NAME: Samira Aluede FORM4s TEACHER: Mr Sulayman

LITERATURE

1. Dilate on Alex La Guma’s deception of racial divide and

intimidation in the story “The Lemon Orchard”
In The Lemon Orchard by Alex la Guma we have the theme of
racism, discrimination, hierarchy, and injustice. Narrated in the
third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after
reading the story that la Guma may be exploring the theme of
racial divide and intimidation.
The coloured man who is described by his captor’s as being a
‘hot not’ (coloured person) is being led through the lemon orchard
by a group of white men. His hands are bound and for part of the
story he has the muzzle of a shotgun against his back.
His only crime was to have an argument or indifference with the
local church minister. This suggests that there is discrimination
occurring and the coloured man is being maltreated due to his skin
colour.
The reader does not imagine that should a white person of had an
indifference with the church minister that they too would incur the
same difficulties that the coloured man is incurring.
It is also noticeable that the coloured man tries his best not to show
fear to his captors. He is a proud man who knows that what is
happening to him is not only unjust but again is based solely on the
colour of his skin. It may also be symbolically important that the
coloured man is educated yet we know of no education for the group
of white men. La Guma may be suggesting that the four white men
are uneducated when it comes to their actions. Though yet they are
still responsible.
The fact that the clouds are described as being like ‘dirty cotton
wool’ may also be significant as La Guma may be symbolically
suggesting that what is about to happen the coloured man is
something that is not right. Clouds are usually described as being
white and in literature white are often used to symbolise innocence
and beauty. By having the clouds dirty la Guma may be suggesting
 NAME: Samira Aluede FORM4s TEACHER: Mr Sulayman

that nature is tainted in some way. The leader of the group of men is
also an interesting character as the reader is left in little doubt that he
is capable of killing a man. Even so the coloured man remains
dignified throughout the story showing as mentioned no fear. It is
possible that la Guma is highlighting the strength that some
individuals of colour had when faced with adversity. If anything the
real coward in the story is the leader of the group of white men. He
relies on his shotgun to enforce his will on the coloured man.
There is also further symbolism in the story which may be important.
The moon is mentioned on several occasions. Firstly it is described
as being ‘hidden’. Later on in the story, there is moonlight which
suggests that the moon is showing itself in the sky. It is possible that
by hiding the moonlight at the beginning of the story la Guma is
symbolically suggesting that people hid themselves away when it
came to racism in South Africa. Nobody (who was white) stood up.
Similarly when the moon appears at the end of the story what is to
happen the coloured man is something that is known and witnessed
by all. Not only by the perpetrators. The crickets too may be
symbolic of human nature. Those that are near the white men who
are holding the coloured man prisoner are described as having
‘stopped their small noises.’ While further away those not near the
men are continuing to creek. It may be a case that la Guma is
suggesting that the crickets (as human nature) that are far away are
turning a blind eye to what is occurring. While those that are near the
men are waiting to see what will happen. Possibly in support of the
men.
The ending of the story is also interesting. Though the reader can’t
say for sure if the coloured man is killed. La Guma does use
language to suggest that something is going to happen that will result
in either injury or death to the coloured man.  Words like ‘angled
branches’ ‘tips and edges’ shine’ suggest that possibly knives will be
used to harm the coloured man. Whose only crime is to have had an
argument with a white church minister? Even if the coloured man is
not killed he will most likely be scarred for life. Not only because he
is about to be attacked by the group of white men but physically his
 NAME: Samira Aluede FORM4s TEACHER: Mr Sulayman

body will show the marks of the knives. If anything the coloured
man will be an example to other coloured or black men. That there is
a hierarchy in South Africa (at the time the story was written), with
white people being at the top of the hierarchy. A coloured person no
matter how well they might have been educated was to be treated as
a second class citizen who did not have the same rights as white
people.

2. Comment on how Philip Larkin creates a calm,

atmosphere in his poem “coming”
The speaker creates a calm atmosphere as he begins this
piece by placing his narrative within a specific setting. The
poem is based around two interconnected elements of the
speaker’s life that of the setting and of the emotions related to
specific sites and sounds. The speaker walks the reader
through what is essentially an emotional landscape played out
through images of domesticity and natural beauty. 
In the first lines the speaker informs the reader that there are
certain evenings that are somewhat more special than others.
At these times, in which the air feels “Light, chill and yellow,”
there is an inescapable serenity to the scene. It is an element
that doesn’t just exist in this world, but has bathed the
surroundings. A “serene” feeling covers everything in this
place and is said to “Bathe” the front, or “foreheads” of the
neighbouring houses. 
Now that the basic emotional and physical context has been
set, the speaker moves on to provide the reader with some
additional details that add to the scene. In this place the
narrator can hear a “thrush,” a commonly found small bird,
singing in the laurel. It is “surrounded” by the bush but its voice
belts out of the garden. There is nothing to truly stop or
 NAME: Samira Aluede FORM4s TEACHER: Mr Sulayman

