Sol Plaatje, Mhudi
Why do you think the title contains Mhudi’s name rather than that of her husband? How does this choice affect your reading of the narrative?
Preface: What does Plaatje indicate is the historical origin of this novel? His motives for publishing it?
Do you think it helps fulfill his aim of interpreting “the back of the Native mind”?
What can he be alluding to in referring to the “Black Peril” and the “White Peril”? What do you think was his likely response to this “problem”?
Chapter 1 A Tragedy and its Vendetta
How is the condition of the Bechuana tribes described in the first chapter? According to Plaatje, are there limitations to their way of life? Who are the Barolong?
Since some tribespeople were wealthier than others, what is meant by the claim that “these simple people were perfectly happy without money and without silver watches”?
What forms of organization were used in accomplishing tasks? (communal) What were some compensations for a lack of possessions? (craftwork)
What changes are first brought about by the Matabele invaders? (taxation) Which of their habits are seen as offensive? (public male nudity)
What do we learn about Ra-Thaga’s parentage?(son of wealthy chieftain who raised cattle)
What news do the messengers bring of chief Tauana’s behavior to the Matabele tax collectors? Why do we think this news is conveyed indirectly?
What do we learn the tribal chieftains have agreed to do to remedy potential conflict? What prevents this?
How do Notto and Ra-Thaga disagree about the desirability of a Bechuana-Matabele conflict, and what are their respective motives? Whom do you think the author considers the wiser?
What special feature characterizes the Matabele fighting practices, and how do the Barolong react?
What are some forms of narration used throughout the book, and what effect does this create?
Would you say that Ra-Thaga’s plight after the rout of his people is described rather matter-of-factly, and if so, how do you account for this?
Chapter 2 Dark Days
What is Ra-thaga’s reaction on hearing of the nearness of the lion? How is the latter eventually defeated, and what may this indicate? (12) What is indicated by Mhudi’s refusal to remain behind while he ventures forth?
What condition do Ra-Thaga and Mhudi share? (lonely; fear their people all dead) What seems important about their first meal together? Which past events have seemed most horrific to him?
Chapter 3 Rays of Sunshine
What seem features of Mhudi’s mind and character as indicated by her narration? What has she learned from others and what has happened to her personally? What incident has enabled her to escape from the Matabele, and at what cost?
How does Mhudi respond to the nature around her, including birds? How does she know in which direction to travel? What characterizes the accounts she has heard of the sun and the moon, and how does she respond? What seems indicated by her account of her encounter with a hippopotamus and her fall into a porcupine or ant-eater’s hole? What do we make of her dream before encountering Ra-Thaga? What sounds does she hear on awakening, and how does she respond to these?
Chapter 4 Revels After Victory
How would you describe the governing structure of the Matabele? If you are familiar with the Hebrew bible, how would this structure have differed from, say, the courts of Kings David and Solomon? Are the governing and debate structures gendered?
What are features of the Matabele celebration after their conquest of the Borolongs? Based on their responses, what seems to have been the motive for war? (plunder more than revenge?)
What do we learn about the temperament of their king Mzilikazi? How does the author convey any reservations or ironies of Matabele culture through his account of the chants, speeches, debates, and forms of tribute? (30, 31, 40) For example, what attitudes does Sitonga condemn? (32)
In addition to his actions, what characteristics of Gubuzza have helped him attain stature among the Matabele? (34) Of what does Gubuzza warn (35, 38), and why is he not punished for his dissent? What arguments are used against his views?
What does Mzilikazi indicate about this future ambitions? (39-40) His view of his son?
What is indicated by the mention of the animals’ distress at their new circumstances? (36-37)
Chapter 5 The Forest Home
What skills enable the couple to make their forest life comfortable? What are implications of the reasons given for Mhudi’s satisfaction with her husband?
Does it seem realistic that each would find the presence of the other a complete antidote for the trauma of losing their kinfolk through violence?
