The Rain Came - Flashcards

Author and Theme

• Author: Grace Ogot, known for her impactful storytelling.
• Theme: Sacrifice for the benefit of others; Oganda is chosen to be sacrificed to ensure rain for the village, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for the livestock and villagers.

Setting

• The story is set around Lake Victoria and within a small village in Kenya, highlighting the cultural and environmental context.

Plot Overview

• The narrative centers on Oganda, a girl in Kenya whose father, Labongo, is the village chief. After many unsuccessful attempts to have a daughter, Oganda's birth brings hope.
• Labongo visits a witch doctor and is told that sacrificing Oganda to a lake monster is necessary for rain, leaving him with a heartbreaking decision.

Exposition

• Labongo learns from the witch doctor that his only daughter's life must be sacrificed, intensifying the emotional turmoil he faces.

Rising Action

• Labongo announces Oganda's fate, leading to her sadness and the villagers organizing a feast to honor her before the sacrifice.

Climax

• The climax occurs when Oganda approaches the lake, gripped by fear, believing she is being pursued by the lake monster, leading to her fainting from terror.

Falling Action

• Osinda, a character intervenes and rescues Oganda from the dire situation, shifting the narrative toward resolution.

Symbolism

• The relationship between Oganda's parents symbolizes emotional conflict and unity, depicted through the metaphor of three cooking stones which represent strength and stability in their familial ties.