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Leaving Exercise: Question Answers
Moyez G. Vassanji | Summary
Major English Class 12
LEAVING
ABOUT THE STORY
Leaving by Moyez G. Vassanji
The story "Leaving" shows a mother’s fear of being separated from her children. It is taken from the book entitled "Uhuru Street", an African short stories collection. The book describes the lives of the people in the Asian community of Dar es Salaam, a port city on Africa’s east coast. It tells the stories of the people who live and work in the shops and buildings on Uhuru Street.
SHORT SUMMARY
Leaving by Moyez G. Vassanji
In the story, a mother had a fear of being separated from her children. After losing her husband at the age of 33, she raised her five children alone facing hardships. She had a hope that if she moved to Upanga after selling her store, she would provide her two children, especially Aloo and the narrator, with better education opportunities.
Her son Aloo was in his final year of school. He had a dream of studying medicine. Later, he got a fine chance through a scholarship to study at the California Institute of Technology. However, his mother didn’t accept that proposal at first because of financial issues and her fear of losing her son. In the end, after getting advice from a school teacher, she agreed to let him go. But she doubted that her son Aloo would not return.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Leaving
The author of the story is Moyez G. Vassanji. He is a writer and editor from Canada. His birthplace is Nairobi, Kenya. He spent his childhood in Tanzania. His works are mainly focused on various topics like migration, diaspora, gender, ethnicity and citizenship. He mainly tries to explore how migration affects the lives of his characters and also looks at the relationships between the Indian community, native Africans and the colonial government. Most of his stories are set during the colonial history of Kenya and Tanzania. He won awards like the Giller Prize and the Governor General's Literary Award for English non-fiction. His short stories are mainly inspired by his experiences in India and studying abroad.
MAIN CHARACTERS
Leaving by Moyez G. Vassanji
Mother:
The mother is the main character in the story. After the death of her husband, she raised her five children: Mehroon, Razia, Firoz, the narrator and Aloo by herself. She lost her husband at the age of 33. After that incident, she lives in the residential area of Upanga with her two youngest children, Aloo and the narrator. Before shifting to Upanga, she lived on the noisy and crowded streets of Uhuru.
She was a loving and caring mother. She was always ready to make sacrifices for the sake of her children's bright future. She was worried much about her youngest son, Aloo. She had a fear that if Aloo moved abroad for his studies, he would not come back or marry someone from another country and forget his culture and traditions.
Aloo:
Aloo was the youngest child in the family. He was a very smart student. He was in his final year of school and secured top grades in all his subjects. He was much inspired by his former teacher, Mr. Datoo. Mr. Datoo had been there in America for his studies. Aloo also had a dream of studying medicine in America. Although he achieved a scholarship to study agriculture at a local university, he was not much interested in it. At first, he showed his agreement with his mother, who didn’t want him to go foreign land for his studies. However, later in the story, his mother permitted him to move to America to follow his dream.
The narrator:
The narrator was the second youngest in the family. She studied at a local university. She was both a kind and supportive sister and daughter. She understood the reason why Aloo wanted to study abroad. But she also had an understanding of her mother's reasons for not wanting him to go.
Mr. Datoo:
He was Aloo's former teacher at school. After returning from America, he visits the school and spends time with Aloo. Mr. Datoo encouraged Aloo and motivated him to go to America for further studies.
Mr. Velji:
Mr. Velji is a former administrator of Aloo's school. Aloo's mother met him for advice regarding Aloo's further study plan. Velji was the person who advised her to let Aloo go abroad for his further studies.
Mehroon:
Mehroon was the eldest child in Aloo's family. She was a married woman. Her husband was a former opening batsman. She lived in town.
Razia:
Razia was the second oldest child of the mother. She was a wealthy housewife and lived in Tanga.
Firoz:
Firoz was the middle child of the mother. He was an assistant bookkeeper at Oriental Emporium (library). He worked there after he left school in his last year of school.
SETTING OF THE STORY
Leaving by Moyez G. Vassanji
The story "Leaving" takes place in Upanga, a neighbourhood in Dar es Salaam. The family of Aloo moved there from the crowded and noisy streets of Uhuru. Both places are situated on the east coast of Africa.
BACKGROUND OF THE STORY
Leaving by Moyez G. Vassanji
The family of Aloo lived in the crowded and noisy streets of Uhuru. The mother ran a store to run her family smoothly. She moved to Upanga so that Aloo and the narrator could study in a peaceful environment.
ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY
Leaving by Moyez G. Vassanji
This story is about a mother who is unsure about letting her youngest son Aloo go to America for his studies. Later, she agrees, hoping it will give him a better future.
POINTWISE SUMMARY
Leaving by Moyez G. Vassanji
The story "Leaving" shows a mother's fear of being away from her children.
She raised her five kids alone after her husband died when she was 33.
In the story, Aloo wanted to study medicine in America. He got a scholarship to the California Institute of Technology.
At first, the mother said no because of financial issues and her fear of losing him. But after talking to her son's teacher, she agreed, even though she was unsure if he would come back or not.
FULL PLOT SUMMARY
Leaving by Moyez G. Vassanji
In Upanga, a mother lived with her five children. She was a single caretaker for her children because her husband had died when she was 33. She didn’t remarry because of her children. She had a fear that her children might be sent to an orphanage. Her two oldest daughters, Mehroon and Razia, were married women. Her middle child, Firoz, lived on his own. The mother stayed with her two youngest children, Aloo and the narrator. She moved to Upanga after selling her store in the noisy streets of Uhuru, so her youngest children could study in a peaceful environment. She had big dreams for her children. She expected a lot from her youngest child Aloo, who was a very smart student.
As a brilliant student, Aloo usually got an A in every subject. He was in his final year of school. Before the school year ended, he moved on a city tour with Mr. Datoo, a former teacher who had come back from America. After that trip with his teacher, Aloo felt inspired to study in America.
Aloo often looked at pictures of American universities in magazines. After completing his exams, he wrote letters to many of them. He got many encouraging replies from them too. One day, he got a letter of scholarship from the California Institute of Technology. He couldn’t believe it. He asked the narrator to read it again for him. He also got a scholarship from a local university. He was surprised because he had applied for medicine but got a scholarship for agriculture instead.
One night, Aloo, the narrator and their mother were sitting together, and Aloo shared some news. He revealed the news of his scholarship and his fine chance to study at a university in America. The mother didn’t believe him at first and thought he was joking. But later, she was convinced. Aloo asked her mother if he could go, but his mother denied it. She didn’t want him to leave his country and go abroad because she was afraid that he would never return to the family. After her denial, for the first time, Aloo argued with her and raised his voice. He felt very bad because his mother didn’t allow him to follow his dream of studying medicine in America. Even though Aloo wanted to study abroad, he decided to listen to his mother. Later, he changed his mind and was ready to study agriculture at a local college.
A few days later, the mother decided to talk to Mr. Velji about her son Aloo's study plans. She took both Aloo and the narrator to meet him for his advice. Mr. Velji was a former administrator at Aloo's school. At his office, the mother informed Mr. Velji about her family history and background. She asked him for his advice. Mr. Velji listened carefully and even looked at Aloo's documents. He advised the mother that she should let Aloo go, but also warned her that she would lose him forever.
That night, the mother spent her time with Aloo. She hugged him tightly. She made him promise not to marry a white woman or smoke and drink. In the end, she agreed to let Aloo go to America for his further studies. A week after Aloo left, his first letter arrived. In his letter from London, he wrote that he had stopped to visit an old classmate.
EXERCISE (QUESTIONS & ANSWERS)
Short Answer Questions
1. List all the characters of the story. Who is the main character? Explain.
Answer:
The characters in the story are as follows:
1. Mother (main character)
2. Aloo
3. The narrator
4. Mr. Velji
5. Mr. Datoo
6. Mehroon
7. Razia
8. Firoz
The main character in the story is the mother. The story is about her fears, sacrifices and choices as a single parent. She is a widow. She raises her five children with great difficulties. Her struggle to let Aloo study abroad reflects her love for her children as well as her fear of losing them.
2. Why does the Mother not allow her son to go abroad for higher education? How does her decision change later?
Answer:
The mother does not allow Aloo to go abroad because she is afraid that her son might not return home and forget their traditions. She is also worried about financial problems. However, after talking with Mr. Velji, she understands the importance of this chance for Aloo’s future. She agrees, but she makes him promise to stay true to his culture.
3. The story portrays the love of the mother and her longing to be with her children. Discuss.
Answer:
In the story, we find the love of the mother and her longing to be with her children. Here in the story, the mother’s strong love, care and attachment for her children is clear. She sacrifices her own happiness for the sake of her children and their better lives. She seems quite hesitant to let Aloo go abroad because she wants to stay close to him. She is really very afraid of losing him, as she has already been separated from her other children because of marriage or work.
