Mother To Mother - Sommersemester PDF

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FRAU BUDIMIR

ENGLISCH LK Q2

ASOAD RAHMAN

MOTHER TO MOTHER LERNZETTEL AUTHOR SINDIWE MAGONA

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First of 8 children

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Born in South African village Gungululu in 1943

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Worked as a domestic aid

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Master’s Degree in social work at Columbia University, USA

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Worked for the UN Department of Public Information for 25 years

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2003: retired and returned to South Africa

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Published 9 books (Mother to Mother in 1998)

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Received numerous awards addressing social concerns

UMBRELLA SENTENCE

The novel “Mother to Mother” written by Sindiwe Magona and published in 1998 deals with Mandisa expressing her thoughts and feelings concerning her son Mxolisi having murdered Amy Biehl, a white student.

NARRATIVE PERSP ECTIVE

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Mandisa = first-person-narrator Allows reader to share many details, feelings A broad picture is possible (as opposed to Mxolisi as narrator) Mandisa links all generations living under apartheid Shows origins of Mxolisi’s trouble Point of view and frame story creates emotion

THE AMY BIEHL CASE

FRAU BUDIMIR

ENGLISCH LK Q2

ASOAD RAHMAN

Amy Elizabeth Biehl (April 26, 1967 – August 25, 1993) was a white American graduate of Stanford University and an Anti-Apartheid activist in South Africa who was murdered by black Cape Town residents As she drove a friend home to the township of Guguletu, 1993, a black mob pulled her from the car and stabbed and stoned her to black youths threw stones at delivery vehicles and cars driven by white people. One delivery vehicle was toppled over and set alight, and only the arrival of the police prevented more damage.

AUHTOR’S P REFACE (EXPLANATION; SETTING; CHARACTERS; OPINIOM; QUESTION OF JUSTICE & GUIILT

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Briefly outlines the case of Amy Biehl → White American student who spent ten months at an African university to learn about the Xhosa culture and language She was attacked and killed by a mob of black youths in August 1993 on her last day in South Africa. Amy fell victim to people she wanted to support, which seems very ironic. What were the causes of these misunderstanding? Amy wanted to help prepare first democratic elections → murder attracted a great deal of attention and sympathy Sindiwe Magona points out that she wants to focus on the perpetrators´ world in her novel. → To find out what made the young men involved commit such a hideous (scheußlich, abscheulich) crime Through the novel it is supposed to be easier for the reader to answer the questions if people can understand the murder of Amy Biehl and how far Mandisa is responsible of her son`s act. In that preface there is already one hidden cause mentioned. Sindiwie Magona makes Apartheid system obviously responsible for the general anger in the society with the effect of violence. She writes: “a system repressive and brutal, that bred (to generate, to produce) senseless inter -and intraracial violence as well as other nefarious (criminal, immoral) happenings; a system that promoted a twisted sense of right and wrong, […] crime against humanity”.

CHAPTER 1 AND ANALYZIN G MANDISA’S LAMENT

 Frist person narrator Mandisa addresses Amy Biehl´s mother directly.  Mandisa, mother of Mxolisi, the black teenager who is made responsible for Amy´s death

FRAU BUDIMIR

ENGLISCH LK Q2

ASOAD RAHMAN

 Mandisa explains her son´s actions trying to overcome her own grief (Trauer)  She asks for forgiveness and understanding, but also shows reproach (Vorwurf) for Amy´s conduct → “Why did she not stay out?” (p.3). Pointing out that her daughter is not completely innocent or that might be destiny. She should have listened to her university friends.  Nevertheless, she’s not surprised by Mxolisi´s actions but at the same time angry that the person who died had to be white, so that is why this murder was a very big scandal in comparison to Guguletu’ situation. Lastly, she blames her naivety.  She gives a general account of the situation of the indigenous population in South Africa. She criticizes the system of Apartheid and she is seeking for justice.  Mandisa reveals also a few biographical facts, mentioning where she worked and how less time she had then for her children to take care off.  Due to her repetitions and emotional words she seems very desperate. Almost disable to get along/(coming to terms) with the situation.  The rest of the novel gives the impression of being a collection of diary entries without any chronological order.

