Structure

Title

The title of the short story “The Park” by James Matthews seems very direct at first: it is the place the main character focuses on throughout the narrative. However, it can also be interpreted as a symbol of the social and political situation in South Africa. The park itself represents an idyllic place that the white people of South Africa have created for themselves, but from which they have actively excluded all people of color. Because of this, the people of color have been forced out of good jobs and housing and were limited to the poor and dirty areas around the whites-only spaces. 

The main character is deeply fascinated by the park, and all the children playing in it: “He looked longingly at the children on the other side of the railings” (l. 1). He is captivated by it and it becomes the focus of his daydreams, because he is not allowed to go inside and play with the other children. The park has a large sign that specifically forbids people of color from playing in it: “‘Blankes Alleen, Whites Only’” (l. 46). At the same time, the main character cannot go to any other parks: “‘There’s no park where we stay.’ He waved a hand in the direction of a block of flats. ‘There’s a park on the other side of town but I don’t know where it is’” (ll. 37-38). The simple playground park has become the entire focus of his existence, and he wants nothing more than to get inside and play on the temptingly fun rides.

 The park also represents a much deeper symbol for all the things that the boy is denied because of the social situation in the country. The unfairness of apartheid affects even the children of South Africa and goes far beyond any simple political issues.  This further shows the absurdity of apartheid, as the character is never given any valid reason for not being allowed in the park.

His long...