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ENG2603 OCT/NOV 2023 EXAM ANSWERS
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ENG2603 OCT/NOV 2023 EXAM ANSWERS
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FULL NAMES:STUDENT NUMBER:
MODULE CODE: ENG2603
MODULE NAME: ENGLISH PROFICIENCY FOR
UNIVERSITY STUDIES
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
, SECTION A
QUESTION 2
"Welcome to Our Hillbrow," a novel by Phaswane Mpe, critically engages with cultural
stereotyping and challenges prevalent perceptions of other Africans in postcolonial
South Africa. The book offers a nuanced portrayal of various characters, including
female ones, which serves to question and subvert stereotypes.
Firstly, the novel disrupts stereotypes by presenting female characters who are multi-
dimensional and diverse in their experiences. For instance, we encounter characters
like Refiloe, who is a complex figure struggling with her identity and desires. She is not
reduced to a one-dimensional portrayal but is depicted as a woman with ambitions,
fears, and complexities that transcend cultural stereotypes. Through characters like
Refiloe, Mpe challenges the tendency to homogenize and oversimplify the
experiences of African women.
Additionally, the novel provides a platform for female voices and experiences, allowing
them to articulate their own stories and perspectives. This challenges the traditional
narrative that often marginalizes or silences women. The character of Refiloe, for
example, is given agency to navigate her own journey, making decisions and
confronting challenges in a way that defies conventional expectations. This portrayal
not only highlights the agency of women but also challenges the tendency to view
African women solely through the lens of victimhood.
However, it's important to note that while "Welcome to Our Hillbrow" offers a critical
perspective on cultural stereotyping, it does not entirely escape all stereotypes. Some
characters, though multidimensional, may still be influenced by certain cultural
expectations or norms. It is crucial to approach the novel with a discerning eye,
recognizing both its progressive elements and areas where it may inadvertently
reinforce certain stereotypes. This complexity underscores the ongoing struggle for
authentic representation and challenges readers to engage critically with the text.
In Mpe's "Welcome to Our Hillbrow," the portrayal of foreigners as super spreaders of
HIV/AIDS is a complex and controversial theme. While the novel does indeed depict
instances where foreign characters are linked to the transmission of HIV/AIDS, it is
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