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Essay planning : How does Matthee focus on the significance of the family…
Essay planning : How does Matthee focus on the significance of the family in Benjamin’s life.
Benjamin's identity in the Van Rooyen family
As Benjamin was taken away from Fiela and made to live with Elias and his family, the theme of identity is further developed in showing how identity stems not only from one's upbringing and family but also that society can powerfully influence one's identity
When the magistrate ruled that Benjamin was not Fiela's child and made him live with Elias, Benjamin eventually accepted this new identity when Elias subjected hi to unbearable pain and abuse.
When Benjamin was caught running away, Elias 'took one end of the ox rein and wound it around the wriggling body'. It was also described that 'with every last, [Benjamin] screamed and struggled harder' and this conveys a sense of vicious brutality as it suggests that Benjamin was whipped repeatedly to the extent that Benjamin had a 'weal across his face'.
However, after this incident, Benjamin told himself that 'he would not run away again' and this line conveys a sense of finality and resolve, suggesting that how Elias had treated Benjamin had effectively causes Benjamin to accept that he was now part of the Van Rooyen family.
The effect of the judge's rule that Benjamin was not Fiela's child and that he was instead Elias' son caused Benjamin to believe s firmly in this identity that Benjamin felt extremely guilty when he experienced romantic inclinations towards Nina as well.
Benjamin revealed that he was 'in love with [his] sister, Nina' to Fiela but this emotion had 'filled him with guilt and shame', suggesting that Benjamin felt extremely contrite and ashamed for having such feelings as he believed that he was Nina's brother and that such emotions were utterly unacceptable.
This thus showed that society can powerfully shape a person's identity as Benjamin's doubts over who he truly was were only lifted when Barta admitted that '[she] took somebody else's child that day', revealing to Benjamin that she had lied on that fateful day in court.
(I REALISED THIS IS NOT WHAT THE QUESTION WAS ASKING FOR AFTER I TYPED IT LOL OOPS) Benjamin's eventual departure from the forest and how he felt when he saw the sea also shows how feelings can help a person question or discover his or her identity.
When Benjamin left the forest and encountered the sea for the first time, he remembered how 'as a child, he had pushed his wooden boats on to the stream' and how 'a strange feeling of joy had gone through his body'. This conveys a sense of upliftednss that utterly seized hold of Benjamin inexplicably happy.
When he saw the sea, 'the same forgotten feeling welled up' and 'he was like a stranger to himself, standing on the sand of an unknown bay where a ship lay wrecked that did not belong there either'.
The quote 'the same forgotten feeling welled up' conveys a sense of enormity and suggests that Benjamin had felt overwhelmed by a very strong rush of emotion when he saw the sea.
This overpowering surge of emotion caused him to feel 'like a stranger to himself', a description that conveys a sense of unfamiliarity. This thus reveals how emotions caused Benjamin to question his identity as he could not understand how simply seeing the sea could cause him to experience such deep, stirring emotions.
Benjamin’s identity as Fiela’s hand-child.
‘I’m Fiela Komoeties child, your worshipful lord... the forest woman’s lying if she says I’m her child.’ Benjamin speaks to the magistrate as he is forced to leave the Komoeties.
This shows Benjamin greatly identifies himself as Fiela hand-child after Fiela has raised him for about 9 years . He is very loyal to her, not willing to leave her side after all that she has done for him.
‘She had always known...[she]has to fight for him’ pg 21 ‘You’ll have to cut my throat first!... You master, you’
This shows the love she has for Benjamin and how willing she was to sacrifice herself for him. It shows that families are willing to do anything to ensure the best for their loved ones even if it means having to take their own life. It shows the importance of family always being there to protect you.
‘Then I’ll go with you on the horse cart’ pg 55 ‘she had to knead and bake pan-bread, for the child to take enough food with him to last till Saturday’
This shows Fiela willing to follow him to ensure his safety showing how family will always be by your side no matter how bad the situation is.