A Storm Gathering

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English assignment – Section B Summary The short story ‘A Storm Gathering’ by Jonathan Falla, published in 2001, takes place in an underprivileged town in Sudan, where we follow the protagonist Malik. Most likely, the story unfolds during a single day in present time, as objects like radio and cars are represented. The plot is based on a single day; from Malik lying in his bed Thursday evening, until the following night where he seeks cover from the storm. It all begins with Malik lying in his bed whilst thinking about the deterioration of his village, even though USA promised they wouldn’t allow another famine. An unnamed doctor arrives, but Malik gets quite disappointed discovering that she only carries medicine for a few people. Malik is very frustrated, and the doctor inquires Malik to join her in the city the next day to examine the conditions. Later, the doctor visits the chief of the village, only to discover that he’s dead. When Malik heard about this, he was told that the chieftain died after he received medicine – therefore fearing that the village people would blame him for the chieftain’s demise. Just as panic devours both of their minds, a storm approaches, and Malik sees this as their chance to escape. At last, Malik, the female doctor and the chauffeur are sheltered in a car. Suddenly, the worried one is the female doctor while Malik is hoping for the storm to last eternally. Characterize Malik Malik is a university-trained, and he has a scientific grade, which is much respected. Despite his cleverness, Malik lives in a poor area. He sleeps on a rush bed, and his radio has been stolen. Malik seems very insecure and worried with the current circumstances, and you can feel anxiousness penetrate his body: “He lay on his rush bed staring up through the darkness, nervous, slim, naked, wrapped only in silence”. His body seems like it’s haunted, as it
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