Cry Freedom

With "Cry Freedom" you will have the opportunity to explore South Africa’s history at one of its most crucial and terrible era - the time of the Apartheid. On the one hand the workshop will enable you to get familiar with the historical and political background of the novel.
On the other hand the blog will provide questions of general and detailed understanding to make sure you follow what is going on in the story. For each chapter you will find several questions, one of which needs more development. Every student will be assigned to answer the questions of one chapter on the blog. Make sure you register for one set of questions. Try your best to write suitable answers in grammatically correct English...

Chapter 1

1. Describe the setting of the story. What is the area like?
2. What is exactly a township? What does a township look like?
3. Why aren't people allowed to live and sleep in Cape Town where they work?
4. In your opinion what do you think "the system" refers to?
5. What feeling does the reader get from the description of the police raid on Crossroads? What does it foretell about the rest of the story? Develop your answer.

Chapter 2

1. Biko is said to be "banned". What does it mean practically for him in his daily life?
2. The author mentions "Coloured" people. Is their status different from Black people's? In what way does it serve the ruling authority?
3. When do you think the story takes place? What clues do you have about the specific era the story refers to?
4. Define what a "homeland" is.
5.What do we learn about hygiene, water supply and general health conditions among black children. What do you think about it? How could these conditions be improved?

Chapter 3

1. How far is East London from Cape Town? Who lives there?
2. What is Woods' opinion on black people and more generally on the society he lives in?
3. What do the pictures of the raid in Crossroads describe? What do you think about the violence they depict? Dev.
4. What does Woods look like?
5. Why did Dr Mamphela Ramphele come to Woods' newspaper? What impression does her portrait and attitude give to the reader? To what effect?