Question

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Read the excerpt below and answer the question. Put the shell to your ear and hear the old warning: Do you want to be overrun by blacks? . . . Put the shell to your ear and hear the old warning: Are you prepared to see white standards destroyed? In a paragraph of about two hundred words, identify the main idea of Gordimer's essay, and explain how these questions at the end of the essay support that idea.

Answer 1

In Gordimer's essay, the main idea revolves around the themes of prejudice and racial tension. The author uses the metaphor of putting a shell to one's ear and hearing the old warning to illustrate the persistence of racial stereotypes and fears in society. The questions at the end of the essay further support this idea by highlighting the two contrasting fears that have plagued society: the fear of being overrun by blacks and the fear of white standards being destroyed. By posing these questions, Gordimer emphasizes the irrationality and harmful consequences of these fears. The first question, "Do you want to be overrun by blacks?" reflects a fear that stems from racial prejudice and the belief that the dominance of one race threatens the power and well-being of another. This fear perpetuates stereotypes and fosters discrimination. The second question, "Are you prepared to see white standards destroyed?" exposes the fear of losing societal privileges and norms associated with white culture. It reveals a resistance to change and a desire to maintain a status quo that privileges one race over others. Both questions challenge the reader's thinking and confront the harmful impact of racial biases. Gordimer's main idea is to highlight the destructive nature of these fears and to call for a more inclusive and equitable society that recognizes the shared humanity of all individuals, regardless of their race or ethnicity. Overall, Gordimer's essay explores the themes of prejudice and racial tension through the use of metaphorical language and thought-provoking questions, ultimately advocating for a more just and inclusive society.

Answer 2

Through the years, visitors have come to her house to inform, plead, and confess. She has been so deeply involved in the anti-apartheid struggle that one wonders how she managed to keep her integrity and observe South African society with such a discerning eye in her stories. In spite of her taking part in demonstrations, giving speeches, and travelling around the world supporting good causes, Gordimer is intensely private and guards her study, staying there through the mornings up to a late lunch. She does not make friends easily, says her oldest friend Anthony Sampson, but when she does she often retains them for life.