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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. Where does the woman in the wilderness tell Matigari he can find truth and justice?

2. Who does the Minister of Truth tell his audience saved the country?

3. Why does the Minister say the factory will take back all workers except Ngarũro wa Kirĩro?

4. What does the Provincial Commissioner say he has banned?

5. What new name does the Provincial Commissioner give to Trampville?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the inside of the Mercedes Matigari drives out of the wilderness. What does Gũthera say about it?

2. How does Matigari get a Mercedes to drive he and Gũthera and Mũriũki out of the wilderness?

3. What method does The Voice of Truth say they suspect the patients at the mental hospital used to escape at the start of Part III?

4. Why does the Provincial Commissioner compare Matigari to Rip Van Winkle?

5. What is the verdict for both Matigari and Ngarũro wa Kirĩro? Where are they taken?

6. What does the Minister of Truth tell his audience he and John Boy Junior have in common? What does he say happened to John Boy Junior's father?

7. Who does Gũthera realize the woman in the Mercedes is? Why is this ironic?

8. What types of things does the Voice of Truth say their government will purchase with loans from the British, European, and U.S. governments?

9. What does Ngarũro wa Kirĩro say after the Minister of Truth says he will be the only factory worker not allowed to return to work?

10. Who does the Minister of Truth tell the audience "the country's... welfare and stability are dependent on" (97) after Matigari is arrested?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing Ngũgĩ's language style and word choice in Matigari. What are some words that stand out to you and why? What words are repeated? What words are most impactful? Explain your answers

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay examining the ending of Matigari. How did the ending fit into the storyline? Do you think the ending was effective? What theme might the ending represent? What might the author have done differently?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss elements of the narrative structure: Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

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