11/19/2010 Blog

I enjoyed reading Gordimer's piece, Comrades, because I felt it was able to bring me into the place of the woman's (main character's) position. Very often, in stories of racial or political issues, authors tend to bring the reader into the perspective of the victim and often neglect the emotion or thoughts of the person who is not directly affiliated with being the "true victim." Her take on this is especially effective because she, in reality, was very involved in the South African politics; through her knowledge of the effects of white supremacy and its negative tolls on society, Gordimer is able to illustrate the realities that were to be the futures of the young boys in her home (who could barely handle the awkward situation of being personally offered food in a white woman's home).