Mandisa’s motivation for writing      

Apology, pleading for forgiveness Sympathy for Amy’s mother Sharing Amy’s mother grief Showing Mandisa is just a mother and it almost feels like losing his child. Telling what the situation in township is like Coming to terms with her own situation as the mother of a murderer and socially excluded including the rest of the family

Reasons for Amy’s murderer     

Murder and violence are common in townships Apartheid policy and the history, the anger of the black majority Mxolisi’s stupidity Mxolisi had always been destructive (He needed psychological help, through what he had to experience – mentioning later in the novel)

CHAPTER 2 – AMY’S DEATH AND COMPARISON OF TWO WORLD S

 Mandisa starts relaying the events leading up to Amy´s death. In the last pages she focuses on the reactions of the mob which killed Amy and their reaction resulting as a symbol of freedom and an act against apartheid for them.  Morning routine of Amy Biehl on Wednesday 25th August 1993 is presented.  First person narrator also then takes the reader to her own home  Presenting the three children and their character.  Amy is optimistic and looking forward to meeting her friends from university  Mandisa is neglecting her children as she has to work for a white person in the suburbs from six days a week → So that is why she is worried about her kids and wishes to have given them more attention, but they need the money to survive (existential risk)  They have a lack of food for Mandisa´s children.  She says: “We work to survive.” And “Life is never problem free”  In Chapter two she starts with conditions in the townships by mentioning the students label “reactionary” who fought for better education by boycotting classes (even more lack of education)  Switching perspectives between Amy´s and Mandisa´s world → a big contrast between two sections of society is clearly indicated, Mandisa is also comparing the two worlds of Amy Biehl and Mxolisi. Again, she is pointing out that her daughter should have been more careful, when her friends even warned no to the road.  Women’s, Manyano. In any of several South African black Churches: (the name given to) the women's association. 1940s; earliest use found in Bantu World.

CHAPTERS 3 & 4

FRAU BUDIMIR

ENGLISCH LK Q2

ASOAD RAHMAN

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The chapter starts with Mandisa getting interrupted cooking by her employer Mrs. Nelson. She heard of trouble in Guguletu and wants to send her immediately back to Guguletu.

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She wonders why she gets a day off and starts thinking about her life with the life styles of white people. She concludes that these people don’t know what hard work means.

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In a hurry Mrs. Nelson accompanies her to the bus station. She thinks the boycotts could be the causes for the trouble there. In addition, she mentions that white people aren’t allowed to go to Guguletu (Reference to Amy Biehl?

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In the bus she is thinking about Guguletu and its past and how it came that now there live so many people under such less space. She is talking about the Apartheid system. She reports about the life conditions when she and her family got send from Blouvlei to Guguletu and that government didn’t care it all how or where they had to live. Mandisa mentions the “Slum Clearance”

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Recollects how her family was uprooted (entwurzelt) by the white apartheid government and forced to move to Guguletu

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One of the main problems was the problem finding school which would accept the new students- Due to the mass of new people in Guguletu the schools were full, and it was hard to find a place in an educational institution

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Then she refers again to the pain she felt as it was a loss of everything leaving her hometown, everything what they build up, friends, high fares, work distance but she seems a bit proud still having strength (p.28)

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In the bus some people are discussing what the trouble and heat could have caused. One man tells that the area where it happens is the same one where Mandisa lives. She is worried about her children, and in particular about her eldest.

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Very concerned about hearing that a white woman was allegedly (angeblich) been killed Feeling that trouble is ahead with the “saracens” (police armoured (gepanzert) cars)

CHAPTER 5

 o o o    o 

Flashback to Mandisa´s childhood in 1968 Recounts how she came to Guguletu as a nine-year-old girl Her family´s business of bottling ginger beer and selling it to workers on their pay day was brutally ended by the government´s decision “to move all Africans in Cape Town area to Nyanga” (p.52), a black township Protests and appeals to the parliament were of no use Now really worried as her son has not returned home and she wants to know his whereabouts Mandisa´s present husband Dwadwa holds a grudge against Mxolisi, Mandisa defends her son Further flashback Mandisa recollects an incident similar to Amy´s fatal encounter Addressing Amy´s mother directly, Mandisa once again wonders why Amy did not keep out from the black settlement

