Chapters 9-13
Chapter 9
The narrator returns to Sonny’s first act of resistance – leading the children across the veld. At the time, he never thought about the responsibility that comes with working for social change. As he builds a reputation, Sonny has become involved “in policy decisions.” Now he has been chosen to speak at “the black township graveyard ceremony,” which could put him at risk of another arrest.
On the morning of his speech, Sonny claims to not have time to dine with them so he can avoid Will. Baby gives Sonny a flower from their garden to place on the graves. He then has breakfast with Hannah, and they plan to meet up after the speech. Hannah admires the rose Baby sent and tells him how happy she is that he is the one speaking over the graves.
Chapter 10
Hannah travels to the cemetery, finding that the township is under siege; those riding to the service were carefully instructed on how to interact with the authorities. During the ride, Hannah observes crowds gathering around the convoy, trying to touch the people inside.
When Hannah arrives, she sees Sonny from a distance. Overlooking the scene, armed police are gathered, watching for any disturbances, though it is unclear whether they can hear the speech. Sonny’s speech highlights the immorality of Apartheid. Though the young men who have been slain will not enjoy a better future, Sonny conveys a message of hope that one day the world will change and Apartheid will become a thing of the past.
Sonny’s speech is well-received; the crowd responds with a “litany of freedom cries.” Those who gathered for the funeral begin to scatter and cover their faces with scarves. The police descend on the crowd with tear gas, which Hannah, Sonny, and the others try to escape. Sonny eventually ends up in a car with Hannah, and they hold hands.
Chapter 11
Will observes Aila bringing a carryall for Sonny to put in his car. She has prepared this bag with anything he may need if he is detained again. Will disapproves of their secrecy because he feels he should be privy to all of his father’s dealings at this point. Inside the house, Will and Baby argue; he is upset with her for leaving him with their parents now that she has moved out and gotten a job.
Will feels pity for his mother, who continues to take care of Sonny despite his betrayal. He and Aila discuss Baby’s decision to join the rebel military. Neither knew she would join, but Will senses that Aila wants him to change Baby’s mind. He assumes Aila blames Sonny for “ma[king] his daughter a revolutionary.” Sonny takes refuge from his wife’s disappointment in him by visiting Hannah.
Hannah and Sonny discuss Baby’s choice to become a Freedom Fighter. He relives the incident at the graveyard ceremony, their chaotic flight from the gunshots and teargas. This leads Sonny and Hannah to wonder whether violence is necessary for the revolution.
They speak briefly about Hannah’s ex-husband and Hannah’s smoking habits. Privately, Sonny admits that he feels “dread” about the power Aila and Hannah have over him.
Chapter 12
Will laments that his parents favor Baby and are more proud of her than of him—even though he is well-educated and seeks a respectable career. Aila tells family and friends that Baby is “overseas” but does not reveal her daughter’s revolutionary activity. Will then thinks about “the prestige” that Baby’s joining up lends to Sonny’s reputation. When Will finishes school, he asks his parents to pay for a short vacation,...
(This entire section contains 897 words.)
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where he rides his motorbike to Durban to enjoy his youth on the beach.
Sonny feels sorry for Aila because he knows Baby’s political commitment makes him proud but terrifies his wife. However, he also thinks he loves Baby more than anyone does and feels resentful toward Aila for following Baby’s suicide attempt with “silence upon the other silence.” Sonny retraces his own political involvement, from walking the children across the veld, to his time in prison, to his more recent speeches.
Despite its valiant aims, the movement is riddled with “internal problems.” At one point, Sonny and Hannah discuss these issues, debating over leadership and the power dynamics of the movement.
The conversation is vague but represents a typical political discussion between Sonny and Hannah. During the conversation, Sonny looks around him and thinks about the way whites in South Africa are physically removed from some political struggles by virtue of their race, “screened … from screams of fear and chants of rage.”
Chapter 13
Will gains an upper hand on Sonny when he finds that his mother has applied for a passport. He asks himself where she could be going and why she would do something so out of character.
Sonny learns about the passport only once Aila receives it, learning that her plan is simply to visit Baby in Lusaka, Zambia. While Aila visits Baby, Sonny spends time with Will. They play chess, and Will cooks dinner. One day, Will hears someone leaving the house, and Sonny tells Will not to reveal the meeting to anyone, which makes Will think Sonny’s position in the movement may be in danger.
