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Chapter 2 AnalysisQuestions

The chapter discusses a gang drinking at an illegal shebeen in Sophiatown. Boston is troubled by the gang's previous murder and slaps Rose in an attempt to seem unfeeling. Butcher and Die Aap later sexually assault Rose. Tsotsi refuses to acknowledge his past and reacts violently when Boston questions him, revealing his desire to avoid confronting his humanity.

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76 views

Chapter 2 AnalysisQuestions

The chapter discusses a gang drinking at an illegal shebeen in Sophiatown. Boston is troubled by the gang's previous murder and slaps Rose in an attempt to seem unfeeling. Butcher and Die Aap later sexually assault Rose. Tsotsi refuses to acknowledge his past and reacts violently when Boston questions him, revealing his desire to avoid confronting his humanity.

Uploaded by

kgoshikhumalo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter Analysis

Chapter 2
• The gang is drinking at Soekie’s place. We learn that Soekie, like many other shebeen owners in
Sophiatown, is selling beer illegally. Although this is risky, it is one of the very few ways of making
a living in the township.

• The fact that there are many shebeens in Sophiatown suggests that alcoholism is a major societal
problem.

• Boston is embarrassed about having vomited shortly after Dhlamini’s murder. He is at pains to
prove that he is as unfeeling as the other gang members. In an effort to prove himself, he
senselessly slaps Rose, Soekie’s friend.

• Boston drinks copiously in an effort to forget about Dhlamini’s murder. He is the only one in the
gang who is affected by their heinous crimes.

• Soekie tries several times to get Rose, who is drunk, to leave and go home. Butcher shouts at
Soekie to leave Rose alone. Soekie, aware of her complete powerlessness against Butcher,
leaves her friend to her fate.

• Boston is sickened by Butcher’s intention to take advantage of a drunk woman (Rose).

• Butcher and Die Aap sexually assault Rose outside the shebeen.
The mystery of Tsotsi’s past
• Tsotsi does not allow anyone to question him about his past, because he does not know the
answers.

• He refuses to acknowledge any feelings or any sort of identity formulated by his own roots.

• He forces himself to live in his fixed crime-ridden present. He does not even have a real name –
‘tsotsi’ is an informal name for a violent young criminal or gangster.

• Boston is plagued by feelings of guilt and self-disgust after the senseless, cold-blooded murder of
Gumboot Dhlamini. He wants to know if Tsotsi shares these feelings.

• Boston asks Tsotsi many questions and this has a profound effect on Tsotsi, who does not
remember much of his past.

• Tsotsi is sent over the edge by Boston saying that everyone has a soul and he fears the day that
Tsotsi discovers his own soul. Tsotsi reacts violently and savagely beats Boston.

• Boston’s words – ‘Everything you are not’ – indicates that he does not think much of Die Aap and
Butcher. One could say that Boston offers ‘educated perspective’ as he is a trained teacher. He
seems more emotionally sensitive, because he is more ‘cultured than the rest of the gang.
Chapter 2 Contextual Questions
1. Describe how Boston loses control at the beginning of the chapter.

2. Identify the phrase that reveals that Butcher’s laughter is meant to belittle Boston.

3. In what way is Boston like a “cornered animal trapped in a ring of ridicule”?

4. Explain why Boston asks Tsotsi questions.

5. Briefly discuss what Tsotsi’s reaction to Boston’s questions reveals about his character.

6. Tsotsi wants everything to stay “the same as always”. Why?

7. For every two drinks the others have, Tsotsi has one. Why do you think he does this?

8. Explain what Boston means by “decency”.

9. Discuss the irony in Butcher’s reaction to Boston’s use of the word “decency”.

10. Evaluate Tsotsi’s description of himself as “meaningless as a handful of stones”.

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