–Why does the narrator address his listener as “my son”?
–The narrator tells us that “every new generation finds the doum tree as though it had been born at the time of their birth and would grow up with them.” What do you make of this?
–What seems to be the story’s perspective on the government in newly independent Sudan? What’s the relationship between the government and the villagers?
–Explain the shift in narratorial perspective in the final passages of the story? How does it change our own view of the text
The narrator tells us that “every new generation finds the doum tree as though it had been born at the time of their birth and would grow up with them.” What do you make of this
the tree is special to everyone in the village even to the new generation that are born because since the beginning of their lives they had the doum tree being parts of people’s dream every night. The new generation grows up hearing how the doum tree came to be and how it lead to the start of this village. the new generation on some levels connect to these stories and feel that the tree was born at the same time they have been borned.
What seems to be the story’s perspective on the government in newly independent Sudan? What’s the relationship between the government and the villagers?
The first mention of government in the story is when a preacher is sent to the village, only to be chased away by the persistent horse-flies. Next, the government seeks to implement a pump in place of the tree. Naturally, the village people protest the cutting down of the tree so the government relented. When independence was finally claimed, a government official stopped by to inform the people that a stopping-place was to be established in place of the tree. Again, the people objected and “would certainly have killed” the official if the narrator had not helped him escaped. Since that incident, no one had disturbed the village’s “tranquil existence,” until a new government came into power and ordered the tree be cut down. Once more, the village dismissed their proposition and was met with arrests. A month later, those arrested were set free and given a great reception, most especially by the Prime Minister. This official set up a monument for the tree to ensure it be untouched by bureaucratic rule.
The government is portrayed as a menace to the village. It insisted on taking away the most sacred object to the people to make room for new agricultural methods and modes of transportation. The last incident between the government and the villagers proved to be most threatening when they arrested those that protested. However, a powerful government official acknowledged the wrong that the government had done in trying to destroy “those holy things held most sacred.” This led to those in power to withdraw their support and, thereby, fall out of power for the tree had “become the symbol of the nation’s awakening.”
Why does the narrator address his listener as “my son”?
To show a sense of closeness with the person he is talking to. Obviously he is not actually his son, but when on utters “my son” they show that they are taking that person under their wing, as well as a closeness with that person.
I disagree the narrator’s referral to the listener as “my son” does not show closeness. The listener is described as an “outsider”, someone from outside of the village. The narrator is not familiar with the listener. Instead I think that he call him “my son” to show that he’s older, wiser and more experienced than the listener. The characters does this more evidently by the stories he tells the listener to show him that he has been in the village and can teach him a few things. For example, The narrator describes the flies that swarm in the village to the listener.
Why does the narrator address his listener as “my son”
The narrator seems from old generation and the listener from young generation. Narrator was giving him the care and comfort since listener “my son” is from young generation.
The narrator tells us that “every new generation finds the doum tree as though it had been born at the time of their birth and would grow up with them.” What do you make of this?
The Doum tree was pretty important to the community, that its been introduced to the new generations. The Old people had seen the tree has part of the culture itself that once a child was born, he was introduced the idea that the three had special powers which they can benefit from. People from the village had oral traditions which they shared with everyone. The tree was a symbolic representation of power and strength toward the insiders. When young insiders where growing, they were always listening to the anecdotes that was related to the three. The three has a “understandable” past that people believe in, which makes the tree special to everyone.
–The narrator tells us that “every new generation finds the doum tree as though it had been born at the time of their birth and would grow up with them.” What do you make of this?
I think that this means that every person has his/her own individual connection to tree and that not only is there an individual connection, but that the tree is an integral part of each person is and plays a role in the life process and growth of each person. All feel that the tree is with them throughout life.
What seems to be the story’s perspective on the government in newly independent Sudan? What’s the relationship between the government and the villagers?
The story’s perspective of the government is viewed as separate, distant, and indomitable. The villagers refuse to let the government make changes to their town in regards to their Doum tree. They don’t respect or feel obliged to their governments demands. The relationship between the government and villagers is also separate. It’s the concept of separation of church and state. The villagers put their beliefs above governmental influence and dominion.
–The narrator tells us that “every new generation finds the doum tree as though it had been born at the time of their birth and would grow up with them.” What do you make of this?
The narrator wants to tell us that doum tree has a long history in their village, which is a symbol of their traditional culture. The doum tree was there when people were born. It’s like a friend that grew up together. It is in the memory of generations, and all people are connected by this tree. It can be seen that tree is very important to people of the village.
The narrator tells us that “every new generation finds the doum tree as though it had been born at the time of their birth and would grow up with them.” What do you make of this?
The doum tree means a lot for people in the village because people always talk about it has a kind of a healing function and everyone believe it. The doum tree grows with people and accompany a lot of generations. It plays a very important role in people’s daily life and they will continue to pass the story about it to the next generation. As I see, the doum tree is a belief for people and it give them spiritual support.
–Why does the narrator address his listener as “my son”?
The narrator addresses his listener as his son because he is younger than him. When an older person communicates with a younger person, they are likely to refer them as “their son.” The narrator has a son who went off to study at a school and wanted to create a bond with the younger boy.
I don’t think it is to refer to them as “their son” but to acknowledge the fact that he is old enough to be his father and to create a type of relationship between them. The older person is suggesting that he is old enough to be the younger persons father, that they might share certain similarities, and that he is showing a level of care for the younger person.
–The narrator tells us that “every new generation finds the doum tree as though it had been born at the time of their birth and would grow up with them.” What do you make of this?
The Doum Tree represents the tradition. It’s is a witness of the history of the village. Maybe the village is changing, but the tree is unchanged. People wander between tradition and progress.
Why does the narrator address his listener as “my son”?
The narrator address his listener as “my son” because it’s the tradition of the Arab countries. This also shows that the narrator is a older guy and the visitor is someone who’s his son’s age.