While the other major characters in the story, Lerice and Petrus, have a name, the protagonist remains unnamed. What kind of effect does this have on the story? Petrus’s father also remains unnamed. What effect did Gordimer’s decision not to name this minor character have on the story?

In the beginning, the protagonist describes their “triumph” of escaping the dangers of the city by living on the farm. How might this mindset of safety in the countryside reflect white workers’ mindsets concerning apartheid at the time?

Lerice’s character takes a sympathetic approach to their employees, but how does she demonstrate a distance between herself and her employees? How does the protagonist demonstrate this distance?