Town and Country Lovers

by Nadine Gordimer

Start Free Trial

Student Question

Is Paulus responsible for his own baby's death in "Town and Country Lovers"? Explain.

Quick answer:

Paulus is responsible for his baby's death because he poisons the child out of concern for his social standing. His actions are driven by the fear of having a child with a black woman, which he finds unacceptable. While some might argue that Thebidi, the mother, could share blame for not preventing the act, the primary responsibility lies with Paulus for his reprehensible and irresponsible behavior throughout the story.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

I do think that Paulus is responsible for his babies death, because he poisons it. He was so concerned for his social standing, that he was horrified of the thought that a black woman was going to have his baby. Some people could say that Thebidi is to blame, because she didnt do anything to stop Paulus from hurting her child, yet to me, that's just shifting blame. Paulus should be punished not only for the shameful act of hurting a child, but for his irresponsible actions throught the story.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial