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

A Silent Song - Leonard Kibera

About the Author

Leonard Kibera was a Kenyan novelist and short story writer who died in 1976.

Kibera was born in Kabete, Kenya, attended high school at Embu and studied at the University of California and Stanford University.

He taught at the University of Zambia and at Kenyatta University, Kenya, from 1976 until his death. His first publication was a book of short stories, Potent Ash (1968), which he wrote with his brother, Samuel Kahiga. The book explores the guilt, betrayal, and failure of the Mau Mau.

Several of the stories have been anthologized, especially The Spider's Web, which points an accusing finger at Kenya's elite for the state of Kenya since independence.

His only novel, Voices in the Dark (1970), uses dark humour to question why most Mau Mau soldiers who fought for independence were forgotten and left to beg and die along the roadside. Kibera has also written several articles of literary criticism.

The Plot Summary

A Silent Song by Leonard Kibera is a story about Mbane, a young, paralyzed, blind city street beggar who has spent much of his life living on the streets of a city, begging for money and seeking shelter in a back lane at night. He lives in destitution, begging from the passers-by while seething with pain and discomfort. However, despite being surrounded by people and activity, Mbane is isolated and unable to fully participate in the rhythms and pleasures of urban life. He is unable to share in the small talk of the pedestrians, and even when they sing or whistle to the morning sky, Mbane can only observe from a distance.

In the story, the city is depicted as a place of noise and activity, with people singing and dancing and engaging in various forms of work and leisure. However, Mbane is only able to experience this activity from a limited perspective, and is unable to fully understand or participate in it. This is due to Mbane's blindness, paralysis and destitution as such he cannot really participate in the city's noise and activity.

In contrast to Mbane's destitution his brother is a wealthy preacher who 'rescues' Mbane from the 'barbaric city' unto the 'light of God' after neglecting him for a long time. Mbane's brother 'rescues' him from the city and brings him to a hut in a serene, but suspicious, location.

Mbane reflects on his life in the city and the differences between his new surroundings and the city, including the lack of noise and busyness, the presence of trees, and the fact that his brother has brought him here with the intention of showing him the "light of God."

Though Mbane was unable to fully join in and express himself in the city with its vibrant energy and culture he misses it. He painfully reminisces his street life with nostalgia at his brother's lonely hut. He thinks about his brother and wonders what his intentions are in bringing him to the hut.

He is not as happy though he is now in a more serene environment. He remembers the bright weather, lovely morning and beautiful sunset as the citybustling with people during the day talk. At night, the good men and women turned drunk and the pimps and whores have their turn to smile, sing and dance. Though he used to beg day and night for a living.

In his religious brother Ezekiel's hut, Mbane is nursed by Sarah, his brother's wife, who administers bitter fluid down his throat. He swallows it painfully, and she assures him of being well.

His religious brother, Ezekiel, preaches to him about Christ, the saved ones and sinners. He asks him whether he knows where sinners go when they die and whether he accepts Jesus, and Mbane says he doesn't know.

Mbane wonders why certain groups, such as pimps and whores, are considered bad, and reflects on the violence and hostility that he has witnessed in the city.

Mbane is in pain and struggling to survive, and at one point he is overwhelmed by sharp pangs and momentarily paralyzed by them.

Before Ezekiel saves him (brings him into the light of God), Mbane's strength wanes, the pain goes, his head jerks down to the bed, and he is gone.

In the end, Mbane is unable to fully comprehend or connect with his brother, and feels that his brother's efforts to communicate and guide him are like a silent song - a message that is present, but that Mbane is unable to fully hear or understand.

Despite this, Mbane remains hopeful that his brother's intentions are well-intentioned and that he will be able to find meaning and purpose in his new surroundings.

Key Moments in the story

Mbane's life of misery in the streets as a lame, blind beggar. (p17 - 19).
Mbanes's lonely self versus the bubbly world around him. (p18 - 19).
Mbane's nostalgia. (p18).
Mbane's brother, Ezekiel, rescues him. (p19 - 20).

The Title

The title "A Silent Song" could be interpreted in a few different ways, all of which seem fitting for the story described.

--> One possibility is that the title refers to Mbane's own experience of living on the streets of the city.

Despite being surrounded by people and activity, Mbane is isolated and unable to fully participate in the rhythms and pleasures of urban life.

He is unable to share in the small talk of the pedestrians, and even when they sing or whistle to the morning sky, Mbane can only observe from a distance.

In this sense, Mbane's life is like a silent song - he is present, but unable to fully join in or express himself.

--> Another possibility is that the title refers to the city itself, and the way in which it is described in the story.

The city is depicted as a place of noise and activity, with people singing and dancing and engaging in various forms of work and leisure.