How does Mhudi at first respond to the news of approaching lions? (44) What causes Ra-Thaga to leave home and what circumstances/forms of knowledge enable the couple to kill an invading lion?
Chapter 6 Mhudi and I
What disagreement do the couple have over ethics and over the Matabale invasion, and may each point of view be seen as reasonable or unreasonable? Does either descend to personal attacks? What motives and economic situation does each ascribe to the invaders? What position do you feel the author takes?
Are their views ultimately reconcilable? Whose predictions will ultimately come to pass? (50)
What story does she tell of her first lion encounter, and who had been responsible for saving her life?
What traits do others believe that this reveals? Why does she answer his question about prior lovers as she does? Do you think the author intends her to be seen as entirely sincere in her account? (52-53)
Why do you think Ra-Thaga’s poem of felicity in the wilderness appears at the end of chapter 6?
Chapter 7 The First Strangers
What are some traits/opinions of the non-Matabele hunters whom Ra-Thaga and Mhudi encounter? What does Mhudi object to in them, and in particular, their leader?
Who decides that they should join with members of the Koranna tribe, and on what grounds? Does this decision work out well? What dangerous event occurs on his hunting trip with Ton Qon, and how is he saved from death?
How had Mhudi avoided Ton Qon’s advances? Why had she not been able to tell others including Ra-Thaga previously about her concerns?
What musings does Mhudi make on the purposes of creation? (60) Are there answers within her belief system, or that of the author? What seems significant about her response to the nocturnal chattering of monkeys? What point is made by the fact that her fears are justified?
Chapter 8 A Perilous Adventure
What is the “perilous adventure”? How does Ton Qon make it seem plausible that Ra-Thaga has been killed without directly shooting him? How are Ton Qon’s lies discovered? How had Mhudi anticipated the fact that she would be needed?
What customs and values are revealed by the judgment made by the Mamuse leader? What had Chief Massouw learned from the missionary Moffat? Also how does he think a visitor from another tribe should be treated? (65) What is the final punishment meted out to the offender? Do you think this was a reasonable judgment?
Chapter 9 Arrival of the Voortrekkers
What news do Ra-Taga and Mhudi receive concerning their former relatives? How long must they travel to join them, and how are they received? (69)
Which white men do they encounter, and what account of themselves and their motives do the immigrants give? What claims to they make about the English, and is it likely that the author agrees? (70-71)
What are some ominous features of their equipment? How do the Barolongs respond to them? (71, helpful, give warning and advice) What account do they give of their enemies?
What impresses Ra-Thaga about the newcomers? How does Mhudi respond?
How do the girls who draw water respond to the approach of a messenger? What message does he bring, and what has seemed new about the visitors? What seems ominous about the fact that the Barolongs cannot agree upon their numbers?
Chapter 10 Umnandi
From what problem does this royal wife suffer, and what level of medical services is available to her?
What functions seem served by the native soothsayer, and are these benign? What motivates the king’s wife Nomenti to seek Umnandi’s death, and by what devious act does she seek to protect herself? What objections does he make to Nomenti’s threats?
What are characteristics of Umnandi’s character? What information about the tribe’s position are we given by the maid’s response to Nomenti’s attempt to slur Umnandi? How does the maid’s response affect her mistress’s fate?
What is the final result? Is it important that we don’t know whether and where Umnandi has fled to?
What do we learn about the reason for the Matabeles’ earlier raid on the Barolongs? (83-84) What are they now expecting? (revenge) How can you account for the change in sentiment since their earlier victory celebration?
Why do you think this episode is included?
Chapter 11 Soothsayers and Battles
What precautions to the Matabeles’ potential victims take to avoid their fate? What then results when their invaders attempt to conquer them? How does the king respond to news of their defeat?
What advice is given by the Matabele bone-throwers and witchdoctors as the tribe has been threatened with invasion? What is King Mzilikazi’s response? What ominous news is brought by a messenger? Which special powers are possessed by these new “foreign devils,” and whom have they killed?
