Analysis of Tsotsi by Athol Fugard

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Many individuals spend countless hours pondering the meaning behind the author’s words. With the use of this essay, the message behind “Tsotsi” can be easily understood. This essay will gather information to prove, what it believes the authors is trying to convey. The novel, “Tsotsi”, by Athol Fugard shows how characters struggle and change to fit in with individuals they have chosen to surround themselves with. This can be seen through multiple scenarios, which unfold throughout the book. These scenarios are expressed through the use of many literary devices that help explain the message. These devices include but are not limited to imagery, motif, and similes.
One way in which the message is shown, is through the use of imagery. Athol uses imagery to show the emotions the characters are feeling and to give the reader get a better understanding of the character. An instance in which this occurs is when Athol writes, “The lid has slipped off in the sudden impulse of her generosity. Tsotsi had found himself looking at a face that was very small and black and older than anything he had ever seen in his life: it was lined and wrinkled with age beyond years. The sound that had stopped him, and saved the woman, was the cry of a baby.” (Pg. 41) This uses imagery to shows Tsotsi’s thought processes after getting in contact with the baby. This also goes to show that Tsotsi is not as mature as he tries to sound. This can be noticed by him being easily overwhelmed after seeing the baby and losing track of what he was doing. This was probably included by the author to show, that deep down Tsotsi is a child and that he tries to hide this by doing things he believes a man should do. He uses violence and weapons to hide his true demeanour and ...

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...ade him reflect on his choices making it so Tsotsi changes as a person.
Therefore, Athol Fugard uses literary devices within the novel in order to reflect changes and emotional struggles. The literary device he uses include, imagery, motif, and similes. He uses these in order to show how the characters change after forming relationships. He also decides to explain why they change and if they truly want to change. A quote which can relate to the message is by Panaich and he says, “Many people consider themselves individuals who are unaffected by those around them. But those who assume this are foolish. Since the day we were born we have been changing and adapting based on the people around us. In other words one can say instead of a group of friends getting together because they are similar; they actually are similar because they changed after meeting each other.”

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