obstruct the sounds it makes. The notes are so pure they

sound “fresh-peeled” as if they’ve never been sung before. 
Larkin makes interesting use of personification when he
describes how the emotional landscape touches the physical
space. The sound of the thrush is so arresting that the
“brickwork” of the neighbourhood houses is said to be
“astonished.” 
In the second stanza the speaker turns away from the present
moment to cast his mind into the future. He knows what all
these sights and sounds portend—spring is coming soon.
Larkin has chosen to repeat this line twice. By doing so, the
phrase becomes a briefly recognized mantra. It has been said
before, and will be said again, as if speaking it will hurry the
season. 
For the first time in this piece the speaker refers to himself in
the first person. While it might be tempting, one should not
assume that these memories belong to the writer himself,
more supporting evidence would be needed to support that
claim. Now speaking about himself, the narrator explains that
he had a childhood that was unremarkable. It was filled with
boring days that were so un-noteworthy that he has all but
forgotten them. He brings up his childhood in the effort to
create an impactful contrast when describing his following
emotions. 
With his listless youth in mind, he is experiencing the present
moment as if he is once more a child and has come upon “a
scene / Of adult reconciling.” He imagines himself with the
mind of a child, and feels as if he is witnessing something that
is good, but which he is incapable of fully understanding. 
While one is young, the complexities of adult lives are far out
of reach, and for this projecting narrator he feels, and accepts
that. He knows he will never be able to grasp what it is that
makes spring, and its coming, so joyful.
 NAME: Samira Aluede FORM4s TEACHER: Mr Sulayman

 In the final lines the speaker comes to the conclusion of the
piece, as well as what could be considered the climax of this
short narrative. The emotions he is experiencing culminate in
unstoppable laughter. He feels as if he is feeding off the joy of
the world, just as a child feeds off the joy expressed by a
parent. 

3. Discuss the theme of spiritual fulfilment through nature

in the poem “stormcock in elder”

In the poem stormcock in elder the speaker coveys the

theme of spiritual fulfilment. In the first stanza of this piece
the speaker begins by stating that she is alone in her “dark
hermitage,” or small dwelling. This is a strange situation for a
speaker to be in and may raise a number of questions among
readers. All that one is aware of at this point is that she is
“aloof,” or hidden.
“From the world’s sight and the world’s sound”, She has placed
herself in this position, or made her home in this particular spot, in
an effort to hide from the world. The speaker does not want to be a
part of it. In the next lines she describes how she was moving along
her hovel near the “small door” along the roof, looking “along the
shelf for bread.” 
Instead of finding bread she comes upon “celestial food instead.”
This is the first reference in the poem to another body or force at
work. She has stumbled upon something which is outside her
confined world. 
 NAME: Samira Aluede FORM4s TEACHER: Mr Sulayman

In the sound stanza the speaker clarifies, at least

somewhat, what it is she has found. The first thing she describes is a
noise “close at [her] ear.” It is “loud and wild” and seemingly filled
with “wintry glee.” 
The noise is a shock to her ears, but not an unpleasant one. She refers
to the singer of the song as being an “old unfailing chorister.” It is
someone, or something, which is used to singing. It has honed its
craft over many years but still cannot resist breaking “out in pride of
poetry.” 
From her spot in the roof of the structure the speaker can see “Him.”
He is “glorified” by his singing. 
In the third stanza the speaker describes how the source of the sound,
which the reader will understand as a bird, is “an arm’s-length from
[her] eye.” While she might be extremely close to the bird it has yet
to see her. 
She is so close that she can see his “throbbing throat” and knows that
it is the source of his “cry.” The speaker is also able to see the bird’s
“breast” and how it is covered in “dew from the misty air,” as well as
the “pointed tongue” inside its mouth.

The speaker continues her description of the bird in the fourth stanza.
She begins by focusing on the “large eye” which is…

Ringed with many a ray 

Of minion feathers. 
 NAME: Samira Aluede FORM4s TEACHER: Mr Sulayman

She is noticing the complexity of the bird’s colouring and feather

patterns. They are “finely laid.” She also takes note of the “feet” and
their ability to “grasp the elder-spray” on which he is perching. The
poet uses the rhyme scheme to great effect in these lines when she
writes, “The scale, the sinew, and the claw.” 
The speaker continues her description of the bird in the fourth stanza.
She begins by focusing on the “large eye” which is…

The fifth stanza is the final which focuses heavily on depicting the
bird. She concludes her description by speaking on the way the bird’s
colours are all distinctive but eventually “Merge into russet.” The
bird seems to sport…

Gold sequins, spots of chestnut, shower 

Of silver, like a brindled flower. 
It is not a simple stormcock any longer. It is so much more beautiful
and complex.

