Narrative Summary of Maiwa's Revenge; Or, The War of the Little Hand

Overview:

This story is about my time hunting elephants in Africa, where I encountered more than just big game. I found myself caught in a conflict between two tribes, the Matuku and the Butiana, and became a pawn in a woman’s revenge plot. It’s a story of bravery, cunning, and the brutality of human nature.

Main parts:

The Elephant Hunt: I find myself in Wambe’s territory, a brutal chief known for his cruelty. I encounter a herd of buffalo, a rhinoceros, and eventually, three enormous elephants. I manage to kill all three, but not without a series of harrowing encounters.
Maiwa’s Message: While butchering the elephants, I meet Maiwa, a woman who was a wife of Wambe, but flees him after he kills her child. She warns me of an impi sent to kill me and delivers a message from John Every, a captive of Wambe.
The Escape: I am forced to flee with Maiwa and my bearers, chased by Wambe’s soldiers. We narrowly escape by climbing a treacherous mountain pass, but lose Gobo, my headman, who falls to his death.
The War of the Little Hand: We seek the help of Nala, Maiwa’s father, and with his assistance, plan to overthrow Wambe. Nala’s impi ambushes Wambe’s forces, with Maiwa leading the final charge and achieving her vengeance. I rescue John Every from Wambe’s clutches, and eventually, the Matuku tribe submits to Maiwa’s rule.

View on Life:

Fatalism: Quatermain believes that events are predetermined. He often references “Fate” walking about, implying that he accepts whatever challenges life throws at him.
Justice and Revenge: Maiwa’s relentless pursuit of vengeance against Wambe illustrates a strong belief in the need for retribution for cruelty.
Bravery and Self-Reliance: Quatermain values personal courage and the ability to overcome adversity independently.

Scenarios:

Rhino Encounter: A rhinoceros charges while Quatermain and his men are stalking a buffalo. Gobo is thrown high in the air by the rhino, but luckily survives.
The Lion Trap: Wambe uses a massive lion trap to torture his prisoners. John Every is being dragged towards the trap when Quatermain and Nala’s army arrive. Wambe is accidentally caught in the trap.
The War: Nala’s impi ambushes Wambe’s forces. Maiwa leads the final charge, bringing down Wambe’s soldiers and securing her vengeance.

Challenges:

Confronting Wambe: Quatermain realizes Wambe is dangerous but believes he can get the ivory without facing significant conflict. He is wrong.
Escape from Wambe’s soldiers: They are forced to make a long and dangerous escape across difficult terrain, hampered by heavy loads.
Overcoming Nala’s reluctance: Nala is hesitant to engage in war against Wambe’s larger tribe. Quatermain convinces him with a clever strategy.
Seizing the koppie: They face a risky battle to take the koppie, which is crucial for their plan to succeed.

Conflict:

Wambe’s tyranny: Wambe’s cruelty and ruthlessness create a conflict between his tribe and the Butiana people.
Maiwa’s quest for vengeance: Maiwa’s desire for revenge against Wambe drives the conflict between the two tribes.

Plot:

The story follows a classic hero’s journey arc:

Introduction: Quatermain is hunting elephants when he encounters Maiwa’s warning and learns of John Every’s plight.
Rising action: Quatermain and his men are pursued by Wambe’s soldiers, narrowly escaping. They seek Nala’s help and devise a plan to overthrow Wambe.
Climax: The battle for Wambe’s town unfolds. The Butiana impi charges, led by Maiwa, and defeats the Matuku soldiers.
Falling action: Wambe is killed, and the Matuku tribe submits to Nala’s rule. John Every is freed.
Resolution: The tusks are secured, and Quatermain and Every return home.

Point of view:

The story is told in the first person by Allan Quatermain, who is an active participant in the events. This perspective allows for a more personal and intimate account of the experiences, including his own feelings and thoughts.

How It’s written:

The text is written in a matter-of-fact, straightforward style. Quatermain’s voice is casual and conversational, as if telling a story to friends. His use of humor, understatements, and occasional philosophical observations create a sense of authenticity and realism.

Example: “At last, just as the sun rose in glory over the heights behind us, the Matuku soldiers, of whom about fifteen hundred were now assembled, set up a queer whistling noise, which ended in a chant. Then some shots were fired, for the Matuku had a few guns, but without effect, though one bullet passed just by a man’s head. “Now they are going to begin,” I thought to myself, and I was not far wrong, for in another minute the body of men divided into three companies, each about five hundred strong, and, heralded by a running fire, charged at us on three sides.”

Tone:

The tone of the text is adventurous and exciting, with moments of suspense and humor. Quatermain’s narrative voice conveys a sense of calm confidence, even in the most dangerous situations, but also reveals his vulnerability and humanity.

Life Choices:

Choosing to help: Despite the risk to his own life, Quatermain chooses to assist John Every and Maiwa, driven by his sense of justice and friendship.
Risking the ivory: Quatermain’s desire for the ivory tusks nearly costs him his life, highlighting the dangers of greed.

