THE INTERVIEW
AUTHOR: PATRICK M. NGUNGI
SETTING: MODERN LIFE IN NAIROBI CITY
PUBLISHER: MACMILLAN PUBLISHER LIMITED
YEAR: 2002
THE PLOT (SUMMARY)
The novel/narrative is about a form four leaver called
Joe, who is the protagonist of the story (main
character). He has got a post and he is about to be
interviewed. On the day of the interview he finds to have
waked up late. This makes him skip his breakfast. He
does each and everything in hurry to make sure that he
arrives at the interview on time.
On the way to the interview, he witnesses an accident in
which a mad woman nicknamed as “cucu” is knocked by
a Matatu. Because of his loyalty he decides to postpone
his journey to the interview and saves the woman (cucu).
He makes sure that the woman is at the hospital for
treatment. After that he goes to the interview while it is
too late. Mr. Daniel Kungu, the Manager of the Company
(Elephant Company) dismisses Joe from the interview
because of being late. After being dismissed from the
interview, Joe’s brother (David) finds a job for his
younger brother (Joe). He eventually gets a post in the
national library for his young brother (Joe). Joe seems to
be not interested with such a job i.e. being a librarian but
he accepts it because he is in need of money to fulfill his
financial requirements. For instance he wants to collect
his certificates at school but he didn’t clear his debt and
his parents died during the land clash (conflict).
Therefore Joe becomes a librarian. He works at the
Library and at the same time he pays a visit to the
hospital i.e. to get information about “cucu”. He is
wondering to see that he loves the woman very much
like his grandmother. He keeps on thinking of her every
time. When he is at the hospital, he witnesses another
accident. The accident is that, An HIV /AIDS Victim is
committing suicide by jumping off the balcony of the
eighth floor. Joe is informed that the person who
committed suicide is the pastor.
We also see the Doctor (Dr. Ochieng) tries to educate
Joe on how to avoid HIV using condoms, being faithful
and having and HIV test before getting married.
People are blinded not to know HIV /AIDS e.g. the author
narrates that Joe meets with his friend Gladwell. They
had not seen each other since the funeral of Gladwell’s
sister whom they believe that she died of TB, something
which is not true. The truth is that she died of HIV/ AIDS.
In chapter 7, things begin to rise, Joe is in the library,
reading the past newspapers, and he eventually
discovers that there is an announcement in the
newspaper. The announcement is attached with cucu’s
picture. It seems to have been written about one year
ago. It announces that “cucu” (the old woman) gone
missing her home a month ago. It is announced by
Johnson K. Njogu. He promises a reward of 100, 000/=
Kshs to the one who had information about “cucu” (his
mother) such information.
Later on they discover that Joe is their relative and as
the result they congratulate him (Joe) for his loyalty.
That is to save cucu’s life despite his poverty. Johnson
K. Njogu eventually rewards him (Joe) 240,000/=Kshs.
Instead of 100,000/= which was announced in the
newspaper.
The story ends with “cucu” has returned home. Joe
discovers that he has very rich relatives i.e. Johnson K.
Njogu (his uncle), who is the owner of elephant
companies. Daniel Kung’u, who dismissed him from the
interview is a cousin of Joe’s late father (Bernard Kung’u)
and the woman he saved (cucu) is his really
grandmother
THEMATIC ANALYSIS
The following themes (experiences) have been revealed
in the story.
Family disintegration.
This refers to the situation in which a family breaks into
small parts or pieces and be destroyed. This is much
revealed in this book. Joe’s family is disintegrated. The
woman whom he is saving is his really grandmother. He
also fails to discover that Daniel Kung’u, who is the
manager of City soap Industries, is the cousin to his late
father (Bernard Kung’u). Daniel Kung’u also fails to
discover that Joe is his relative, that’s why he dismisses
his (Joe) from the interview. The owner of soap
companies (elephant companies) is Joe’s uncle, but Joe
didn’t knew this before, that’s why he was seeking a job
to get money for clearing his school debt so as to get
certificates. Family disintegration is much proved in the
novel when we see the young Joe together with his
relatives live in extreme poverty failing to discover that
Mr Njogu, the wealthiest man in the land and the owner
of elephants group of companies is their blood uncle,
their father’s elder brother.
