CONFLICT IN MINE BOY

Peter Abrahams’ “Mine Boy” is a bold fusion of marxism, racial and colour segregation set against the backdrop of the Apartheid South Africa. “Mine Boy” is endowned with a variety of conflicts which shape the plot, theme and essence of the Novel. Peter Abraham tries to input the various forms of conflict (Man V Man, Man V Self, and Man V Society) to heighten the tension in the novel. He also tries to employ the conflicts to shed more light on the racial and colour segregation imposed on the blacks and coloured by the White Supremist. The paper, shall try to highlight and idealise the forms of conflict in the novel and how it sheds light on the issues.

Peter Abrahams tries to show the tension among the blacks and white through the usage of the “Man V Man” conflict, in which the white supremist tries to enforce superiority over the blacks and coloured. The Man V Man conflict is a major conflict which Peter Abrahams employs as he uses Xuma and the inhabitants of Malay Camp to serve as a link at which the depressing story of the blacks unfolds. The white in all their acts tries to remind the blacks that they have no place in the society. This is evident in the harsh treatment that the black miners undergo. The black miners do all the work which may result in some of them dying in duty, but the whites claiming they are superior supervies and do nothing but add to theur pain and work. The issue of Man V Man can also be seen the emotional entanglements of Maisy and Xuma. In which Maisy loves Xuma but he has no regard for her as his heart is for another (Eliza). Maisy tries to get his attention but he deems it not worthy. This leads to the emotional conflict between them, in which the love is unrequitted.

As regards the Man V Nature, this is evident in the character of Eliza, who happens to be Xuma’s Lover. Eliza is one who always admire the lifestyle of the whites and wishes she was white. Sometimes, she goes to the extreme claiming she is dark inside but white inside. She conflicts her black nature and tries to make it white by involving in white activities like “Smoking, teaching or even learning”. Eliza moves further into her conflicting nature, saying she wants a man, “who reads book, speak the language of the whites and wear ties”. This conflict shows the nature of some blacks secretly hoping for the whites lifestyle.

As regards the Man V Society, this is evident in the character of Xuma as he is a recent resident in Malay Camp, he conflicts the nature of the blacks living with the harsh treatment like it is nothing. Peter Abrahams shows this when Xuma noticed that the sand that has been accumulated in the mines is not increasingf but the other miners didnt notice as they have adapted to the treatment.

In conclusion, Peter Abrahams’ “Mine Boy” employs conflict to heighten the tension, show the hidden cravings of the blacks wanting the white lifestyle and also the struggle of Xuma in the Apartheid South Africa.