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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