Loyalty vs. disloyalty.
This is the state of being true and faithfully in one’s
support. While disloyalty is the opposite of being loyal. In
the story Joe seems to be loyal, for instance, the Matatu
driver knocks the mad woman and he doesn’t help her
but Joe who was late to the interview, decides to
postpone his journey to the interviews and saved the
woman (cucu). Then after making sure that “cucu” is at
the hospital for treatment, he goes back to the interview.
At the interview he is dismissed by Daniel Kung’u
because it was too late. Loyalty is also shown by Dr.
Ochieng as he tries to make sure that he saves that
woman’s life. Apart from that he (Dr. Ochieng) tries to
counsel Joe on how to be aware of AIDS. Disloyalty is
shown by other people including the Matatu driver who
knocks the woman without saving her. Gladwell (Joe’s
friend) is not loyal as he discourages. Joe on saving
“cucu” he is mocking Joe by saying “He is behaving like
“red cross”
Favoritism/nepotism.
This refers to the act of favoring people i.e. relatives or
friends by giving them job opportunities or any
advantageous thing. This is revealed in the story. Joe’s
brother (David) finds a librarian post to his young (Joe)
because there is friendship between David and the Chief
Librarian (Julius Kimeu). Also the owner of elephant
company (Johnson K. Njogu) employs his cousin (Daniel
Kung’u) as the personnel manager. Also having
discovered that is their relative, they reward him Kshs.
240,000/-instead of Kshs 100,000/- which was
announced in a newspaper. They also promise Joe a job,
while at first (Before knowing him). The practice of
nepotism is regarded as another form of corruption and
it has become so popular in most of the societies as far
as African continent is concerned since many people
have been getting employment favor just because the
concerned boss is his/her closest friend or family
member.
UNITY
This refers to the sense of togetherness that exists in
members of the society. The author portrays this by
showing Jotham who struggles to support his sister’s
children by providing domestic needs. Dr. Ochieng’
encourages Joe to keep on with spirit of supporting the
old mad woman in hospital. David, Joe and sisters are
still united by assisting one another despite the death of
their parents. Also Johnson Njogu united the family of
Benard Kungu by making them stable. In our society,
family members, friends and other relatives normally
tend to unite one another in many issues especially in
ceremonies and other matters by helping one another.
SELFISHNESS
Selfishness refers to the act of getting concerned with
only your needs and wishes without taking into
consideration the other people who may be in need of
your assistance. In the novel, the author has shown
Gladwell who is a selfish by discouraging Joe from
visiting the old woman to the extent of mocking him that
he behaves like the Red Cross. Also, the pedestrians are
selfish because they never volunteered to help the old
woman after the accident instead they continue with
their own business. The driver of the matatu is a selfish
because he never stops after knocking down the old
mad woman. Also, most of the people are selfish
because they become attracted with the reward of Ksh.
100,000/= while they are not aware where the old
woman is.
CONFLICT
Refers to serious disagreement or clash between
different aims, interests, ideas or people. From the book
the author has portrayed different types of conflicts as
listed here below;
Social conflict as a type of conflict in which people or
groups behaves and interact. Good example is social
conflict during the ethnic cleansing in Molo. So
many people were killed and houses were burnt as a
1.
result of this conflict. For instance, Joe’s parents’
society from Uasin Gishu is having a serious social
conflict with people in Molo and immigrants. This
leads Joe and his siblings to lose their parents and
later family disintegration.
Psychological conflict: This is sometimes known as
personal conflict. It is also a type of conflict existing
only in human mind. In the book, the author presents
personal conflict by using the main character, Joe
Kimani. He is shown thinking all the time about the
old woman “Cucu” who has been knocked by a car
(matatu). To this he was always thing on himself
where did the strange old woman come from?, who
was she?, where was she going? What droves her
insane? And who were her relatives.
