INHERITANCE STUDY NOTES: A guide for KCSE candidates.

INHERITANCE NOTES DAVID MULWA

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO INHERITANCE BY DAVID MULWA

For video content please click the YOUTUBE button below 


Inheritance is a play by David Mulwa set in the fictional Kutula republic. The main issues tackled in the play include:

·                    Misuse of power

·                    oppression

·                    exploitation

·                    imperialism

·                    corruption

·                    poverty

1.                 Lacuna Kasoo misuses his power to enrich himself while oppressing the docile citizens of Kutula republic.

2.                 Together with his cronies like Chipande and Malipoa, he mismanages loans he procures from foreign financiers.

3.                 He borrows in his people’s name but banks the money in his individual account.

Characters in Inheritance by David Mulwa

1.                 Thorne Macay

2.                 Bishop Menninger

3.                 King Kutula XV

4.                 Reverend Sangoi

5.                 Romanus Bengo

6.                 Tamina Zen Melo

7.                 Lulu Zen Melo

8.                 Judah Zen Melo

9.                 Councillor Chipande

10.            Councillor Malipoa

11.            Daniel Goldstein

12.            Robert Rollerstone

13.            A host of other supporting characters

Themes in Inheritance by David Mulwa

1.                 Misuse of power

·                    Lacuna constructs a dam which causes the citizens of Kutula Republic misery. All streams lead to the dam making the valley dry. The dam is 15 kilometers away from Tamina’s village. Some citizens have to walk for the whole day in order to access the rare resource. (P 18-20)  

·                    Lacuna is hands off as a leader. He only gives orders (P 71). His ministers run their own ministries without his supervision. “They keep their share of the money” (P 73)

·                    Lacuna appoints his tribesmen to run his government. They are lax and inefficient. The outcome of this is irredeemable mismanagement of resources; 15% decline in output, rotten machines and turbines that need to be replaced. Judah Zen Melo has to befriend Mithambo, Kasoo’s tribesman, in order to get a promotion at Kasoo’s mines where he works as a gate keeper. (P 34)

·                    Lacuna uses 10 billion meant to buy new machines and service the mines to buy him a swanky plane in order to soar above “these petty people and their complaints gossip and hate.” He regards the 84 million citizens as subjects not equals. (P 71-72)

·                    Lacuna, in cahoots with his ministers, pockets 30 % of the balance of the 30 billion shilling loan. He banks it in his individual account abroad. (P 74)

 

2.                 Oppression

Those who sing a different tune from Lacuna face the full force of his wrath.

·                     Lacuna conspires to kill Romanus Bengo. Lacuna claims that he has a thorn in his political side which he wants plucked out. He wants Judah Zen Melo to prove his loyalty by killing his own brother, Romanus Bengo (who is a dissident and an activist against Lacuna’s leadership).

·                     Lacuna offers Judah Zen Melo good things for him and his family should he kill Romanus Bengo, his brother. Judah declines and says he cannot betray his brother and the mother who bore them. He becomes an enemy of the state. Lacuna’s thugs beat him up badly leaving him for dead. He is also dismissed from his government job.

·                    After dismissing Zen Melo, Lacuna relieves him of his cars and government house.

·                    Lacuna arrests Romanus Bengo (for opposing his brand of leadership) and throws him behind bars for a long time. (P 19, 27)

·                    Lulu, a 19 year old school girl, declines Lacuna Kasoo’s advances. He detains her and keeps her at his palace against her will. He flirts with her and even kisses her despite her protests. (P 92-94)

"You were born to soar above the eagles and perch nowhete but in our humble palace" (P 93)

" ... making me young again but beggar - a worshipper at the door of your heart." (P 93)

·                    Lacuna refuses Lulu the liberty to attend her father’s 2^nd interment, which is mandatory, in conformity with customary laws. (P 119)

·                    Lacuna has detained Lulu for a over a month and she is distraught (P 120). She cries a lot as a result. 

