https://padlet.com/raghu697621/mv1syq5zexnzs4on en-us 2023-02-16 02:59:52 UTC 2025-11-22 00:33:45 UTC hello@padlet.com cheun12436 https://padlet.com/raghu697621/mv1syq5zexnzs4on/wish/2484401319 Gertrude is a character who represents the brokenness and despair of Johannesburg's black community. Through her character, the author explores the devastating effects of apartheid and the system of migrant labor, which forced families to be separated and live in impoverished conditions. When Kumalo finds Gertrude, he discovers that she has become a prostitute. Through Gertrude, the novel exposes the struggles of Johannesburg's urban poor, who are unable to find meaningful work and are struggling with living in the system.]]> 2023-02-16 03:04:00 UTC https://padlet.com/raghu697621/mv1syq5zexnzs4on/wish/2484401319 cheun12436 https://padlet.com/raghu697621/mv1syq5zexnzs4on/wish/2484401531 Kumalo sees how his brother has changed, how Johannesburg has changed him and how his brother has adapted to the changes. John now sees the reality of the system and is scheduling strikes and boycotts. Kumalo isn't really exposed to much of the politics, in book one we get flashes through the John and the laws/changing rules.  John instead of trying to live with se]]> 2023-02-16 03:04:12 UTC https://padlet.com/raghu697621/mv1syq5zexnzs4on/wish/2484401531 cheun12436 https://padlet.com/raghu697621/mv1syq5zexnzs4on/wish/2484401922 Kumalo going to Sophia-town is a key moment as Kumalo lives in a village where it is quite rural and they are not exposed to the movement or system. Sophia-town is where Kumalo is exposure to the difficulties others face, like not owning a house and having to rent out from those who do, living together in very tight conditions. Kumalo as we can tell from his time on the train, is not very exposed to technology and urban life. Kumalo is used to people being treated more equal in his village due to knowing everyone and everyone helping each other compared to the more urban life of the rat race of trying to earn money in a society that oppresses them and  deems them as lower class and unclean.]]> 2023-02-16 03:04:40 UTC https://padlet.com/raghu697621/mv1syq5zexnzs4on/wish/2484401922 cheun12436 https://padlet.com/raghu697621/mv1syq5zexnzs4on/wish/2484402602 This action symbolises his acceptance to the situation. It is kind of nice conclusion in a way to book 1 as we see Stephen who is a very dignified and honourable man take responsibility for his son's actions. It also really emphasises his journey and how Johannesburg is a metaphor for the system and how black people are forced into portraying their stereotypes as the system is built against them. In the novel, it also shows how caring and and responsible Stephen is.]]> 2023-02-16 03:05:28 UTC https://padlet.com/raghu697621/mv1syq5zexnzs4on/wish/2484402602 iyer111711 https://padlet.com/raghu697621/mv1syq5zexnzs4on/wish/2484413754 Kumalo receives a letter at the very start of the book. This letter is from 'Msimangu." It concerns the sister of Stephen, and he says that shes very sick and Msimangu says that he needs to arrive to Johannesberg immediately. This letter is the start of what his sister represents, which is how people who left their hometowns to come to Johannesberg seem lost and desperate. This letter sets the tone of the book as well. ]]> 2023-02-16 03:19:19 UTC https://padlet.com/raghu697621/mv1syq5zexnzs4on/wish/2484413754 fitzg879621 https://padlet.com/raghu697621/mv1syq5zexnzs4on/wish/2484418927 Kumalo meeting his son shows the storyline when he finds out Absalom Kumalo being a murderer to killing Arthur Jarvis. Since finding his son was the main resolution/the goal, as long as to finding the sister. But once he found out about the murder that his son commited, this goes against all of Stephen Kumalo's values since he is a priest and used to life being sacred, shows what his son had had to adapt to changes around him, how different Johannesburg is to hometown, how different the system is. hough Stephen Kumalo is a priest who is knows for being kind, and accepting. ]]> 2023-02-16 03:25:58 UTC https://padlet.com/raghu697621/mv1syq5zexnzs4on/wish/2484418927