Of what do the defeated soldiers complain as, according to the king’s judgment, they are led off to their deaths?
What independent commands are given by the arriving general Gubuzza? How may this represent a version of rough justice?
Chapter 12 A Sportive Dawn and Gloomy Dusk
As the Borolog prepare for war, what fight erupts over a race, and how is it adjudicated? After Ra-Thaga has won, does the ruler of the competing tribe interfere in favor of his runners?
How is the dispute resolved?
What ominous report is brought by a Boer messenger? When a second messenger arrives, how does his report complement/differ from that of the first messenger? (101)
What ambition festers within Ra-Thaga?
Who interrupts the council of the chiefs as they debate whether to attack the Matabele, and what does he ask for?
Chief Moroke is described as wise; what do we learn of his mode of governing? What does he promise he will do to resist the Matabele?
Is it unexpected that one council member suggests that the women should fight instead, and what reason does he give?
Chapter 13 With the Boers at Moroka’s Hoek
What purpose is served in the plot by the friendship between De Villiers and Ra-Thaga?
What does the latter learn on his visit to the Boer encampment about their domestic habits? Their attitudes toward the various native peoples? (107)
What different motives propel the anger of De Villiers and Ra-Thaga against the Matabele? Do these have equal validity? (107-108)
What is Mhudi’s response to the Boers? What act does she witness while visiting, and why does she not intervene? (109) Are there any exceptions to the general cruelty?
What forms of mistreatment does Ra-Thaga witness? What dreadful and inexplicable incident frightens him? (112) What special prohibitions have been made against black persons?
Does Ra-Thaga tell his wife about this incident? Why do you think this is the case?
On their spying exhibition, how do the Bakwena tribespeople respond to the Boers? (114) What news is brought of the behavior of other Boers, and what consequences might these actions cause? (115)
When an internal conflict occurs over rival adulteries, how do the Barolong and Boers react? What does this indicate about their respective legal systems? (116-18)
Who are permitted to participate in the native council? Which judgment seems to satisfy the parties concerned?
Chapter 14 Queen Umnandi’s Flight
What happens to the soothsayer who had helped Nomenti plot against her fellow wife’s health and life? To her assigned messenger Umpitimpiti?
Had he in fact delivered the accusatory message, and what had been his motive? What are some ironies/humorous elements in the conversation between Nomenti and Umpitimpiti? Is Umpitmpiti’s reactions to the judgments meted out on those who have concealed information from the king?
What native surmises center around Queen Umnandi’s disappearance? (123) Do the gossipers make reasonable deductions, based on what they know?
How has Mzilikazi reacted to the news that he had not received all possible information about the disappearance of his wife? (125)
Why do you think these scenes were included in the novel?
Chapter 15 The Spies, Their Adventures
What are some perils faced by the spies, and why do you think these are included in the plot? What narrative purpose is served by the false report of the spies’ deaths?
By what series of events/coincidences/misunderstandings/appeals is Lepane enabled to escape his Matabele captors?
What unpleasant news do the returned spies bring? (132) What emotions are stirred by these events, and who seems most eager for conflict?
Chapter 16 Halley’s Comet, Its Influence on the Native Mind
What remarkable precedent is set when the Basuto king sends presents to the defeated Matabele? How are these gifts received? (134) What do we later learn of the results of this offering, and its motive?
What are some messages given to Mzilikazi by his wizards concerning the fate of Queen Umnandi? Concerning a future star in the east and its consequences for his people? (135-36) What do you make of these prophecies—how could the wizards have arrived at these conclusions? What later consequences will these have?
On what grounds does Mzilikazi reject the council of his soothsayers to move northwards? Of what personal qualities does he boast? (137-38)
What event interrupts these arguments? Whose actions save the lives of the captive Boers Van Zyl and his guides? (139) Is this scene a foreshadowing of events to come?
How does this incident alter the views of the onlookers?
