The narrative unfolds around three towering figures: Harry, his father, and Paulus, with their imposing physiques underscoring their presence. The surname "Grossman," chosen by Dan Jacobson for both Harry and his father, hints at their size, as "gross" signifies "large" in German. Yet, despite inheriting his father's formidable strength, the elder Grossman is now frail, with senility eroding his cognitive abilities. This mental decline fuels his "passion for freedom," driving him to repeatedly flee a home where he feels he doesn't belong.

Struggles and Resentments

For Harry, his father's senile escapades are a source of irritation, social mortification, and profound resentment intertwined with guilt. His bitterness stems from his father's past failures, which forced Harry into an early role of financial provider. When his father embarked on a journey to South Africa but was mistakenly diverted to Argentina, Harry's mother had to incur debts to bring him back. Harry spent years working to repay these debts, fund their eventual move to South Africa, and sustain the family due to his father's inability to secure employment. Forced into an adult role prematurely, Harry harbors resentment towards his father, yet he cannot wholly dismiss the filial duty he feels he owes. This internal conflict is intensified by his father's senile outbursts, where he demands, "What do you want in my house? . . . Out of my house!"

A New Caretaker

Johannes, Harry's Zulu servant, suggests that Paulus, a "raw boy" from the countryside, serve as a caretaker for the elder Grossman. Despite doubts about Paulus's exact relation to Johannes, whether as a brother or simply a fellow villager, the close bond between the two Zulus stands in stark contrast to Harry's fragmented family dynamics. While the Jews once functioned as a cohesive tribe, Harry and his kin struggle to even maintain family connections, let alone tribal ones. Despite his suspicions, Harry agrees to Johannes's suggestion, amused by the potential irony of placing his father in the care of someone he perceives as racially inferior.

Friendship and Care

Paulus resolves the elder Grossman’s habitual escape attempts by accompanying him on his wanderings. Together, they traverse the city streets, often losing their way due to a lack of literacy, yet forging an unexpected friendship. The elder Grossman affectionately dubs Paulus "Der Schwarzer," while Paulus calls him "Baas Zeide," adopting the Yiddish term for grandfather. Paulus exhibits genuine care, bathing and dressing the old man, trimming his hair and beard, and carrying him to bed. Harry, witnessing this care, feels a pang of guilty irritation, as Paulus embodies the affection he believes he should exhibit. Yet, he revels in his own cruel joke, reducing his father to the societal status of Paulus, whom he deems inferior. Harry's cruelty escalates when he threatens to dismiss Paulus, but his father’s response is to seek solace in Paulus's room, instinctively knowing Harry would never intrude.

Growing Tensions

The bond between Paulus and the old man also makes Harry's anger boil over towards Paulus himself. During one heated confrontation, Harry accuses Paulus of tiring his father by wandering too far, seemingly forgetting that Paulus merely follows, not leads. Enraged by Paulus's lack of English comprehension, Harry accuses him of feigning ignorance and mocks his lowly societal rank: "You'll always be where you are, running to do what the white baas tells you to do. . . . Do you think I understood English when I came here?"

A Tragic Turn

During an afternoon when Paulus is off duty, Harry and his father argue. The elder Grossman cries out for "Der Schwarzer," and Harry, in desperation, promises that Paulus...