Mr Shane Marvin Wolf
202106929
HENG51116
English
Prof Karen Haire/Ms Mokhele
25 June 2021
Formal Assessment: 2
Plaatje’s characterisation of Mhudi, the protagonist, with reference to the
proverb.
Characters in an abstract fiction might be flat or round. The contrast between these
two characters is that a round character, is a profound and layered character in a
story, they are fascinating to readers since they feel like genuine individuals, readers
regularly feel and put resources into these characters' objectives, triumphs,
disappointments, qualities, and shortcoming. On the Contrary, a flat character is a
two-dimensional character lacking profundity or a genuine character, they generally
have only a couple of spurs of the moment qualities.
Plaatje's portrayal of Mhudi plainly shows that Mhudi is a round character and a
hero. Note that when Plaatje composed this novel, it was during the time where there
was a solid man centric social orders where men were given more force than
women, and Plaatje emphatically questions and challenges a portion of the
stereotypical thoughts we are educated about women. He makes the primary
character of this novel, Mhudi, a woman. She is the most grounded character in the
story. She is steadfast, clever, and courageous. Mhudi's independence breaks
stereotypes about women, for instance, she does not request consent to go
searching for her husband. She goes about however she sees fit. Mhudi has solid
feelings that are not quite the same as the men in her day-to-day existence, she
does not confide in the Boers, even though her significant other does, this carries us
to where Ra-Thaga shows the male centric views when he says, " never be led by a
female lest thou fall over the precipice."(Plaatje, 2011:75). On the opposite RaThaga had benefited much from the calm judgment of his clever spouse. Mhudi
actions and thoughts conflict with what is thought to be “proper” and “appropriate” for
women. Ra-Thaga feels that girls are timid- a stereotype about women that still exist
today. He asks Mhudi how her companions," these great young ladies" figured out
how to frighten off that lion. He does not really believe that those young ladies could
frighten off a lion all by themselves. Mhudi then, at that point discloses to him that
the young ladies did likewise as Ra-Thaga himself. She says," Just as you did on the
morning, I met you by shouting and waving their peltries at it..."(Plaatje, 2011:70).
Sometimes men are considered being "defenders". Be that as it may, Mhudi goes
through the bush twice all alone to save Ra-Thaga. She likewise kills the lion herself
with Ra-Thaga's assegai. Mhudi does not need security from her husband. She can
secure herself. Truth be told, she is the person who protects her husband. By
including a particularly solid and autonomous primary character, Plaatje challenges
the male centric culture that existed during that time, and he demonstrated this
through the character and characterisation of Mhudi throughout the novel.
Reference List
Plaatje, S.T. 2011. Mhudi. Jeppestown: Ad Donker Publishers.
Haire, K. 2021. Mhudi chapter 1-6 setting: Introduction to literary genres HENG51116.
Study Guide. Kimberley: Sol Plaatje University.
Haire, K. 2021. Mhudi lecture: Introduction to literary genres HENG5116. Study guide.
Kimberley: Sol Plaatje University.
Name: Shane Marvin Wolf
Student
number:202106929
I declare that this is my own original work. Where secondary material has been used
(either from a printed source or from the internet), this has been carefully
acknowledged and referenced in accordance with university requirements.
I understand what plagiarism is and am aware of the university’s policy in this regard.
I have not allowed anyone else to copy my work.
S M Wolf
Signature
25 June 2021
Date