Setting

Physical setting

David Evans’ short story “The Silver Bell” was published in 2006. However, several details indicate that the action takes place in 1994, shortly after the first democratic elections in South Africa, which were held between the 26th and 29th of April 1994: “For days her television had brought her pictures of Blacks and Whites voting together for the first time.” (p. 115, ll. 11-13). This is also suggested by references to the African National Congress (ANC) (p. 113, ll. 28-29), and to the “sharp April air” (p. 112, l. 19). The events happen over the course of one day, starting in the early morning at 7.05 am (p. 111, l. 4), and ending sometime in the afternoon, after Mrs Mackenzie has lunch (p. 115, ll. 34-41).

The physical settings mentioned in the story help to highlight the contrast between Mrs Mackenzie and Beauty’s situations, thereby drawing attention to the social and economic differences between white and black South Africans. Mrs Mackenzie lives in Victoria (p. 113, l. 17), a suburb of Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa, in a block where only white people live: “We don’t have black residents in this block yet” (p. 115, l. 6). The mention of “Victoria’s white suburbs” (p. 113, l. 17) hints at the social segregation between white and black people during that time. There is little indication that Mrs Mackenzie lives in a dangerous neighborhood – she me...