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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is Lucia's mother?

2. Who says "Education is the light of Kenya," according to Kamau in Chapter 4 (38)?

3. What does Nyokabi tell Njoroge she will buy him when his father gets paid in the beginning of Chapter 1?

4. What does Mwihaki discover when she rushes home to announced she has passed in school in Chapter 7?

5. Who is said to have changed because of the war in Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. How much time has passed in the "Interlude" between Parts 1 and 2 of the novel? What tone is established in this brief chapter?

2. What is the twist ending of Karanja's story about Dedan Kimathi in Part 2: "Darkness Falls," Chapter 8?

3. How is the relationship between Ngotho and Mr. Howlands depicted in Part 1: "The Waning Light," Chapter 3?

4. How is the home of Njoroge described? How many huts are there?

5. What does Jacobo come to represent to Ngotho in Part 1: "The Waning Light," Chapter 7?

6. Who are the members of Njoroge's family? To whom is he closest?

7. Who is the historical figure referred to as Jomo in the novel?

8. Why does the strike cause conflict in Njoroge's home in Part 1: "The Waning Light," Chapter 6?

9. What does Nairobi represent symbolically to Njoroge and others in Part 1: "The Waning Light," Chapter 5?

10. What do the blacks of Kenya expect to be the outcome of Jomo's trial in Part 2: "Darkness Falls," Chapter 9?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author's use of language and dialogue in Weep Not, Child. What are some examples of the words from the narrative that are centered around its setting? How does the author use dialogue to develop characters and to further illustrate Kenyan culture? Do the characters in this novel communicate in the same ways that we do in our contemporary culture?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the themes of hope and prophecy in Weep Not, Child. How is hope developed as a theme through symbolism? What religious or mythological allusions and references connect to the theme of prophecy?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the motifs of light and darkness in Weep Not, Child. How are these motifs developed through titling in the novel? What are examples of imagery that reflects these motifs? What do lightness and darkness represent?

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