Themes and message

Race relations during apartheid

The main theme explored in the short story “Comrades” by Nadine Gordimer is the theme of race relations during apartheid in South Africa. This theme dominates the short story. Apartheid is a political system which began around the 1950s and created a system of racial discrimination in South Africa. Black South Africans were discriminated against, as they were denied basic rights, proper living conditions, financial opportunities, and access to education. Meanwhile, white people were given economic advantages and better education, and, consequently, they lived in better conditions.

In her story, Gordimer begins exploring race relations with the help of Hattie, a white activist, and a group of black South African boys who attended the conference on People’s Education. Although Hattie and the boys see each other as comrades, the story soon reveals that this is not the case – and never truly can be unde...