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Angela Eng
Heng Ching Shr
English
Essay 3
Overcritical
In “Out of Bounds” by Beverly Naidoo, the main character Rohan witnesses inequality
but does not experience it personally. When squatters move in below his house, he feels neutral
while others judge them for their appearance and actions. He later becomes interested in a boy's
wire toy car but is advised by his father not to buy it. Later, the boy named Solani comes to
Rohan's door asking for water for his mother. Disobeying his mother, Rohan helps him and
receives the toy car in return, stepping out of his boundaries physically and mentally without
judging the boy’s background. I argue that we should not judge others based on appearances or
social status. Being open minded is more important than judging someone for their backgrounds.
Empathy brings sorrow, but sympathy motivates us to help those in need.
First of all, Rohan’s main problem is his parents not feeling sympathy for others or
putting themselves in that situation. ‘“Those poor people! What a place to give birth! Ma’s hands
almost looked ready to cradle a baby”’ (772). This shows that Rohan’s parents show empathy
while looking at the news but not looking at the life-and-death situation in front of them with the
squatters. A lot of people tend to feel bad for others when it is shown on television, but as soon
as they see that they need to help people with bad backgrounds and appearances, they decline
right away.
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Furthermore, Rohan’s parents initially assisted squatters, but after an incident, they
stopped helping the squatters. “However, it was when thieves broke into Mrs. Pilay's house,
grabbed the gold thali from around her neck, and left her with a heart attack that views hardened”
(770). This implies that, despite the incident not involving the squatters, their past reputation had
led to suspicion. All our thoughts of homeless people are more negative than positive. Being
open-minded and sympathetic is understanding their struggles, as they face tough times just like
anyone else.
However, Rohan is different from his parents and others around him. He sees people
judging but he doesn’t understand why. “How could the boy and his brother show the lady in the
African Crafts shop his cars if they weren’t allowed in?” (775). This suggests that Rohan is
confused about why people think of squatters differently. They’re all human, and if we want
them to change can’t we just let them have the opportunity to change. Rohan is the only one who
understands about equality and helping others. His parents on the other hand have influenced
him to not interact with the squatters anymore. Rohan was however heavily influenced by his
parents and still has his own opinions, and wanting to reach a hand out to the needy.
In addition, Rohan is hesitant about following his parents' thinking, he doesn’t wanna get
influenced by them. “Yet the one way to get rid of ticks was to cover them in liquid paraffin.
Drown them. A terrible thought” (773). This indicates that Rohan has a negative view of the
squatters but has not altered his perspective on them. Although Rohan’s parents have influenced
him, he knows when to stop and avoids judgment. Rohan is initially reluctant to help others, but
in an emergency, he is willing to step beyond his mental and physical boundaries to assist them.
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As a result, Rohan assists a squatter and his mother during an emergency, disobeying his
own mother's advice not to open the door to strangers. “He hurried downstairs but slowed
himself as he walked outside towards the gate” (773). This shows that Rohan wanted to help
Solani but his parents' influence did have a little effect on him and made him more hesitant.
Rohan had helped Solani in the end but he always had a little hesitation, since of all things he
heard or seen from people around him. This shows that judgement has an effect on everyone.
Equally, As Rohan enters the squatters camp to help Solani, he is also judged by the other
squatters. “As they drew nearer the men, Rohan felt their gaze on him and suddenly his head was
spinning with questions” (776). Even though Rohan might not be judged in his own community
doesn’t mean he will be liked in others. This shows that even though we have different
backgrounds we are still all human and we will share the same experiences. The squatters
themselves also face thieves just like Rohan’s neighborhood. We might be accepted in one
community but not the other, that’s why we should all be open-minded and come together as one
nation.
In conclusion, Rohan is aware of the judgments around the squatters, but he still remains
to have his own beliefs. He steps beyond his boundaries, since he wanted to not because he was
told to. Despite sometimes wanting to judge others, he decides to think positively. Rohan has
sympathy and can put himself in that situation which leads him to be more accepting to others
outside of his community. As he helps Solani he realizes that people outside of his community
are also facing the same problems as his community, so that makes him understand more about
accepting towards different people.
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