Act 2 scene 2

Isabel differs from both Mr. M and Thami in one very significant way: she is white. She also attends Camdeboo High School, which is not just an all-girl school, but also an all-white school. She wins the debate with Thami which opens the play, develops a friendship with him and comes between teacher and student, both of whom she respects. Thami begins to see a worldlier view of the world. Mr. M helps her see the systemic oppression that apartheid forces onto black people in South Africa. Mr. M is able to help Isabel reconcile two worlds, black and white, through the lens of education and intellect.