ENG1501 ASSIGNMENT 3 2026
DUE 17 JULY 2026
In the novel, Small Things, the narrator forms relationships with various characters that
he encounters. Some make a lasting impact in his life, while others have little to no
effect on him.
Using the two extracts below as starting points, write an essay of approximately 600
words, in which you discuss how the narrator’s relationship with Bra Todd is similar to or
different from his relationship with Gabriel Sanchez.
The Narrator's Relationships with Bra Todd and Gabriel Sanchez in Small Things
Introduction
In Nthikeng Mohlele's novel Small Things, the unnamed narrator forms relationships
with many characters throughout his life. Some of these relationships leave a lasting
impact on him, while others have little effect. Two important relationships in the
narrator's life are with Bra Todd and Gabriel Sanchez. Both men become father figures
to the narrator, but the nature of these relationships is very different. The narrator's
relationships with Bra Todd and Gabriel Sanchez play important roles in shaping his
experiences and personal growth. Although both men influence the narrator's life, their
relationships differ in meaningful ways. This discussion compares and contrasts these
relationships by examining the role each man plays in the narrator's life, the narrator's
behaviour in each relationship, and the impact each relationship has on him.
,Bra Todd as a Mentor and Guardian
The narrator's relationship with Bra Todd begins when he is a young teenager. After
being expelled from the orphanage, the narrator finds refuge with Bra Todd, who is
described as "a respected newsman, with a taste for American swing". Bra Todd takes
the narrator in and teaches him important life skills. The narrator polishes Bra Todd's
shoes, helps with the dishes, and learns "sophisticated ways to woo a lady" (Mohlele,
2013: 11). Bra Todd also introduces the narrator to journalism and the newsroom,
where the narrator becomes "a willing apprentice" (Mohlele, 2013: 12).
What is interesting about this relationship is the power imbalance. The narrator is young
and dependent on Bra Todd. He looks up to Bra Todd and wants to please him. He
even collects debts for Bra Todd, and people in Sophiatown know him as "Todd's boy"
(Mohlele, 2013: 15). The narrator also envies Bra Todd because Bra Todd is Desiree's
uncle and has "full command of her attention" (Mohlele, 2013: 11-12). The narrator is
"terrified to let his feelings be known" and refrains from burdening Bra Todd with his
problems about Desiree (Mohlele, 2013: 11). This shows that while Bra Todd looks out
for the narrator, the narrator does not fully open up to him.
Gabriel Sanchez as an Equal Friend
The narrator's relationship with Gabriel Sanchez is very different. They meet when the
narrator is much older, after his release from prison. Gabriel Sanchez is a seventy-year-
old man from Cuba who fled to South Africa after killing his wife's lover. He owns a
motor repair workshop in Brixton and becomes a good friend to the narrator.
Unlike with Bra Todd, the narrator and Gabriel Sanchez are more like equals. They
share "sea-deep secrets" and Gabriel is "the only man who continues to make [the
narrator] laugh" (Mohlele, 2013: 71). Gabriel gives the narrator advice about love and
, life, but he does so as a friend, not as a boss or teacher. He tells the narrator that love
is "feeling in motion" and warns him to be careful with his feelings for Desiree (Mohlele,
2013: 71). The narrator feels comfortable enough to share his thoughts with Gabriel,
and Gabriel listens and offers guidance.
Differences in the Relationships
There are several key differences between the two relationships. First, the narrator's
age and position are different. With Bra Todd, the narrator is a young boy who needs to
be taken care of. He does chores for Bra Todd and learns from him. With Gabriel
Sanchez, the narrator is an adult who has already survived prison and hardship. He can
relate to Gabriel as a fellow survivor.
Second, the narrator is more open with Gabriel Sanchez. With Bra Todd, he hides his
feelings about Desiree because Bra Todd is her uncle. He is afraid to burden Bra Todd
with his problems. But with Gabriel, the narrator shares everything. Gabriel knows about
the narrator's love for Desiree and gives him advice about it. The narrator even tells
Gabriel about his relationship with Mercedes, Gabriel's daughter.
Third, the endings of the relationships are different. Bra Todd dies while the narrator is
in prison, tortured by the police for refusing to betray the narrator (Mohlele, 2013: 21).
The narrator learns of his death from Major Joubert. Gabriel Sanchez, on the other
hand, dies peacefully in Cuba, and the narrator learns about it through letters from
Mercedes. The narrator feels deep sadness for both men, but his grief for Gabriel is
more personal because they had a closer emotional bond.
