Lessing's novel explores the evils of colonialism and patriarchal societies through the relationships between the white characters and Moses, a black servant. Mary's familiarity with Moses shatters the racist complacency of the white community in Africa. When Moses murders Mary, it demonstrates his power over her and the control blacks still hold in their own country. The wealthy, like Charlie Slatter, use their financial power and racism to dominate the land and society. Mary was once independent but societal pressures forced her into a loveless marriage where her power was undermined. Racism pervaded the entire community and no one was exempt from its harmful effects.

1. By Aisling Wyer and Luke Tai

2.  The evil of
colonialism
Lessing's  The evil of
two great patriarchal societies
(societies in which men set the
concerns: rules and standards and women
are thus subordinated)
 These form the
fundamental theme
of power in this
novel.

3.  The unity between the  Mary’s relationship with her black
servant shatters the complacency
opening and conclusion of the whites in Africa.
makes a powerful  Moses’ power in the relationship
is unquestionable and real.
statement about the  His action in murdering Mary
issues treated in this shows the control which he exerts
over her and in which the blacks
novel. Both show the have in their own country still.
murder of Mary by  The whites retain a hold based on
lies and corruption. The system of
Moses together with the gross injustice dominates this
immediate reaction society.
from the white
population.

4. THE RICH PROVIDE THE
SUPERIORITY
 Charlie Slatter is an example
of such success for the
Turners.
 He uses his financial power "Dick did not like the mission
to gain respect in the
community and to take over boys, they knew too much.
the Turners' farm. And in any case they should
 For Dick the lack of money not be taught to write and
reduces them to the level of read; thy should be taught
the natives, although to admit
this would be unacceptable. the dignity of labour and
 For the sake of appearances, general usefulness to the
the community must pretend white man".
to support the white's.

5.  The natives are treated like machines and a
commodity to be passed around.
 They were kept in a state where they
"did not know there were any other ways of living,
besides when producing gold".

6.  Mary is effectively forced into marriage by
the weight of social expectations and
traditions.
 She had a nice job, numerous friends, and
valued her independence.
 Friends in the city assumed she would not
marry, which pushed her into a doomed
marriage and into a fascination with Moses.
 She was engaged in a losing battle to hold on
to her own identity.

7.  Mary, like most Rhodesian women, is overtly
racist, believing that whites should be
masters over the native blacks.
 She works them hard reduces their break
time, and arbitrarily takes money from their
pay.
 Her hatred of natives results in her whipping
the face of a worker because he speaks to her
in English.
 This shows the power of communication and
again the power difference between races.

8.  Mary was once self-
sufficient but still had
to conform to what
society wanted and
when she came back
she had lost her
control/power. When "She could not understand any
she first comes to the white person feeling anything
farm she is outraged at personal about a native".
the new lifestyle when
her power is
undermined.

9.  Mary's attitudes are not unique, she represents
the attitudes of women in this society as a result
of the ingrained racism.
 Dick is not exempt from the effects of society, he
contradicts himself saying once "he's a human being,
he has to eat" and then referring them as to "lazy
black savages" .
 The racism escapes nobody.