The Lemon Orchard Essay

In the short story "The Lemon Orchard" the character of the coloured man faces many difficult challenges. One of the biggest challenges he faces is the challenge to remain silent, another point is who was involved in creating this challenge and another about how the challenge has helped me to understand this character.

The challenge of remaining silent was very difficult for the coloured man as when he did not speak the gang of white men would abuse him, yet if he did speak he would also get into trouble. The fact that the coloured man was restricted not to speak represent that he has no power and also no authority, it also shows that he is scared of what the gang of men could possibly do to him.

The Lemon Orchard

In this passage the writer presents the leader of the gang of men as uncertain of his surroundings for example when he said "Do not go so fast". This suggests that he is unsure and is exiting his comfort zone. Although uncertainty is suggested with this character the idea of a controlling personality is given as when he says "When a baas speaks to you, you answer him. Do you hear?" This implies that although he is uncertain he overpowers the other men. This character is given off also as very strong and authoritative when the writer has described his appearance: "He was a big man and wore khaki trousers and laced up riding boots, and an old shooting jacket with leather patches on the right breast and the elbows" this description also implies that he is and aggressive character.