In Triumph in the Face of Adversity by Kedibone Seku we have the theme of hardship, struggle, fear, ambition and opportunity. Narrated in the first person by a young teenage girl called Thulisile the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Seku may be exploring the theme of struggle. Both Thulisile’s parents are […]

In Rejection by Mariama Bâ we have the theme of abuse, gender inequality, control, blame, rejection, acceptance, freedom and anger. Narrated in the form of an epistolary narrative the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Bâ may be exploring the theme of abuse. Modou’s relationship with Binetou is inappropriate (going by western […]

In Mercury by D.H. Lawrence we have the theme of paralysis, desire, selfishness, individualism and fear. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Lawrence may be exploring the theme of paralysis. None of the crowd on top of Merkur do anything of interest. It is […]

In The Crow by Charles Mungoshi we have the theme of obsession, fear, brutality, control and relief. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed young boy it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Mungoshi may be exploring the theme of obsession. Both the narrator and Chiko are obsessed with killing […]

In The Story of Nosente by Nosente of Umgqwashe we have the theme of marriage, acceptance, control and change. Narrated in the first person by an elderly woman called Nosente the story is translated by Monica Hunter and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Nosente may be exploring the theme of […]

In Deportation at Breakfast by Larry Fondation we have the theme of conflict, uncertainty, change and identity. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Fondation may be exploring the theme of conflict. There is a sense that the narrator is in conflict with himself. He […]

In Bread by Margaret Atwood we have the theme of perception, connection, control, greed and change. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Atwood may be exploring the theme of perception and change. It is as though by her continued use of the word ‘imagine’ […]

In Forbidden Love by Can Themba we have the theme of fear, love, apartheid, hypocrisy, defiance and acceptance. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Themba may be exploring the theme of fear. Dora’s family live their life in fear. An irrational fear […]

In A Bag of Sweets by Agnes Sam we have the theme of change, animosity, bitterness, letting go and connection. Narrated in the first person by a young woman called Kaltoum who is incurring difficulties with the arrival of her sister back in the village. Khadija married a Christian man much to the annoyance of […]

In Class Act by Namhla Tshisana we have the theme of acceptance, connection, appearance, insecurity, conflict, bullying and identity. Narrated in the first person by a young twelve year old girl the reader realises after reading the story that Tshisana may be exploring the theme of bullying. The narrator is having a difficult time in […]

In The Test by Njabulo Ndebele we have the theme of isolation, independence, connection, insecurity, confusion, tension, control and identity. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Ndebele may be exploring the theme of isolation. Thoba doesn’t follow the lead of the other […]

In The New Tribe by Buchi Emecheta we have the theme of change, love, insecurity, identity and acceptance. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Emecheta may be exploring the theme of change and love. Life changes dramatically for the Arlingtons when Julia […]

In Transforming Moments by Gcina Mhlophe we have the theme of insecurity, confidence, isolation, independence, identity, acceptance and change. Narrated in the first person it becomes clear to the reader from the beginning of the story that Mhlophe may be exploring the theme of insecurity and confidence. The narrator is worried about her self-image even […]

In The Last Breath by Sam Kahiga we have the theme of conflict, control, selflessness, sacrifice, love, gratitude and change. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Kahiga might be exploring the theme of conflict and love. The narrator is very much in […]

In The Fur Coat by Sean O’Faolain we have the theme of desire, aspiration, appearance, change and identity. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that O’Faolain may be exploring the theme of desire. Molly strongly wants to get the fur coat. She believes that she […]

In Next Door by Kurt Vonnegut we have the theme of conflict, appearance, guilt, innocence and coming of age. Taken from his Welcome to the Monkey House collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Vonnegut may be exploring […]