CHAPTER 6

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Following day (Thursday 26th August 1993) Police raid on Mandisa´s home takes place at 4.00 am Police are looking for Mxolisi, who seems to have been home earlier that night Mandisa is reminded of the killing of Steve Biko (cf. p. 84) , a student protest leader under the apartheid regime Mandisa is aware of the fact, that the police are still rather a threat than a guarantee of safety for the people of Guguletu

FRAU BUDIMIR

ENGLISCH LK Q2

ASOAD RAHMAN

CHAPTER 7 & 8

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In two extended flashbacks, she portrays her life in apartheid South Africa

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Mother has always been worried her daughter would get pregnant unwanted

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Mother regularly checks whether she is still a virgin 14-year-old gets pregnant under mysterious circumstances Mandisa´s mother forces her daughter to live with her grandmother Makhulu in Gugulungu, a remote village in the Transkei (at this point she doesn´t know that her daughter is pregnant) Mandisa misses her boyfriend China terribly Mandisa looks forward to the visit of her aunt Funiwe (believes she would take her to East London) Funiwe discovers Mandisa´s pregnancy Mandisa´s mother is shocked ( and Mandisa too, as she has allegedly taken all precautions to avoid becoming pregnant) Mandisa gets brought back to Cape Town and kept prisoner in her own home Forbidden any contact to China, but writes letters with him China eventually visits her and is shocked that she is expecting a baby China´s family, after negotiations, agree that the two should get married Mxolisi gets born in January 1973 (Mandisa hated him during the pregnancy for causing her so much misery) She doesn´t want to marry China but gets forced by the clan Helps his family in the household but leaves as China disappears for good Starts working as a domestic aid As a four-year-old Mxolisi betrays two boys, who, after that, get shot. Mxolisi doesn´t talk for two years Mandisa meets Lungile and 9 months later gives birth to Lunga Mxolisi wants to know where own father is Lungile crosses the border to train as a freedom fighter → family has great difficulties to make ends meet Mxolisi offers to quit school, but then gets persuaded to continue high school Mxolisi gets involved in politics ,but does not take part in violent actions He even saves a girl from being raped Mandisa refers to this incident to point out why she fails to understand how her son could have become a murderer

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CHAPTER 9

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Refers to the repercussion of the police raid of her house Siziwe seems to be badly hurt in a psychological way Siziwe tells Mandisa that Mxolisi was home shortly before the police raid He might have hidden something in the boy´s hut Mandisa stays home from work in case Mxolisi returns

FRAU BUDIMIR

ENGLISCH LK Q2

ASOAD RAHMAN

CHAPTER 10

 Another flashback o Childhood experiences in Mandisa´s old home o Recollects her grandfather´s story about how the Cape of Good Hope was renamed  Mandisa begins her search for Mxolisi, which turns to be a mystery hunt  The Anglican priest who had refused Mxolisi and his friends the use of his church, visits Mandisa under the pretense that he has found a meeting place for Mxolisi and his friends o Leaves a message for Mandisa on a piece of paper o Mandisa is told to get a public taxi and go to a hiding place  Eventually meets Mxolisi at the hiding place  Finds Mxolisi in deep trouble  Gets no conclusive answer regarding whether he killed Amy or not  It can be assumed that Mxolisi threw stones at Amy´s car and also stabbed her with a knife together with many other people  He repeatedly tells Mandisa he did not murder Amy, but she does not believe him and knows that he will be arrested

