ASSIGNMENT 03: The novel
Small Things by Nthikeng Mohlele
Due date: [Will be announced on myModules]
In Small Things, one of the minor characters, Comrade Q, may be a lesser mentioned
character but his role in the novel opens 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 a democratic state). In post-Apartheid South Africa, the
novel suggests that a new, wealthy class of citizen has 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.
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.
The extract you are expected to use begins on p. 75 of the novel with the words, “Frost
descends on Benito…” (p.75). The extract ends on p. 76 with the words, “Even more
absurd: how many souls owe how many Comrade Qs favours?” (Mohlele, 2013:76).
Before you start writing your essay, you should:
1. Revise the sections on ‘Character’ in Units 3 and 4 of Tutorial Letter 501 and also
the section on ‘character’ on page 71, paying special attention to the discussion
on ‘Major and minor characters in the novel’;
2. Revise the section on ‘Theme’ in Unit 4 of Tutorial Letter 501;
3. Perform a close reading of the extract above, paying careful attention to diction.
Identify how the theme of history and transition is explored in the extract and
Small Things by Nthikeng Mohlele
Due date: [Will be announced on myModules]
In Small Things, one of the minor characters, Comrade Q, may be a lesser mentioned
character but his role in the novel opens 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 a democratic state). In post-Apartheid South Africa, the
novel suggests that a new, wealthy class of citizen has 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.
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.
The extract you are expected to use begins on p. 75 of the novel with the words, “Frost
descends on Benito…” (p.75). The extract ends on p. 76 with the words, “Even more
absurd: how many souls owe how many Comrade Qs favours?” (Mohlele, 2013:76).
Before you start writing your essay, you should:
1. Revise the sections on ‘Character’ in Units 3 and 4 of Tutorial Letter 501 and also
the section on ‘character’ on page 71, paying special attention to the discussion
on ‘Major and minor characters in the novel’;
2. Revise the section on ‘Theme’ in Unit 4 of Tutorial Letter 501;
3. Perform a close reading of the extract above, paying careful attention to diction.
Identify how the theme of history and transition is explored in the extract and
