I. Plot: awell-educated black finds himself cordially invited to split a bottle with awhite man in the passage of the latter’s apartment building
II.Setting: social setting:Apartheid South Africa in 1960
story setting: in the passage
III.Protagonists: “I”—theblack sculptor
IV.Theme ofthe text
Questions for thinking:
1. Why adrink?
2. Whyin the passage?
3. Whatdoes that show?
4. Whycouldn’t they touch each other?
Thestory tells us how racial prejudice can prevent us reaching, touching andconnecting with each other. This invisible wall exists between the white andthe black and hampers their free communication and full understanding. It isnot just a wall imposed by apartheid laws, but a wall deeply rooted in theirhearts.
V. Structure
Part 1(paras. 1-6)Introduction: theissue at the sculpture competition and how the drink of cognac reminded thesculptor of his story (Against whatbackground and from whom the story comes)
Part 2 (paras. 7-76)A drinkin the passage and how both Simelane and van Rensburg found it hard for blacksand whites to touch each other (How the story goes)

