By Nadine Gordimer
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Point of View: Third person limited
Setting: South Africa during Apartheid
Characters:
 Mrs. Hattie Telford
 Students
▪ The Spokesman - Dumile
▪ Maid
▪ Shadrack Nsutsha
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Literary Analysis: Atmosphere
 Uncomfortable atmosphere between the Hostess
and her guests
▪ Differences in race and social class
▪ Black students ask for a ride; causes fleeting fear in Mrs. Telford
 Yet, out of generosity, she offers them a ride and a meal
▪ Mrs. Telford is uncomfortable when she realizes her older Black
female friends would be insulted if she brought them in through
the back door and the kitchen.
▪ tension due to fact that Mrs. Telford has a maid who waits on her;
she does not want the students to see the maid serve her lunch.
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Vocabulary:
 Assent: n. expression of agreement
 Euphemisms: n. words or phrases that are less
expressive or direct but considered less distasteful
or offensive than others
 Furtively: adv. In a sneaky manner, as if to hinder
observation
 Revelation: n. Striking disclosure of something
 Disposed: adj. inclined; tending toward
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Vocabulary continued:
 Vehemently: adv. forcefully; intensely
 Deference: n. submission to the desires or
opinions of another.
 Perfunctorily: adv. Indifferently; with little
interest or care
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Atmosphere or Mood – Literary Analysis
 In literature, atmosphere or mood refers to the
emotional quality of the world the author creates.
 Atmosphere arises from descriptive details,
setting , or plot, and often mirrors the emotions of
characters themselves.