1. RED DUST
Dirk Hendricks

2. General Characterization
Good character
loving husband and father
Sees himself as a victim  followed the system
Regrets his action
Amnesty for a new life
Bad character
the aggressive torturer
Enjoyed his power
Intransparent
Could have been a more „decent“ torturer
appearence: grey eyes, short and
blond hair, tall, muscular, soft and
monotone voice, polite
movie character

3. His personal situation (past / present)
was forced to do the same job as his father (policeman instead of sth. else)
Happy family life
Successful in his job
Carefree
Free man
Very good relationship to Pieter Muller
Present
Imprisoned
Divorced from his wife
afraid of losing his children
Unemployed
Psychological problems
Suffering from his past
Still connection between Dirk and Pieter

4. Evaluation of his psyche
Two personalities
Difficult to estimate if he really regrets his deeds
Yes, he does: he suffers from his bad conscience and really feels sorry for Alex Mpondo; his apply of amnesty is an act of understanding and realizing the cruelty of his inhumanity; psychological problems aren‘t an excuse
No, he doesn‘ t: proud of his past; enjoyed the pain of Alex; amnesty only for freedom not because of remorse
Exact evaluation is impossible

5. How does he justify his criminal actions?
Was educated to follow the rules of his state, agreed with the apartheid system
Wanted to bring order to his country, he only did his duty
Was afraid of communistic assaults and punishment as a consequence of his disobedience
Realizes that he was used by the state also a victim of the political system

6. Relationship towards his victim
Very intimate relationship
Closely connected through the torment
They know each other in every detail, because of the long time they spend together
Are able to predict the behaviour of the other one

7. „Red Dust“ is closely associated with Hendricks
„Red Dust“ is closely associated with Hendricks. What might be ist symbolic significance?