QUESTION 12 (CONTEXTUAL QUESTION)
THE SISTERS
Read the following extract from the short story and answer the set questions. The
number of marks allocated to each question serves as a guide to the expected length
of your answer.
12.
[The narrator visits Jan Redlinghuis.]
The next day I went alone across the river to old Jan Redlinghuis’s
farm. No one knew that I went, or what it was in my heart to do. When
I came to the house Jan Redlinghuis was out on the stoep smoking his
pipe.
I said to him: “Jan Redlinghuis, I have come to offer myself.”
Jan Redlinghuis took his pipe out of his mouth and looked at me. I
said again: “I have come to ask you to marry me instead of my sister
Marta.”
Old Jan Redlinghuis said to me: “And why have you come to do
this thing, Sukey de Jager?”
I told him: “Because it is said that you are a sinful man, Jan
Redlinghuis, going at times a little mad in your head, and my sister
Marta is too good for you.”
For a little while old Jan Redlinghuis looked at me, sitting there with
his pipe in his hand, thinking the Lord knows what. And presently he
said:
“All the time, Sukey de Jager, it is your sister Marta that I will marry
and no one else. If not, I will take the lands of Zeekoegatt as is my right,
and I will make your father bankrupt. Do now as you like about it.”
And he put his pipe in his mouth and not one other word would he
say.
I went back to my father’s house with my heart heavy like lead. And
all that night I cried to God: “Do now what you will with me, but save
our Marta.” Yes, I tried to make a bargain with the Lord so that Marta
might be saved. And I said also: “If He does not save our Marta I will
know that there is no God.”
In three weeks Marta married old Jan Redlinghuis and went to live
with him across the river.
5
10
15
20
25
12.1
Briefly outline the events leading up to Sukey visiting Jan Redlinghuis.
(4)
12.2
Refer to line 2 (“No one knew that I went”). Sukey decided not to tell
her family that she was going to visit Jan Redlinghuis. Do you think this
was a wise decision? Give a reason for your answer.
(2)
12.3
I the following statement TRUE or FALSE? Quote no more than SIX
consecutive words to support your answer.
Sukey is forced to speak to Jan Redlinghuis.
12.4
12.5
(2)
Refer to line 7 – 8 (“I have come … my sister Marta.”)
(a) What was Sukey’s motive for wanting to marry Jan Redlinghuis?
(2)
(b) Do you think this is a good basis for marriage? Give a reason for
your answer.
(3)
Refer to lines 11 – 13 (“…because it is said … too good for you.”)
Do you think Sukey is being fair to judge Jan Redlinghuis in this manner?
Give a reason for your answer.
12.6
Refer to lines 17 – 19 (“All the time … as you like about it.”)
Identify and discuss the theme of the short story as revealed in these
lines.
12.7
12.8
(3)
(4)
Refer to line 22 (“I went back … heavy like lead”)
(a) Identify the figure of speech used in this line.
(1)
(b) Explain the figure of speech.
(2)
Refer to lines 24 – 25 (“…so that Marta might be saved.”)
(a) What does Sukey want Marta to be saved from?
(2)
(b) Who do you think should be held responsible for Marta’s death
at the end of the story? Give a reason for your answer.
(3)
12.9
Compare the characters of Sukey and Marta in the story.
12.10
Refer to lines 27 – 28 (“In three weeks … across the river.”)
Discuss the significance of “the river” in the story.
(4)
(3)
[35]
TOTAL SECTION C:
35
QUESTION 12
12.1
Watercases (1)
Father’s bond (1)
De Jager loses lawsuit (1)
Jan agrees not to claim the farm - in return for marriage Marta (1)
12.2
Open-ended answer. Yes/No and a suitable reason
The reason must match the initial response. No mark is awarded for
yes/no only, e.g.
Yes
Her father would have stopped her from going to Jan Redlinghuis to try
to save Marta from marrying Jan. (2)
OR
No
Jan could’ve hurt her and the family wouldn’t know. (2)
12.3
False (1)
“I have come to offer myself” OR “No one knew that I went.” (1)
12.4
(a) To persuade Jan to marry her (1) instead of Marta. (1)
(b) Open-ended answer. Yes/No and a suitable reason
The reason must match the initial response. No mark is awarded
for yes/no only, e.g.
No.
A marriage should be based on trust, love, etc. Nobody can be
forced to marry someone. Sukey shouldn’t force Jan to marry
her. (2)
OR
Yes.
A suitable reason. Consider the candidate’s interpretation. (2)
12.5
Open-ended answer. Yes/No and a suitable reason
The reason must match the initial response. No mark is awarded for
yes/no only, e.g.
No
You shouldn’t judge people at face value. Sukey heard that Jan was
evil, but she had no evidence. (3)
Yes
Jan was well-known as an evil man. She tried to protect her sister
against Jan. She cared for her sister. (3)
12.6
Possessiveness
Jan wants to marry Marta by force.
Examples, elaboration (4)
OR
Revenge
Jan wants to get back at Sukey’s father.
Examples, elaboration (4)
OR
Arrogance/ stubbornness
Jan doesn’t want to listen to reason.
Examples, elaboration (4)
12.7
(a) Simile (1)
(b) Sukey was very depressed. (2)
12.8
(a) From a life of misery with Jan (2)
(b) Father/ Jan Redlinghuys (1)
A suitable reason, e.g.
The father should never have “sold” his daughter in exchange for
water. (2)
OR
Jan constantly abused Marta psychologically, to the point that
she died. (2)
12.9
Sukey – Judgmental, unforgiving, loving towards her sister, etc (2)
[Any 2]
Marta – Accepting, accommodating, soft, forgiving, non-judgemental
(2)
[Any 2]
12.10
Cause of the dispute between the families – watercases (1)
Source of water (1)
Results in death, bitterness, revenge, etc (1)
TOTAL SECTION C: 35