K.M. Govender
Tsotsi
Chapters 1-3
Critical issues
1. Assess the characters of the four gang members. How does the writer reveal character?
2. Tension leading up to the murder of Gumboot Dhlamini – techniques used by the writer to
create and relieve tension.
3. Relationship between Tsotsi and Boston. What are Boston’s feelings towards Tsotsi? Why
does Tsotsi beat up Boston violently?
4. The theme of decency. What does Boston mean when he uses the word “decency”? Why is
Tsotsi unable to understand what it means to be decent?
5. Tsotsi’s actions soon after he beats Boston. Why does Tsotsi run when he leaves Soekie’s?
Comment on his thoughts as he sits beneath the trees. Critically analyse the spider
anecdote.
6. The brief interlude with the woman with the box. Tsotsi thinks about raping the woman but
eventually doesn’t – why doesn’t he attack the woman?
Analysis
Characterisation
Their actions, thoughts and what they say reveal a great deal about the characters of the four gang
members.
Tsotsi is the least communicative but most contemplative – there is a quiet assurance about him. He
knows that he is feared and loathed but this gives him a sense of satisfaction as he realises he has
power over those around him. He makes the decisions for the gang. His thoughts about the other
gang members reveal his feelings towards them. “You I can trust…smile hides fear.” p.7
Butcher is described as ruthless and dangerous – “small, dangerous eyes…but with impatience” p.6.
Tostsi’s thoughts about Butcher reveal that he cannot be trusted and that he hates Tsotsi (hates him
perhaps because of Tsotsi’s position of leadership and the power that Tsotsi has over him).
Boston is the most sensitive of the four. He is the most civilised and has a keen sense of decency – he
is opposed to violence and murder. He tries to delay the gang from going on their usual spree of
robbery and violence – note: “Why?” he asked, and played…hands…Sometimes you pick one and
he’s got nothing.” p.7 Boston also gets physically sick after the murder of Gumboot.
Die Aap, as his name suggests, is not of first rate intelligence. He is powerfully built and perhaps
stronger than two men put together but can be manipulated easily because of his lack of intelligence
and that’s why Tsotsi trusts him completely.
Control of tension
There are two distinct periods in the first chapter where tension is generated. The first when the
gang members are walking through the township to the train station. Their intentions, it seems, are
1
,K.M. Govender
very clear to other residents of the township. The mothers pull their children indoors and there are
anxious stares from windows. The street becomes silent and deserted. This being a Friday – payday –
there is obvious anxiety over the safety of husbands returning home from work with their pay
packets. The next period of tension is the moment before the murder of Gumboot – the writer plays
out the scene where he zooms in on the three mistakes that cost Gumboot his life. Tension is
relieved when the writer flashes back to Gumboot leaving his home for the goldfields p.9 and the
description of the train pulling into the station after Gumboot’s murder p.12/13
Relationship between Boston and Tsotsi
We are told in chapter two that Tsotsi hated being asked questions and Boston asked him a lot of
questions. Why does he not like to be asked questions? Boston’s questions force Tsotsi to recall his
past which he does not want to remember – as long as he submerges his memories he is at ease.
Boston also taunts him about his lack of decency. Tsotsi beats Boston not because Boston had done
something wrong but because Boston makes him confront the wrong that he has done, and also
makes him aware of his pitiful lack of human identity and glaring lack of decent human values.
Theme of Decency
Boston has a keen sense of what decent human behaviour means and is therefore repelled by the
mindless violence perpetrated by the gang. He is deeply affected by the murder of Gumboot which
makes him physically and emotionally sick – he vomits in the gutter and ponders over what they had
done when they are drinking at Soekie’s. The murder as well as the rape of the drunken Rosie
prompts Boston to question the gang’s lack of decency and particularly Tsotsi’s inability to
understand what decency means. This, in a sense, is a foreshadowing of Tsotsi’s moral growth later
in the novel when he begins to learn to behave in a decent way and when he seeks out Boston to
question him about moral issues.
Tostsi’s thoughts and actions after beating Boston
Tsotsi runs after he leaves Soekie’s because in a sense he wants to run away from Boston’s words
“Your folks Tsotsi…a dog” p.23/ “You must a soul…got a soul!” p.23 “One day..that day” p.27 – words
that dredge up his sordid childhood past, words that remind him of his lack of humanity and decent
human values. Tsotsi’s thoughts, as he sits under the trees, once again dwell on Boston and his
words and he begins to question why he had chosen Boston for the gang – it soon becomes clear
that Boston’s cleverness was why he was chosen – his penchant for detail had saved the gang on
many occasions but it was the same intellectualism which results in Boston’s questions and stories
(with morals) that Tsotsi resented. Tsotsi also had irrational fears – the phobia for spiders for
example. Why was he terrified of spiders? Did spiders and their webs remind him of his own
entrapment? Why did Tsotsi not help the handcuffed man being led off by the policeman? This man,
like Boston, reminded him of a past he did not want to remember – the man called out his name,
David.