Lessons:

Bravery and perseverance: Quatermain’s repeated encounters with dangerous animals and his successful escape from Wambe’s soldiers demonstrate the importance of courage and determination in the face of adversity.
The consequences of cruelty: Wambe’s tyranny and his ultimate fate serve as a warning against the dangers of abuse of power.
The power of vengeance: Maiwa’s successful quest for vengeance demonstrates the destructive and potentially consuming nature of revenge.

Characters:

Allan Quatermain: The protagonist of the story, a seasoned hunter and adventurer known for his cunning and bravery. He is also a fatalist who believes in the power of fate.
Maiwa: A woman driven by vengeance, seeking to avenge her murdered child. She is strong, determined, and capable, even fierce.
John Every: A prisoner of Wambe, tortured and abused for years. He is a kind man who seeks to escape his captivity.
Wambe: The antagonist of the story, a brutal and tyrannical chief who kills his children and enjoys torturing his prisoners.

Themes:

Justice and retribution: The story explores the themes of justice and revenge. Maiwa’s relentless pursuit of vengeance highlights the power of human anger and the consequences of cruelty.
Human nature: The story explores the complexities of human nature, highlighting both the potential for compassion and the capacity for brutality.
The cost of bravery: Quatermain’s numerous close calls, and the death of his headman, Gobo, serve as a reminder of the risks associated with bravery and the sacrifices sometimes required to uphold justice.

Principles:

The law of the jungle: The story reflects the harsh realities of life in Africa, where power and survival are often determined by force and cunning.
The importance of family: The story demonstrates the strength of family bonds, as seen in Maiwa’s commitment to her child and her father’s willingness to help her.
The power of faith: John Every’s belief in his own innocence and his hope for rescue sustain him throughout his years of captivity.

Intentions:

Characters:
- Wambe: To maintain his power and rule through fear and violence.
- Maiwa: To avenge her child’s death and escape Wambe’s cruelty.
- John Every: To survive and escape his imprisonment.
- Quatermain: To obtain ivory and assist John Every and Maiwa.
Reader:
- To be entertained by a thrilling adventure story.
- To learn about the dangers and complexities of life in Africa.
- To contemplate the themes of justice, revenge, and human nature.

Unique Vocabulary:

“Thing that bites”: A chillingly descriptive term for the lion trap used by Wambe to torture prisoners. This term emphasizes the brutal and terrifying nature of the instrument.
“Marême”: A form of salutation used by the Matuku tribe, similar to the Zulu “Koos.”
“Hongo”: Blackmail or tribute paid to a chief for permission to hunt or trade in their territory.
“Koos”: A term of respect used in Zulu.
“Indunas”: Chieftains or head men in a Zulu tribe.

Anecdotes:

John Every’s Story: Every recounts his captivity and the horrific treatment he endured under Wambe. He reveals Wambe’s use of the lion trap to torment prisoners, highlighting the chief’s brutality.
The Death of the Child: Maiwa recounts the murder of her child by Wambe. This story reveals the depths of Wambe’s cruelty and ignites Maiwa’s quest for vengeance.

Ideas:

The power of vengeance: The story explores the seductive and destructive nature of vengeance, as seen in Maiwa’s relentless pursuit of justice.
The need for courage and resilience: Quatermain’s resilience and unwavering courage in the face of danger highlight the importance of these qualities.
The corrupting influence of power: Wambe’s actions, motivated by fear and greed, illustrate how power can corrupt even the most capable individuals.

Facts and Findings:

The Matuku and Butiana tribes: The story provides details about the two tribes and their customs, giving insight into African culture and politics.
Wambe’s methods of torture: The story reveals the brutal and cruel methods used by Wambe to torture his prisoners, including the lion trap.
The geography of the region: The story describes the terrain, including mountains, forests, and rivers, offering a glimpse into the natural world of Africa.

Statistics:

Wambe’s Army: It is estimated that Wambe could field up to six thousand soldiers.
Nala’s Army: Nala could field twelve to thirteen hundred soldiers.
The Ivory: The single tusk of the great bull elephant weighed 160 pounds, and the other four tusks averaged 99.5 pounds.

Points of view:

Quatermain’s perspective: The story is told from Quatermain’s point of view, allowing the reader to experience the events through the eyes of an experienced hunter and adventurer. This perspective provides a unique perspective on the dangers and complexities of the African wilderness.
Maiwa’s perspective: The reader gains insight into the thoughts and feelings of Maiwa, driven by a deep sense of loss and vengeance. Her story underscores the emotional impact of Wambe’s cruelty.

Perspective:

The story offers a perspective on the harsh realities of life in Africa, where power, survival, and vengeance often intertwine. The narrative emphasizes the dangers of the wilderness, the brutality of tribal warfare, and the importance of courage and cunning. It also explores the consequences of cruelty, the power of revenge, and the enduring nature of human bonds.

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