Die Krismiskinders (English Notes)
Chris Barnard
The novel explores the complex lives of young people, the political climate of South Africa
during the apartheid era, and the emotional and moral challenges the characters face.
Plot Summary
The novel follows the lives of a group of young people who are part of a youth subculture
during the apartheid era. The main character, Dirkie, a young man, and his friends try to find
their place in a society characterized by politics, social pressure, and moral dilemmas. Dirkie's
character traits and his interactions with others offer a glimpse into the complex nature of
the society they live in. The novel explores the challenges of self-discovery and the search for
identity amid a socially divided society.
Themes in "Die Krismiskinders"
The Boundaries of Morality and Moral Choices: In "Die Krismiskinders," the theme of
morality and moral choices is central. The main character, Dirkie, is a young man who is in
the process of discovering his own values and principles. The novel examines the concept
of right and wrong within a society that is divided in many ways, questioning whether it is
possible to do what is right in a society that interferes with individuals' values.
Example: Dirkie's interactions with other characters and the conflicts that arise when he
grapples with the boundaries of what is considered right or wrong demonstrate how
individuals are often placed in difficult situations where their choices may not align with
societal expectations.
The Influence of Political and Social Structures: The novel places the characters in the
context of the apartheid era, where political and social structures play a significant role
in shaping individuals' lives. Barnard shows how the political situation plays a decisive
role in the characters' lives and how Afrikaans culture, as part of the broader Afrikaans
community, influences their decisions and interactions.
Example: The tensions that arise in the relationships between the characters, including their
backgrounds and the society in which they were raised, provide a critical view of the limited
choices people had during apartheid and how they were either included or excluded from
society.
Youth and Identity: The novel also strongly focuses on the journey from youth to
adulthood, particularly in a society that is ideologically divided. The search for identity,
Chris Barnard
The novel explores the complex lives of young people, the political climate of South Africa
during the apartheid era, and the emotional and moral challenges the characters face.
Plot Summary
The novel follows the lives of a group of young people who are part of a youth subculture
during the apartheid era. The main character, Dirkie, a young man, and his friends try to find
their place in a society characterized by politics, social pressure, and moral dilemmas. Dirkie's
character traits and his interactions with others offer a glimpse into the complex nature of
the society they live in. The novel explores the challenges of self-discovery and the search for
identity amid a socially divided society.
Themes in "Die Krismiskinders"
The Boundaries of Morality and Moral Choices: In "Die Krismiskinders," the theme of
morality and moral choices is central. The main character, Dirkie, is a young man who is in
the process of discovering his own values and principles. The novel examines the concept
of right and wrong within a society that is divided in many ways, questioning whether it is
possible to do what is right in a society that interferes with individuals' values.
Example: Dirkie's interactions with other characters and the conflicts that arise when he
grapples with the boundaries of what is considered right or wrong demonstrate how
individuals are often placed in difficult situations where their choices may not align with
societal expectations.
The Influence of Political and Social Structures: The novel places the characters in the
context of the apartheid era, where political and social structures play a significant role
in shaping individuals' lives. Barnard shows how the political situation plays a decisive
role in the characters' lives and how Afrikaans culture, as part of the broader Afrikaans
community, influences their decisions and interactions.
Example: The tensions that arise in the relationships between the characters, including their
backgrounds and the society in which they were raised, provide a critical view of the limited
choices people had during apartheid and how they were either included or excluded from
society.
Youth and Identity: The novel also strongly focuses on the journey from youth to
adulthood, particularly in a society that is ideologically divided. The search for identity,