Tsotsi and the woman
The meeting is a critical moment in the story – it marks the beginning of Tsotsi’s moral
transformation. Looking after the baby gives Tsotsi a sense of purpose and raises his moral
conscience. Tsotsi had every intention of attacking the woman but she is saved by the box and the
crying baby inside it.
2
, K.M. Govender
Tsotsi: Chapter 4
Critical Issues
1. Impact of Gangsterism on township residents
How is Cassim and is family affected by Tsotsi’s presence in the shop? What does the
following line reveal about the reaction of other residents to Tsotsi’s presence in
their midst: “On Fridays they opened up and made a path for him.” (p.39)
2. First turning point in the novel
Tsotsi is presented differently for the first time – he is not confident and cocksure
anymore. Provide evidence of this from this chapter. Provide evidence of Tsotsi
becoming more sensitive and responsible. What are the implications of Tsotsi
consciously attempting to remember his past? In this regard, discuss the link
between the baby and the “yellow bitch”.
3. Social inequalities in apartheid South Africa
How does the writer explore the unequal lives of blacks and whites in this chapter?
What are the links between apartheid and the story of Tsotsi?
Impact of Gangsterism on township residents
Once again the reader is shown how Gangsterism dislocates the lives of township residents.
Their fear is so palpable that the reader can, in a sense, feel and taste it.
Note Cassim’s reaction. When he notices Tsotsi for the first time in the doorway of his shop,
he quickly counts in his mind the number of people in his shop. When he realises there are
eight people, he feels slightly more comfortable as this number of people might deter the
gangster from attacking and robbing him. Still he feels nervous and his nervousness
increases when Tsotsi returns again and again, and when Tsotsi returns the third time and
the shop is empty of other customers, Cassim is positively terrified – the bravado is gone (“I
fixed him”p.36) and now he is farting and repeating himself. The relief he feels when Tsotsi
asks for milk is so palpable, the reader can feel it. Cassim’s wife is just as affected. She is
nervous, and later cries in the back room when she thought that Cassim had been stabbed.
The children also cry hysterically. Not normally generous, Cassim asks his wife to give the
old man an extra inch of chew tobacco and asks her to talk to the old man to drag out the
sale so that the old man can be detained in the shop longer and they don’t have to be alone
with Tsotsi. He also switches to Tamil when he talks to his wife knowing that Tsotsi may not
be able to understand the Indian vernacular.
A similar fear grips other township residents when they encounter Tsotsi and his gang
members. This is evident in the first three chapters when mothers pull their children indoors
in the growing darkness of the Friday evening as the men walk with intent to the railway
3
Tsotsi
Chapters 1-3
Critical issues
1. Assess the characters of the four gang members. How does the writer reveal character?
2. Tension leading up to the murder of Gumboot Dhlamini – techniques used by the writer to
create and relieve tension.
3. Relationship between Tsotsi and Boston. What are Boston’s feelings towards Tsotsi? Why
does Tsotsi beat up Boston violently?
4. The theme of decency. What does Boston mean when he uses the word “decency”? Why is
Tsotsi unable to understand what it means to be decent?
5. Tsotsi’s actions soon after he beats Boston. Why does Tsotsi run when he leaves Soekie’s?
Comment on his thoughts as he sits beneath the trees. Critically analyse the spider
anecdote.
6. The brief interlude with the woman with the box. Tsotsi thinks about raping the woman but
eventually doesn’t – why doesn’t he attack the woman?
Analysis
Characterisation
Their actions, thoughts and what they say reveal a great deal about the characters of the four gang
members.
Tsotsi is the least communicative but most contemplative – there is a quiet assurance about him. He
knows that he is feared and loathed but this gives him a sense of satisfaction as he realises he has
power over those around him. He makes the decisions for the gang. His thoughts about the other
gang members reveal his feelings towards them. “You I can trust…smile hides fear.” p.7
Butcher is described as ruthless and dangerous – “small, dangerous eyes…but with impatience” p.6.
Tostsi’s thoughts about Butcher reveal that he cannot be trusted and that he hates Tsotsi (hates him
perhaps because of Tsotsi’s position of leadership and the power that Tsotsi has over him).
Boston is the most sensitive of the four. He is the most civilised and has a keen sense of decency – he
is opposed to violence and murder. He tries to delay the gang from going on their usual spree of
robbery and violence – note: “Why?” he asked, and played…hands…Sometimes you pick one and
he’s got nothing.” p.7 Boston also gets physically sick after the murder of Gumboot.
Die Aap, as his name suggests, is not of first rate intelligence. He is powerfully built and perhaps
stronger than two men put together but can be manipulated easily because of his lack of intelligence
and that’s why Tsotsi trusts him completely.
