Julys People

By Nadine Gordimer
The decently-paid and contented male
servant, living in their yard since they had
married, clothed by them in two sets of
uniforms, khaki pants for rough housework,
white drill for waiting at table, given
Wednesdays and alternate Sundays free,
allowed to have his friends visit him and his
town woman sleep with him in his roomhe
turned out to be the chosen one in whose hands
their lives were to be held; frog prince,
saviour, July (Page 28).

Excerpt From: Nadine Gordimer. July's People.

iBooks.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/julys-people/id48703
 Setting - Quote
Julys home was not a village but a
habitation of mud houses occupied only by
members of his extended family. There was
the risk that if, as he seemed to assume, he
could reconcile them to the strange presence
of whites in their midst and keep their mouths
shut, he could not prevent other people, living
scattered round about, who knew the look of
every thorn-bush, from discovering there were
thorn-bushes that overgrew a white mans
car, and passing on that information to any
black army patrol(Page 36).

Excerpt From: Nadine Gordimer. July's People. iBooks.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/julys-people/id48703930
1?mt=11
Setting - Mini Essay
In three words I would describe the physical setting of the novel, Julys People, by Nadine Gordimer as: urbanized,
dangerous, and hot. The setting is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Smales family is a wealthy white family with three
children and their servant July. The blacks are trying to flee away the whites out of the cities. The country can be considered
dangerous because of the attacks against the whites living in the cities. July explains the situation when stating: They had to get
out, they had to go. People are burning those houses. Those big houses! You cant imagine those houses. The whites are being
killed in their houses. Ive seen itthe whole thing just blow up, walls, roof(Page 48). When attacks started to reach the city in
which the Smales lived, July offered to take them to his extended family's home where they live in mud huts. The Smales are used
to having money and materialistic items, resulting in the family depending on July for support. The cities are increasing in
urbanization from White Wealthy people in search of a new life and job opportunities. When Julys wife, Martha finds out about
the Smales staying in their home, she became furious and confused: White people here! Didnt you tell us many times how they
live, there. A room to sleep in, another room to eat in, another room to sit in, a room with books (she had a Bible), I dont know
how many times you told me, a room with how many books Hundreds I think(Page 47).
In three words, I would describe the cultural setting of Julys People as: homogenous, corrupted, and diverse. The country
is undergoing attacks, riots, and bombings in attempt to flee away the whites. The blacks are trying to take back their land, jobs,
and homes. The cities are becoming corrupted and abandoned from all of the attacks as well as unsafe living conditions. Overall,
the culture within the country is very diverse considering there are many different type of people living with different standards
and perceptions on how to exist. For example, July is used to only seeing his family several times a year while trying providing
everything he can for them. On the other hand, the Smales family expect July to take care of all of their needs.
Characters - Family Tree
 Motivated By: providing for his family, taking care
Character Profile - July : of his host family and keeping them safe
Fears: Being outcasted from his family because he
brought his people (the white family he works for)
into his extended family's home
Quote:
The decently-paid and contented male servant,
living in their yard since they had married, clothed
by them in two sets of uniforms, khaki pants for
rough housework, white drill for waiting at table,
given Wednesdays and alternate Sundays free,
allowed to have his friends visit him and his town
iStock: Africa Men Poverty Senior Adult Pictures, Images
woman sleep with him in his roomhe turned out to
and Stock Photos
be the chosen one in whose hands their lives were to
be held; frog prince, saviour, July(Page 28).
Character Profile - Maureen Smales :
Motivated By: making sure her children and husband

are safe, materialistic items (wealthy)

Fears: Being kicked out of Julys home, being

threatened or killed by the blacks trying to flee away the

whites out of Africa

Quote:

There was still a plastic demijohn of tap-water taken

from the last dorp, hidden in it. She went secretly,

observed from afar by whispering black children, to

fetch rations for her children to drink (Page 35).

