By: Joan Klages
Summary
The judge says that there is not enough
evidence to convict Pafuri and Johannes
to be charged. So they are declared not
guilty.
 Judge sentences Absalom to death by
hanging.
 A young white man helps Kumalo
through the black doors.

Motifs
Crying – After the judgment Absalom
falls crying to the floor
 Segregation – The white and black
sections in the court room
 Pain – Kumalo is in emotional pain when
he is leaving the court room.
 Right and Wrong – The judge talks
about how something can be right but
according to the law be wrong

Contrasts

Respect vs. disrespect- Before the
judgment the crowd is respectful. After
the judgment the crowd is crying out as
the judge leaves.
Point of View/Language
This chapter is in the third person point
of view.
 The judge is speaking in English, but
what he says is being translated into
Zulu.

Themes
Justice – Absalom is punished for killing
Arthur Jarvis.
 Prejudice – The white and black
sections and the white man crying out
for silence when Absalom is defending
himself.

Questions
Do you think the judge’s decision of
letting Pafuri and Johannes go, but
punishing Absalom was just?
 Before Absalom is sentenced it says that
the girl is looking at the judge and not at
her lover. Why would she be doing this?
 Why is it such a big deal for the young
white man to go out the black door while
helping Kumalo?
