Assignment 3 2025
Unique number:
Due date: 11 August 2025
SECTION A (3 DIFFERENT ANSWERS PROVIDED)
Reflection: Unit 4 – The Novel and My Experience with Small Things
Before I started with this module and Unit 4, I had read a few novels in the past,
including South African ones. One novel I really enjoyed was Coconut by Kopano
Matlwa. I liked that it showed life from the point of view of a young black girl navigating
identity and class. I also liked the urban setting because it felt real and relatable. I liked
how the characters were written and how their struggles were shown in a way that made
me think about my own surroundings. One novel I did not enjoy was July’s People by
Nadine Gordimer. I found the language difficult to follow and the plot did not hold my
attention. I also struggled to connect with the characters, which made it harder to finish
the novel. Sometimes, I also avoided reading novels because I felt I didn’t have enough
time or I just didn’t feel interested in the stories.
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen
as a replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged
to perform their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific
assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the
information in these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content.
The buyer is responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when
applying it to their assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's
policies regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and
sources of inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may
be considered academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences
arising from the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or
any other negative consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, SECTION A (3 DIFFERENT ANSWERS PROVIDED)
Reflection: Unit 4 – The Novel and My Experience with Small Things
Before I started with this module and Unit 4, I had read a few novels in the past,
including South African ones. One novel I really enjoyed was Coconut by Kopano
Matlwa. I liked that it showed life from the point of view of a young black girl
navigating identity and class. I also liked the urban setting because it felt real and
relatable. I liked how the characters were written and how their struggles were
shown in a way that made me think about my own surroundings. One novel I did not
enjoy was July’s People by Nadine Gordimer. I found the language difficult to follow
and the plot did not hold my attention. I also struggled to connect with the characters,
which made it harder to finish the novel. Sometimes, I also avoided reading novels
because I felt I didn’t have enough time or I just didn’t feel interested in the stories.
From Unit 4, I understood the parts that explained how to read a novel closely. I now
know the difference between just reading for the story and reading to find deeper
meaning. I learned that the plot is more than just the events in the story—it is about
how the events are arranged and connected. I also learned how the setting of a
novel can reflect the feelings and experiences of a character. For example, the study
guide showed how the changing setting of Johannesburg in Small Things reflects the
main character’s changing life. One part of the unit I found difficult was
understanding how narrative perspective changes how we see other characters. It
took me a while to understand that a first-person narrator can be biased and not
always tell the full truth. The section about the shift from past tense to present tense
also confused me at first, but after reading the examples and thinking about it more, I
started to understand how it affects the mood and pace of the story.
Reading Small Things was both interesting and challenging. I did not find it very easy
to read, especially in the beginning, because of the poetic language and how the
story moved between memories and the present. But as I continued, I started to
enjoy the way the narrator told his story. I found the reflections on love, pain, and
survival very deep and emotional. My favourite character was Gabriel Sanchez
because he showed kindness to the narrator and seemed like a true friend. He
helped the narrator when others didn’t. My least favourite character was Desiree, not
because she was badly written, but because her actions were confusing and she