Ninema Analysis - A Silent Song and Other Stories Easy Elimu Study Guide

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Ninema by Vrenika Pather

The Title

The title "Ninema" is an appropriate choice for the short story because it accurately reflects the content and focus of the passage.

Throughout the passage, the character of Ninema is described in detail, including her work as a market gardener, her physical appearance, and her personality.

The passage also describes her relationships with customers and colleagues, and provides insight into her thoughts and experiences.

By using the title "Ninema," the reader is able to immediately understand that the passage is centered around this specific character and will focus on her experiences and story.

The Plot Summary

The passage is about a market gardener named Ninema who grows and sells herbs at the Indian market. Ninema is described as a hardworking and respected woman who is admired by those around her for her skill and determination. Despite facing challenges, including an attack by an unknown assailant, Ninema is described as facing them head-on and winning. She is practical and focused on earning a living, and is well-regarded by her customers.

Ninema is also described as a beautiful woman who is admired by those around her, although she does not seem to be aware of this. She is described as having long, toned arms, a cinched waist, and high, firm breasts, and is known for her piercing black eyes and high cheekbones. Despite the attention she receives from others, Ninema is primarily focused on her work and does not let the attention distract her.

Throughout the passage, Ninema's interactions with customers and colleagues are described in detail. The passage mentions a regular customer named Mr. Chinran, a rich lawyer who is infatuated with Ninema, and Mrs. Singh, a wealthy old woman who is known for haggling over prices but is also a loyal customer. The passage also mentions other lady hawkers at the market who chat with Ninema while they work.

Overall, the passage provides a detailed and nuanced portrayal of Ninema, a strong and determined woman who is respected by those around her for her hard work and determination. Despite facing challenges and societal barriers, as well as a physical attack, Ninema remains focused on her goals and is able to succeed in her chosen profession.

Characters and characterization

List of Characters

  • Ninema: the protagonist of the passage, a market gardener who grows and sells herbs at the Indian market
  • Mr. Chinran: a regular customer of Ninema's who is infatuated with her
  • Mrs. Singh: a wealthy old woman who is known for haggling over prices but is also a loyal customer of Ninema's
  • Other lady hawkers: women who sell goods at the market and interact with Ninema while working at their stalls
  • Attacker: an unknown individual who assaults Ninema

Character Traits

Ninema:

  • Determined: Ninema is described as facing challenges head-on and winning, which suggests that she is determined and resilient.
  • Practical: Ninema is focused on earning a living and is able to handle difficult customers with grace and expertise, which suggests that she is practical and level-headed.
  • Respectful: Ninema is described as treating all of her customers with respect and appreciation, which suggests that she is a respectful and considerate person.
  • Firm/resolute: When Mrs. Singh haggles over prices, Ninema is described as handling the situation masterfully and refusing to budge on the prices she has set, which suggests that she is firm or resolute in her beliefs and is able to stand her ground when faced with difficult or challenging situations.
  • Beautiful: Ninema is described as having physical features that are admired by those around her, such as long, toned arms, a cinched waist, high, firm breasts, piercing black eyes, and high cheekbones. This suggests that she is a beautiful woman.

Mr. Chinran:

  • Infatuated: Mr. Chinran is described as being infatuated with Ninema, which suggests that he has strong feelings of attraction or affection towards her.
  • Wealthy: Mr. Chinran is described as a rich lawyer, which suggests that he has a high socio-economic status and is financially well-off.

Mrs. Singh:

  • Wealthy: Mrs. Singh is described as a wealthy old woman, which suggests that she has a high socio-economic status and is financially well-off.
  • Difficult: Mrs. Singh is described as being known for haggling over prices, which suggests that she is difficult or demanding in her interactions with others.

Other lady hawkers:

  • Friendly: The other lady hawkers are described as chatting amiably with Ninema while they work, which suggests that they are friendly and sociable.

Attacker:

  • Assailant: The attacker is described as assaulting Ninema, which suggests that they are capable of violence and aggression.

Themes

Hard work and determination

The story portrays Ninema as a hardworking and determined woman who is able to overcome challenges and succeed in her chosen profession. This theme suggests that hard work and determination are key to achieving one's goals.

Societal barriers:

The passage mentions societal barriers such as caste and gender, which play a role in the relationships and interactions depicted in the story. This theme suggests that societal norms and expectations can create obstacles and challenges for individuals.

Beauty:

The passage frequently refers to Ninema's physical appearance and how it is admired by others. This theme suggests that beauty and physical attractiveness are valued in society and can have an impact on how an individual is perceived and treated.

Gender roles:

The passage mentions traditional gender roles, such as the expectation that Mr. Chinran's wife will be responsible for buying herbs and the assumption that a relationship between a man of a higher caste and a woman of a lower caste is unthinkable. This theme suggests that traditional gender roles can shape relationships and create expectations for how individuals should behave and interact.

Loyalty:

The passage mentions several characters who are loyal to Ninema, including Mr. Chinran and Mrs. Singh. This theme suggests that loyalty and the ability to form strong, lasting relationships is important.

Violence and aggression towards women:

This theme refers to the use of physical force or coercion against women in a way that is specifically targeted at them because of their gender. The sexual assault on Ninema, as described in the passage, is an example of violence and aggression towards women. This theme suggests that violence and aggression towards women is a serious issue that needs to be addressed and prevented.

