Tsotsi

Question 1

Tsotsi genre

Answer 1

Crime, drama, teen drama, coming-of-age

Question 2

Tsotsi

Answer 2

Gang leader and troubled teen with traumatic past. Journey from violence and emptiness to empathy and redemption.

Question 3

What does Tsotsi symbolise

Answer 3

Lost youth shaped by poverty, trauma and abandonment

Question 4

Miriam

Answer 4

Singe mother, caring and nurturing figure. Surrogate mother to Tsotsi, key to his transformation

Question 5

What does Miriam represent

Answer 5

Hope, compassion and the power of motherhood

Question 6

Boston

Answer 6

“Teacher Boy”, moral compass of the gang. Educated, alcoholic, wants a better life

Question 7

What does Boston represent

Answer 7

Decency and humanity

Question 8

Butcher

Answer 8

Violent and remorseless gang member.

Question 9

What does Butcher represent

Answer 9

Unchecked aggression and the dangers of toxic masculinity

Question 10

Aap

Answer 10

Immature, comic relief, reflects loyalty but also ignorance

Question 11

Pumla and John Dube

Answer 11

Wealthy, educated (contrast with Tsotsi’s world)

Question 12

What do Pumla and John Dube represent

Answer 12

South Africa’s post-apartheid upper class

Question 13

Themes and issues in Tsotsi

Answer 13

-Redemption
-Responsibility
-Crime and Poverty
-Family
-Apartheid
-Decency and Humanity
-Duality and Fate
-Urban vs Township life

Question 14

Redemption in Tsotsi

Answer 14

Tsotsi’s journey from killer to caregiver

Question 15

Responsibility in Tsotsi

Answer 15

Choices, consequences and taking accountability

Question 16

Crime and Poverty in Tsotsi

Answer 16

Crime shown as survival mechanism, tied to lack of opportunity

Question 17

Family in Tsotsi

Answer 17

Lack of family as root of trauma. Search for belonging and love.

Question 18

Apartheid Legacy in Tsotsi

Answer 18

Class division and ongoing racial inequalities

Question 19

Decency and Humanity in Tsotsi

Answer 19

Acts of kindness as powerful tools for change

Question 20

Duality and Fate in Tsotsi

Answer 20

Dice as symbols of chance; flashbacks to explore identity

Question 21

Urban vs Township life in Tsotsi

Answer 21

Visual contrast between rich/poor; symbolic use of setting

Question 22

Social Context in Tsotsi

Answer 22

-Explores the disparity between wealth/poverty and how this links to crime
-The huge problem with the AIDS epidemic is explored

Question 23

Political Context in Tsotsi

Answer 23

The novel (set in the 1950s) took place at the height of apartheid

Question 24

Historical context in Tsotsi

Answer 24

-The novel (set in the 1950s) took place at the height of apartheid.
-Adapted from novel by Athol Fugard, a South African author and playwright

Question 25

Cultural Context in Tsotsi

Answer 25

-The soundtrack features Kwaito music performed by popular South African artist Zola, who also stars in the film. Also features the voice of the South African protest singer/poet Visi Mahlasela. -Set in Johannesburg, South Africa. The title of the film comes from urban slang which, loosely translated, means “thug”

Question 26

Institutional context in Tsotsi

Answer 26

Won 17 awards including an Academy Award. Nominated for BAFTA and Golden Globe awards.