Analysis

An analysis of the short story “The Bench” by Richard Rive shows that the text has a chronological structure. The narrative follows Karlie, the main character, and centers around his inner conflict, as he decides to challenge the system that encourages racial discrimination.

The main character of the story is Karlie, a black South African. After listening to speakers talking about the equality between whites and blacks and about challenging discriminatory laws, Karlie finds an opportunity to make a statement.

The physical setting of the story is Johannesburg, South Africa. The events first take place in the crowd next to the speakers’ platform, and then in the train station, where Karlie sits on a bench reserved for white people. The story’s social setting explores the dynamics between whites and blacks in South Africa during apartheid. 

The events in the short story are presented by a third-person narrator, who is outside the events and follows Karlie’s perspective. The narrator is limited to what Karlie knows and thinks.

The language used in the short story is neutral and easy to follow. The story’s authenticity is created with the use of words specific to South Africa, but also with slang that highlights the discrimination of black South Africans. 

A full analysis of the short story can be found in the following pages.