The Dream House Literary Essay
Name and surname: Kirsten Barbour
Grade and class: 12 Y
In Craig Higginson’s The Dream House, it can clearly be seen that the exposition of
secrets, both large and small, bring to light the truths of the past. This allows for
some characters to reconcile and move forward with their lives, whilst tainting the
future of others. The characters that are most prominently affected are Patricia,
Looksmart and Beauty, but Richard’s life is also altered to some extent.
Patricia Whiley, a central character throughout the novel, has spent the majority of
her adult life on Dwaleni farm, which she is now leaving. This departure is initially
viewed as her chance to escape back to her childhood, where she once experienced
true happiness. This is something that she longs for and has not been able to attain
for many years. Her misery can be seen in, “…he died thinking I was happy, hoping I
was…” This extract explains how she has been engulfed in sadness and is hoping to
move forward. Her plans are altered by the sudden return of Piwayinkosi Ndlovu,
also known as Looksmart. This man, the son of a farm worker, grew up under the
influence and watchful eye of Patricia, but suddenly left without reason. He has
returned with the intention of revealing his version of a dark secret that has haunted
him since the day he left.
Behind his façade of calmness, accompanied by his wealth portraying suit,
Looksmart slowly reveals information surrounding the death of Grace. She was the
love of his life that he had hoped to marry, but his aspirations were cut short when
she was killed by the Whiley’s dog, Chloe. The truth surrounding this murder
diverges; planting the seed of Looksmart’s hate on the one side and being bottled up
in Togo, better known as Beauty, on the other.
Looksmart believes that Grace’s demise was due to resisting Richard Whiley’s
sexual desires, prompting him to set the dog on her. This truth has overshadowed
everything; his success, family life and perception of individuals who are still living in
colonialised South Africa. It is also the reason for his return to the farm as he is trying
to shift some of his pain onto Patricia, hoping that she too will never achieve true
happiness. His intention can be seen in, “I want for you guilt, darkness! …to be
haunted… decayed away!” This transfer of pain also allows him to achieve some sort
of mental victory and reconciliation, freeing him to return to his life with a clearer
conscience and a chance to move forward.
On the other hand, Beauty’s perception, the more correct one, confesses that Grace
never actually loved Looksmart, but was rather in a relationship with Richard. This
secret relationship was one of lust; with Richard paying Grace for their intimacy.
Beauty explains that the events of that day involved Grace revealing her pregnancy
and desire to keep the child to Richard, filling him with fury and triggering him to free
the dog. Beauty has chosen to retain this truth for many years for a variety of
reasons, including her imbedded fear of Richard, desire to maintain her job and to
protect Looksmart. Her reasoning to withhold the truth from him is illustrated in, “He
will not be able to hear such a thing...” This disclosure persuades Patricia to finally
send Richard to an assisted care home, excluding him from the happiness she
