SITTI ROHIMA MARAJAN

ACTIVITY 2

CRITICAL CRITIQUE
APPROACHES
STRUCTURALIST Kaffir Boy is the author’s autobiography. It’s an account of
S/ FORMALISTS Matahbane’s childhood growing up as a black person under
apartheid. He describes how every aspect of apartheid is
designed to maintain a strict racial hierarchy, with the minority of
white at the very top and black at the very bottom. He also
explained how young black children dealt with discrimination
and biases. The theme of the story is racism, perseverance in
the face of oppression and individual choice. Also, the power of
education that serves as a key in unravelling things and doors of
opportunities. The excerpt is very clear, concise and used
formal language.
MORALIST The author wants the readers to educate being a self- believer
and identity. You should believe in yourself no matter what color
you have, tradition and culture you in, you should be proud.
Because if you believe in yourself, you can be the best version
of yourself and can succeed in life. Also, because everything in
this world that God made is equally equal. The excerpt contains
the ideas of educating the world about discrimination, racism,
and pursue education no matter what.
MARXIST Matahbane experiences severe suffering and trauma as a result
of his family’s poverty and the environment that they live in, all
of which ultimately stem from apartheid. One of the main
reasons of discrimination against them is about poverty. Black
people don’t have rights to go to school to learn. Also, there are
children who are racists even they are still young because their
teachers told them that black people are inferior and
unintelligent. When you are black, you don’t have the power to
defend yourself. Matahbane’s excerpt can be a way to protest
against racist and also can be a reason to hear the voice of the
black people to fight discrimination and racism.
FEMINIST Matahbane’s mother, who was denied an education because
she is a woman goes to great lengths to ensure that her son
receives one. Because in Africa, under the sway of tribal
traditions, it is unnecessary to educate females and they are
inferior. Women are not treated equally and there is a gender
discrimination. They are saved from suicide by the wisdom and
love of their mother. The story gave the importance of gender
equality because we should all be equal and not experience
sexual discrimination.
HISTORICAL Kaffir Boy is part of this historical trend since it is an
autobiography written by an African native whose people are
ruled by white descendants of European nations. Its themes are
close to those of other postcolonial authors in several ways;
abuse of power, victimization, racial discrimination, segregation,
oppression of the majority by the minority, poverty, and crime.
While racial discrimination has persisted, apartheid’s legalization
of racial violence in South Africa for over four decades stands
out as one of the most egregious examples in modern history.
Therefore, it is not shocking that a large number of South
African authors, both white and black have written about it.
Matahbane’s Kaffir Boy is no exception.
READER- After I read the excerpt from Kaffir Boy, I felt proud, pity, and
RESPONSE sad. God created us equally so we should treat each other
equally no matter what color, belief, culture, and tradition. I’m
happy because today, the apartheid is now legally ended. I
really admired Matahbane for writing the story so that the whole
world would know how the feel. He became the voice of the
oppressed. Also, he reminds us that we are so lucky because
we can go to school and learn without being discriminated by
our colors and beliefs. We should be grateful because we have
education. The story taught me many lessons in life and it will
remain in my heart.