Isabel Dyson
Isabel Dyson is an 18 year old Isabel is a bright but naïve white student who attends a segregated all-white school for girls and lives comfortably in an all-white neighborhood with her family. She debates against Thami at Zolile High and realises that there is so much about South Africa that she does not know. She is smart, welcoming and easily adapts in all situations. She is, however, a non-racist. Important aspects to her character to be aware of are:
• She is a critical thinker and an intellectual - she is intelligent, brave and strong.
• She is sheltered and naïve. She does not know much about Black people and the political realities of apartheid. Though she hates losing, she is the “outsider that was being asked to prove herself.” Stepping up to the challenge, Isabel becomes very comfortable as she becomes involved in the school debate in Brakwater. A very witty young woman, Isabel comes to face reality of South Africa through her connections to Thami and Mr. M.
• She is a caring person - She is friendly, sympathetic and warm. She generally treats people with respect and is not afraid to stand up to her parents who are nervous about her spending time with Black people. She is more open with both of them than they can be with each other. She speaks her mind. She warms up to the Black folks and she ‘develops a friendship with him (Thami) and comes between teacher and student, both of whom she respects, when they enter into conflict with each other over how to deal with the political reaction to apartheid.’
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