In Small Things, one of the minor characters, Comrade Q, may be a lesser mentioned character but his role in the novel opens up discussions on two important themes in post-Apartheid South Africa, namely, inequality and class and history and transition (of South Africa from Apartheid to a democratic state). In post-Apartheid South Africa, it is argued that a new, wealthy class of citizen has developed. This class is a class of previously disadvantaged South African comrades who use their credentials as anti-Apartheid activists as currency to gain influence in business and politics in order to generate wealth for themselves as well as family and friends. The informal name they are called is "Black Diamonds". 

 

Essay Question:

Using the extract detailed below as a starting point and focusing specifically on the theme of history and transition, formulate an essay in which you discuss Comrade Q's portrayal as a minor character and further discuss how he reinforces the theme of history and transition (of South Africa from Apartheid to a democratic state). You should also mention how the theme of history and transition (of South Africa from Apartheid to a democratic state) links to the theme of inequality and class: 

 

 

"Frost descends on Benito and I with relish, leaving park benches and grass a silver-fish white. Other beggars? Of course there are. But they are too involved in their unknown thoughts to sustain any proper conversation. So I talk to the dog instead. What about? Well, we talk about the revolution. All I need do, I tell the dog, is speak to the comrades I know. Not many words. There is a particular language, a language of immediate responses. Comrade A speaks to Comrade G who presses Comrade Q for an answer. Who is he? Comrade Q will ask. One of us, the others will say. Not exactly in the trenches, but he risked death supporting our cause. A long imprisonment and not one comrade betrayed.

But I cannot bring myself to say the words needed to escape the biting winters and vagabond life; this life of torrential humiliations. I have my reasons. I have never believed in easy, predictable things. I have, in my mind, not worked out what may happen if Comrade Q indeed offers that cushy job to me. Will I be expected to owe him favours? Of what kind? Even more absurd: how many souls owe how many Comrade Qs favours? (Mohlele 2013: 80)"

 

Remember that your essay should have:
• An introductory paragraph, which introduces your essay topic and explains how the rest of your essay will be structured. Your introduction should restate the essay question in your own perspective and should state what you will discuss.
• A body of 500 words, in which you develop your argument. The body of your essay should do three things: it should define what a minor character is in the novel;
• it should explain how Comrade Q reinforces the theme of history and transition (of South Africa from Apartheid to a democratic state); and
• it should consider how the theme of history and transition (of South Africa from Apartheid to a democratic state) links to the theme of inequality and class.
• Remember that for each point that you make, you should refer to relevant sections of the extract or text to support your argument.
• A concluding paragraph, in which you sum up the main argument that you have made in your essay.