Suffering and Oppression
The novel is filled with narratives of hardship and persecution. Mark, his family, and other black families like theirs are immersed in a bigoted, oppressive social system that keeps them in a state of constant distress. The black community’s greatest source of grief however is not the poverty but the crushing feeling of powerlessness and desperation that permeates their lives under the apartheid system. In the black ghettos, young men like Mark have very few opportunities beyond a life of violence. Mark’s choice to make something of himself is a rarity as many decide to drop out of school and turn to crime or join an insurgent group. This highly oppressive environment turns Mark’s father into a monster as he vents his frustrations on his own wife and children.
Poverty
Descriptions of poverty abound in the novel; the author-protagonist is literally surrounded by it during his formative years. It is so pervasive that it is described by the author-protagonist almost like an evil, corrupting entity, making hateful monsters out of otherwise decent people. Tied in to the metaphor of poverty as a great evil is that idea that poverty not just limited to a lack of financial means but also a lack of moral or ethical standing. The novel posits that people do not turn violent or criminal simply by choice but because their opportunities are so limited by their economic standing that often turning to barbarism is the simplest and most immediate solution to the challenges created by poverty.
Victory over adversity
The novel, at the heart of it is still a story of one man’s victory over adversity. Mark is born into circumstances that make everything difficult for him: he is a black boy born during the height of the apartheid system and he is dirt poor. Despite these adverse conditions he is able to prevail, studying hard and finding means to make sure that he can keep up with his peers. He is even able to find a niche for himself as an athlete even though he is initially barred from joining the team. He overcomes the racial ban in the high school varsity circuit by maintaining respectful ties with both his peers and coaches eventually paving the way for him to be allowed to participate in competitions. His participation in the sport eventually lands him in the US where he becomes an unlikely hero and a voice against the apartheid system.
Friendship
The novel is also largely a story of friendship and how it became the pivotal factor that allowed the author-protagonist to succeed against adverse situations. Mark’s victories are built on a foundation of not just his own skill and perseverance but also due to the tireless efforts of family and friends. His mother generously gives her time, energy, and money to allow him access to education. In school he learns the value of establishing deep ties of friendship, a matter that allows him to transcend boundaries of race and economics. This ability to form deep bonds with people allows him access to opportunities that might have otherwise been denied him or attained with much greater difficulty.