2.
Other conflicts include personal conflict like a conflict
between Joe and Gladwel because of Joe’s frequent visit
to hospital to look after the old mad woman. Conflict
between Joe and pedestrians who never become
concerned especially in helping the old mad woman
after been knocked by Matatu.
Luck/fortune/fate
Luck refers to success especially when it is unexpected
in the story. It is the act of developing the events outside
a person’s control which is regarded as decided by
supernatural power. On the other hand, it refers to a kind
of fortunate fate that brings good things to happen. Joe
seems to be a very lucky person for instance he is
dismissed from the interview but in the end of the story
we see that, those who dismissed him consider him as a
very loyal person because he has saved his grandmother
(their mother). They eventually offer him a job
opportunity. Wonderful enough the owner of the
company in which he was dismissed is his uncle.
Hypocrisy refers to the act of making oneself to falsely
appear to be virtuous or good (better). In the book, the
author has shown that Gladwell is a hypocrite because
she agrees to escort Joe to the hospital by pretending to
be closer to him while not because at first she was
against the tendency of Joe’s regular visit to know how
the old woman was going on. Also, the pastor is a
hypocrite because, ideally, religious people like pastor is
not supposed to engage in sexual relations, instead we
see a pastor committing suicide because of been a
HIV/victim.
POVERTY
Refers to the state of being extremely poor such that a
person fails to take care of his/her basic needs. Poverty
can be the source of all other evils in the society such as
theft, robbery and prostitution. The author reveals this by
citing Joe who completes his O-level education but fails
to clear the school’s dues (debt) that is why he is by
hook or by crook seeking a job opportunity in order to
get money necessary to get money to collect his
certificate. Also the author proves this by showing on the
way joe replies to Mr Njogu’s question that I’m poor my
brother, who has provided fees for me since primary
school can no longer afford to pay for my college too, we
owe my former school about 40,000/=Ksh in fee areas
without which they can’t release my certificate.
Responsibility/responsiveness
This refers to the act of not showing a proper sense of
responsibility. Responsiveness is shown by Joe’s uncle
(Uncle Jonathan) the way he is responsible to take care
of his sister’s children ie Joe, David, Lucy and Marry. He
helps them morally and materially. David is also
responsive for example having discovered that his young
brother (Joe) is dismissed from the interview he tries to
find him and their job. As the result Joe gets a librarian
post through his brother’s (David) help. Therefore they
both try to help each other despite being orphans. Dr
Ochieng is also responsive as he achieves to save cucu’s
life when she was brought to the hospital.
Deceit.
This refers to an act of misleading people to make them
believe something which is not true. It is revealed in the
story. For instance Georgina, (Gladwell’s sister) died of
AIDS, but other people were made to believe that he was
died of TB (Tuberculosis). They were deceived in order to
avoid bad reputation from the people.
HIV/AIDS
The Author narrates a bit about AIDS using a person who
believed to be a pastor. The pastor discovers that he is
HIV positive. As the result he decides to commit suicide
by jumping from the eight floor. Apart from that we see
Georgina (Gladwell’s sister) dying of HIV/AIDS but
people are made to believe that she died of TB. We also
see Dr. Ochieng. Trying to give Joe an advice on how to
protect himself from being affected by HIV/AIDS that is
using condom or being loyal and or having an HIV test
before marrying
The pastor decides to commit suicide because of
fear of bad reputation from community people
Also Georgina was assigned to have died of TB. In
order to avoid bad reputation form the people.
Therefore from the story people are not transparent
on HIV/AIDS. That is, they do not want other people
to understand it. So that they can avoid it. This is
dangerous to any society.
POSITION OF WOMEN: The author has portrayed the
following position of women;
A woman as a family mother. In this novel, a woman
is portrayed as a mother of the family. This is well
portrayed in our book taking reference from
Wacheke, popularly known as Cucu. She was the
mother of six children including four daughters and
two sons.
