The Flame Trees of Thika: Memories of an African Childhood Short Essay Answer Key

Short Essay Answer Key

1. Describe the personalities of Mr. and Mrs. Oram.

The Orams strike one as a couple of romantics with a deep love for the land, but little love for their fellow man. They enjoyed the adventure of living in remote, "uncivilized" areas, but pulled up stakes as soon as there was even the threat of a single neighbor moving in. Their primary love was for nature.

2. How did Elsepth Huxley describe the smell of Africa?

According to Elspeth, there were no adequate words to convey a sense of the strong smell she remembered from Africa. She wrote that the smell was dry and peppery, yet rich and deep and added that the natives' habit of smearing fat and red ochre on their bodies added to the overall smell.

3. How did Juma view the local inhabitants outside of Nairobi?

A Swahili from the coast, Juma,...
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