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Examine
the first and last paragraphs of the story. Note the verbs associated
with the man and those associated with the elephant. What differences
do you see in the verbs for the man compared to those for the elephant
(animals in the last paragraph)? Is there a change in the last
paragraph? Why do you think this is?
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What
does "Commission of Enquiry" mean? What does the Commission
of Enquiry do? Do you think the Commission fulfills its
role/mission as promised by its title? The man seems to find fault
with the makeup of the Commission, protesting "if it was not necessary
to include in this commission a member from his side" (37). What
do you think of the man's concerns? What would be your
criticisms of the Commission?
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Aside
from the man, other characters in this story are animals and are called by
kind ex. Mr. Rhinoceros, Mr. Alligator. What is the purpose of this
allegorical use of jungle creatures?
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What
does "peace" mean? What actions do you consider
peaceful? Review the man's actions in the last paragraph. Do you
approve of his methods? Do you approve of the elephant's? What
is the cost of peace?
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Why
do you think the man is described as innocent in "innocently waited for
his opportunity" (37)? Contrast this with the concurrent
activities of the elephant: "The elephant, obeying the command of his
master, got busy with other ministers to appoint the Commission of
Enquiry." Do you think the man is still innocent by the end of
the story? What about the animals, what happens to their "teeth
and claws"?
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What
do you think of the irony of the title "The Gentlemen of the
Jungle"? Do you think the fairy tale beginning "Once upon a
time" and closing "lived happily ever after" are meant
ironically as well?
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Reading
this against the history of Kenya and Kenyatta's own experience in court and
the result of the trial, how might the political and judicial allegory of
"The Gentlemen of the Jungle" be a response to those events?