Chapter 13 to end page 289

What do you think Peekay means on page 279, when he says that the photograph captured the moment when he understood that racism was a primary force of evil?

Why was Captain Smit afraid of having evidence of a photograph with he and a black man together? Why do you think he asked Geel piet to be in the photo if he would later ask for it to be destroyed?

The men and the boys on the boxing squad clearly recognise Geel Piet's abilities as a coach. Do you think they could openly admit that they thought he was as good or even better than they were at understanding boxing? Why?

Chapter 12 to end page 275

When Geel Piet gives Peekay the present of the boxing shoes and says they are from 'the People' and that 'the People' love him and want him to win his fight...what people does he mean?
What impact might this have had on Peekay?
What did Peekay prove by overcoming overwhelming odds to beat Killer Kroon in the boxing final?
Symbolically, what will Peekay's victory mean to Geel Piet and 'the People'?

Chapter 11 end of page 244

In this chapter, the author starts to delve into the plight of the African prisoners. Are they treated fairly or humanely (despite being criminals)?
Write a comment about this. What do you think?
Why do you think that Doc, Peekay's grandfather and Mrs Boxhall work to try and make the lives of these prisoners easier?

Chapter 10 end of page 219

What sort of things will Peekay see and experience when he visits Doc in the prison?
How do you think Peekay will react to the things that he will see on his visits to Barberton prison?
What sort of education will Peekay get between the religious teachings of his mother, his school, Doc and the men he interacts with at the prison?
What does this say about the nature of learning?

Book Trailer

What do you think of this. It is a book trailer (as opposed to a book review or movie trailer). Do you like it, dislike it?
Could you do better??????

Chapter 9

Chapter 9 to end page 188 these questions to be discussed as a group
Why is Doc arrested? How does this tie in with some of the themes in this book (ie. injustice)
Why did the Police who arrested Doc lie?
Why were the townsfolk so quick to condemn Doc as a spy?
What did you think of the newspaper heading ’No spy, but still a German’ ?

Chapter 8

Chapter 8 to end page 163
What do you predict will the relationship between Peekay and his Mother will be like as the story unfolds? Justify your predictions.
What is the author’s intention for describing the events of the town’s cultural concerts, in particular the way the Afrikaners walking out?

Chapter 7 questions

Chapter 7-pg 118 end of train journey to 140

1.What did you think about Peekay’s reaction when he met his mother at the train station?

2.What were the author’s intentions when he wrote this part of the story?

3.What do you think Peekay meant by ’dropping his camouflage’ (pg 121)?

4.What do you think about a six year old boy being able to order about a couple of twelve

year old girls; Dum & Dee the servants?

Chapter 5 questions

1. What does Hoppie mean by "the head rules the heart" p75?
2. Try to explain the phrase "the salt of the Earth"p 78
3. How were you feeling about the character of Hoppie before he took Peekay to the Patel's store to change his 'tackies'? After the exchange in the shop between Hoppie and the Patel's, did your attitude change towards Hoppie? If so why?
4. When Hoppie is explaining to Peekay about the American boxer Joe Louis being negro (African American), and that they were black like the Africans, but not "stupid and dirty and ignorant" (pg 88), what does that suggest about the mentality of white South Africans at the time?
   

Peekay's Train Journey

A lot changes for Peekay in the short time between leaving the school with Mevrou and walking to Harry Crown's shop and then catching the train. He meets Hoppie and many other people.
Write a statement about what Peekay learns on his journey and about how his life changes in this short period of time.
Think critically about your statement and go beyond the literal statements in the book.