However, Mbane is only able to experience this activity from a limited perspective, and is unable to fully understand or participate in it. As a result, the city's vibrant energy and culture might be seen as a kind of silent song - it is present, but beyond Mbane's reach.

--> Finally, the title could also be interpreted as a metaphor for Mbane's relationship with his brother.

The brother is described as being silent and enigmatic, and Mbane is unsure of his intentions in bringing him to the hut.

The brother's actions and words seem to suggest that he is trying to show Mbane something, perhaps the "light of God," but Mbane is unable to fully comprehend or connect with him.

In this sense, the brother's efforts to communicate and guide Mbane might be seen as a silent song - a message that is present, but that Mbane is unable to fully hear or understand.

Characters and Characterization

List of Characters

Mbane: the protagonist of the story, a young man who has spent much of his life living on the streets of a city, begging for money and seeking shelter in a back lane at night. He is in pain and struggling to survive. He passes away at the hut, smiling.
Ezekiel: a man who is present at the hut with Mbane and his wife Sarah. He tries to encourage Mbane to accept Christ and be baptized, but becomes angry and frustrated with Mbane's lack of commitment. He ultimately decides to let Mbane be and not give him over to the devil.
Sarah: Ezekiel's wife, a woman who is present at the hut with Mbane and confirms his passing.

Character Traits

Mbane

Vulnerable: Mbane has spent much of his life living on the streets, begging for money and seeking shelter in a back lane at night. This difficult and precarious existence has left him vulnerable and exposed to various dangers and hardships.
Isolated: Despite being surrounded by people and activity in the city, Mbane is depicted as being isolated and unable to fully participate in or understand the rhythms and pleasures of urban life. He is unable to share in the small talk of the pedestrians and can only observe from a distance.
Reflective: Mbane is depicted as being introspective and reflective, thinking about his life and the world around him. He reflects on his time on the streets of the city and the differences between his new surroundings and the city, and wonders about the intentions of his brother.
Non-judgmental: Mbane is depicted as being accepting and non-judgmental towards the pimps and whores who frequent the back lane where he seeks shelter at night. He does not view them as "bad" or immoral, but rather as simply a part of his environment.
Open-minded: Despite his struggles and difficult circumstances, Mbane seems to be open to new ideas and experiences. He is receptive to Ezekiel's attempts to guide him towards Christ and seems to come to a sense of acceptance and understanding before he dies.
Observant - despite being physically blind and paralyzed, Mbane is able to 'see' so much of the city through his other senses.
Sceptical - He thinks about his brother and wonders what his intentions are in bringing him to the hut.
Enduring - Though he is destitute and living in misery in the city he endures.

Ezekiel

Religious: Ezekiel is depicted as being deeply religious and concerned with Mbane's spiritual well-being. He tries to encourage Mbane to accept Christ and be baptized, and becomes frustrated when Mbane resists.
Compassionate: Despite his frustration with Mbane's lack of commitment, Ezekiel is depicted as being compassionate and caring towards Mbane. He is concerned for Mbane's physical and spiritual welfare and does not want to give him over to the devil.
Persistent: Ezekiel is depicted as being persistent in his efforts to guide Mbane towards Christ. He continues to try to encourage Mbane to accept his beliefs even when Mbane resists or is uncertain.
Frustrated: Ezekiel becomes frustrated with Mbane's lack of commitment and seems to believe that Mbane is being obstinate or difficult. He becomes angry and hisses at Mbane, accusing him of being worse than Judas. However, he ultimately decides to let Mbane be and not give him over to the devil.
Hypocritical - he rescues his brother only to show him the 'light of God' after neglecting him for a long time. That is against the religious teachings.

Sarah

Reserved

Themes

Religion

The character of Ezekiel is depicted as being deeply religious and trying to encourage Mbane to accept Christ and be baptized. The theme of religion is present throughout the story and is a major focus of Ezekiel's interactions with Mbane.

Religious hypocrisy/pretentious piety

Mbane's brother, Ezekiel, is so devoted to God a preacher but neglects him for a long time till he realizes Mbane is nearing his death.

He picks him up and brings him to his hut, claiming it is rescuing only for Mbane to feel lonelier and more miserable. "I rescued you from that barbaric city so that you can see the light of God.

The desolate hut is not a habitable place for him. It has a flea-ridden floor. .

He could tell that there was meaning in his brother's silence of late... (p18).

Asked whether he knows a man called Jesus, he says "Yes", but whether he believes and accepts him, Mbane says, "1 don't know," and his brother says Mbane is worse than a Judas. This portrays hypocrisy, and Christians would not talk like this.