·                    Lacuna plans to marry Lulu who is just a 19 year old school girl. Lulu is mortified since she perceives Lacuna as an elder/father and a leader. She has plans of completing school and becoming a doctor. He tries to woo and seduce her with all sorts of niceties but she turns down his offer.  (P117, 119)

·                    Lacuna murders Judah Zen Melo. Robert says, “It was murder for poor Judah, not the age of the machine.” (P 108) He deceives the world that Judah was killed by an old machine, while struggling to work faster and quadruple production.  Lulu says: “You killed my father?” (P 120)

 

3.                 Exploitation

·                 Chipande, Lacuna’s henchman (political advisor) and an MP, forces Tamina to sell her piece of land to him for peanuts (very little money). Since her husband is kicked out of her government job, she is forced to pick coffee at Chipande’s farm in order to raise money to take care of Lulu. (P 24)

                     

·                    Tamina works from dusk to dawn at no extra coin. She can barely afford her daughter Lulu’s school fees. (P 27)

·                    After the white man leaves, Chipande grabs all the land on Bukelenge Mountains. He buys land from Tamina for peanuts claiming he cannot compete with a peasant. He also goes to the Leader and blocks others from obtaining a licence to grow coffee (P 29) 

·                    When the financiers demand that Lacuna pays the interest on the monies advanced to him so far, he says he shall make the subjects pay for their leader and for the seat of power his father paid for with his blood. (P 83)

 

4.                 Corruption

·        Lacuna borrows money in his people’s name and banks it in his individual offshore accounts. (P 61)

·        The money was meant to bolster the economy and better the lives of the people. Kasoo squanders this money. “Apart from lining your pockets and those of your immediate supporters, you have wasted loans advanced to you for development”. (P 64, 77)

 

5.                 Imperialism/colonization

·        Kutula colony is under the imperial rule of white colonialists like Governor Macay and his advisor Bishop Menninger. They come in politely but sooner than later take over operations of the colony, something that angers King Kutula XV. When he decides to kick out the imperialists, they hatch a flawless plan to have him killed with the help of his own son, Lacuna Kasoo. Lacuna is made the new king. The imperialists know that they can manipulate him like a marionette. (P 15-16) (P 68-69)

·        Menninger plans to brainwash and addle Princess Sangoi through western education and religion. “She will return here the very mother and goddess of confusion” (P 15)

·        When Lacuna throws a lavish banquet, he spends a colossal amount of money. He imports beer and wine from Robert’s subsidiary company and expensive food from abroad. Coffee is grown in Kutula but processed and imported from London at exorbitant prices. Eventually, the imperialists reap maximum benefits while the citizens of Kutula continue to suffer and wallow in poverty. (P 61)

·        In order to continue having a firm grip on Kutula’s affairs, the imperialists advance Lacuna more money despite squandering the billions he received initially. However they impose some strict conditions to be met for the funds to be released. (P 81)

·        Goldstein wants Lacuna to privatize public sectors in order to create wealth. Also, to expand the economy to embrace more foreign investment. (P 77)

·        The conditions are exploitative to the natives who have to work hard for little reward. (P 77-78)

 ·         Reduction of wages

·         Removal of price controls

·         Go easy on foreign exchange

·         Quadruple production of silver and gold

·         Reduction of employment

·         Longer working hours

·         Lacuna is forced to dance to the financier’s tune (Please Robert)

 

·          Goldstein arm twists Lacuna into nationalizing the valley and to allow them to occupy it. They plan to irrigate it and grow food to feed the whole of Africa. Their ulterior motive is to use the valley for their own avarices (selfish gains)

·                      Lulu is exasperated because of the neocolonialist tendencies bedeviling operations in her country. The school rules are made in England by “the shameless thieves” who colonized her docile ancestors.   She opines that the obsequious obedience to the white man is needless.

