“The sky is Gray” and “Town and Country lovers”

Story: town and country lovers

By: Nadine Gordimer

Answer # 1

Though the two stories in the single story are not implicitly related but both of them are written in the same context. In both stories the women belong with the black oppressive community while the men are from white dominant part of the society. The major conflicts in the story differ from each other because in the first part of the story the cashier and the girl were involved in sexual relationship and they both knew that the relation will not last long on the other hand in the other part the couple wanted to keep their relation going on despite of belonging from entirely different social cultures.

Answer # 2

In both parts of the story, the men chose these women for involvement for their own convenience. Dr. von Leinsdorf only welcomes one woman in his apartment and his life so it is of no surprise that he starts a sexual relationship with her. In the same way, Paulus knew Thebedi for years since his childhood; they both were familiar with each other. He could easily arrange their meetings once he was home from his school. Though the women felt affection towards the men but they also felt flattered with a sense of duty. In their hierarchical society they were aware of the fact they were not equal to those white men. These factors make both women more sympathetic then their lovers.

Dr. von Leinsdorf was a handsome and attractive man. His character was signified by his career as a geologist. He was completely involved in his work and never got married that is why even though being attracted towards the girl he also helped her by teaching her swimming, typing and grammar. On the other hand Paulus was grown up in a well off white family and also studied at a boarding school where he was admired by girls and his mates taught him to flirt and fondle. These characters made him a most wanted school boy of his time.

Answer # 3

The reason behind choosing two different settings for the same context of the story is to show that it does not matter from where do the characters belong, they act and react in the same way. White men use women for their own pleasure while the women being dutiful and affectionate towards them play their roles.

Using the river side and the apartment setting for love making is to show that these kinds of actions are conducted at a place where no one could see them. Every character of the story was aware of the fact that their action and involvement in each other is prohibited that is why they chose distant places.

Though the author did not clearly criticize the social and legal system of South Africa but it can be observed in the climax of the stories where in first part the Doctor and the girl were released but no charges ...