Sumako after falling ill c) Benko’s discovery of Joshua’s hidden past d) Joshua’s accidental poisoning of Benko during a feast

Answer: a) Joshua’s attempt to flee the village with Duella

Section B: Literary Analysis

Which symbol in the play embodies the cyclical nature of life and the weight of the past? (1 mark) a) The burning fire in the village center b) The ever-flowing river near the village c) The mask Joshua wears during the funeral rituals d) The baobab tree standing ancient and imposing

Answer: b) The ever-flowing river near the village

The play explores the theme of ambition and its potential consequences. Choose the statement that best captures this: (1 mark) a) Dreams and aspirations fuel progress and motivate individuals. b) Unchecked ambition can lead to destructive actions and tragic outcomes. c) True fulfillment comes from following tradition and fulfilling societal expectations. d) Achieving personal goals through manipulation and deceit is ultimately justified.

Answer: b) Unchecked ambition can lead to destructive actions and tragic outcomes.

9. How does the character of Sumako contribute to the theme of forgiveness and reconciliation? (1 mark)

a) Through her unwavering loyalty to tradition and ancestral practices. b) By seeking revenge on those who wronged her and caused her pain. c) Through her acts of compassion and understanding even towards her enemies. d) By clinging to the past and refusing to move forward from her suffering.

Answer: c) Through her acts of compassion and understanding even towards her enemies.

10. The use of flashbacks in the play serves several purposes. Which of the following is NOT one of them? (1 mark)

a) Providing backstory and motivations for characters. b) Building suspense and mystery about the past events. c) Adding humor and lightheartedness to the story. d) Demonstrating the influence of past actions on the present.

Answer: c) Adding humor and lightheartedness to the story.

11. The play offers a complex ending with multiple interpretations. Which statement best reflects the message conveyed? (1 mark)

a) Tragedy is inevitable, and seeking redemption is futile in the face of fate. b) The cycle of violence and vengeance will continue to plague the village. c) Hope for healing and reconciliation exists even amidst pain and loss. d) Justice prevails in the end, and those who break tradition face punishment.

Answer: c) Hope for healing and reconciliation exists even amidst pain and loss

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