Although Peter Abrahams’ novel The Path of Thunder (1948) is published just when “apartheid” became state policy with the election of the National Party under the prime ministership of Daniel Francois Malan, it is written in such a way that readers can appreciate that “apartheid” did not really begin in 1948 as some scholars argue but that the ideology and practice of “apartheid” actually pre-dated its adoption as state policy in 1948. Using this point of view as your rallying contention, discuss the ways in which the ideology and practice of “apartheid” find expression / manifestation in Peter Abrahams’ The Path of Thunder (1948). Considering the historical and contemporary experiences of groups commonly referred to as “minorities” in the United States, would you say that the story in this novel resonates with them, the challenges they faced, the struggles they engaged in and the issues that they still have to resolve? You’re encouraged to make sure of examples from both the novel and the experiences of so-called minority groups that you choose to make reference to in your response.
