Analysis

Here are the main features that will help you with the analysis of the short story “Comrades” by Nadine Gordimer.

The short story is structured chronologically, with the narrative presenting events that happen over the course of a few hours. There are several foreshadowing elements, as well as moments of tension, related to the way in which characters are affected by the apartheid system in South Africa.

The main characters are Hattie Telford and the young black boys. One of the boys named Dumile takes on a larger role because he is the only one who can speak English. Although the boys call Hattie “comrade”, the narrative suggests that a relationship of equals between white and black people during apartheid is impossible, and it is hard for people who do not share common experiences to be comrades.

The physical setting is South Africa. The events take place during apartheid. An important element in the physical setting is Hattie’s house, which becomes symbolic for the differences between white and black people in South Africa during the apartheid regime. The social setting presents the reality of the apartheid system in South Africa, poverty in black South African communities, and resistance against apartheid policies.

The story is told by a third-person narrator who focuses on Hattie’s perspective. At times, the narrator also focuses on the perspective of the boys, especially of Dumile.

The language used by Gordimer is formal. The narrative is mainly written in the past tense, with occasional changes to the present tense. The choice of words helps create the authentic atmosphere and makes readers have a better view of the characters and their features.

You can read the full analysis of “Comrades” by Nadine Gordimer in the next pages.

Further help

For more advice about analyzing short stories, you can read our general guide to short story analysis.