The author uses the first person narrative perspective to tell the story through Karabo's eyes. This allows the reader to witness events through Karabo's eyes and to understand her thoughts and feelings about what she is experiencing. Although the story is named for Mrs. Plum, Karabo is the main character, and her experiences poignantly address the issue of apartheid on a very personal level.

Historically, the story is important because it appeared in the 1960s at the height of the apartheid movement in South Africa. The author makes the assumption that the reader understands the basic mechanics of apartheid, which segregated blacks from whites. The setting of Johannesburg is notable in that the city had very distinct areas for blacks and whites, including the wealthy, all-white suburb of Greenside where Mrs. Plum's home is located.

The issue of civil rights is a complicated one as...