Symbolism In The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses

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In “The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses” the protagonist, Brille, represents the difference in beliefs between all of span one and the current ruling power which is equivalent to the warder, Hannetjie. The story of how Brille and the other political prisoners overcome the oppression is symbolic to how any political system is overturned and brought down. Specifically the story relates to equal rights for the black citizens because at the time the story is told racism in Africa was a prominent political theme and anyone who sought equal rights between blacks and whites would be imprisoned just like Brille was. When the story begins extra emphasis is put on Brille being weak. He has knobby knees, is thin, and easily intimidated. Brille’s weakness is parallel to the beginning of a political movement. A political revolution begins weak and slow much like Brille. Brille’s oppression from Hannetjie is how if a small group were proposing change and stirring up trouble they were met with violence, which is represented by Hannetjie beating Brille. Were a political radical to stir up more trouble and be more proactive about promoting their beliefs they would be removed from society as a political prisoner. This is…show more content…
In the story this is portrayed as the warder being more in tune with what the political prisoners were doing, such as taking effort to keep them from acquiring tobacco and eating the cabbages. Once an idea gains a following those who support it also get more heated and ambitious about promoting the change. When Brille catches Hannetjie stealing fertilizer and is bribed with tobacco it is a representation of the controlling figure falling to the will of the political change. This is further shown when Brill says he plans to betray Hannetjie the next day, such as planning to overturn a government for the sake of their
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