CHAPTER 11 & 12

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Mandisa directly addresses her “Sister-Mother” (p.198), Mrs. Biehl Tries to explain the political background behind the deed (Tat) by quoting the slogans “one settler, one bullet” or “with our match boxes we shall free ourselves” (p.198) Feels sorrow for the victim´s mother Also pities herself and her family; feels like an outcast in her community Utters a strong warning to their parents whose children are under the same political influence as Mxolisi and are expecting the same hardships every day However, she cannot understand why her son was singled out from the crowd as the murderer of the white student Neighbors decided to grieve with her Mandisa know believes that violence may stop if people decide to forgive and help each other and if they´re willing to talk to each other Mandisa feels close to Amy´s mother Mandisa believes Mxolisi´s generation is a lost generation (manipulated by political agents; victims of the police) Finally Mandisa gives an account of what happened on Wednesday, 25th August 1993  Amy´s yellow Madza enters Guguletu, where Mxolisi´s gang is walking the streets after being refused the use of the Anglican church hall  The mob recognizes a white person behind the wheel  “one settler, one bullet” → Ay is singled out merely because she is white, a representative of the race that exploited and held down black people for so long  Amy and her friends try to stay calm, but the situation gets out of control  Stones get thrown and people get more and more violent  Mandisa blames herself and her community for what happened  “The crow cheers on my son. One settler! One bullet! We had been cheering him on since the day he was born. Before he was born. Long before. […] My son was only an agent, executing the long-simmering dark desires of his race. Burning hatred for the oppressor possessed his being.” (p. 209 / 210)

MANDISA

FRAU BUDIMIR    

  

ENGLISCH LK Q2

ASOAD RAHMAN

First person narrator and protagonist , fictious conversation with the victim’s mother Admits that her son might have killed Amy Biehl Torn between feeling sorry for the murdered student and compassion for her own son Mxolisi She and her family had to suffer from racism and the forced removals imposed by the apartheid government when she was a child Mandisa´s recollections serve to exculpate (freisprechen) Mxolisi from an unforgivable deed that destroys two young lives Both teenagers’ victims of own limited perceptions Cares a great deal about her children, although always held a grudge against Mxolisi for making life miserable and complicated  Seems that Mandisa blames herself for what happened

MXOLISI

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Mandisa´s first-born son Multi-faceted character, deeply wounded through childhood experiences After disclosing his friends´ hiding place and them getting shot, Experienced many losses in his young life (his father, his mother´s boyfriend Lungile, his two friends, his mother resented giving birth to him Mandisa: sensitive and helpful person  Saved a young girl from being raped, willing to quit school to help his family Denies to actually have murdered Amy

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Contribute to the family income

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Involved killing Amy, although he denies that he actually murdered her

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MXOLISI´ S DEVELOPMENT

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Happy, fast developing child Trauma: outed the children´s hiding place and stops talking Loses control over Mxolisi, doesn´t know anything about his life Does not have a lot of education → Mxolisi walks in gangs Strikes, violence and brutality dominate everyday-life

FRAU BUDIMIR

ENGLISCH LK Q2

ASOAD RAHMAN

SIZIWE

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Only girl in the family Mandisa worried about her nonchalance, reproaches her for not caring enough about Mxolisi Badly affected by police raid Careful not to give away too much information about Mxolisi´s whereabouts

AMY BIEHL

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White student Helps people prepare the first free elections in post-apartheid South Africa Depicted as a happy and optimistic character Becomes victim of the long built up wrath of a mob

CHINA

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Mandisa´s first boyfriend and Mxolisi´s father Not willing to accept his role as a father Denies any responsibilities Takes his frustration out on Mandisa Finally disappears, leaving young wife and child

LUNGILE

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Lunga’s father & Mandisa’s second husband

LUNGA

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Mandisa´s second son “reader” of the family Represents family’s soft side Badly beaten up during the police raid Not engaged in any political activities

DWADWA

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Siziwe´s father & Mandisa´s current partner Good provider for the family, cares about everyone Dislikes Mxolisi’s political emancipation

MAMA (MAND ISA’S MOTHE R)

SIEHE LERNBLATT: MOTHERHOOD NONO – MANDISA’S OLD FRIEND

MANDISA’S BROTH ER – BECOMING FATHER

FRAU BUDIMIR

ENGLISCH LK Q2

ASOAD RAHMAN

MANDISA’S FATHE R – SUP PORTING HE R ALWAYS

THEMES AND INTERPRETATION RACISM

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Political system of apartheid (=racial segregation) was practiced in South Africa from beginning of the 20th century until 1994 (Nelson Mandela becoming president) Novel: social effects of and political struggle against apartheid influence everybody´s behavior Hatred and ignorance → destruction of individuals Hatred the deprived native population feels for the white settlers’ springs from such experiences of powerlessness that seem to repeat themselves Mandisa´s forced removal from Blouvlei to Guguletu, not enough housing and school facilities and the loss of the fam...