Control of tension
There are two distinct periods in the first chapter where tension is generated. The first when the
gang members are walking through the township to the train station. Their intentions, it seems, are
1
,K.M. Govender
very clear to other residents of the township. The mothers pull their children indoors and there are
anxious stares from windows. The street becomes silent and deserted. This being a Friday – payday –
there is obvious anxiety over the safety of husbands returning home from work with their pay
packets. The next period of tension is the moment before the murder of Gumboot – the writer plays
out the scene where he zooms in on the three mistakes that cost Gumboot his life. Tension is
relieved when the writer flashes back to Gumboot leaving his home for the goldfields p.9 and the
description of the train pulling into the station after Gumboot’s murder p.12/13
Relationship between Boston and Tsotsi
We are told in chapter two that Tsotsi hated being asked questions and Boston asked him a lot of
questions. Why does he not like to be asked questions? Boston’s questions force Tsotsi to recall his
past which he does not want to remember – as long as he submerges his memories he is at ease.
Boston also taunts him about his lack of decency. Tsotsi beats Boston not because Boston had done
something wrong but because Boston makes him confront the wrong that he has done, and also
makes him aware of his pitiful lack of human identity and glaring lack of decent human values.
Theme of Decency
Boston has a keen sense of what decent human behaviour means and is therefore repelled by the
mindless violence perpetrated by the gang. He is deeply affected by the murder of Gumboot which
makes him physically and emotionally sick – he vomits in the gutter and ponders over what they had
done when they are drinking at Soekie’s. The murder as well as the rape of the drunken Rosie
prompts Boston to question the gang’s lack of decency and particularly Tsotsi’s inability to
understand what decency means. This, in a sense, is a foreshadowing of Tsotsi’s moral growth later
in the novel when he begins to learn to behave in a decent way and when he seeks out Boston to
question him about moral issues.
Tostsi’s thoughts and actions after beating Boston
Tsotsi runs after he leaves Soekie’s because in a sense he wants to run away from Boston’s words
“Your folks Tsotsi…a dog” p.23/ “You must a soul…got a soul!” p.23 “One day..that day” p.27 – words
that dredge up his sordid childhood past, words that remind him of his lack of humanity and decent
human values. Tsotsi’s thoughts, as he sits under the trees, once again dwell on Boston and his
words and he begins to question why he had chosen Boston for the gang – it soon becomes clear
that Boston’s cleverness was why he was chosen – his penchant for detail had saved the gang on
many occasions but it was the same intellectualism which results in Boston’s questions and stories
(with morals) that Tsotsi resented. Tsotsi also had irrational fears – the phobia for spiders for
example. Why was he terrified of spiders? Did spiders and their webs remind him of his own
entrapment? Why did Tsotsi not help the handcuffed man being led off by the policeman? This man,
like Boston, reminded him of a past he did not want to remember – the man called out his name,
David.
Tsotsi and the woman
The meeting is a critical moment in the story – it marks the beginning of Tsotsi’s moral
transformation. Looking after the baby gives Tsotsi a sense of purpose and raises his moral
conscience. Tsotsi had every intention of attacking the woman but she is saved by the box and the
crying baby inside it.
2
, K.M. Govender
Tsotsi: Chapter 4
Critical Issues
1. Impact of Gangsterism on township residents
How is Cassim and is family affected by Tsotsi’s presence in the shop? What does the
following line reveal about the reaction of other residents to Tsotsi’s presence in
their midst: “On Fridays they opened up and made a path for him.” (p.39)
2. First turning point in the novel
Tsotsi is presented differently for the first time – he is not confident and cocksure
anymore. Provide evidence of this from this chapter. Provide evidence of Tsotsi
becoming more sensitive and responsible. What are the implications of Tsotsi
consciously attempting to remember his past? In this regard, discuss the link
between the baby and the “yellow bitch”.
3. Social inequalities in apartheid South Africa
How does the writer explore the unequal lives of blacks and whites in this chapter?
What are the links between apartheid and the story of Tsotsi?
Impact of Gangsterism on township residents
Once again the reader is shown how Gangsterism dislocates the lives of township residents.
Their fear is so palpable that the reader can, in a sense, feel and taste it.
Note Cassim’s reaction. When he notices Tsotsi for the first time in the doorway of his shop,
he quickly counts in his mind the number of people in his shop. When he realises there are
eight people, he feels slightly more comfortable as this number of people might deter the
gangster from attacking and robbing him. Still he feels nervous and his nervousness
increases when Tsotsi returns again and again, and when Tsotsi returns the third time and
the shop is empty of other customers, Cassim is positively terrified – the bravado is gone (“I
fixed him”p.36) and now he is farting and repeating himself. The relief he feels when Tsotsi
asks for milk is so palpable, the reader can feel it. Cassim’s wife is just as affected. She is
nervous, and later cries in the back room when she thought that Cassim had been stabbed.
The children also cry hysterically. Not normally generous, Cassim asks his wife to give the
old man an extra inch of chew tobacco and asks her to talk to the old man to drag out the
sale so that the old man can be detained in the shop longer and they don’t have to be alone
with Tsotsi. He also switches to Tamil when he talks to his wife knowing that Tsotsi may not
be able to understand the Indian vernacular.
A similar fear grips other township residents when they encounter Tsotsi and his gang
members. This is evident in the first three chapters when mothers pull their children indoors
in the growing darkness of the Friday evening as the men walk with intent to the railway
3
