Summary
Summary - ENG2603 - Colonial And Postcolonial African Literatures
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- University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Summary - ENG2603 - Colonial And Postcolonial African Literatures
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Seven steps to heavenIntroduction
• This novel is set in the exciting yet uncertain period beginning in 1991
• The year after the release of Nelson Mandela and other prisoners
• The title suggests that there are 7 steps to take to lead you closer to God,
this is seen as a spiritual journey and given that the life he leads it is ironic
• When you get an extract: this extract introduces the theme of…. Which is
evident throughout the novel. In this essay I will elaborate on the theme
as it connects with….
Themes
Stereotyping
• Stereotyping is defined as ‘a false or negative assumption about an
individual or group of people
• ‘People are like onions my
mother would say they have many layers’ As such people do not fit into any
specific grouping, as each individual is complex like the onion.
Racial stereotyping
• Racial stereotype refers to the false on negative assumptions about a
particular race
• There are many instances of racial stereotyping in the book.
“Yo bro, I’m talking to you”. “Yo, nigger, where you from, huh?
• Patrick and Sizwe have a complex relationship
• during their first meeting, Patrick speaks to Sizwe in a pseudo-black
American accent
• He sees Sizwe and immediately presumes that since he is black and that
he is from city and would converse in this language style.
• Sizwe is confused and in some cases offended by the way Patrick speaks.
• Ironically, Patrick stereotypes Sizwe when he himself defies stereotypes
because of the way h he speaks and dresses “baggy jeans and a Lakers
shirt’.
• He is hardly the stereotypical version of an eloquent Irish literary
student.
“All you whites are the same. Every time we give you a hand of friendship, you
chop it off”
• this is from an argument that takes place between Sizwe and Patrick
when Patrick gives his manuscript to Sheree and he is not happy about it.
• Sizwe is enraged when he says these words
• He is referring to how white people take advantage of black people and
this is a broad generalization and stereotypical towards black individuals
, • Patrick’s black girlfriend’s parents are also guilty of placing a racial
stereotype.
• When they hear that Thembi is dating an Irishman, they are elated.
• In their minds, they imagine a “gallant Irishman” who is respectable and
works hard when in fact Patrick does not live up to these qualities
because he is more in nature like the “black monkeys in our country” that
they detest so.
• We also find out that he is also a male prostitute, which creates an
additional stereotype to being gay. As many people believe that gay men
sleep around.
“White peoples shit if refined unlike black people’s shit that is brown like
bricks”,
• This is Thulani’s view on white verses black people
• He is stereotyping both races by implying that white problems are easy to
over come, they live an easier lifestyle and black people do not
• He also calls his friends “baboons” which could implies that they are not
clever and act like animals
Sexual stereotyping
• Sexual stereotype is a negative assumption about a particular sex.
“where are your balls” “fokken moffie”
• Sis Joy encourages him and taunts him with words that cast doubts on his
sexual identity
• Sis Joy casts being gay into a negative light
• She accusing gay men of being feminine and soft
“Moffie bitch”.
• During the same argument, Sizwe lashes out and calls Patrick this
• This is a homophobic comment, which is ironic since Sizwe is gay too, but
shows the reader how sexual stereotypes also feature in this novel.
Reverend Tembe.
• He has an adulterous relationship and then runs off with his mistress.
• This is shocking to read because a Reverend in one’s mind is seen to be a
respectable, law abiding man who would honour his wife and
congregation.
• However in all truthfulness, that is a stereotypical view of what a
Reverend should be since everyone is merely human and battles with the
desires of the flesh.
“A lot of men who know that I am a dyke are always amazed about the way I
dress.”
• This comment is made by Sheree, sizwe’a publisher
• She is lesbian but does not dress like the sterotype attached to the
identity of a lesbian which is usually that of mens clothing
• Sheree on the other hand dresses in sexy clothing
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