Summary

The short story “Country Lovers” by Nadine Gordimer begins by presenting the relationship between white and black children who are raised together on farms. As they get older, white children go to school and, eventually, lose contact with black children. In turn, black children learn to see white children as their superiors. 

The story follows Paulus Eysendyck, a white boy, who does not lose contact with Thebedi, a black girl from his father’s farm.

During their teenage years, Paulus and Thebedi begin to see each other in secret. Although Paulus engages in all the normal activities of a white schoolboy and has sexual relationships with other girls, he enjoys Thebedi’s company and buys gifts for her. At some point, Paulus and Thebedi engage in a sexual relationsh...