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- University Of South Africa (Unisa)
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When Rain Clouds Gather SummarySuperSummary, a modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, offers high-quality study guides
for challenging works of literature. This 33-page guide for “When Rain Clouds Gather” by Bessie
Head includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 12 chapters, as well as several more
in-depth sections of expert-written literary analysis. Featured content includes commentary on major
characters, 26 important quotes, essay topics, and key themes like Social Progress and Religion and
Insight.
Plot Summary
When Rain Clouds Gather is Bessie Head’s first novel. Like much of her other writing, including the
short stories she was known for, the novel deals with the effects of apartheid in South Africa. Bessie
Head’s writing was actually one of the first ways that many outsiders became aware of the troubling
political system of apartheid. The trials and tribulations of her characters while dealing with the
segregationist political system, under which blacks were systematically abused, can be seen
throughout her works, including in When Rain Clouds Gather.
In the novel, the main protagonist, Makhaya Maseko, flees from the racially charged environment in
South Africa to neighboring Botswana, where the story itself takes place. He was involved in a bomb
plot back in South Africa, and as the political system is particularly violent towards blacks, he must
flee for his life. In Botswana, he befriends Dinorego, and after a time, decides to stay in the village of
Golema Mmidi. Makhaya is introduced to a British agriculturalist named Gilbert who is also staying in
the village. Dinorego speaks highly of Gilbert, saying that the man is his son and a giving person.
Makhaya also learns that Gilbert has been working on a cattle cooperative for the past three years.
Though the villagers are excited about the possibilities of the project, which would make them more
independent, Chief Matenge is not happy with Gilbert’s work. In fact, Matenge, who is portrayed as
spoiled and authoritarian, has been sent to the village specifically by his brother Sekoto to ensure
that Gilbert does not cause too much trouble with his cooperative plans. From all accounts, Matenge
and Gilbert are at war over the cooperative and its potential success.
One day, Makhaya is referred to Gilbert by Dinorego. While the two eat, Gilbert assesses Makhaya
and finds that he does not seem interested in tribalism, and so agrees to hire him as a worker on the
agricultural farm. Gilbert teaches Makhaya how to drive a tractor, and instructs him in agricultural
farming. In turn, Makhaya uses his knowledge of the Tswana language to share the agricultural
information with the women in Golema Mmidi.
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