Chapter Analysis
Chapter 3
• The mood at the beginning of this chapter contrasts with the mood in the previous one.
• People are said to be laughing and talking about everyday things, whereas in the previous chapter,
there is clearly alcohol abuse, as well as violence towards women.
• Tsotsi reflects on beating up Boston, and his hatred for him. He keeps running in an effort to forget
Boston’s words (which are repeated throughout the chapter). He also tries to physically block out the
words by covering his ears with his hands.
• Tsotsi is upset by the questions, because he doesn’t know the answers to them.
• He reveals that he picked Boston because, like the other gang members, he has a virtue (an
advantageous trait): intelligence.
Boston’s virtue being that he was clever. He was a lot of other things as well. He was a
coward, he was weak, he talked too much, he drank even more than he talked. But more
important than anything else – he was clever. He could think. (p.29)
• Boston is an asset to the gang, because he can identify details that may be dangerous to their
operations.
• Tsotsi reveals he has devised three rules to stay in control:
• 1. the rule of the waking moment: he had to have his knife with him at all times (it makes him feel safe
and anchors him to the present).
• 2. never to disturb the inward darkness: he does not attempt to remember his past (he fears that it will
distract him)
• 3. And not to ask questions about himself or others (the rule Boston broke).
• As Tsotsi moves along, we start forming a picture of the apartheid period of South
Africa.
• The author refers to white suburbs that are separated from the township by a ‘no-
man’s land’. There are also references to much better policing in the suburbs.
• The warning roll of thunder is ominous and foreshadows what is to happen.
• Tsotsi was planning to rape a young black woman, but instead, he receives a baby in
a shoe box.
• Little does he know that this baby will transform his whole meaningless, savage and
heartless way of life.
Chapter 3 Questions
1. What sparks Tsotsi’s attack on Boston?
2. Describe Tsotsi’s state of mind when he leaves the shebeen.
3. Critically discuss the purpose of Tsotsi’s three rules.
4. Discuss how the rules reflect Tsotsi’s personality.
5. What descriptions in this chapter indicate that this novel takes place in apartheid South
Africa?
6. Tsotsi can’t always keep his memories at bay. Mention two events that force the
concept of memory to the surface.
7. Who is Petah?
8. Based on the spider anecdote, why does Tsotsi avoid all thoughts of the past?
9. What words seem to indicate that the woman in the bluegum grove actually chooses to
give the baby away?
10. Why do you think the baby will have a significant impact on Tsotsi?