A woman as health officer. The author shows that
Mildred Awiti as the nurse working at National
General Hospital along with Dr. Ochieng. She is an
active nurse who deals with her patients in a good
manner. Consider this quotation when she was
narrating Joe about Cucu”s condition proves how
active Nurse Mildred is “I’m afraid she hasn’t work up
since you brought her this morning. Otherwise she is
stable. Her breathing is normal! And her heartbeat is
ok. We have given her treatment for her bruises, and I
guess she‘ll be fine. (pg 31).
A woman as a brave person. A brave person is the
one having or showing courage in facing danger or
pain. This position is related to Joe’s mother, Nancy
Mwihaki who dared to help her dear husband Bernard
Kungu, Joe’s father who was dying from an arrow
wound when the marauders raided their homestead
during the ethnic cleansing in Molo. Joe’s mother’s
brave is evidenced in the following quotation.“His
brave mother- God bless her soul- had tried to help
their father, who was dying from an arrow wound,
when another arrow hit her in the back. After that life
had changed drastically for Joe and his siblings”
(pg:63)
A woman as a security officer. The author has shown
a woman as a security officer responsible for
ensuring peace and security in the society. Good
example of this in the story is an active and
responsible woman known as officer Commanding
Station, Chief Inspector Margaret Kinyua.
LESSON
The lesson we get is that being loyal is advantageous
than disadvantageous. In the novel Joe’s loyalty leads
him into achieving his goals i.e. to get money and job
opportunities.
Secondly, we shouldn’t compare HIV/AIDS with death
since one may live with AIDS until he dies unlike what
the pastor did i.e. to commit suicide just because he has
got HIV/ AIDS
Thirdly we should be transparent on HIV/AIDS, so that
people can be aware of infections. For instance in the
novel, people aren’t transparent. Georgina dies of
HIV/AIDS but people are made to believe that it was TB.
CHARACTERIZATION
1. JOSEPH KIMAN (JOE)
He is the main character of the book
He lost his parents due to land clashes and their
bodies were not found
He is a very kind boy as he saved life of an old
woman despite being late for the interview
He was dismissed by Daniel Kungu at the interview
He completed secondary education with some
balance of school fees.
He is a hard worker as well as committed boy as he
struggles to look for the job
He fallows in love to Gladwell
He is a wise person and quick to action.
He got a reward from Johnson Njogu after saving life
of his mother.
He represents people cares other’s success.
2. LEAH WACHEKE, CUCU
She is mental disturbed old lady, she is like this ever
since she heard the death of her husband (Kibe)
She is knocked by a Matatu while crossing the road
where she was rescued by Joel who took her to
hospital.
She is the mother of Benard Kungu and Johnson
Kungu the billionaire and paternal grandmother to
Joe.
She went mad crazy following the death of her
husband (Kibe) killed during ethnic clashes in Molo.
She lived in a refugee camp to Nakuru.
She is a kindness old woman because she
considered Joe’s assistance he made to her.
3. DAVID
He is the elder brother to Joe s well as his brother
and the son of Benard Kungu.
He is a kind and loving relative as he cares about Joe
to get the job.
He became disappointed o-f his young brother (Joe)
after being dismissed out from the job.
He represents people who consider other’s
achievement.
4. GLADWELL
She is Joe’s girl friend as well as the sister to the late
Georgina who died of HIV/AIDS
She is selfish as she become happy with the delay of
Joe to the interview making her secure job
She calls Joe as a red cross due to his assistance to
the old mad woman who got an accident and his
regular visit to hospital
She is a hypocrite because she at first mocking Joe’s
assistance to the old woman but later accompanied
him for the collection of the reward to Johhnson
Njongu
She represents people who do not care on others’
benefit
5. DANIEL KUNGU
He is a personnel manager of city industries where
Joe went late for the interview
He is a cousin to Bernard Kung’u who indeed is Joe’s
late father
He is cruel and strict man because he dismisses
Joe’s excuse reporting late for the interview without
knowing that he (Joe) saved his grandmother)
Refuses to hire Joe because of being late. He is also
not aware of their blood relationship
He represents group of people who hold top
leadership position but do not considering other’s
problems.
