‘In the short story, How Much Land Does Man Need, the author shows human greed’. Write an essay to support the above statement. — Memories We Lost and other stories (Compiled by Chris Wanjala)

​Introduction

​Some people are not satisfied with what they have and want more all the time. Leo Toistay’s short story “How much land does man need? Is a clear illustration of this.

1. He had a farm and a house but wanted more
   He had 123 acres of land and pasture.
   As he farmed, the number of cattle kept increasing.
   He had a thought that this land was not enough.
   He wanted wider and more futile.
   How can I have more land?
2. He was easily convinced to go buy land from the Bashkris
   A passing dealer tells him there is cheap land in land of the Bashkris.
   ‘I have to go there and buy land’ he thinks.
   He enquired how to get to Bashkris and buys many presents in the market.
   He started on the journey and took his servant with him.
3. He could not sleep, thinking of the land he would acquire
   “If I walk the whole day’ what a large track I will mark off!......”
   He lay awake all night.
   When shown the land his eyes glistered; there was wide land in front of his eyes.
   “I will get the largest and the best land above all the people!”
4. He bit more than he could chew
   He tried to get more land than his body could sustain in walking.
   He kept walking without thinking.
   He felt serious pain but pressed on.
   He threw away his coat, his shoes, his flask and his cap.
   His legs gave away beneath him and he fell forward.
   He dies after straining to get more land.

Related Topics ...

• Caucasian Chalk Circle
• The River and The Source
• The Whale Rider
• The Pearl
• Memories we Lost
• Blossoms of the Savannah
• Betrayal in The City

​Conclusion

​It is out of greed and obsession to get more land that Palom strains to get and dies tragically.

NB: Expect 4 well illustrated points
Introduction - 2mks
Body - 12 mks (3:3:3:3)
Conclusion - 2mks
Language competence: - (4mks)

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