The Relationship between Miyare and Mwoso - Assignment Example

READING RESPONSE 4

• Explain the relationship between Miyare and Mwoso. What does the tension between the two reveal about Miyare? What does it reveal about Mwoso?

Miyare and Mwoso are step-brothers who lived and grew together since they were young in the village. Mwoso is the one who remained at home to look after the family and gave a chance to Miyare to go and study at Makerere University. It is clear that professor Miyare was able to recognize his step-brother from the crowd which had come at the airport to welcome him back to his motherland. "he was able to recognize his step-brother Mwoso,” (Ogot 175)

Tension grew between Miyare and his brother on his arrival day at the airport. The welcoming he received from his Mwoso and his supporters was not appealing to him. He was angered and embarrassed by his brother and his supporters' demonstration at the airport; he regarded it as a wrong impression and damaging his reputation as an academic person. “Did Mwoso realize how damaging such public demonstration could be to his step-brother's reputation as an academic person" (Ogot 175)

The tension between them gives a clear picture of their character and personality. Miyare considered himself an academic person, and he has nothing to do with politics; therefore, the scene at the airport was damaging his reputation. It is clear from Miyare that politics and intellect work can never go hand in hand. “He ought to know that politics and intellectual work can never be comfortable bed-fellows.” (Ogot 175)

We also realize that Miyare cares more about his academic work more than anything else. We see that he even accuses himself of ignoring his people and showing affection to King-Jones and Jenkins because they are of the same profession. He never sees what is wrong with that since they were his academic peers.

The tension reveals how Mwoso cares more about politics and thus cared more about the people since the Kolanyi people were the ones to vote for him. Mwoso tries his best to persuade Miyare to meet his people before the election, but his efforts bore no fruits. Rosemary, Miyare’s wife, also persuades Miyare to meet his people at least once before the election. Still, he claims that he is not a politician, and his brother and Kolanyi people should know that. “I am not a politician, Mwoso, and the Kolanyi people ought to know me by now.” (Ogot 183)

Mwoso is very different from Miyare; Mwoso is a politician; unlike his brother, who is an academic person, he is more concerned about his people's welfare, and he used all he could to gain his brother’s influence. He even writes a letter to Miyare explaining that his fate relies on him and urges him to go home, but he never goes. When mwaso loses the parliamentary seat to a local primary school teacher, he develops hatred and anger towards his brother. He sees his brother as a traitor because he was the primary reason for his loss.

2. What role does family play in the story? What does it tell us about the characters? What does it tell us about the world they inhabit?

Family plays a vital role in the development of the story. It gives a sense of identity and belonging. It is clear from the thoughts of Miyare that he fully shared his hopes and aspiration with his people. “He had come back to his native land and to his people whose aspirations and hopes he fully shared.” (Ogot 174)

The family set a foundation for personal and academic development. It is clear that Miyare’s family also contributed to his success. He was given priority to study at Makerere University rather than his brother because he was younger. His brother was left behind to look after the family welfare.

Family reveals Miyare’s character as a self-centered and stereotyped man. When his father visited him in Nairobi, instead of attending to his father and happily chat with him, he tells his wife that it was good that his father had come. Still, he was ill-timed, and he would not have the time since he is in the middle of an important experiment. "That is kind of him-but still the visit is ill-timed. I just won’t have the time.” (Ogot 221) This shows that he has little time to spend with his family and spends most of his time in the laboratory.

Miyare’s wife, Rosemary, is so concerned about the family. She spends most of her time lonely because of her ever-busy husband. Her view that it is wiser for family members to spend time together. She is hurt by the fact that she was accused of having poisoned Miyare. “The family had accused her of having poisoned their son’s heart against them.” (Ogot 222) However, that is not the case.

A family should bring joy among its members, that's why Rosemary tells Miyare that she thinks that his father had come to share in their happiness for a short while. However, Miyare lives in his world, and he cares less about the family and more about his profession. Miyare’s character makes Rosemary live a life she never wished for, a life of loneliness and emptiness. She even wonders whether the wives of other professors also lead the same breath she is leading.

Family locates one socially. His father claims that his achievements have brought the family, especially him, sorrow. "Of late, I have felt very sorrowful, my son." (Ogot 222) people laugh at his family because his education has not brought luxury at home, but laughter and scorn. This revelation awakened Miyare's conscience about his family and social status.