·                      Lulu notes that the leaders have to look over their shoulders “lest some white man is peering at them through his short sighted glasses” (P 45-46) 

 

Major events in Inheritance 

• Meeting among Thorne Macay, King Kutula and Bishop Menninger (Pg 6-14)
• The return of Bengo (Pg 17-24)
• The altercation between Tamina and Lulu (Pg 25-31)
• Judah returns (Pg. 32-39)
• Rev. Sangoi’s visit (Pg 40-44)
• The argument between Tamina and Lulu (Pg 45-46)
• The drunken tales of Judah Zen Melo (Pg 47-51)
• The commemoration of King Kutula’s remembrance day (Pg 52-57)
• Robert Rollerstone & Daniel Goldstein (the financiers) confer with Lacuna Kasoo concerning the accountability on spending foreign loans (Pg63-83)
• Lacuna meets Sangoi and Bukelenge’s opinion leaders concerning the evacuation at Samuka plains (Pg 84-85)
• Lacuna’s discussion with Chipande about the  annual ritual (Pg 87-89)
• The insurrection (Pg 90)
• Lacuna flirts with Lulu (Pg 92-94)
• Sangoi reveals the news about Judah’s death to Tamina (Pg 99-101)
• Heated argument between Malipoa and Lacuna Kasoo (Pg 104-105)
• The financiers freeze Lacunas accounts. (Pg 107-112)
• Declaration of Martial Law (Pg 114-115)
• Disagreement between Lacuna and Lulu (Pg 118-121)
• The meeting in the woods (Pg 122-128)
• Lacuna is overthrown (Pg 131-137)

Do you need some study questions on Inheritance by David Mulwa? 

70 AMAZING INHERITANCE STUDY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

70 INHERITANCE STUDY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

SHORT QUESTIONS ON INHERITANCE BY DAVID MULWA

Do you want more literature content? Please click the Youtube button. 

Share

 These study questions from Inheritance by David Mulwa are meant to test the students’ mastery of the text. It is imperative for KCSE candidates to master the nitty-gritty details in Inheritance in order to synthesize the episodes and make informed evaluations in response to the KCSE essay questions on Inheritance by David Mulwa. For essays on Inheritance click here. 

SHORT QUESTIONS ON INHERITANCE BY DAVID MULWA

 1.              What is the setting of the prologue?

Physical setting: Colonial mansion of Governor Thorne Macay, Kutula Colony (Africa)

Time setting: 20^th Century (P 2)

2.               Identify some of the items in the mansion.

· Lee-Enfield 303 (rifle)

· Prize heads of a king-sized lion, kudu and antelope

· Leopard skins

· Zebra skin

· Mural of black Kutula natives

· Imposing throne (P 2)

3.              Which three people visit governor Macay?

Bishop Menninger

King Kutula XV

Princess Sangoi (P 3)

4.          What are they conferring about?

Governor Macay has called King Kutula to discuss about escalating violence against the whites. (P 8)

5.          What civilization does Governor Macay say they have brought to Kutula?

·                   Education

·                   Schools

·                   Hospitals

·                   Churches

·                   Employment (P 9)

6.          What reason does King Kutula XV give for supporting the uprising?

The natives do not want the settlers (colonizers) there any more (P 10)

7.          Who is princess Sagoi?

King Kutula’s foster daughter; Lacuna Kasoo’s half sister

8.          What does Sangoi hope to learn from Menninger?

She hopes to learn about;

·                   His God

·                   His creation

·                   His science

·                   His agriculture

·                   Politics (P 16)

9.          What is the name of King Kutula’s “legitimate” son?

Lacuna Kasoo (P 16)

10.      Which Roman emperors does Menninger allude to when talking about him?

Nero and Caligula

Caesar Augustus (P 16)

11.      When and where does the action in movement one take place?

Over 30 years later

Judah Zen Melo’s grass-thatched hut, sitting room, independent republic of Kutula (P 17)

