“White Fantasy—Black Fact” Discussion Questions
1. What is the bus driver’s erroneous perception of “his people,” the Australians? Where in
the story is it evident that his views may be widespread among whites in general?
Explain.
 The bus driver’s perception was wrong because he believed he lived in a country
where “nobody starved and everyone was equal”
 He says about the “blue eyes, nice figure” about his daughter- and he thinks “his
people” are more wealthy, fortunate, and middle- upper class
 Says he was “glad he lived in a country that was white”
 He thinks his race is better than anyone else
 He proved himself wrong, he said everyone was equal but he wouldn’t let the
Aboriginals on the bus
 The bus driver is racist because he won’t let the grandfather on the bus because
of his “dirty, brown hand”
 Talks about “his people” (white people)
 The other drivers who do not stop show that the view may be widespread
among whites in general
2. Why do the distressed family members fear the approaching motorcyclists? What
causes them to change their minds? Explain.
 Because of the way they looks with skulls and cross bone on their bikes
 They change their minds when Slit Eyes asks what’s wrong and calls for the
doctor
 Their recent misfortune with the previous drivers may have influenced their fear
of the bikers
 They were afraid because it was just so quick and the bikes were “snarling and
snapping like wolves” – in their panic, not paying so close attention to sounds,
more worried about the little girl
 People have a perspective that motorcyclists are big bad and mean and are in
gangs- so leads to fear of them.
3. What may be motivating the bikers to remain in the hospital with the family? Explain.
 Because they were genuinely caring people who were concerned for the girl’s
welfare.
 They wanted to make sure they were going to be okay
 They were kicked out of the last town, so they may as well stay at the hospital
 The bikers accept everyone, because they aren’t racist and they know what it’s
like to be judged
4. Why, according to Slit Eyes at the end of story, did the bikers really get kicked out of
Northam? Explain.
 People in the town thought they were scary
 The “upstairs guy’s fault”- God- so they were sent there to help
 May not have been Christian, so may have been kicked out for that- if using,
make sure there’s evidence
 “upstair’s guy” could be a landlord
5. At what points does the story’s point of view shift? What effect does this create?
Explain.
 Point of view shifts after the bus driver’s rejects the Aboriginals to the
motocyclists
 Effect is that it gives you both perspectives- if the bus driver had taken them,
Katey Doll would never have gotten bit by the snake (domino effect)
 Effect would be don’t judge people by what they look like- (themes)
6. Explain what you think the title of the story means. What is the “white fantasy” and
“black fact”?
 White fantasy is the unrealistic idea of equality
 Black fact is the realistic view that there is problems in the world
 White people have it easy, and think everything they believe is reality. But the
fact is that no matter what race, people are good and bad.