3. What role does politics play in the story? What does it tell us about the characters? What does it tell us about the world they inhabit?

Politics inhibit every nation, and politics affect our daily lives either directly or indirectly. Politics give a clear picture of the society in which we live; different characters in the story view politics in a different way; thus, politics have been used to develop and characterize different characters in the story.

Politics has influenced different characters differently; in the story, Mwoso is a politician and cares about his status in society. This is the way he was leading the demonstration at the airport with his people. He cares more about the welfare of his supporters and his popularity; this is why he was earnestly begging his brother to meet his people so that he could win the election.

However, his brother never did that for he was not interested in politics and led to his failure. This nearly ruined Mwoso’s health. He considered his brother as a traitor who had stabbed him in the back because he was not of the same education as he was. "But that month, Mwoso lost the Kolanyi seat to a primary school teacher, following a bitter struggle which nearly ruined his health.” (Ogot 196)

On the other side, Miyare was in his world of intellects, and he never believes that politics and intellect could go hand in hand. This is why he is never interested in helping his brother win the parliamentary seat but interested in his work. He believes that he has nothing to do with politics. Professor Jenkins cautions Miyare that the whole nation is suffering from election fever, and they cannot change that fact. "the whole country is suffering from election fever. You and I can't change that'" (Ogot 179)

Rosemary, on the other side, though she is also learned person, we can say she also cares about family and more so about politics. That’s why she persuades her husband to help his brother. She tells her husband that politics is also part of their people but his husbands never heed to that persuasion. He instead tells her to keep out of politics since he needs a peace of mind. “And please Rosy, keep out of politics. I need peace of mind.” (Ogot 183)

Miyare also questions why the parliament is influencing the intellects. He claims that according to the law the parliament cannot appoint anybody to anybody in then university but he is told that that applies only theoretically but actually, politics is affecting almost every aspect.

4. How does tradition come into conflict with modernity in the story?

The heart transplant the professor was planning to perform and he succeeded in it was supposed to be a remarkable achievement of which the whole continent should have been proud of, however, it led to rising of many questions from the African traditions and norms.

It is clear from the thoughts of Mwoso after his loss in the polls that the next thing his brother would do would be to create a heart and then human being and God would destroy those who compete with Him. “And he hoped Miyare would not escape God’s wrath.” (197) was not this Miyare’s achievement worth to celebrate?

It is clear that the tradition conflicts modernity when Mwoso tells Rosemary to tell her husband that he was provoking the ancestors and that their ancestors are jealous and often destructive when provoked. Therefore, he should not plant a heart from one person to another without consulting the elders since it was an organ of death and life. Rosemary knew that she can never share that with the professor as she knew it was way backward and she could not put those thoughts before professor Miyare who was in his own world. This clearly shows how the tradition perceived the whole operation of a heart transplant.

Rosemary on the other side is also overwhelmed by mixed reactions. Her husband was trying to rival God who made man in his own image. “As an individual being, man is composed of body and soul. And when man dies, these two separates.” According to her, soul and heart were synonymous and thus questions this scientific activity which makes her scared.

The professor was also accused of witchcraft instead of being celebrated. They claim that because the donor was buried without a heart, it was going to bring misfortune in the land. “My people are accusing me of practicing witchcraft…they can do irreparable harm.” (217)

There was conflict of tradition and modernity where the professor Miyare was celebrating the achievement with his fellow professors and was told to deliver a speech. He claimed that he was breaking one of the oldest and cherished African customs where one cannot make a speech at his own marriage ceremony nor a bride can sing at her wedding. ‘African people say that a man does not make a speech at his marriage ceremony, nor can bride sing in her wedding.” (214)

Finally, we also see that professor Miyare’s laboratory became a haunted place because of his background. There are many complains from his relatives since he never attended funerals of dead friends and relatives as the tradition says. His wife who had supported him had also turned on him as she was also a traditional woman guided by norms of an absolute society.

5. Why do you think Ogot chose to close the story with the sentence “AFRICA IS DEAD” (229)? How does that reflect on the story?

The author decided to end the story, ‘the professor’, with the words ‘AFRICA IS DEAD’ so as to give clear image of how the state is, image of how the professor views his mother Africa.