12.      What shows that this is a poor homestead?

·                   Old grass-thatched hut

·                   Sitting room serves as the kitchen

·                   Old sacks serving as curtains

·                   Faded dress; old sandals

·                   Tamina is thin and old looking (P 17)

13.      How old is Tamina Zen Melo?

Tamina Zen Melo (wife to Judah Zen Melo and mother of Lulu Zen Melo) is 45 years old. (P 17)

14.      What is the relationship between Tamina and Romanus Bengo?

Bengo is her brother-in-law (Judah Zen Melo’s brother)

15.      What class is Lulu (Judah and Tamina’s 19 year old daughter) in presently?

Fourth form

16.      Why is there need for Tamina to conserve every drop of water?

It is a rare resource. They get it from far; at the foot of Bukelenge Mountains-about 15 kilometers away. They walk from sunrise to mid-day and return home at sunset.

17.     Why did Judah Zen Melo say a curse upon Romanus Bengo?

Romanus Bengo was an advocate of the poor against Kasoo’s government. Lacuna Kasoo asked Zen Melo to kill him and offers him goodies. Judah declined saying he could not betray his own blood. He was later beaten up and injured badly and fired from his government position. He cursed Bengo for disobeying him even after paying his school fees.

18.      What did Judah’s family lose after the dismissal?

·                   Cars

·                   Government house

·                   Tamina’s coffee farm in Bukelenge (sold it to Chipande; for peanuts)

19.     Why does Lulu return home at three o’clock when classes do not end until four p.m.?

She was sent for school fees, along with 300 other students.

20.      What are the requirements at school?

·                   Fees balance: 2000/-

·                   Construction fund: 3000/- (A second perimeter wall and a computer laboratory)

·                   Activity fee: 1000/-

21.      What is Tamina’s occupation?

Picking coffee at Chipande’s farm

22.      Where was Romanus Bengo for all those years?

In jail (P 27)

23.      What is Lulu’s aspiration/dream career?

She wants to be a doctor (like Dr. Jonathan, Rev Sangoi’s husband)

24.     How does Councillor Chipande oppress the locals?

·                   He grabbed all the land on the mountains. He bought Tamina’s land, for peanuts.

·                   Went to the Leader and blocked other people from accessing license to grow coffee.

25.      Where does Judah Zen Melo work?

He works in Patola town, at Kasoo mines as a machine operator; he previously worked as a gate keeper (P 34)

26.      Who is the manager at Kasoo mines?

Mithambo; Lacuna’s tribesman

27.      Who is Harold Bumblebee?

He is an Englishman; a company M.O. at the company and Lacuna’s personal doctor (P 36)

28.      How much does Judah Zen Melo give Tamina before he leaves for Chenko bar?

800 shillings

29.      Why was Hassan Hassanali fired?

Because he took a little time off to pray

30.      What ministry does Lacuna Kasoo appoint Rev. Sangoi to head?

New Ministry of Reclamation and Remedies (P 41)

31.      What festivities are they preparing for around the time of her appointment?

Commemoration for remembrance of King Kutula (P 41)

32.      Why was Lulu’s dance troupe selected to entertain guests?

They won the Lacuna National Festivals last year.

33.      Where do the actions in Movement 2 scene one take place?

Kutula’s people’s park

34.      What is the name of Lulu’s teacher?

Miss Gerima

35.      Name the people who walk with Lacuna on the train to the royal grave.

·                   First lady; Melissa (with a silver tray, silver crown, silver pitcher of water, calabash full of water)

·                   Councillor Chipande and Malipoa

·                   Daniel Goldstein

·                   Robert Rollerstone

·                   Junior councillors

·                   Reverend Sangoi leading 3 elders and an elderly woman

36.      Where does Movement 2 scene two take place?

The Leader’s palace (former Governor Macay’s residence)

37.      What shows affluence at this place?

·                   Large life-size painting of Lacuna Kasoo

·                    Smaller photographs of the painting

·                   Impressive gilted throne, deep purple cushions

·                   Golden gong

·                   Ornamental stand with a large golden bowl; full of apples  (P 58)