Character Profile - Bam Smales :
Motivated By: providing and protecting his family

Fears: Not knowing what his future holds, being

attacked, being outcasted

Quote:

Bam was determined to rig up a water-tank, the

round, corrugated tin kind, that had somehow been

lugged that far into the bush but never installed. July

laughed, and gave it a kick (as Victor had the bath)

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-conservative-dentistry.htm (Page 58).

Tone:
The white womans hand, when she stood there and offered itthe first time, touching

white skin. His wife went with her mother-in-law sometimes to the dorp to hawk green

mealies or the brooms the old lady made, outside the Indian store; it had happened that a

white from the police post had bought from her sack of cobs, and cents had dropped from

the white hand to hers. But she had never actually touched that skin before (Page 54).

Uneasy
Fearful
Reflective
Mood:
Without his white people back there, without the big house where he worked for them, she

would not be getting those letters (yes, she had been to school, he would not have married

a woman who could not read their own language) that came from his other life, his other

self, and provided for those who could not follow him there. Not even in dreams; not even

now, when she had seen his white people(Page 56).

Distressed
Suspenseful
Tense
Archetypes:
Hero : July

Heros Journey - Example one:

The hero is born and raised in a rural setting away from cities
July is the main character in the novel and he is also the hero. In the beginning of the
novel the narrator explains how July has been working for the Smales family in the city of Johannesburg for the past
15 years. Before the incident, where July was the only savior for the Smales family, they had no idea the living
conditions that July was raised in. On page 36, the narrator explains Julys original home : Julys home was not a
village but a habitation of mud houses occupied only by members of his extended family(page 36). July did not speak
much of his family when working for the Smales, until they experienced the rural habitat for themselves. Even though
the Smales were unaware of Julys previous life, Julys family understood the luxury July was living in while
working for the Smales in the city. When July brought the Smales to stay with them in his original home, Julys
family felt uncomfortable knowing the change the Smales family had to endure. On page 46 the narrator explains
Marthas (Julys wife) understanding of the situation when adding: His wife had accepted his dictum, when he
arrived that night in a white mans bakkie with a visitation of five white faces floating in the dark(page 46).
Although Martha seemed to accept her new fate she still faced overwhelming conditions causing tension within the
home.
Archetypes:
Heros Journey - Example Two:
The hero makes a stirring speech to his/her companions
When July brings the Smales to his family he immediately faces the tension it causes
within his family. His wife Martha became very upset and July had to explain what is
actually occurring in the cities. Shocked at the news, Martha could not believe her
people, the black people, were killing and attacking so many innocent whites in the city.
July has to explain to her that even though the Smales have money, they had nowhere
else to go because all of the whites were being attacked. It didnt matter where they went
if they were in public the Smales faced the risk of being exiled. On page 49, July explains
the situation to Martha when saying :Everywhere is the same. They are chasing the
whites out. The whites are fighting them. All those towns are the same. Where could he
run with his family? His friends are also running. If he tried to go to a friend in another
town, the friend wouldnt be there. Its true he can go where he likes. But when he gets
there, he may be killed (page 49).
Situational Archetype : The Unhealable Wound
The Unhealable Wound is described as, Either a physical or psychological wound that
cannot be fully healed. The wound symbolizes a loss of innocence. The Smales family
undergoes The Unhealable Wound when they are forced to leave their home in the city
and the only person willing to save them is July. July brings the Smales to his extended
family's home. The Smales family lost a level of innocence when arriving at Julys home.
The setting of Julys home is extremely rural compared to Johannesburg, where the Smales
are from. When they were forced to leave the city, the Smales lost everything and did not
realize how ungrateful they truly were until living through the conditions that July was
raised in.
Quote: She saw how when she or Bam, who were completely dependent on these people,
had nothing but bits of paper to give them, not even clothesso prized by the poorto
spare, they secreted the paper money in tied rags and strange crumpled pouches about their
persons(page 65).
Character Archetype : Young Man from the Provinces
The Young Man from the Provinces is described as The Hero returns to his home and heritage where he is a
stranger who can see new problems and new solutions. July returns to his original home but instead of a visit he has
returned for good with his host family the Smales. He seems like a stranger since he has brought back five white
people to his rural tribe. Since July used to live in the city he is aware of the corruption occurring towards the whites
and understands the traumatic damage the attacks are causing. His only solution is to bring his host family back to
his home. Bringing the white people into his tribe caused tension but also provided insight from another lifestyles
point of views. For example, the tribe help the Smales, mainly Bam and Maureen (the parents), have a realization
about how overindulged they truly were in materialistic items. The Smales family also brought positives assets to the
tribe that could only be implemented because of their experience in a more industrialized lifestyle.

