Themes and messages

Perceived luck

Perceived luck is the key theme of the short story “We gotta number there” by Rayda Jacobs. In her story, Jacobs explores the ways in which luck is associated with success in life, but also with hard work. The author does that through the example of the Mbulus, particularly through Lucky Mbulu, who is named suggestively. At the same time, the author also suggests that success is associated with the circumstances around you. The Cooks are implicitly lucky since they have a house, a car, and stable jobs, because they are white. The Mbulus are in many ways unlucky, despite their hard work.

Jonas and Lucky could be considered lucky because the Cooks are sympathetic and understanding towards them. At the same time, the story explicitly points to the fact that the Mbulus are hardworking people, and that they also have good references. To Richard Cook, the references appear important. Also, the Cooks trust them enough to lend them money only because of their proved hard work: “Jonas still has to prove himself at the shop” (ll. 116-117). Also, this meeting between the Cooks and the Mbulus proves to bring misfortune to the latter. Although they have been lent money...