Mine Boy Chapter 5–8 Summary and Analysis

“Mine Boy” by Peter Abrahams is a 1946 novel centered on the prevailing social and racial discriminations that occurred in a post-independence South Africa which had begun introducing a new Apartheid policy which brought about unfavorable and discriminatory treatments towards the black natives by the white supremists. The novel which was the “First Modern Novel Of Black South Africa” shed light upon the predicaments of the colored through the eyes of the main character Xuma who experienced first-hand the gross stigmatization faced by his kind. This piece will try to reveal the social and racial tyranny faced by blacks through the perspective of Xuma and the other black characters.

The novel is predominantly attributed with its prominent cases of social and class stigma all across South Africa and this is realized when Xuma leaves his economically deprived and rather gloomy and unprosperous northern region to the Malay camp to find better opportunities there. With nothing but his “Old Tennis shoes, kept together by the string by the string and wire with his toes peeping out in spite of the strings and wire.The dusty and colourless old trousers, that are ripped at both knees and also tight…..” This statement by the Omniscient narrator paints a avid picture of the poor economic nature and poverty-stricken state of Xuma. We are revealed further to the extreme destitution of Xuma where he seeks solace or refuge in the accompany of Leah(another major character) who grants him a stay in her bar where Xuma is also introduced to more of the main cast including; Daddy, Dladla, Ma Plank, and Eliza. Xuma in the other chapters begins his travail in the mines with the assistance of Johannes a fellow miner who introduces him to Chris, his boss who takes a particular interest in

Xuma eventually introduces him to his boss “The Red One” whose real name is Paddy O’Shea. He got this nickname due to the colouration of his hair. The Fifth Chapter opens with a group of women fading from the sights of Leah who also happens to be a beer-women like she is. It is revealed that the reason for their gathering is that “If one is arrested they all come together and collect money among themselves and bail out the arrested ones….” This is a strong symbolism of the insecurity faced by the color to the point that the only saving grace for them is themselves which is just a representation of them bailing themselves out of the trouble that comes with being black. Another significant moment in this chapter was the solemn soulful glance and comparison made by Xuma. His soliloquizing on the veranda points out the differences between his old life in the north whereby he believes that back there they would have been “in front of the communal fire singing, talking, and dancing while the young played and the old ones watched”.This greatly contrasts the scenery of his new environment which is characterized by chaos, violence, and drunkenness. This strongly points out a recurring theme of Xuma’s naivety believing life in the city would be incomparable to that of his old life which ends up being in complete retrograde. A final prominent event in this chapter is that I’d Xuma’s relationship between Maisy and Eliza which ends up being a complicated matter as even though Xuma loves Eliza she doesn’t seem to love him back as it is revealed by Maisy that she desires “white folk who have motor cars and wear suits every day” which is denoted to being a complete opposite of Xuma who is a broke black man but this doesn’t seem to bother Maisy who actually loves Xuma a lot. Xuma seems to be on the edge as he can’t seem to decide between the two even though there is an obvious choice but Eliza’s actions seem to make that choice clearer and clearer due to her indecisiveness.

The Sixth chapter unveils revealing that it takes place three months after the incidents of Chapter Five and it is already winter and it is revealed that Xuma had during that time left Leah’s place and found a room in the Malay camp. On this day he decides to visit Leah, while on his way he observes the obnoxious activities of the white especially during this season. As he continues his journey he is approached by the couple of Di and Paddy O’Sheal aka The Red One who invite him over to their house because of the cold weather. Xuma accepts their proposal and it is at this junction that Xuma realizes why Eliza is so fond of the White’s lifestyle as the house of Paddy makes him realize they have a life of comfort and pleasure and “knowing made things less difficult in his breast”. As they have dinner, Di seems to be a positive acquaintance and host to Xuma whom she treats really fondly. Xuma believed that “The Red One was lucky to have such a woman who was friendly even to a black person”. After Xuma leaves their residence, it is revealed that all of Di’s niceties were all a manipulative effort to make Xuma feel comfortable around her when in reality she believes that Xuma’s kind are lesser beings lacking in the assertion and resentment to qualify him a human but this ideal is not supported by Pa O’Sheal which may come as a surprise to readers due to his abrasive tendencies. He believes that both blacks and whites are equal beings and deserve equal treatment. The chapter ends with an intriguing but revealing incident whereby after a man trying to escape the police is injured, Xuma and Doctor Mini whereby after going to his home he finds out that his living conditions are way better than those of Pa O’Sheal. The doctor then reveals a piece of information that changes Xuma’s whole perspective on the fallacies of class superiority. The doctor says “Whether he is white or black does not matter. A place like this is good for him….” This single sentence points out the effects of racism and settler colonialism that have eaten deep into the minds of black that it has become a norm that blacks are meant to be less, which shouldn’t be the case.

