Themes and message

Prejudice and interracial love

From the very beginning, “Country Lovers” by Nadine Gordimer shows that the events take place in a prejudiced rural society. For example, the friendship between white and black children is acceptable, as long as they are young and play innocent games together. However, the relationship between white and black people is expected to transition into a master-servant relationship as soon as the children grow up. 

During apartheid, the prejudiced society also condemned love affairs between white people and black people. Consequently, Paulus and Thebedi have to hide their relationship and meet in secret. Even though their relationship began with Paulus caring about Thebedi, this changes when he finds out that she had his...