Quote: Julyand others like him, all the able men went away to workhad been sending these bits of paper for
so long and had been bringing, over fifteen years (that meant seven home-leaves), many things that bits of paper
could be transformed into, from the bicycle Bam had got for him at a discount to the supermarket pink glass
teacups(page 65-66).
Symbolic Archetype : Fog
The term Fog in a novel is described as, symbolizing uncertainty. The novel Julys
People symbolizes the Fog throughout the story. In the second half of chapter 6, Bam
and Maureen are awaken from the sound of the car engine starting. By the time they were
in sight of the vehicle all they could see is the back of two mens heads. July is nowhere to
be found and Bam tries to find someone who can speak english to explain where July is
going. The fear and realizations of what possibly may come is settling in and Bam
becomes extremely worried. Bam and his family are alone in an unfamiliar place with
people who do not speak english or accept the fact that they are white causing the
emotions of everyone to be uncertain.

Quote: July had gone. Somewhere. With someone. Another added, in English He did
not tell me. We do not know.(page 90).
Themes- Fate/Destiny:

In the beginning of the novel, the Smales family faces the predicament of either staying in

their home in the city and chance being attacked by the Blacks, or choosing to flee from

what they have known as home. The Smales decide to flee from the city with their servant

July, leaving their entire families Fate/Destiny in Julys hands.

Themes- Family Bond and Loyalty
In the beginning of chapter six, Maureen and Bam are awoken from the sound of the car
engine starting and the vehicle driving away, and come to discover July has taken the
bakkie. In chapter seven, July returns with the vehicle and supplies the family needed.
July brought back fire wood, fertilizer, and a plentiful amount of groceries; which he paid
for with his own savings. July never told Maureen or Bam where he was going, leaving
them feeling despair and worried. Although when he returned with groceries and supplies,
July is indirectly expressing his sentiment of Family Bond and Loyalty towards the
Smales.
Themes- Racism and Prejudice
Maureen continues to hold Racist and Prejudice preconceptions about Julys family even

after experiencing his living conditions. Eventhough July acts as the Smales familys

savior, Maureen becomes extremely agitated with the thought of July learning how to

drive her family's vehicle. This portrays how Maureen maintained Prejudice thoughts

towards July even after July explained why he feels the need to learn how to drive and

have access to their keys.

Vocabulary- Homogenous:
Julys extended family can be considered a Homogenous tribe since they all share the

same race and speak the same language. They have continued to obtain a unified system

and culture throughout all of the corruption occurring in South Africa.

Quote:

None of the women he encountered could speak his languages (page 89).
Vocabulary- Culture:
Maureen experiences Julys culture when she helps the women pick herbs and vegetables
from the garden in order to eat. Normally this type of job would not be her responsibility
back there at her home in the city. Although, Maureen and her family are no longer
living in their home and have to rely on guidance from July and his family for survival.
Even if they do not understand Julys language, the Smales eventually learn to adapt to
their surroundings.

Quote:
For a while they worked along a donga like a team, unspokenly together, now side by
side, now passing and repassing each other, closely...(Page 201).
Vocabulary- Authoritarianism
In chapter 13, July informs the Smales that the chief of his family has enquired to have a
visit with Bam and Maureen. July is unaware about what the meeting will be about until
arriving. The Smales experience Authoritarianism when they have no other choice than to
meet with the Chief.