4. Explain the following with reference to the story: "Promise me...promise me that if I let you go, you will not marry a white woman."
Answer:
This line is taken from Moyez G. Vassanji's short story "Leaving". This line reflects the mother’s fear of losing Aloo, her youngest son. She has a fear of losing him not only physically but also culturally. She worries much thinking that Aloo might adopt a foreign lifestyle and forget his family and traditions. This promising line symbolizes her attempt to hold on to their shared values and connection.
5. Discuss the significance of the title "Leaving" to the theme of the story.
Answer:
The title "Leaving" highlights the main theme of separation. It represents the concept of the distance, both physical and emotional distance, between the mother and her children. Aloo leaving symbolizes growing and finding new chances, but it also brings the sadness of saying goodbye. The title also shows the theme of letting go of comfort, traditions and family bonds to chase a brighter future.
Long Answer Questions
1. Draw the character sketch of Aloo and Mother.
Answer:
Aloo:
Aloo is the youngest child in the family, intelligent, ambitious, and determined. He excels in school, earning top grades in every subject. Inspired by his teacher, Mr. Datoo, Aloo dreams of studying medicine in America. Despite his mother’s initial refusal, he remains respectful and obedient. He symbolizes the aspirations of a new generation seeking better opportunities abroad.
Aloo is the youngest child in his family. He is intelligent, hardworking and too focused on his studies. He does very well in school. He gets the highest marks in all his subjects. Being much encouraged by his teacher, Mr. Datoo, Aloo dreams of studying medicine in America. Even though his mother says no at first, Aloo remains polite and listens to her. He represents young people who dream of a better future in other countries.
Mother:
The mother is a kind and strong woman. After the death of her husband, she takes care of her five children facing a lot of hardships. She is so caring mother who values traditions. She fears that Aloo might forget his culture if he moves to study in another country. Even though she is so worried, she puts forwards Aloo's dreams before her own wishes. She shows a tremendous concept of how powerful and selfless a mother’s love can be.
2. Write the summary of the story.
Answer:
The story "Leaving" by Moyez G. Vassanji revolves around a mother who raises her five children alone after her husband’s death. She faces a lot of hardships in raising her children. After leaving the crowded and noisy streets of Uhuru, she moves to Upanga. Living in Upanga, she dreams of providing her children with a better life. Aloo, her youngest son, is a very smart student. He wants to study medicine in America. He gets a scholarship to the California Institute of Technology. He has a hard time convincing his mother to let him go. At first, she says no because of financial issues and fear of losing him. After talking to Mr. Velji, she agrees. She makes Aloo promise to remember his culture. The story presents the concepts of love, sacrifice and the mix of happiness and sadness that comes along with growing up and moving away.
3. Write about a person that you think is a good role model for teenagers.
Answer:
For all teenagers, a good role model is someone who encourages and supports them to do their best. I think Malala Yousafzai is a great example. In my opinion, she is the right role model for teenagers. Even though she faced big challenges mostly, she kept on fighting for the right to education. Her bravery, hard work and care for others inspire all the teenagers to stay strong and focused on their goals.
4. Critically analyze the story "Leaving".
Answer:
The story "Leaving" highlights various matters regarding family, culture and growing up. It presents how a mother makes big sacrifices for her children and faces the challenges that occur when they follow their dreams. Here, the author shows the mother’s feelings very well. He shows her love, care and even her fear of change.
The narrative also examines themes of migration and cultural preservation. Aloo’s desire to study abroad represents ambition and modernity, while the mother’s reluctance reflects traditional values and fear of losing her connection with her son. The story’s bittersweet ending underscores the complexity of balancing personal aspirations with family bonds.
The story also examines the concept of migration and cultural preservation. Aloo’s wish to move to America for his study shows his dreams and modern ideas, while his mother’s hesitation shows her traditional values as well as her fear of losing him. In the ending part, both happy and sad moments show how difficult it is to balance personal dreams and family relationships.
Vassanji uses very simple but powerful language. It mainly helps readers connect with the characters. The mother’s worries in the story might feel too careful to modern readers. It presents the basic differences in age and culture. Overall, the story is a heartfelt story about love, sacrifice and the difficulty of saying goodbye.
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