PLOT SUMMARY-
A lot has happened in When Rain Clouds Gather since the first chapter. Makhaya is now safely in the Botswana borders, or so he thinks. Both Chief Matenge and Joas Tsepe want badly to throw Makhaya in jail, as a result of him being a refugee. George Appleby-Smith, a police officer, has declared that he would 'stick his neck out' for Makhaya, no matter what happens, and has also helped Makhaya to get his papers in which allow him to become a resident of Botswana and no longer be considered a refugee. George is acting under Cheif Sekoto, who is Cheif Matenge's brother and is much more kind and generous than his sibling as well Years ago both of the cheifs had an argument, and split up, so now they rule two different parts of the land, and are in much contempt for eachother. Chief Matenge has a plot to kill his brother, and Chief Sekoto wishes, with George's help, to protect Makhaya and throw Chief Matenge into jail. Although Makhaya has obvious enemies, he also has made great friends, who'll stand by him no matter what. Dinorega has taken him under his wing, and introduced Makhaya to his daughter, Maria, and adopted son Gilbert. Makhaya has been working with Gilbert on his agriculture project; trying to get rid of the cattle co-operatives and start planting millet, which could grown in conditions with only three inches of rain. Just recently we have been introduced to a new character, Paulina Sebeso. She moved to Botswana, with her two children, Isaac and Lorato, after her husband died. I think she fancies Makhaya, because she sent her daughter over to Makhaya one day in order to give him greetings that her mother offered. Makhaya responded rudely, and then walked away. Paulina thinks that he likes Maria, but that thought was quickly shut down as Gilbert proposed to Maria later that night.
CENTRAL CONFLICT-
The central conflict is mainly between the two chiefs. Their contempt for each other is shown very obviously. These feelings get in the way of how they rule and influences their thoughts. Whatever one wants, the other wants the exact opposite. I do like Chief Sekoto much more than his brother, because he wants to help Makhaya rather than getting him in trouble and getting him banished out of the country or thrown in jail. However, Cheif Matenge wants nothing more than to throw out the refugee and see the downfall of his brother, as well as all of Makhaya's friends; especially Dinorega and Gilbert.
MAIN CHARACTER-
Makhaya seems like a very intelligent and shy person. He doesn't really like much talk, but he does enjoy listening and learning. He doesn't seem as bad as Chief Matenge makes him out to be. He really wants to learn about the agriculture and what Gilbert has to teach him. He also seems really reserved. Makhaya doesn't really like to make bother to starting conversation, or forcing himself upon people. Although, he is really headstrong with his beliefs and opinions, such as those on government. He reminds me of the breeze; coming and going as he pleases, never being too uptight or serious, and just going with the flow, wherever he ends up, he'll gain knowledge as well as spread knowledge.
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2 comments:
In this novel Bessie Head Subtly explores her vision of a new Africa. The Characters and events in the story are purely symbolic. Makaya for instance represent the Africa free from the traditions of tribalism which seem to inhibit growth of the people. We learn that there is a long lasting drought because of the tribal tradition of farming out the land. We learn also that these traditions keep the people from growing crops that would not only keep them from starving but which they could also sell. Gilbert is symbolic of the changes that Africa must make if it is to move into the new scientific era. The coming together of Gilbert and Makahya then is very significant.
Maria is symbolic of the New kind of woman that it will take for Africa to survive. She is intelligent and is able to make life easier by mixing African traditions with European customs like when she built shelves in the hut, like she had seen in magazines. Her marriage to Gilbert then becomes very significant.
Dinorego is symbolic of the old Africans Confused by the changes but willing to see how these changes can make life easier for the Arican. His calling Gilbert and Makhaya his sons then becomes significant.
(To be continued)
Actually Makhaya wasn't trying to get rid of the cattle cooperatives. They were introduced by Gilbert to prevent Matenge & Joas Tsepe from further exploiting the villagers who wanted to sell their cattle.
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