Quote:
Yes, Im say that. My place its here. But all people here, all villages, its the chiefs. If
hes sending someone ask me this or this, I must do. Isnt it. If hes saying I must come, I
must come. That is our law(page 219).
Creative Choice- Alternative Ending:
She runs: trusting herself with all the suppressed trust of a lifetime, alert, like a solitary animal at the season when
animals neither seek a mate nor take care of young, existing only for their lone survival, the enemy of all that would
make claims of responsibility. She can still hear the beat, beyond those trees and those, and she runs towards it. She
runs(Page 345).
Ignoring the sounds of her childrens voice calling after her, Maureen continues to run into the unknown. Her
entire body flutters with excitement as she moves closer to the sound of the propellers. Selfishly, she never looked
back, not even once. The thought of tasting liberation again overruled any rational action. She can still hear the faint
sound of her childrens voices as she proceeds to move rapidly towards the helicopter. The air begins to clear from
the plume of dust as Maureen makes her way to an opening in the trees. She notices the only thing standing between
her and what she assumes to be safety is a treacherous river. Maureen is completely overwhelmed with happiness
while she trudges through the river. She is no longer in sight of the mud huts when she realizes the men are not who
she thought they would be. Expecting to be saved by white men, Maureen now finds herself face to face with a group
of Africans armed and ready to attack. Losing all hope Maureen surrenders in an utter panic, when one of the black
men starts to speak english to her. In a deep intimidating tone, the black man yells - Take me to your people!-.
After hearing these words leave his lips, Maureen realizes the impact of her impulsive decision to run. She feels a
dark numbness overtake every sense in her body as she ignores the armed black men. The men continue to repeat
Take me to your people! and become even more angry when she does not respond. Maureen is experiencing a full
body panic attack and finds herself overwhelmed to the point that she faints. Awakening to the sound of the
propellers she realizes she is now held captive with no idea where she could be headed. Maureen no longer feels
hope from the sound of the helicopter but instead regret and fear of the uncertain circumstances she has put herself
into.
 Cultural Context
The novel Julys People is set in Johannesburg, South Africa. The author, Nadine Gordimer, does a great job indirectly
portraying the racial and gender inequalities that take place within the cultures throughout South Africa. Nadine created a setting in
which the white family is dependent upon the black family. She also provides insight from both families points of views to interpret the
inequalities actually occurring. The novel illustrates the corruption arising in urban areas due to disagreements between the blacks and
the whites. Even though the novel is fiction, the story was still written in relation to the Apartheid which occurred from 1948-1991. The
Smales family endure many challenges throughout their expedition. Traveling to an unknown place, the Smales now have to switch
roles with their servant, July. Depending upon him and his family for survival, the Smales are forced to learn new ways of living.
Maureen has to face the issue of realization for how prejudice and entitled she truly was before depending on her former servant for
guidance. Bam faces the challenge of not being able to provide for his family, when he usually can. All of the characters in Julys
People have to deal with the feeling of uncertainty. None of the characters knew what was to come next, leaving everyone in distress
and nervous. The main message in the novel Julys People is to magnify the issues resulting within race and gender. The author does
this by providing insight from both genders and races involved in the story. Maureen and Bam are a liberal conservative white family
who are used to living in the upper class. When blacks start to attack the urban areas, the whites are forced to flee. The Smales had no
other choice but to leave town with July to his home. By doing this they are leaving their families fate in Julys hands. When arriving to
his home the families roles reverse, where Julys family teaches the Smales their way of life. Julys home is made out of mud huts which
is an example of the race inequality occurring throughout South Africa. Before the corruption in the city, all of the able working
Afrikaan men were forced to leave their home and work for the white families. The women in the African families did not have the
opportunity to work outside of their village. This is an example of the inequalities genders face in varying cultures.