Moral decadence:

This theme refers to a decline in moral standards or values within a society. Depending on the context and the specific actions of the assailant, the sexual assault on Ninema could be seen as reflecting a decline in moral standards or a lack of respect for the rights and autonomy of others. In this way, the sexual assault could be interpreted as contributing to the theme of moral decadence within the story.

Stylistic Devices

Personification

When an idea or animal is given human characteristics. “The sky weeps.”

This is a figure of speech that involves attributing human qualities or characteristics to non-human objects or concepts. An example of personification in the passage is the description of Ninema's presence as "displacing the space around her and filling it with gravity."

Imagery:

Imagery is a literary device used in poetry, novels, and other writing that uses vivid description that appeals to a readers' senses to create an image or idea in their head.

Through language, imagery does not only paint a picture, but aims to portray the sensational and emotional experience within text.

This is the use of descriptive language to create vivid mental pictures or sensory experiences for the reader. Examples of imagery in the passage include the description of Ninema's thin chiffon sari "draping effortlessly around her perfect body," the description of her hips swaying as she balances a basket on her head, and the mention of the "heavy enamel flask" of tea.

Alliteration:

Repetition of initial consonant sound.

This is the repetition of the same sound or group of sounds at the beginning of two or more words in a phrase or verse. An example of alliteration in the passage is the repetition of the "s" sound in the phrase "her sari clings to her firm skin."

Repetition:

Repeating words or phrases.

(There are actually many different types of repetition like anaphora and epiphora.)

This is the repetition of the same word or phrase multiple times for emphasis or effect. An example of repetition in the passage is the repeated mention of Ninema sighing.

Hyperbole

Hyperbole, a figure of speech that is an intentional exaggeration for emphasis or comic effect.

This is the use of exaggeration or overstatement for emphasis or effect. An example of hyperbole in the passage is the statement that Ninema can "add faster than you could say the word 'herb.'"

Simile:

Comparing two things using the words “like” or “as”

This is a figure of speech that involves comparing two unlike things using the words "like" or "as." An example of a simile in the passage is the comparison of Ninema's bun to "an uncompromising bun at the nape of her neck."

Metaphor:

Comparing two things without using the words “like” or “as”.

This is a figure of speech that involves making an implicit comparison between two unlike things by implying that one thing is the other. An example of a metaphor in the passage is the comparison of Ninema's breasts to "high, firm breasts" which "cause men to stop and stare."

Onomatopoeia:

Onomatopoeia is one way a poet can create sounds in a poem. An onomatopoeia is a word that actually looks like the sound it makes, and we can almost hear those sounds as we read. Here are some words that are used as examples of onomatopoeia: slam, splash, bam, babble, warble, gurgle, mumble, and belch.

This is the use of words that mimic or imitate the sounds they describe. An example of onomatopoeia in the passage is the use of the word "sigh" to describe Ninema's sighs of acceptance.

Symbolism:

Symbolism is a literary device that uses symbols, be they words, people, marks, locations, or abstract ideas to represent something beyond the literal meaning.

The concept of symbolism is not confined to works of literature: symbols inhabit every corner of our daily life.

This is the use of symbols to represent or suggest ideas or qualities. An example of symbolism in the passage is the mention of Ninema's chumpals, or sandals, which are described as being reserved for "walking to the market and back home" and symbolize her hardworking and practical nature.

Irony:

The definition of irony as a literary device is a situation in which there is a contrast between expectation and reality

This is the use of words to express something different from, or the opposite of, their literal meaning. An example of irony in the passage is the mention of Mrs. Singh, who is described as a "rich old woman" who "always haggled over prices," suggesting that she is not as wealthy as she appears.

Allusion:

Allusion, in literature is an implied or indirect reference to a person, event, or thing or to a part of another text. Most allusions are based on the assumption that there is a body of knowledge that is shared by the author and the reader and that therefore the reader will understand the author's referent

This is a reference to a well-known person, place, event, or literary work. An example of allusion in the passage is the mention of Mr. Chinran, who is described as a "rich lawyer from a Brahmin caste," referencing the caste system in India.

Foreshadowing:

Foreshadowing is a literary device used to give an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story.

Foreshadowing is useful for creating suspense, a feeling of unease, a sense of curiosity, or a mark that things may not be as they seem.

This is the use of hints or clues to suggest events that will occur later in the story. An example of foreshadowing in the passage is the mention of Mr. Chinran wondering "how he would manage to do his herb rounds" once his mother arranges a marriage for him, suggesting that he will no longer be able to visit Ninema as frequently.

Revision questions - Ninema by Vrenika Pather

  1. Compare and contrast Ninema and other lady marketers
  2. What is ironic about Mrs Singh's behaviour?
  3. Ninema is a likeable and admirable character. Do you agree? Give evidence from the story.
  4. How effectively has Vrenika Pather used description in the story?
  5. To succeed in business, one must have the necessary skills to handle customers. Using Ninema in Vrenikas Pather's 'Ninema' support this.
  6. "Hard work and determination pays", Using illustrations from Ninema show the validity of this statement.
  7. Women traders experience challenges in their lives. Show how Ninema deals with these challenges.
  8. Ninema is an admirable character. Support from the story Ninema.

Ninema by Vrenika Pather Essay questions

  1. People with admirable traits stand out. Basing your illustrations on Vrenika Pather's Ninema, write an essay to validate this assertion.

 

 

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