The literature ‘Rainbow and Her Daughter ‘by Tupou Posesi Fanua.

This essay will elaborate

more on the Oral Literature ‘Rainbow and Her Daughter’ to describe its generic feature with
example and its purpose in the story.
Oral Literature is found in societies with and without writing. Oral literature are stories that
are told in writing and are being read by different people, of different races in different
countries come to learn others culture.
The first generic features, the use of movement of the character to the natural world and
the unnatural world. For example, the first movement was the two brothers (Pungatoloaki
and Hemaimatangi) lived together. They both decided to move to the natural world to look
for their wife.
Another movement, the two brothers (Ofatonoa and Hemaimatangi’s sons) travelled to the
unnatural world in search for their father who went missing without a trace. They both
disagreed with the decision that their mom decided on, in marrying their uncle so that he
could take up the role as their father and could take care of them.
Moreover, the second generic feature, the use of chants. For example, Ofatonoa used
chanted words to call her mother (Umata) which is (‘Blow wind from the south, go tell
Umata the man Hemaimatangi in spites of my sores, asked me to be his wife’…). Another
generic feature the use of didactic purpose. For example, this story gives a message of love,
Ofatonoa’s love for Hemaimatangi was stronger, so strong, in fact, that it was like a mighty
rock shelter for her home and family.
Furthermore, this story also talks about the relationship between Umata (Rainbow) and
Ofatonoa (Unrequitted love). Umata loved her daughter so much that she went to an
extentof casting her with all sores all over her body only to protect her from all the wicked
people on earth. Until a day came when Ofatonoa met the man who loved her without
caring of the sores on her body. In addition, Pungatoloaki loved his brother (Hemaimatangi).
It came a time where Pungatoloaki was jealous of his brother who had not only a beautiful
wife but also two handsome sons.

To sum up, it now be said that Oral Literature is Literary Genre in which generic features has
been discussed with example. For it transmit values, beliefs, and wisdom of a community.

(400 words)
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ASSIGNMENT 1

Name: Adi Nasau

ID :20190789