‘The Interview’: Full Novel Analysis Notes

‘The Interview’: Full Novel Analysis Notes


01. INTRODUCTION OF THE NOVEL

"The Interview" is the modern novel that follows the story of Joe Kimani, a young man who has lost his parents and his family has been separated because of tribal clashes between his tribe and another tribe. These tribal clashes put Joe, his brother and his two sisters into a homeless and poor life situation. Despite these life challenges, Joe, his brother and his two sisters work hard knowing that one day they can succeed. 

 

ANALYSIS OF THE NOVEL

FORM

01. TITLE AND SETTING

1. TITLE OF THE NOVEL 

The title of the novel "The Interview" reflects the contents of the book. It symbolises the outcomes of the missed interview. The missed interview can bring about both bad and good outcomes. The title also shows how someone should never give up on something even after the failure because no one knows what tomorrow may bring.  

 

2. THE SETTING OF THE NOVEL

This novel is set in Kenya, after the independence. It is also in various areas in Kenya like Molo, Gishu District, Burnt Forest, and Nairobi. The setting of this novel is relevant to most African societies where rural life is dominated by farming and it is where the land conflicts originate.

 

02. THE PLOT OF THE NOVEL

The novel comprises 12 chapters. Here is the precise summary for each chapter: 

 

CHAPTER ONE (5 - 12) A CAR

This chapter introduces Joe Kimani who is the main character of the novel. He wakes up and goes to the interview. Also, the chapter talks about how Joe meets an old woman at Bus Stop. The old woman gets an accident and Joe helps her. After helping this woman, Joe becomes later for the interview.)

 

It’s on Friday 15th. Joe wakes up at 7:30. He is too late for the interview. He completed Form IV Exams previous year but he has no certificate. His brother, David Kibe has not cleared the school fee of shillings 40,000 to the Nairobi Central Academy. (p.5) Their parents were killed in ethnic conflict some years ago in Uasin Gishu District. When the fighting started, Joe and his elder sisters, Lucy Nduta and Mary Waithera escaped and they were sheltered by their Uncle, Uncle Jonathan. Their parents bodies were never found. Their homes were destroyed and new dwellers told Joe to never go back if he values his life. (p.6)

On the way to the interview, Joe meets other pedestrians and the old beggar, a woman who is mentally disturbed. She is as if she is fighting with unseen person or ghost. (p.7).  Joe wants to go to the interview. He wants a lab assistant position at one of the major chemical firms in the city. (p.7). Joe is waiting for Matatu at a bus stop just like other people.  Matatus are few and passengers scramble for them. It was just a case of survival of the fittest (p.8).

The old woman beggar tries to cross the road while the speedy Matatu is coming at the bus stop. Joe pulls her away from the road and he helps her away from the road. Other pedestrians are just watching as Joe tries to help her alone.

The driver has driven off to avoid the angry people. Ambulance comes later followed by the police vehicle. Joe still hopes that he will go to the interview no matter what. One woman police, fat and touch-looking woman, asks Joe Kimani some questions about the accident. At the end, the woman police asks Joe to follow them for the police statement. The old woman is taken into the ambulance for hospital and Joe goes to the Police.

 

CHAPTER TWO (13 - 19) HOSPITAL

In this chapter, Joe makes sure the old woman arrives at the hospital and starts receiving treatment. He also provides the statement on how the accident happened. After that, he is taken back to the interview.

 

 

Joe is in the ambulance with the medics. One Medic is called Freddie. (p.13). The Medic asks Joe if he is related to the old woman. Joe refuses. Joe knows his maternal grandmother who was in Kitale. He saw his paternal grandmother when he was a baby but she was later killed in ethnic clashes in Molo.

Finally, ambulance arrives at the hospital and Joe is taken to the reporting room of the hospital police post by Chief Inspector Margaret Kinyua. Joe didnt know that the woman police is the boss. Now he has realized that.

Joe narrates everything that happened. CI Kinyua congratulates Joe for his bravery and offer him a ride to the interview he was supposed to attend. CI Kinyua orders Constable Kilonzo to rush Joe to the interview. (p.16) Before going to the interview, Joe goes to check on the old woman who got an accident. He is taken by Freddie, the Medic. In the room where the old lady is, Joe meets Dr. Ochieng who is attending her. (p.17) Doctor says she will be okay. Freddie and Joe leaves the room. Now, Constable Kilonzo takes Joe to the City Soap Industries, Kampala Road in Industrial Area. In the road, Joe think of careless driving of sleeping Kilonzo and the old lady. They arrive. Driver turns back and Joe goes in the building for interview. (p.18)

 

 

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Emmanuel Kachele is a founder and Blogger of KACHELE ONLINE Blog, an educational blog where 'O' Level English - 'OLE', 'A' Level English (ALE) and other related teaching and life skills are shared extensively. This is an online center for all Tanzanian Secondary School English Language students and teachers (Forms I-VI) and all interested English Language learners and teachers worldwide.

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