The Theory of Flight
,Contents Page
Contents Page...................................................................................................... 2
Example Essay: Literary Essay.......................................................................... 3
Notes on the example essay: literary essay writing skills................................. 5
Tips jotted down in class................................................................................... 6
Plot Summary....................................................................................................... 7
Themes Overview...............................................................................................10
Bonus: question to examine............................................................................ 11
*note: The Literary Essay on page 3 was given 100% by a senior IEB marker in 2023 trial
examinations.
, Example Essay: Literary Essay
THE THEORY OF FLIGHT: SIPHIWE GLORIA NDLOVU
Study the quotation below and then write a literary essay in response to the topic that
follows:
Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “A leader is a dealer in hope.”
TOPIC:
The Theory of Flight is a story about characters who lead by peddling hope to others in
difficult times. Critically discuss to what extent you believe this to be true. Refer to at
least three leaders, both expected and unexpected, in this novel.
1. peddling: selling, marketing
The novel, The Theory of Flight, by Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu, is a story about characters who lead
by peddling hope to others in difficult times. This is seen in the characters of Genie (Imogen
Zula Nyoni) and her parents (Golide Gumede and Elizabeth Nyoni) and is further consolidated
in the fact that The Man Himself, who hoards power through instilling fear rather than hope, is
not the focus of the story and whose influence is suggested to fade from view.
The Theory of Flight’s main character, Genie, inspires hope in those around her. This is
prominently seen in the way she “stubborn[ly]” refuses to be shattered by all the traumatic
events life throws at her. For instance, after being dehumanised by Valentine Tanaka’s
incompassionate method of interrogation, in which she is stripped of all her clothing despite
being innocent, she stands with confidence - her arm “akimbo” - and tells Valentine that “[he]
cannot break [her]”. Genie’s “resilian[ce]” is also evident in her interactions with Dr Mambo, in
which she shows her intention to not let her HIV take over her life and decides that the little time
she has left is enough to do something “meaningful” with her life. This meaning takes the form
of “sav[ing]” Vida despite him “not [being] aware that [he] needed saving”. Genie sowed
meaning in Vida’s previously unpurposeful life by making “[him] love [her]” despite the fact that
they “agreed” to “never speak” of love because Vida did not want the responsibility of being
relied upon after losing Everleigh. Genie displays evidence of defiance and refusal to let trauma
take over. For instance, not letting the loss of Everleigh make Vida give up on finding love again.
She also does not let the fact that her loving parents “disappeared”, nor the fact that she was
raped “through no fault of her own” and contracted HIV, as a result, snuff out her “radian[ce]”.
Thus, Genie’s life inspires hope in others in difficult times by proving that trauma does not have
to define oneself.
Furthermore, Genie “brought [the Masukus] together again” when she was in a coma - a reunion
which results in them coming to realise their faults in their way of love, that they loved
“selfishly… possessively… imperfectly”. In reflecting over their past during the difficult time for
the (since Genie was in a coma) they learn to set their selfishness aside and mourn in a way
,Contents Page
Contents Page...................................................................................................... 2
Example Essay: Literary Essay.......................................................................... 3
Notes on the example essay: literary essay writing skills................................. 5
Tips jotted down in class................................................................................... 6
Plot Summary....................................................................................................... 7
Themes Overview...............................................................................................10
Bonus: question to examine............................................................................ 11
*note: The Literary Essay on page 3 was given 100% by a senior IEB marker in 2023 trial
examinations.
, Example Essay: Literary Essay
THE THEORY OF FLIGHT: SIPHIWE GLORIA NDLOVU
Study the quotation below and then write a literary essay in response to the topic that
follows:
Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “A leader is a dealer in hope.”
TOPIC:
The Theory of Flight is a story about characters who lead by peddling hope to others in
difficult times. Critically discuss to what extent you believe this to be true. Refer to at
least three leaders, both expected and unexpected, in this novel.
1. peddling: selling, marketing
The novel, The Theory of Flight, by Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu, is a story about characters who lead
by peddling hope to others in difficult times. This is seen in the characters of Genie (Imogen
Zula Nyoni) and her parents (Golide Gumede and Elizabeth Nyoni) and is further consolidated
in the fact that The Man Himself, who hoards power through instilling fear rather than hope, is
not the focus of the story and whose influence is suggested to fade from view.
The Theory of Flight’s main character, Genie, inspires hope in those around her. This is
prominently seen in the way she “stubborn[ly]” refuses to be shattered by all the traumatic
events life throws at her. For instance, after being dehumanised by Valentine Tanaka’s
incompassionate method of interrogation, in which she is stripped of all her clothing despite
being innocent, she stands with confidence - her arm “akimbo” - and tells Valentine that “[he]
cannot break [her]”. Genie’s “resilian[ce]” is also evident in her interactions with Dr Mambo, in
which she shows her intention to not let her HIV take over her life and decides that the little time
she has left is enough to do something “meaningful” with her life. This meaning takes the form
of “sav[ing]” Vida despite him “not [being] aware that [he] needed saving”. Genie sowed
meaning in Vida’s previously unpurposeful life by making “[him] love [her]” despite the fact that
they “agreed” to “never speak” of love because Vida did not want the responsibility of being
relied upon after losing Everleigh. Genie displays evidence of defiance and refusal to let trauma
take over. For instance, not letting the loss of Everleigh make Vida give up on finding love again.
She also does not let the fact that her loving parents “disappeared”, nor the fact that she was
raped “through no fault of her own” and contracted HIV, as a result, snuff out her “radian[ce]”.
Thus, Genie’s life inspires hope in others in difficult times by proving that trauma does not have
to define oneself.
Furthermore, Genie “brought [the Masukus] together again” when she was in a coma - a reunion
which results in them coming to realise their faults in their way of love, that they loved
“selfishly… possessively… imperfectly”. In reflecting over their past during the difficult time for
the (since Genie was in a coma) they learn to set their selfishness aside and mourn in a way
