Gertrude's Shame

Gertrude is the original reason that Stephen Kumalo was forced to travel to Johannesburg. Her activities and appearance are a source of shame for Stephen and for herself. Mr. Paton uses the character of Gertrude to represent the desire to survive through any means necessary.

"You have shamed us, he says in a low voice, not wishing to make it known to the world… She looks at him sullenly, like an animal that has been tormented" (30).  

"I do not like Johannesburg… I am a bad woman, my brother. I am no woman to go back” (31).  

"Gertrude's dress, for all that she might once have been rich, was dirty, and the black greasy knitted cap that she wore on her head made him ashamed” (33).

Gertrude feels that she is obligated to take any means necessary, in this case becoming a liquor seller and a prostitute, in order to survive in the society that she lives in.

In order to survive in Johannesburg, Gertrude feels as if she must take any means necessary, but once she falls into a cycle of shameful, desperate behavior, she feels like it is impossible to ever come out of it.

The Rooster of Power, and The Color of Communism

Rooster Alarm Clock:

Thesis: The author uses the symbolism of the rooster alarm clock to demonstrate that whoever is in charge of the alarm clock has power over the lives of everyone in the village.

Quotes:
1. “Luo had a brainstorm: with his little finger he slid the hands of the clock back by one hour. We got back into bed to enjoy our lie-in” (15).

2. “I was convinced that the real reason behind his liberal attitude was the irresistible attraction of our alarm clock, with its proud peacock-feathered rooster… The only way he could have it all to himself, even for a short time, was to dispatch us to Yong Jing. During the four days it took us to get there, see the film and return to our village, he would be lord and master of the clock” (80).



Red and the Three Blood Spots in Headman's eye

Thesis: Sijie uses the symbol of the three red blood spots in the Headman’s eye to represent the influence of communism in the peasant villages, where red is the color of communism.

Quotes:
1. “The headman held the violin upright and peered into the black interior of the body, like an officious customs officer searching for drugs. I noticed three blood spots in his left eye, one large and one small, all the same shade of bright red” (3).

2. “At that instant the glint of the vigilant Communist reappeared in the headman’s eyes, and his voice turned hostile… Again I was alarmed by the three spots of blood in his left eye” (5).