Chapter 5 Flashcards
(11 cards)
What socio-political point is the author making with his descriptions of the cemetery and the burial of Gumboot Dhlamani
The apartheid regime relocated people without thinking of essential human needs - including where people needed to bury the dead. The Reverend Henry Ransome also does not know or care about the people of his parish.
Explain the function of the author’s description of Boston on the second page of the chapter
This section reminded us of how violent Tsotsi can be. The reader becomes concerned about the safety of the baby
Give two reasons why the author refers to the smell of dirty rags in the room
The smell is a reminder of both the baby’s presence in Tsotsi’s life and Tsotsi’s inability to take care of it properly. Both these elements create tension
What does the reader realize about the twist in the plot of the novel with the words ‘something had tampered with the mechanism that had governed his life’
The reader realizes that Tsotsi will no longer be able to function as the hard gangster any more. The novel is not going to be about how Tsotsi and the gang murder for money
Die Aap and Butcher are both flat characters,who do not have much depth. How does the author illustrate this as they stand around waiting for Tsotsi to appear?
They are willing to stand around wait for a very long time. Their conversation is cryptic and not about much. They amuse themselves by throwing stones against a pole
How does the author illustrate that Boston’ character is more in-depth?Refer fo details in this chapter as well as details in chapters 1-4
The description of Boston’s thinking that he is going to die shows that he is capable of thinking about things on different levels. Boston also asks Tsotsi questions that show depth of character
Die Aap and Butcher tease and abuse a woman and her baby as she walks by. Why do you think Tsotsi becomes interested in what they are saying?
Tsotsi realises that the woman is a source of food for the baby
In your opinion, why is Tsotsi suddenly irritated by the presence of Die Aap and Butcher
His life as a gangster has been interrupted. He has other things to worry about - like how he is going to feed the baby
The gang usually gathers at dusk to find out what they are going to do that night. What is different about Tsotsi’s reply at the end of the chapter
Tsotsi is usually quite clear about what he wants the gang to do. He now says only, ‘We go to the city’
How does the author illustrate that there is not much loyalty between the gang members?
There is no real concern for Boston. Both Die Aap and Butcher are willing to leave Tsotsi if necessary
