2023
ENG1501: Small Things (novel).
Analysis of Comrade Q and his
link to themes in the story
This document focuses on minor character, Comrade Q and his link
to the theme of ‘history and transition, and how he reinforces the
theme of ‘inequality and class’. Solutions to (2023) UNISA ENG1501
assignment 3
NOTE:
The contents of this document should be used only as reference
Do not copy directly from the document as this will amount to
plagiarism and have you work disqualified
Please do not distribute this document for you will be committing a
violation of intellectual property
For further assistance contact:
WhatsApp: 084 971 2685
,Assignment Question
Background
In Small Things one of the minor characters: Comrade Q, may be a lesser
mentioned character but his role the novel open up discussions on two important
themes in post-Apartheid South Africa, namely, inequality and class and history
and transition (of South Africa from apartheid to democratic state). In post-
Apartheid South Africa, the novel suggests that a new, wealthy class of citizens
developed. This is a class of previously disadvantaged South African comrades who
use their credentials as ‘anti-Apartheid activists’ as currency to gain influence in
business and politics in order to generate wealth for themselves as well as family
and friends.
Instruction:
Using the extract detailed below as a starting point and focusing specifically on the
theme of history and transition, write an essay in which you discuss Comrade Q’s
portrayal as a minor character. In your essay, you should do the following:
Focus specifically on the theme of history and transition (Discuss how
Comrade Q’s character reinforces the theme of history and transition of South
Africa from Apartheid to a democratic state).
Explain how the theme of history and transition (of South Africa from
Apartheid to a democratic state) links to the theme of inequality and class.
Correction: the extract is actually on page 104 to 105 of the novel.
The extract you are expected to use begins on p. 104 of the novel with the words,
“Frost descends on Benito…” (p.104). The extract ends on p. 105 with the words,
“Even more absurd: how many souls owe how many Comrade Qs favours?”
(Mohlele, 2013:105).
1
, Analysis of Comrade Q and his link to themes of history and transition, and
inequality and class
In this discussion we will examine two themes posed in the assignment question; the
theme of history and transition and that of inequality and class. In the process we will
discuss Comrade Q and how he is linked to the theme of history and transition
(change from apartheid to democratic state). We will also explain how he reinforces
the theme of inequality and class in the democratic state. Comrade Q is a minor
character in the story. We will therefore start by discussing this concept with
examples from the novel. In closing, we will provide reasons we say the narrator is
linked to Comrade Q’s social network, meaning he could change his circumstances
by simply “speaking to the comrades he knows” (Mohlele 2013:104). For this reason
we argue that his poverty results from his principles or perception on morality.
While exploring Comrade Q and his link to the mentioned themes we will draw
reference from the extract provided on Chapter 12, pages 104-105 of the novel,
where the narrator is portrayed as a vagabond. It will benefit us to reproduce this
extract here:
“Frost descends on Benito and I with relish, leaving park benches and grass a silver-
fish white. Other beggars? Of course there are. But they too involved in their
unknown thoughts to sustain any proper conversation. So I talk to the dog instead.
What about? Well, we talk about the revolution. All I need do, I tell the dog, is speak
to the comrades I know. Not many words. There is a particular language of
immediate responses. Comrade A speaks to Comrade G, who presses Comrade Q
for an answer. Who is he? Comrade Q will ask. One of us, the others will say. Not
exactly in the tranches, but he risked death supporting our cause. A long
imprisonment and not one comrade betrayed.
But I cannot bring myself to say the words needed to escape the biting winters
vagabond life; this life of torrential humiliations. I have my reasons. I have never
believed in easy, predictable things. I have, in my mind, or worked out what may
happen if Comrade Q indeed offers that cushy job to me. Will I be expected owe him
favours? Of what kind? Even more absurd: how many souls owe how many
Comrade Qs favours?”
2
ENG1501: Small Things (novel).
Analysis of Comrade Q and his
link to themes in the story
This document focuses on minor character, Comrade Q and his link
to the theme of ‘history and transition, and how he reinforces the
theme of ‘inequality and class’. Solutions to (2023) UNISA ENG1501
assignment 3
NOTE:
The contents of this document should be used only as reference
Do not copy directly from the document as this will amount to
plagiarism and have you work disqualified
Please do not distribute this document for you will be committing a
violation of intellectual property
For further assistance contact:
WhatsApp: 084 971 2685
,Assignment Question
Background
In Small Things one of the minor characters: Comrade Q, may be a lesser
mentioned character but his role the novel open up discussions on two important
themes in post-Apartheid South Africa, namely, inequality and class and history
and transition (of South Africa from apartheid to democratic state). In post-
Apartheid South Africa, the novel suggests that a new, wealthy class of citizens
developed. This is a class of previously disadvantaged South African comrades who
use their credentials as ‘anti-Apartheid activists’ as currency to gain influence in
business and politics in order to generate wealth for themselves as well as family
and friends.
Instruction:
Using the extract detailed below as a starting point and focusing specifically on the
theme of history and transition, write an essay in which you discuss Comrade Q’s
portrayal as a minor character. In your essay, you should do the following:
Focus specifically on the theme of history and transition (Discuss how
Comrade Q’s character reinforces the theme of history and transition of South
Africa from Apartheid to a democratic state).
Explain how the theme of history and transition (of South Africa from
Apartheid to a democratic state) links to the theme of inequality and class.
Correction: the extract is actually on page 104 to 105 of the novel.
The extract you are expected to use begins on p. 104 of the novel with the words,
“Frost descends on Benito…” (p.104). The extract ends on p. 105 with the words,
“Even more absurd: how many souls owe how many Comrade Qs favours?”
(Mohlele, 2013:105).
1
, Analysis of Comrade Q and his link to themes of history and transition, and
inequality and class
In this discussion we will examine two themes posed in the assignment question; the
theme of history and transition and that of inequality and class. In the process we will
discuss Comrade Q and how he is linked to the theme of history and transition
(change from apartheid to democratic state). We will also explain how he reinforces
the theme of inequality and class in the democratic state. Comrade Q is a minor
character in the story. We will therefore start by discussing this concept with
examples from the novel. In closing, we will provide reasons we say the narrator is
linked to Comrade Q’s social network, meaning he could change his circumstances
by simply “speaking to the comrades he knows” (Mohlele 2013:104). For this reason
we argue that his poverty results from his principles or perception on morality.
While exploring Comrade Q and his link to the mentioned themes we will draw
reference from the extract provided on Chapter 12, pages 104-105 of the novel,
where the narrator is portrayed as a vagabond. It will benefit us to reproduce this
extract here:
“Frost descends on Benito and I with relish, leaving park benches and grass a silver-
fish white. Other beggars? Of course there are. But they too involved in their
unknown thoughts to sustain any proper conversation. So I talk to the dog instead.
What about? Well, we talk about the revolution. All I need do, I tell the dog, is speak
to the comrades I know. Not many words. There is a particular language of
immediate responses. Comrade A speaks to Comrade G, who presses Comrade Q
for an answer. Who is he? Comrade Q will ask. One of us, the others will say. Not
exactly in the tranches, but he risked death supporting our cause. A long
imprisonment and not one comrade betrayed.
But I cannot bring myself to say the words needed to escape the biting winters
vagabond life; this life of torrential humiliations. I have my reasons. I have never
believed in easy, predictable things. I have, in my mind, or worked out what may
happen if Comrade Q indeed offers that cushy job to me. Will I be expected owe him
favours? Of what kind? Even more absurd: how many souls owe how many
Comrade Qs favours?”
2