6. JOHNSON K. NJOGU
He is the billionaire and the wealthiest man in the city
who owns companies.
The son of the old lady went to abroad;
He owns elephant group of companies including the
company where Joe went and dismissed for the
interview
He is an educated person, he studied in USA.
He is the son of the old mad woman whom Joe
saved from the accident unawares of the blood
relationship they had
He is Joel’s uncle
He gives Joe a reward of K. shs. 240,000/= for
assisting in finding his mother who disappeared from
home almost a year ago.
He is a kind man because he united the family which
had separated long time ago
He is a nepotistic because he offers a job to Joe after
realizing that he is his uncle
7. OCHIENG’
He is a doctor at the National hospital where the old
mad woman was admitted.
He is a kind and loving man as he shown maximum
cooperation to save the old woman’s life.
He counseled Joe on how to keep away from
HIV/AIDS by telling its symptoms, causative and
preventive measures.
He represents people within our society who care
people to develop and excel well.
8. UNCLE JOTHAM
He is the maternal uncle to Joel, David, Lucy and
Mary (Joel’s sister).
He is a kind as well as very loving man because he
cares about his sister’s children to attend school.
He lives in a moderate kind of life that’s why he failed
to pay all school fees to Joe but ensures that his
nephews and nieces get education by providing
domestic needs.
He represents people in the families who become
hearted with others despite not being their bloody
son.
Other characters Dr. Ochieng, Mildred (nurse) and
Freddie Mwasi (medic)
-Workers at the National Hospital
-Help to hospitalize the old lady after an accident
Mercy, Inspector Kilonzo, Geofrey, (the chauffer)
TITLE
The novelist has made the use of direct title as it can be
seen to Joseph Kimani (Joe) being late to the interview
because of saving the old lady’s life, Gladwell is seen in
the office of Mr. Daniel Kung’u as well as other
interviewees are seen with their envelopes and papers
ready for an interview
SETTING
It is the real setting of Kenya, this is because the text has
made the use of words like Nairobi and Mombasa which
real exist in one the East African countries called Kenya.
PLOT
The novel is not straight forward narrated as it is very
rich in Flashback, example Joe narrates the past events
to the medic (Freddie Mwasi) about the life on their large
farm in Kondoo area of Burnt Forest in the Rift Valley and
how his family went apart due to ethnic cleansing where
later on the novel continues. It is the same case to the
old lady after getting from hospital.
DICTION
The choice of Swahili words example, “very sad, pole
sana” said by Mr. Njogu to Joe (Pg 85). There is also the
use of other non- English word like matatu to mean
public vehicle. The uses of acronyms example, “VIP” that
stand for Very Important Person “HIV” that stands for
Human Immune deficiency Virus and “AIDS” which
stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The
uses of imagery devices example simile to create mental
picture example, “The old lady is as fit as a fiddle” (Page
38) The choice of words that imitate sounds
(onomatopoeia), example “Aunteeeee! Ankoo is calling
you” When the child calls out her aunt after picking Joe’s
call.
IMAGERY
This refers to the set of mental pictures produced by the
memory or imagination or conjured up by a stimulus. In
this novel, the author has used various kinds of
imageries; some of them are auditory (sound) imagery
and olfactory (smell) imagery.
IDIOM
This is a group of words whose meaning is different
from the meanings of the individual words. The writer
has used an idiom in this book for the sake of enriching
his work of art. Idiom in this story has been used by Dr.
Ochieng when he answers Joe’s question about Cucu’s
progress at the hospital as follow;
Joe: “Yes, how is she?”
Dr. ochieng: “You will not believe it. She is as a fiddle” (pg:
38)
In the above quotation the word fit as a fiddle is an idiom
which is used when saying somebody in a very good
physical condition.