In the sixth stanza the speaker departs from her description of the
bird to speak on its larger impact on the world. She completes this
task by first comparing the bird’s jovial nature to “northwest Jack.”
This person is described as being a “Soldier of fortune.” 
Just like the bird, he does well and makes “so brave a show” in the
coldest months of the year. He, and the missile thrush singing so
close to the speaker’s face, is like “rich merchant[s] at a feast.” 
 NAME: Samira Aluede FORM4s TEACHER: Mr Sulayman

In the final stanza the speaker concludes her narrative on a

more sombre note. Up until this point she has been celebrating the
beauty and resilience of the bird. She spent time on each part of its
body, making sure the reader understood how important it is to her,
and should be to any who hears her words. 
In these last lines she speaks on one’s inability to know all parts of
the world. This is in an effort to interest a reader in the fact that many
more will never know the mistle thrush, than do. The speaker has
spent her time glorifying the bird, but time will move on and these
thoughts will be forgotten. 
4. How does Wharton vividly convey the narrator’s
thoughts and feelings at this moment in the story?

At this point of the story, the narrator concludes Grancy has

changed he is more quiet and calm now. The narrator
believes that his happiness was paid with his last coin and
admires his more reserved forces. The narrator felt the
presence of Mrs Grancy. It was as if Mrs Grancy was there
with him.

Although the narrator still feels that there is a sense of

control also despite the second Mrs Grancy being dead.
Ralph still wants to control her. Something evident by the
 NAME: Samira Aluede FORM4s TEACHER: Mr Sulayman

fact that he asks Claydon to repaint the portrait of Mrs

Grancy so that she may look older. Just as Ralph has gotten
older. Though Ralph has tried to do everything to move on
with his life. Even going as far as taking a job in Europe. He
has not been able to escape from his past. He is forever
drawn to Mrs Grancy. This may leave some readers to
suggest that Ralph is unable to move on with his life. He has
never remarried and since Mrs Grancy’s death, there is a
sense that Ralph has lived a lonely life. There is also some
symbolism in the story which may be important. Not only
does the portrait of Mrs Grancy symbolize love for both
Ralph and Claydon but it also symbolizes man’s obsession
with women and how men like to control women (even in
death). The narrator also believes ralph was obsessed with
Mrs grancy. He asked claydon to age the masterpiece of mrs
grancy so that the couple can grow in a way , grow older
together. Ralph is unable to move on with his life is forever
drawn to Mrs Grancy.
 NAME: Samira Aluede FORM4s TEACHER: Mr Sulayman

5. In what ways does Crane memorably portray the

relationships between the men in the open boat?

In the story open boat, the four men are helpless

against the indifferent, yet overwhelming forces of
nature. In "The Open Boat," Stephen Crane not only
comments on the role of nature and God in the life of
man, but the importance of community and brotherhood.
In the story there is an “us against them” vibe going on. The
“us” is the four men on the boat, while the “them” is
everyone and everything else: the ocean, the birds, the
shark, and the imaginary rescue teams that are definitely not
rescuing them. But then there’s the “us”. The relationship the
four men share is very sweet, and pretty profound. They feel
a “subtle brotherhood”, “being out there at sea together.
They don’t talk about it much, but they feel just the same. It
 NAME: Samira Aluede FORM4s TEACHER: Mr Sulayman

makes them feel strong and it gives them a sense of purpose.

The four men in the boat work really hard just to try to
survive. Even though they admit they’re all pretty tired,
nobody ever gives up. The each have their own assigned task,
they commit and they all acquire different skills for example
the oiler is strong, The captain gives directions to the men in
the boat. The correspondent is the thinker and the cook he is
not fit enough to help with the rowing, the cook makes
himself useful by bailing water. They are all different but they
set their differences aside and helped each other in any ways
they could.
In the story, the correspondent shares rowing duties with
the oiler. He is pleasantly surprised to find his heart warmed
by brotherhood that he and the crew have formed in the boat.
In the third part, the narrator digresses to discuss the brotherhood that
exists in the boat. No one speaks of their friendship, but cooperation
reassures the motley crew of their common safety. Though the captain
is injured, the crewmembers obey him and respect each other. The
correspondent, having been taught to distrust men, finds this
camaraderie to be the best experience of his life.