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Its very important that the word that you used in the comments are like a personal opionion

The first that I need you to make and personal opinion or reply based on your own words please

Henry De Silva

Week 4 Discussion

COLLAPSE

Top of Form

It is shown that Lucas’s family has generational ties with the Van der Vyver family. Lucas’s mother is with her own parents at the funeral and it is clear that they were already working for the Van der Vyver family since Marais himself, along with the mother, were children. (Gordimer, N. 1991/2019, pg. 1461) This may indicate a friendly or sibling relationship that may have formed between Marais and the mother, or that the Van der Vyver family has close relations with Lucas’s family. Gordimer takes away that suspicion by giving Marais characteristics of “coldness and reserve — … didn’t mix well as a child.” (Gordimer, N. 1991/2019, pg. 1461) Marais is not a people person. This characteristic is further strengthened in that he doesn’t notice his wife’s support through the funeral, nor does he seek contact from anyone gathered at the funeral. Marais, along with the mother, stare blankly and unmoving at Lucas’s grave.

Gordimer gives no hints as to a relationship between the mother and Marais aside from their similarities in dealing with the funeral. Marais is described as sobbing with “snot running into his hands, like a dirty kid.” (Gordimer, N. 1991/2019, pg. 1460) However, in the company of others, his wife and Lucas’s family included, shows stoicism and reserve; the mother does the same, her crying and despair not described in the text. Suspiciously so, it may be an indicator of some relationship in that they share the characteristics at the funeral, or that they both refuse to acknowledge each other’s prescence and look at each other. Is there a hidden meaning in this?

Very subtly, Gordimer shows that Marais is aware of the clothing and family of Lucas, noting that the mother is “heavily mature in a black dress between her own parents.” Even in his coldness and reserve he is aware of the mother.

Of course, at the very end, Gordimer drops a bombshell and reveals that Lucas “was not the farmers boy; he was his son!” (Gordimer, N. 1991/2019, pg. 1462)

The seconds that I need you to make and personal opinion or reply based on your own words please

The Moment Before the Gun Went Off

Samantha Lamprecht

Department of English Literature, Keiser University

English Literature ENL100G4

Prof. S Hudson

08/23/2021

In the apartheid times in South-Africa the separation of Whites and Black were a lawful act carried out for more than fifty (50) years to be abolished at the end of 1990’s.

In the apartheid days farm workers were considered being of color and helping the farmer successfully maintain his land. This matter was done in a very respectful manner and although the rules were set out by the government, treating with respect and honor was never justified on skin color. The elder Van der Vyver had started farming and had Lucas’s mother work for them. This clearly shows that the generation of workers are simply not workers, but part of the family. The assumption of her mother giving birth to her at an early age on that specific farm, delivered by the farmer’s spouse (Van der Vyver’s) herself was all actions of those specific times (Gordimer, 2004, p. 1459-1462).

The apartheid times called to segregation of the black and whites and never to be thought of having a relationship other than business was a big no and never to be thought of. The narrator illustrates when both Lucas’s mother and Van der Vyver stare at the grave that the silent communication of sadness is displayed. He is silently showing his remorse for killing their son, as the actions of sexual activity different races where unlawful and could be sentenced to imprisonment or worse death (Gordimer, 2004, p. 1459-1462).

To conclude, the story of a generation of farm workers helped Van der Vyver’s parents on the farm who now is helping Van der Vyver. The freak accident had Van der Vyver sobbing and in disbelief of what had taken place. The act of both Lucas’s mother and farmer Van der Vyver’s looking at the grave of ‘their’ son is to pay respect by bowing heads to the diseased mother and showing utter remorse and grievance.