DUE 17 JULY 2026
In the novel, Small Things, the narrator forms relationships with various characters that
he encounters. Some make a lasting impact in his life, while others have little to no
effect on him.
Using the two extracts below as starting points, write an essay of approximately 600
words, in which you discuss how the narrator’s relationship with Bra Todd is similar to or
different from his relationship with Gabriel Sanchez.
The Narrator's Relationships with Bra Todd and Gabriel Sanchez in Small Things
Introduction
In Nthikeng Mohlele's novel Small Things, the unnamed narrator forms relationships
with many characters throughout his life. Some of these relationships leave a lasting
impact on him, while others have little effect. Two important relationships in the
narrator's life are with Bra Todd and Gabriel Sanchez. Both men become father figures
to the narrator, but the nature of these relationships is very different. The narrator's
relationships with Bra Todd and Gabriel Sanchez play important roles in shaping his
experiences and personal growth. Although both men influence the narrator's life, their
relationships differ in meaningful ways. This discussion compares and contrasts these
relationships by examining the role each man plays in the narrator's life, the narrator's
behaviour in each relationship, and the impact each relationship has on him.
,Bra Todd as a Mentor and Guardian
The narrator's relationship with Bra Todd begins when he is a young teenager. After
being expelled from the orphanage, the narrator finds refuge with Bra Todd, who is
described as "a respected newsman, with a taste for American swing". Bra Todd takes
the narrator in and teaches him important life skills. The narrator polishes Bra Todd's
shoes, helps with the dishes, and learns "sophisticated ways to woo a lady" (Mohlele,
2013: 11). Bra Todd also introduces the narrator to journalism and the newsroom,
where the narrator becomes "a willing apprentice" (Mohlele, 2013: 12).
What is interesting about this relationship is the power imbalance. The narrator is young
and dependent on Bra Todd. He looks up to Bra Todd and wants to please him. He
even collects debts for Bra Todd, and people in Sophiatown know him as "Todd's boy"
(Mohlele, 2013: 15). The narrator also envies Bra Todd because Bra Todd is Desiree's
uncle and has "full command of her attention" (Mohlele, 2013: 11-12). The narrator is
"terrified to let his feelings be known" and refrains from burdening Bra Todd with his
problems about Desiree (Mohlele, 2013: 11). This shows that while Bra Todd looks out
for the narrator, the narrator does not fully open up to him.
Gabriel Sanchez as an Equal Friend
The narrator's relationship with Gabriel Sanchez is very different. They meet when the
narrator is much older, after his release from prison. Gabriel Sanchez is a seventy-year-
old man from Cuba who fled to South Africa after killing his wife's lover. He owns a
motor repair workshop in Brixton and becomes a good friend to the narrator.
Unlike with Bra Todd, the narrator and Gabriel Sanchez are more like equals. They
share "sea-deep secrets" and Gabriel is "the only man who continues to make [the
narrator] laugh" (Mohlele, 2013: 71). Gabriel gives the narrator advice about love and
, life, but he does so as a friend, not as a boss or teacher. He tells the narrator that love
is "feeling in motion" and warns him to be careful with his feelings for Desiree (Mohlele,
2013: 71). The narrator feels comfortable enough to share his thoughts with Gabriel,
and Gabriel listens and offers guidance.
Differences in the Relationships
There are several key differences between the two relationships. First, the narrator's
age and position are different. With Bra Todd, the narrator is a young boy who needs to
be taken care of. He does chores for Bra Todd and learns from him. With Gabriel
Sanchez, the narrator is an adult who has already survived prison and hardship. He can
relate to Gabriel as a fellow survivor.
Second, the narrator is more open with Gabriel Sanchez. With Bra Todd, he hides his
feelings about Desiree because Bra Todd is her uncle. He is afraid to burden Bra Todd
with his problems. But with Gabriel, the narrator shares everything. Gabriel knows about
the narrator's love for Desiree and gives him advice about it. The narrator even tells
Gabriel about his relationship with Mercedes, Gabriel's daughter.
Third, the endings of the relationships are different. Bra Todd dies while the narrator is
in prison, tortured by the police for refusing to betray the narrator (Mohlele, 2013: 21).
The narrator learns of his death from Major Joubert. Gabriel Sanchez, on the other
hand, dies peacefully in Cuba, and the narrator learns about it through letters from
Mercedes. The narrator feels deep sadness for both men, but his grief for Gabriel is
more personal because they had a closer emotional bond.