38.      Who is Robert Rollerstone’s uncle?

Bishop Menninger

39.      How did King Kutula meet his death?  

His son Lacuna Kasoo laced his tea with a poisonous/lethal powder. He was backed up by Menninger and his people. (P68-69)

40.      What is the initial sum of money advanced to Kutula by Planet-Wide Financiers?

30 billion shillings

41.      When did Kutula get this money?

15 years ago

42.      How was the initial ten billion spent?

In mining operations; the output declined by 15 %; there is no management Lacuna made political appointments of his lax tribesmen; the machines are rotten

43.      What did Lacuna buy for himself?

A plane

44.      What is the population of Kutula?

84 million people

45.      What happened to the remainder of the 30 billion shillings?

Lacuna took 30 % of the money and banked it abroad

46.      What is the total loan advanced to Kutula to date?

98 billion shillings

47.      In Lacuna’s subsidization plan, what services are offered for free?

·                   Transport network

·                   Education

·                   Health services

·                   Free grain

·                   Pesticides

48.      What conditions does Goldstein give Lacuna in exchange for bailing out?

·                   Low wages for workers in mines

·                   Quadruple production for exports (coffee & silver)

·                   Introduce new products

·                   Cut down on employment

·                   Long working hours

49.      How much in total does Lacuna owe the financiers?

122 billion shillings

50.      How many days does Robert give Lacuna to pay the interest of the monies advanced?

30 days

51.      To where does Lacuna plan to evacuate the residents of Bukelenge valley?

Samuka plains

52.      When does the evacuation begin?

In 2 weeks time (P 86, 87)

53.      What is the setting of Movement 2 scene 1?

Tamina Zen Melo’s hut; 3 weeks later

54.      When does Tamina expect Judah home?

Saturday; 2^nd September (P 98)

55.      What news Sangoi deliver to Tamina about Judah Zen Melo?

News about Judah Zen Melo’s death (P 99-100)

56.     What is the cause of his death, according to Sangoi?

He was killed by an old, over loaded machine while struggling to quadruple production in line with the new directives

57.          Where does the action in Movement 3 scene two take place?

In the Leaders palace (P 104)

58.          What has Lacuna done for Lulu and Tamina in a bid to win them over?

He spends a lot of money on maids in a bid to make Lulu’s stay comfortable offers Tamina a lot of land (P 104-105) 

59.          After how long do Robert and Goldstein return to Lacuna’s palace?

30 days

60.          For how long has Lacuna ruled Kutula?

30 years (P 106)

61.          Identify the locations of the banks where Lacuna has banked part of the loan money.

Canada, Luxemburg, Swiss, Manhattan (P 111)

62.          What action does Lacuna take after his accounts are frozen?

• He freezes salaries
• Imposes 100 percent tax on all corporations (banks, parastatals, business) 
• Imprisons Robert and Goldstein
• Imposes curfew and strict martial law (P 113-114)

63.          What does Lacuna plan to do with Lulu?

He plans to marry her

64.          What is the setting of movement 4 scene one?

A room, in a lone house in a dense forest

65.          How many people are present here?

7 people; 3 men, 3 women and Bengo

66.      What are they discussing?

An operation to overthrow Lacuna Kasoo under the stewardship of Sangoi

67.      When does this operation start?

0615 hours

68.      Name the prisoners that Sangoi demand for after Lacuna is overthrown.

• Chipande
• Malipoa
• Robert
• Goldstein

69.      What is the fate of the two foreigners?

Sangoi instructs some people to escort them to the airport

70.      What happens to Lacuna and his henchmen at the end of the play?

He is seized together with Chipande and Malipoa and confined awaiting Common Law. Meanwhile, Sangoi talks of beginning reconstruction of the land, together.

Click here to read a comprehensive guide to Inheritance by David Mulwa 

Please click the share button below to share this article!

Share

If you have more questions, please add them in the comments section below.