By: Joan Klages

Summary  The judge says that there is not enough evidence to convict Pafuri and Johannes to be charged. So they are declared not guilty.  Judge sentences Absalom to death by hanging.  A young white man helps Kumalo through the black doors.

Motifs  Crying – After the judgment Absalom falls crying to the floor  Segregation – The white and black sections in the court room  Pain – Kumalo is in emotional pain when he is leaving the court room.  Right and Wrong – The judge talks about how something can be right but according to the law be wrong

Contrasts  Respect vs. disrespect- Before the judgment the crowd is respectful. After the judgment the crowd is crying out as the judge leaves.

Point of View/Language  This chapter is in the third person point of view.  The judge is speaking in English, but what he says is being translated into Zulu.

Themes  Justice – Absalom is punished for killing Arthur Jarvis.  Prejudice – The white and black sections and the white man crying out for silence when Absalom is defending himself.

Questions  Do you think the judge’s decision of letting Pafuri and Johannes go, but punishing Absalom was just?  Before Absalom is sentenced it says that the girl is looking at the judge and not at her lover. Why would she be doing this?  Why is it such a big deal for the young white man to go out the black door while helping Kumalo?