A Chip of Glass Ruby by Nadine Gordimer

Author Background

• Nadine Gordimer (1923–2014): South African writer and activist.
• Awarded the 1991 Nobel Prize in Literature for her significant contributions.
• Themes of her works often address racial issues and Apartheid in South Africa.
• Active in the anti-Apartheid movement, including offering advice to Nelson Mandela during his 1964 trial.
• Advocated for social causes, such as HIV/AIDS awareness.

Summary

• The story is about Zanip Bamjee, an Indian-African Muslim woman who is committed to making a difference in her community.
• Zanip lives with her husband (Mr Bamjee), her son (Jimmy), and her daughter (Girlie).
• Zanip's activism involves printing and distributing anti-Apartheid material.
• Conflict arises between Zanip and Mr Bamjee, who is self-centred and uninterested in political change.
• Despite her arrest, Zanip's dedication inspires her children to support her cause.

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Title Significance

• Literal Meaning: Refers to a nose ring worn by Indian women, symbolising tradition and beauty.
• Figurative Meaning:
  • Suggests that Mrs Bamjee is a precious and delicate gem, standing out in a dark (Apartheid) society.
  • The chip of glass ruby reflects her inner strength and resilience.

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Themes

Sacrifice

• Zanip sacrifices her safety and family's well-being for the greater good.
• She goes on a hunger strike after being arrested.
• Leaves her children and husband behind to fight for liberation.

Discrimination and Racial Prejudice

• Apartheid laws enforced segregation and discrimination against non-whites.
• Examples in the story:
  • Mr Bamjee's mother is forcibly moved out of her home in Noorddorp.
  • Ahmed (Mrs Bamjee's son) faces discrimination at school.
  • Political activists like Dr Khan are arrested for opposing racial injustices.

Selflessness vs. Selfishness

• Mrs Bamjee:
  • Selfless, brave, and determined to help others, even at great personal cost.
• Mr Bamjee:
  • Selfish, uninterested in the anti-Apartheid struggle, and unwilling to support his wife's cause.

Commitment

• Mrs Bamjee's unwavering commitment to justice inspires her children to value her actions.

Change

• Mr Bamjee reflects on Mrs Bamjee's commitment and begins to understand her values.

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How is the Story Told?

Setting

• Takes place in a poor neighbourhood during the Apartheid era, where Black and Indian families coexist.
• The oppressive regime highlights the struggle for racial justice.

Structure and Plot Development

• Exposition: The story begins in a modest home where Mrs Bamjee is printing anti-Apartheid leaflets. Conflict with Mr Bamjee's disapproval is introduced.
• Rising Action: Mrs Bamjee actively distributes material, interacts with activists, and faces growing tension with her family.
• Climax: The Special Branch arrives to arrest Mrs Bamjee. Her children support her, while Mr Bamjee remains indifferent.
• Resolution: Mr Bamjee realises the depth of his wife's commitment. The children adapt to her absence.

Characterisation

• Mrs Zanip Bamjee:
  • Brave, selfless, and politically active.
  • Committed to fighting injustice, even when it endangers her family life.
• Mr Yusuf Bamjee:
  • Conservative, selfish, and resistant to change.
  • Gradually begins to understand his wife's dedication.
• Jimmy:
  • Supportive of his mother's cause and politically aware.
• Girlie:
  • Caring and modern, symbolising hope for the younger generation.

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Literary Devices

Narrator's Point of View

• Third-person narration offers a broad perspective, balancing the views of multiple characters.

Style

• Simple and straightforward, using an informal register.

Figurative Language

• Similes:

• "Her hands shook like a very old person's."

• Metaphors:

• "Snap of a trap, realisation came."

  

• Irony:

  • Mr Bamjee mocks Ahmed for his humiliation in school, ignoring his own indifference to Apartheid's injustices.

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Tone and Mood

Tone

• Shifts between sarcastic, ironic, and hopeful, reflect characters' attitudes and the underlying message of resilience.

Mood

• A mixture of tension (conflicts within the family and society) and hope (children's support for their mother's values).

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Key Takeaways for Exams

• Understand how Mrs Bamjee's sacrifice symbolises resilience and selflessness in the face of Apartheid.
• Be able to discuss the contrast between Mr and Mrs Bamjee's attitudes.
• Highlight themes of racial injustice, commitment, and family dynamics.
• Analyse literary devices such as irony, similes, and metaphors to understand Gordimer's storytelling style.