Professor Miyare is deeply criticizing the African culture and people who never cherish scientific works but instead they criticize scientists. He had plans and ambitions, studied hard so that to answer the question of Africa and leave scientific milestones of which his people would be proud of but instead, he receives the opposite.

He wonders why won’t the Africans understand the responsibilities of a doctor because of their trial and error work they engage and just give them peace of mind to dwell in their scientific research. This is why professor Miyare wished he was from another continent. “For a moment, Professor Miyare wished he were a European or an American or even a Japanese” (228) there, at least people understood, recognized and respected scientists unlike here in Africa.

It is also clear that the professor is against the words ‘GOD IS DEAD’ because in his opinion, God had to be a live for he had to sit in judgement between him and Africa. According to professor, Africa had throated his scientific aspirations and had made him a frustrated brooding academic. “Africa, the great question mark, which had turned him into a frustrated and brooding academic.” (227)

He claims that other scientists, in other continents were never heard talking of family demands unlike in Africa where they are met by demands by family and relatives. There, they devote their full attention to the problem of finding cur for human diseases. He even claims that his wife who had supported him had now turned on him and thus he had no support from the people who were guided by the norms of an obsolete society. He even wonders how many African women would be willing to let their husbands go to the moon.

The bitter part of it is seeing his scientific dreams set back by political influence and pressure. He is saddened by the fact that the other professors allied to support the proposal to make him the medical faculty. He pleaded almost in tears because that position was going to deter him from performing other surgery but all was in vain. “I will never be able to do another heart transplant ““he pleaded almost in tears “(229)

Lastly, professor Miyare is terrified by the fact that in Africa laws are made only theoretical but never put into practical. This is because the parliament is not supposed to influence the university but as we see itb influencing claiming that voters have to be pleased. Indeed, AFRICA IS DEAD.

Open ResponseLet’s try this again. In 500 to 1000 words write a ​fictional​ story about anything. Be sure to explore themes in your story and develop characters.

My brother had always been so curious about knowing mysterious stuffs but his curiosity always dragged me into trouble and despite all the troubles I got in I kept doing what he tells me to , one day when Rama came from his friend's place he told me about this creepy cabin in the middle of the woods inside the forest near our village.

" I'm not going this time, you always got me into trouble and scare me to death so why the hell would I come now what's in it for me" I answered " just trust me you won't regret this one we'll probably discover something and... And if you're this scared you can wait outside, I'll just take a look and come back" said Rama looking at me with his 'innocent' expression on. I averted my eyes from his so I couldn't look at him because that face always got me " no, no Rama" I shook my head that’s when he dropped the bomb " I promise I will clean the house and do all your chores including your homework for a week" " 2 weeks" I corrected him , he knew my weaknesses I hated cleaning the house and doing my homework, doing my home work was a must but cleaning the house while Rama is out having fun with his friends is the worst thing and I'd do anything to see him work himself off like I always do.

After my mum died my father needed help because as a single dad he couldn't do everything on his own he works all day he needed to take care of my sister and food, well thanks to my aunt she took care of my sister and the food, we ate and for the cleaning part I was the only one available from his three kids because 1, I'm older than my little sister Amina who is 6 year old and 2, I'm younger than Rama who is almost 18 and is now supposed to be busy with his studies but he actually wastes his time with his friends rather than studying "now that's my bro" he gave me a pat on my shoulder "whatever" I rolled my eyes at him.

It was after midnight when Rama scared the shit out of me "get up, sleepy head we have to go " he gave me a punch and I could barely see because I just woke up and my eyes were blurry "what?! Now?" I whispered not trying to wake my dad and sister "yeah, come on try to not make a noise now " he held his index finger on his lips trying to shush me and thankfully we didn't get busted "come on " Rama was leading all the way and oh my God the forest was scary, very scary. It had these creepy noises and owls hooting and it was pitch black we both could barely see but then Rama took my dad’s little flashlight from his pocket and turned it on I sighed and it was a sigh of relief I felt much better now that I could see where we are going ( or be sure if there's a monster coming for us) after we walked a few miles Rama stopped and there was the cabin he was talking about it was very creepy even creepier than the forest and when you think about what’s in there or why they choose to build it in the middle of a forest it gets even creepier and creepier "you coming?" He turned his face and asked me "no I'm good here" or maybe not because being outside won’t be any good the place is just scary, but maybe I could keep myself safe from the gruesome images of the bodies and the serial killer inside that cabin "hey, if you're in trouble just scream, okay?" I actually said that because that could be a sign for me to make run for it " I know what you're thinking , you're a such a wimp " said Rama heading to the cabin, I shrugged and said nothing but also kept thinking about what might be in there, I was scared shitless and but then I heard footsteps behind me it was as if someone was behind me I slowly turned my face to see what’s there but there was nothing I tried to calm myself despite the fear in me and again I heard footsteps this time a bit closer to me I didn't want to look but I had to I looked to my left side and then to the right that’s when I saw a shadow 'it must be a tree I'm just being paranoid ' I told myself but then the footsteps got closer and louder and shadow I saw started moving I was scared very scared I didn't know what to do.