Chapter 7 begins and it is a direct continuation of the happenings of Chapter 6 whereby Xuma finally arrives at the residence of Leah’s bar but upon reaching inside he is only met by Ma Plank and Daddy. Xuma becomes extremely revolted at the sight of Daddy who had urinated on the floor and had proceeded to roll in it. This feeling of disgust is noticed by Ma Plank who enlightens him on the predicament of Daddy’s alcoholism and how it has brought him from the pinnacle all the way to the ground. It is revealed that Daddy in his past before becoming acquainted with alcohol had been a man of integrity and repute. He was admired and sought after for his wisdom but even with all this, Ma Plank and Maisy don’t seem to judge him because they believe it isn’t his fault for his alcoholism and still treat him with kindness. In this chapter we are also revealed to the love triangle that ensues between Maisy, Eliza and Xuma

Whereby elements of Maisy’s warmth and caring nature is displayed when she reads the story of the Zulu war to Xuma and he also feels this warmth causing Eliza to get jealous and leave the room which displays her cold and aversive nature towards Xuma by storming out of the room out of spite and jealousy. This chapter closes off with a rather seemingly intimate connection between Xuma and Eliza which may intrigue the viewers into believing that Eliza has finally come to terms with her colour and chooses to be with Xuma. This chapter is a rather calm one compared to others as it simply further reinforces or adds more details to various characters in the book and also Xuma’s environment at large.

Chapter 8 begins on a rather surprising note as it finally reveals the deceptive nature of Eliza especially towards or as regards to the feelings she has towards Xuma. In the morning it is revealed that Eliza had suddenly disappeared from the bed and out of worry he decides to look for her. Finally finding her, he decides to give her a hug in order to show affection towards her but this is only met with disdain as Eliza regards Xuma saying “I was a fool last night Please leave me…Please go” At this point Eliza’s true feelings are revealed and this is only coupled with Maisy’s assertion telling Xuma “I warned you” referring to her previous exploits of revealing to him about her fondness towards the white man culture and way of life. Leah also points out a previous occurrence whereby Joseph(her partner’s brother) was placed in jail for six months with no bail. This makes Leah suspicious and makes her state her plan on laying a trap on the person who had betrayed her by selling her out to the police. Maisy uses the opportunity to capitalize on Xuma’s grievances by inviting him on a trip to visit one of her friends on the outskirts of town near the countryside. Their journey on the way there creates memorable experiences with the two but still Xuma compares Maisy to Eliza and this upsets her. After two hours on the bus, they arrive near Hoopvlei, an area made by the White’s for the sole purpose of making it a new area of residence for the blacks rather than Malay camp and Vlededorp. Their day continues and Xuma really seems to be enjoying the time he spends with Maisy with their nights ending with an intimate connection whereby Xuma makes her promise to “look after him” since he was drunk.

The Chapters 5-8 are all interrelated occurrences with various prevailing themes such as the effects or alcoholism as concerned the downfall of Daddy, a foreshadowing to the suspicion of a snitch within the circle of Leah’s life, differences between how Eliza and Maisy treat Xuma with one being cold and heartless towards him and the other being warm and caring towards him. The chapters also reveal the quality of life and the major differences experienced by the blacks and white with one living a state of comfort and one being forced into a life which shouldn’t ordinarily be accepted. All these begin an upward slope into the direction the novel is about to face and also how well Xuma is prepared to face his life choices.