It is ironical and hypocritical for Ezekiel to tell Mbane, "Mbane - I want Christ to save you..." (p20) as though he has already judged him as a sinner and that "Christ" will come down from heaven to do the good to him while his brother watches.

There is a pretence in the way good Christian men and women curse and call him names instead of bringing the excellent knowledge of Christ to him. '... able-bodied, only crippled more every day by the idleness of leisurely begging'.

He could only yearn impotently beyond the reach of darkness and lameness. At times, self-pity overcame him.

The God of the Gospel and religion are comforts beyond the reach of a wretched cripple. His God is his only hope of deliverance from pain, destitution and despair. (p18 - 20).

Survival

Mbane is depicted as struggling to survive on the streets of the city, enduring pain and hardship in order to survive. His eventual passing at the hut can be seen as a metaphor for the struggles and challenges that we all face in life.

Prostitution and sexual slavery

There is evidence of such sexual evils as commercial sex and promiscuity.

The blind man knows, sees, and recalls City Street with nostalgia. The noises, drum beating and rhythms which Mbane calls the voices of good men and women turned drunk in the refuge of the night brothels, pimps and whores galore.

Meaning and Purpose

Mbane is depicted as being introspective and reflective, thinking about his life and the world around him. He seems to be searching for a sense of meaning or purpose in his existence, and wonders about the intentions of his brother.

Alcoholism and escapism

The street, especially the back lane, had taught Mbane a lot of ... good men and women turned drunk in the refuge of the night brothels, pimps and whores galore. (Pg. 8).

Belief and Faith

The theme of belief and faith is present in the story through Ezekiel's efforts to encourage Mbane to accept Christ and be baptized. The story touches on the idea that belief and faith can be a source of strength and comfort, even in difficult circumstances.

Compassion and Caring

The theme of compassion and caring is present in the story through Ezekiel's concern for Mbane's physical and spiritual welfare. He tries to guide Mbane towards Christ out of a sense of compassion and concern, and ultimately decides to let Mbane be and not give him over to the devil.

Stylistic Devices

Personification

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

The wind is personified in the line "the wind whizzing through the trees around his new confinement." This gives the wind a sense of agency and human-like qualities, making it seem more active and dynamic.

Metaphor

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

The metaphor of Mbane's "eternal night" is used to describe his sense of isolation and inability to fully participate in or understand the rhythms and pleasures of urban life. This metaphor helps to convey the idea of Mbane's inner experience in a more imaginative and evocative way.

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.

The story makes use of imagery to describe the setting and atmosphere of the hut, as well as Mbane's experiences on the streets of the city. For example, the description of the city as a "barbaric" place, with "quick footsteps of busy people prancing away fitly to business" and "the gay morning as their footsteps sang their way down the pavement" helps to create a vivid and immersive sense of the setting.

Repetition

Repeating words or phrases.

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

The phrase "the light of God" is repeated several times throughout the story, most notably when Ezekiel tells Mbane that he brought him to the hut "so that you can see the light of God." This repetition helps to emphasize the importance of this concept to Ezekiel and the centrality of faith in the story.

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sound.

The repetition of the "s" sound in the phrase "surrender his vulnerability to sleep" creates a sense of flow and continuity in the language.

Simile

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

The simile "as the sun withdrew he knew not where, to yield the street to hostile cold" compares the sun's movement to a person retreating or withdrawing. This helps to convey the sense of the sun's absence in a more imaginative and evocative way.

Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is a powerful and common technique used in literally works to hint at future events.

It not only creates suspense and tension but can also hold symbolic value, too.

The mention of Mbane's brother's "strange" and "well-intentioned" voice, as well as the reference to Mbane's "new life away from the streets of the City" could be seen as foreshadowing Mbane's eventual passing at the hut. These details suggest that something significant is going to happen, even if it is not yet clear what that might be.

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.

The hut where Mbane passes away could be seen as a symbol of Mbane's physical and spiritual confinement, as well as a place of transition and transformation. The fact that Mbane sees the light before he passes away could be seen as a symbol of enlightenment or spiritual awakening.

Revision questions - A Silent Song.

Discuss the relevance of the title of the story, A Silent Song.
Brainstorm about the paradox in the title, A Silent Song.
How can you tell that Mbane 'sees' and knows a lot in the city street despite being blind? A Silent Song.
Why is it ironic for Ezekiel to claim to rescue his brother Mbane from the barbaric city?
Why is Mbane reluctant to accept Christ?
What is the plight of people living with disability
Is death liberating for a man living in anguish?
Why do you think Mbane dies while smiling?

Essay Question

People living on the streets apply wisdom in order to survive the difficult conditions. Write an essay to qualify this statement citing illustrations from Rem'y Ngamije’s The Neighbourhood Watch.

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