I was scared to scream and I was scared to just be quiet, I was scared to look and I was scared not to so I just quickly turned my face and to my surprise there was nothing not even the tree I thought of "what are you looking at?" I jumped because I didn't know Rama got out but thankfully it was just him and not the creepy shadow thing " n...nothing" I stuttered "what did you get inside" I asked but Rama’s face changed instantly " nothing " he said ,we then agreed to go back home and on our way home " but really, what did u see?" I asked again he looked to the ground and kept being silent " let's just never mention about this place again" said Rama after his long silence I nodded and we just went home days passed and Rama was never curious about anything at all I still have no idea what he saw or what the footsteps and the shadows behind me were.

Family reveals Miyare’s character as a self-centered and stereotyped man. When his father visited him in Nairobi, instead of attending to his father and happily chat with him, he tells his wife that it was good that his father had come. Still, he was ill-timed, and he would not have the time since he is in the middle of an important experiment. "That is kind of him-but still the visit is ill-timed. I just won’t have the time.” (Ogot 221) This shows that he has little time to spend with his family and spends most of his time in the laboratory.

Miyare’s wife, Rosemary, is so concerned about the family. She spends most of her time lonely because of her ever-busy husband. Her view that it is wiser for family members to spend time together. She is hurt by the fact that she was accused of having poisoned Miyare. “The family had accused her of having poisoned their son’s heart against them.” (Ogot 222) However, that is not the case.

A family should bring joy among its members, that's why Rosemary tells Miyare that she thinks that his father had come to share in their happiness for a short while. However, Miyare lives in his world, and he cares less about the family and more about his profession. Miyare’s character makes Rosemary live a life she never wished for, a life of loneliness and emptiness. She even wonders whether the wives of other professors also lead the same breath she is leading.

Family locates one socially. His father claims that his achievements have brought the family, especially him, sorrow. "Of late, I have felt very sorrowful, my son." (Ogot 222) people laugh at his family because his education has not brought luxury at home, but laughter and scorn. This revelation awakened Miyare's conscience about his family and social status.

3. What role does politics play in the story? What does it tell us about the characters? What does it tell us about the world they inhabit?

Politics inhibit every nation, and politics affect our daily lives either directly or indirectly. Politics give a clear picture of the society in which we live; different characters in the story view politics in a different way; thus, politics have been used to develop and characterize different characters in the story.

Politics has influenced different characters differently; in the story, Mwoso is a politician and cares about his status in society. This is the way he was leading the demonstration at the airport with his people. He cares more about the welfare of his supporters and his popularity; this is why he was earnestly begging his brother to meet his people so that he could win the election.

However, his brother never did that for he was not interested in politics and led to his failure. This nearly ruined Mwoso’s health. He considered his brother as a traitor who had stabbed him in the back because he was not of the same education as he was. "But that month, Mwoso lost the Kolanyi seat to a primary school teacher, following a bitter struggle which nearly ruined his health.” (Ogot 196)

On the other side, Miyare was in his world of intellects, and he never believes that politics and intellect could go hand in hand. This is why he is never interested in helping his brother win the parliamentary seat but interested in his work. He believes that he has nothing to do with politics. Professor Jenkins cautions Miyare that the whole nation is suffering from election fever, and they cannot change that fact. "the whole country is suffering from election fever. You and I can't change that'" (Ogot 179)

Rosemary, on the other side, though she is also learned person, we can say she also cares about family and more so about politics. That’s why she persuades her husband to help his brother. She tells her husband that politics is also part of their people but his husbands never heed to that persuasion. He instead tells her to keep out of politics since he needs a peace of mind. Read More