Essay Questions

Which theme connects all the stories in the collection of Margaret Laurence?

Self-distinctiveness emerges as the central theme across all the stories by Margaret Laurence. Most characters are trying to do everything possible to discover who they are. For instance, in the short description 'A Bird in the House,' the narrator is doing whatever she can to understand her living meaning. Similarly, Godman escapes from his master because he feels that his humanity and identity are jeopardized. In the short story 'The Voices of Adamo,' the narrator talks about the tribesmen's aim of maintaining and preserving their culture as a way of upholding their identity. Consequently, self-identity or distinctiveness stands out as the central theme in the entire collection of the short stories by Margaret Lawrence.

What is the significance of the character Ruth in the short story 'The Rain Child'?

Ruth, as a character, helps the author to develop the theme of self-identity crisis. Throughout her childhood, Ruth has been raised and educated in England. When her family returns to Africa, she is enrolled in a local school where she struggles with identity issues because the culture is different from what she is used to doing. She is trying to absorb the culture shock and integrate it. On a similar note, Ruth's father finds it hard to get integrated into the local African culture after working for many years in Europe.

Why did Brother Lemon receive a rude shock when he visited Africa to save souls?

Brother Lemon preached in America most of his life but later decided to come to Africa to save more souls. He believed that his experience and expertise in preaching would deliver thousands of African souls. Upon arriving in Africa, Brother Lemon failed to achieve his expectations because his preaching did not convince the Africans to accept him. Brother Lemon ended up torturing his soul because the African culture hindered him from attaining his salvation goal.