Just a Poor Farm Girl

Paper Summary:

The writer of this paper details the plot and main characteristics of Beatrice, the main character in "Minutes of Glory." This paper discusses the issue of class distinction in Kenya. This paper examines Beatrice's lack of self esteem, which is limited due to her beliefs about herself. Beatrice longs for dignity and respect, but because of her background, she has had no access to education or training, the only place she can work is in a bar, where she hopes to sell her body to affluent men. This paper explores the intense relationship between Beatrice and the unnamed truck driver. The writer contends and explains how class distinctions, both in the novel and in society in general, can become so embedded and accepted in the shared consciousness of a culture, that people believe those distinctions define who they really are.

From the Paper:

"The class system is designed to perpetuate and maintain the upper classes. That the problem is one of class distinctions is shown by what happens to the man with the lorry whom Beatrice eventually chooses to be her lover. The man has no name in the story--to show that he too is a nobody. He is a nobody who has worked hard and been able to rise to some level of financial success, however. He owns a "lorry" and is tremendously proud of it. He keeps it locked so no one will steal it from him. His clothing is decent. Nevertheless, he is not accepted by the "big-shots" (neuveaux riche) at the Treetop who come to "dine"(dining is something the upper classes do-ordinary people just eat) and fraternize with other big-shots. Although he tries over and over again (every Saturday) to gain their acceptance, he is continually and openly rejected as not good enough for their company. Beatrice can relate to this, of course, because she has had the same experience."

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