EED102G/102/3/2012

Tutorial letter 102/3/2012

WAYS OF KNOWING: FICTION, POETRY AND DRAMA EED102G

Semester 1 and 2
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH STUDIES

This tutorial letter contains important information about your module.

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SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 1

NOT FOR SUBMISSION

Topic: Assessment: SECTION A Read After Twenty Years by O. Henry (on page 33 in The Fiction Factor). In answering the following questions, remember the importance of supporting your views with evidence from the text (even if we dont always ask you to do so!). 1. Consider the way in which the policeman is described in the first two paragraphs. (a) (b) 2. 3. What impression do we have of him at this stage? (10 lines) Is this impression supported or contradicted by later events? Give reasons for your views. (10 lines) The Fiction Factor Self-Assessed

In what ways does the setting1 contribute to (or detract from) this story? Express your views as fully as possible. (10 lines) Did you enjoy this story or not? Try to give a reasoned response to this question in about a page to a page-and-a-half.

SECTION B This question is concerned with Can Thembas 'The Suit. Please read the story again closely. 1. (a) (b) Using the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary (OALD) and any other resources you can find, attempt to provide a clear definition, with examples, of the term symbol. Would you call the suit in Thembas story a symbol? Write about a page in response to this question.

2. The setting for this story is Sophiatown in the 1950s. (a) (b) What do you know of the history of Sophiatown? (Do some research if you need to!) (7 10 lines) Does what we know (or should know) about Sophiatown affect our reading of this story? (5 lines)

By setting we refer to where the events in the story take place. An important factor in considering setting is to examine how an author has described that setting. The details are often important.

EED102G/102/3 3. 4. 5. What impression do we gain of Philemon from the first two paragraphs? Is the change in his manner convincing? (7 - 10 lines) Look for evidence in the story of a narrator. Comment on the kind of narration employed by Themba. Do you think it is appropriate to the story? (10 lines) Did you enjoy this story? Explain your answer. (10 lines)

SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 2

NOT FOR SUBMISSION

Topic: Assessment: SECTION A Education is one of the major themes in Ndebeles novel, written during the height of the apartheid era. Read the following extract and then answer the question that follows: My children, I said at last, You have just had your first real lesson since you came to school. And from today onwards, know when you come in here to open your books that you look like someone waiting at the railway crossing for the train to pass. But the train before you is a very long one: it is made of years, and years and years. And while it is passing, know that the real school is outside there, and that today, that school was brought into this classroom for a very brief moment. And one day when that school out there is finally brought into this classroom forever, you will know the train of years has passed and it is time to go on with your journey. Now let me look at the register here. Who is next? .... The final bell rang. And immediately, there was a noise of fidgety children picking up books and banging them on the desk to straighten them. No, I would not keep them. Let them go home (p.51). 1. In the first conversation between the two male protagonists, Zani asks the older man, Are you really Teacher Zamani? (p.14). It is therefore clear that teaching is an integral part of the central protagonists identity. Referring to the above extract and to other relevant episodes in the story, write an essay in which you discuss Zamanis journey towards increased selfunderstanding and knowledge in his role as an educator. Fools by Njabulo Ndebele Self-Assessed

SECTION B 1. Draw a mind-map which illustrates the character of Mr Lehamo, the school principal. 2. Using this mind-map as a basis and referring to specific incidents in the story, write a character sketch of Mr Lehamo, outlining his social, educational and political attitudes.

SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 3

NOT FOR SUBMISSION

Topic: Drama: Happy Natives Self-Assessed

Assessment:

1. Consult your OALD and provide appropriate definitions for the following terms: (a) (b) (c) (d) 2. stereotype culture native racist

Coetzee uses Afrikaans as well as profane language (swear words) in this dialogue. In a response of approximately 10 lines discuss what you think his intention is and what effect his use of these words has on your reading of this particular text. (a) (b) Describe the stereotype of Mto and his Zuluness which Kenneth presents. (10 lines) How does Mto subvert this stereotype? (5-7 lines)

3.

4.

Coetzee uses the term natives in two ways. (a) (b) Discuss the two ways in which the term is employed in this text. (5-7 lines) In the light of your definitions of the term, discuss the significance of the title Happy Natives. (10 lines) Please ignore the order form that is in the Tutorial Letter 101 of 2012. Unisa is now linked with the Standard Bank. A new order form for your prescribed book, The Fiction Factor is overleaf. However, if you have already used the form for Absa Bank, this will be acceptable for Semester 1 only. For Semester 2, only the Standard Bank order form will be accepted.

EED102G/102/3
ORDER FORM TO: The Business Section, Unisa Press, PO Box 392, UNISA, 0003 FAX NO: (012) 429-3449 /REFERENCE TEL NOS: (012) 429-3515 / (012) 429-2976 / (012) 429-3448/ (012) 429-3368 / (012) 429-2953 NB: Please note that the University no longer banks with ABSA bank. The new bank is Standard bank, see bank account details below PRICE: (PUBLICATION IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY, AND PRICE MAY INCREASE) Please send me the following Unisa publication: FICTION FACTOR (ITEM NO:8199) SA price: R 70.00 Overseas prices: Other countries in Africa: (VAT AND POSTAGE INCLUDED) US$16.00; UK10.00 ; 13.00 R92.00 } (all these prices INCLUDE AIRMAIL)

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