My Father Sun – Sun Johnson

 Chapter Summary
 Discussing of Themes
Overview

Sun-Sun Johnson enjoys life. He has enjoyed starting at the bottom

and working hard to become the biggest landowner in the village.
He enjoys being married to an elegant, out-of-the-ordinary woman,
and he loves his three children. But he doesn’t enjoy keeping up a
position; he can’t be bothered to be dignified or to keep a look out
for scroungers – he aims to be generous, whatever the cost.  The
cost proves to be the loss of his fortune, his home, and his wife to
his greatest rival. Only his eldest son, Rami, remains faithful, and
together they start again, from the bottom.
Chapter 4 - Summary

• In chapter four (4) Sun Sun's farm becomes very prosperous and people
began visiting it in order to purchase goods. Initially, Sun-Sun was stern
with his bargaining, but soon his generosity returned, and he begins give
away his goods. Here, we see Rami bringing him back to reality and share
with him that the same people who were begging him, were buying from
Jake. As a result, Sun-Sun comes to the reality that in order to change his
life, he must change his ways. Sun Sun and Rami decided that they had to
take the produce to a market, but Rami did not want his father to sell in
the market. They decided to sell some goat kids as well. They had a
wonderful dinner at the Hilcher's house, where Betty says she will sell at
the market for Sun-Sun. Sun Sun was not pleased, but agreed to this,
then they went home.
Growth

• What is this significance of the title ? Identify events that link to

growth.
• Draw a mind map where growth is reflected in the chapter, give
six (6) examples and explain.
Chapter 5 - Summary

• Rami and the Hilcher's go to the market to sell. Rami watches a man try to sell a
mangy horse, and he tried to sell his goats in the same fashion, by auctioning
them. He drew a crowd and sold his goats, but murmurs went about that Sun-Sun
Johnson's son was selling goats in the market. Sun-Sun was glad they were
successful at the market and Rami gives his father money to buy a drink with some
of the money that he got from selling the goats. Sun-Sun takes the money and
Donna-Rae and Rami sit by their stall talking. He tells her that he has freedom
with his father, where he is not bothered by his mother's social standards. He
explains the difference between his parents. Then his mother, siblings, Jake and
the chauffeur came along. Debbie is both appalled and livid to see her Rami
selling in the market. Debbie was so upset that she threatened to take Sun- Sun to
court. Sun-Sun arrives and Debbie and the children reject his hand of friendship.
Themes

• Status and money, how does the characters react when they see
Rami and Donna Rae in the market?
• What does Debbie holding Jake’s hand represent?
• Describe the confrontation of Merton and Rami, Debbie the
children and Jake. (This is a vivid picture of the portrait of a
broken family).
• Using this scene, state how Debbie and Merton personalities are
different
• What issues arise out if the confrontation?
Chapter 6

After the confrontation, Sun-Sun goes to the bar, to consulate

himself. Rami questions him about Debbie and Jake’s relationship.
Sun Sun and Rami have a talk about Debbie, as well as whether or
not he should go live with her. Rami ramins resolute in his
decision to stand by his father. A month later, they learn that
Debbie and Jake are getting married. Rami did not attend the
wedding, but watched it from a big tamarind tree near the
church. Surprisingly, Rami goes home to find a happy Sun-Sun.
Theme

• Jake + Debbie = Marriage to status/power

• How does Merton and Rami Respond to the News?
• Rewrite the wedding scene as a dramatic confrontation to the
Wedding. Image you are Rami and Merton, how would you
respond, what would you do differently?