Chapter 17 War Against the Matabele
Under what conditions do the Barolongs and Boers join forces? What causes the rout of the Matabele? How are they affected by the appearance of Haley’s Comet in the sky? By the sight of armed men on horseback? (144)
How are the battle losses described? What role do bees play in the final defeat? (144-45) How do the Bechuana respond to the news of the defeat of the Matabele? What causes them special happiness? (147)
How does the Matabele general Guluzza respond to his losses? Does the narrative reserve any sympathy for the conquered leader and his armies?
Is it important that the Zulu king has died? What does the narrative imply may have been the cause?
How does his report of the massacre affect the Matabele at home? Mzilikazi? Is the decision to leave his alone? (150)
Chapter 18 Mhudi’s Leap in the Dark
What visitation precipitates Mhudi’s journey? What is remarkable about her trek, and whom does she join after several days of travel northward? What effect, if any, does her difficult adventure have on the plot?
Chapter 19 Mhudi and Umnandi
What advice does Ra-Thaga give to De Villiers, and what does this indicate about their relationship?
What does De Villiers believe he owes to Ra-Thaga? How do they negotiate the issue of race? (161)
When Van Zyl and the other former spies return, what account do they give of how they have managed to delay their executions and eventually escape? (163)
How does Ra-Thaga respond to the arrival of his wife? What story does she tell of the behavior of the Boers on their journey? Which three women, now Mhudi’s friends, have joined the wagons that arrive at the camp?
Does De Villiers future fiancé share his relatively tolerant views? Where has Umnandi been hiding, and what is now her purpose? What seems significant about the friendship of these women?
How do the Boers celebrate their deliverance, and what comment upon this is provided by the narrator? (168)
What message does Mhudi desire for Umnandi to convey to her husband? What is Umnandi’s motive for seeking out her husband at personal peril in the time of his defeat? What views do the women share on war? (169) On personal relations?
Chapter 20 The Exodus
What causes the prolongation of the war? How does Mzilikazi respond to the first round of his losses, and is his response seen as admirable? What sight convinces him that all is lost? How do he and Gubuzza coordinate in cutting their losses?
How does Mzilikazi reflect on his past ambitions and the causes of his defeat? (175)
What personal loss has he suffered? What does he recall about the earlier victory speeches of his now slain son and councilors?
Whom does he blame for his problems, and what does he regret about his prior choices? Whose absence does he associate with his present losses?
What telling prophecy does he issue? (178-79) Will readers consider that this is prescient? What does he call on his people to do?
Chapter 21 The Happy Reunion
Who is unexpectedly reunited? How do the Matabele interpret the arrival of Queen Umnandi? (183)
What is the effect of describing a scene of Matabele rejoicing? What account does she give of her disappearance, and is this credible? How is her apparel described?
What do we make of her sudden fertility? Of Mzilikazi’s song? What future awaits the Matabale people?
Chapter 22 A Contented Homecoming
On what terms do De Villiers, his fiancé, Ra-Thaga and Mhudi part? Why would it have been impossible for them to continue to live together?
What answer does De Villiers give when criticized for his association with a black couple?
What final gifts do the Boers give Ra-Thaga and Mhudi, and how will these affect their future?
To what extent does the ending provide a form of closure for the conflicts and tensions of the novel? Is there a hope that peace will prevail in South Africa in the immediate future?
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What is added to the novel by the interspersed songs and poems?
Do you find elements in this story which resemble narrations in the Old Testament?
On the basis of this novel, which aspects of his culture do you think Plaatje most wished to convey? To what extent does he find these traits memorable and/or admirable?
What are some ethical meanings behind the portrayal of several competing groups? The celebration of cross-cultural friendships?
To what extent is the novel egalitarian in its portrayal of gendered roles and behavior? Are both white and black people presented fairly?
What are some instances of humor and irony throughout the novel?
What do you think is his attitude toward the rhetoric of the associated tribes he represents? Of their poetry? Do you think his is a balanced judgment? How might his approach differ from that of an anthropologist?