The City

Johannesburg traditionally represented progress, power and security until the black fighters seized control and overtook the city. What was once a place of education and commerce was now at the mercy of black fighters fed up with the inequalities that existed throughout South Africa. Although the author never uses the word apartheid, one can imagine the events taking place in the City are a direct representation of the events that took place during the overthrow of apartheid.

The Village

Rural village life was sometimes described as backward by Bam and Maureen. The rural villages were perceived to be less civilized and desirable places to live. The language spoken among the villagers was different from that spoken in the city. Progress and violence were slower to reach the outskirts of the villages. The village stands in direct contrast to everything Johannesburg stands for but ironically is their...