“The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses” by Bessie Head expresses optimism about the future of South Africa because it shows convicts and law enforcers working together. At the beginning of the short story, Brille and his fellow convicts are resentful towards their warder. As the story progresses, Brille and his fellow inmates realize that Hannetjie is not a terrible person. When Hannetjie first meets Brille he tells him “‘I’m your Baas’” (Head 127). Hannetjie expresses a sense of hierarchy against the inmates that he patrols and the convicts become resentful against Hennetjie because of the sense of superiority he asserts against them. Once Brille and Hannetjie begin helping one another secretly and illegally, the indignation that Brille formerly felt towards Hannetjie begins to
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It is revealed that “...Span One responded nobly and got the reputation of being the best work span in the camp” (Head 130). When the inmates and Hannetjie begin to see one another as equal, both the inmates’ and Hannetjie’s prison life improved. The inmates steal fertilizer for Hannetjie’s farm and in return, they are given luxury foods like boiled eggs. The improvement in the relationship between the offenders and the official, in addition to the coalition between the two, reveal that they can work together and that the future of South Africa is bright and promising.
Bessie Head and the characters in “The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses” may have both felt a sense of inferiority towards others, and had to rely on other people's help to get through tough times. Brille and his fellow inmates are looked down upon by Hannetjie because Hannetjie feels that he is superior to them. Hannetjie tells Brille “‘I am your Baas’” (Head 127). Baas means “boss” or “master” revealing that Hannetjie feels that he is better than Brille and the rest of the prisoners. Brille responds to this by saying “I am twenty years older than you,” (Head 127). Hannetjie does not see
It is revealed that “...Span One responded nobly and got the reputation of being the best work span in the camp” (Head 130). When the inmates and Hannetjie begin to see one another as equal, both the inmates’ and Hannetjie’s prison life improved. The inmates steal fertilizer for Hannetjie’s farm and in return, they are given luxury foods like boiled eggs. The improvement in the relationship between the offenders and the official, in addition to the coalition between the two, reveal that they can work together and that the future of South Africa is bright and promising.
Bessie Head and the characters in “The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses” may have both felt a sense of inferiority towards others, and had to rely on other people's help to get through tough times. Brille and his fellow inmates are looked down upon by Hannetjie because Hannetjie feels that he is superior to them. Hannetjie tells Brille “‘I am your Baas’” (Head 127). Baas means “boss” or “master” revealing that Hannetjie feels that he is better than Brille and the rest of the prisoners. Brille responds to this by saying “I am twenty years older than you,” (Head 127). Hannetjie does not see