Garg

Rishi Garg

Mr. Ruff

IB English, 5th Period

7 November 2008

Identity Can Be Acquired After Birth

        In the novel Fiela’s Child, Dalene Matthee passionately conveys ideas about identity to the reader. She uses the story of Benjamin, a white boy who is raised by a woman of color, to communicate her thoughts about the nature of identity not only in the context of Benjamin, but also in everyday life. By describing how Benjamin struggles between the Komoeties and the van Rooyens, Matthee effectively says that identity can be acquired after birth, but cannot be replaced once it has been instilled in a person.

        Before one can truly analyze the story and Matthee’s thoughts about identity, he must define the word ‘identity’. Identity, as defined by common belief, is an amalgam of personality, feelings, and beliefs. Essentially, identity defines who a person is. Identity is used to characterize and recognize the individuality of people. It is what makes people unique. Some may believe that identity and personality are one and the same, but personality is merely a superficial concept and does not involve a person’s subconscious feelings and beliefs.

        In Fiela’s Child, Benjamin is a white boy who is found when he is three years old by Fiela Komoetie, who is a woman of color. Fiela accepts him as one of her own children and takes him to live with her family. Benjamin continues to live with the Komoetie family for nine years. His identity at the time of discovery is unknown to the reader, but is insignificant in comparison to the identity he develops while living with the Komoeties. By the time he is twelve years old, he thinks and acts like a natural member of the family. For example, Benjamin tells Fiela about a conversation he had with a businessman: “I told him Ma’s not stupid” (Matthee 50). This simple statement shows how Benjamin has come to accept Fiela as his mother and has developed deep respect for her. In addition, he has subconsciously come to believe that he is also a person of color. In the South African society portrayed in Fiela’s Child, people of color are required to address white people with the word ‘master’. “Good afternoon, master…” (Matthee 21) is a phrase that Benjamin often speaks. Even though Benjamin is a white boy in appearance, his learned identity is that of a person of color. Benjamin also has a profound love of games; he “…invented a new game….The boat that drifted into the pond first, with both beetles still on top, was the winner.” (Matthee 31). Benjamin gains an entirely new identity while living with the Komoeties. He was not even named ‘Benjamin’ until Fiela chose the name for him. His identity is unique and the development of his identity is catalyzed by the Komoetie family. The fact that Benjamin gains a unique identity while living with the Komoeties demonstrates Matthee’s belief that identity can be acquired after birth.

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        Benjamin’s identity is well-developed by the time he is taken away from the Komoeties to live with the van Rooyens, which is a white family. Elias van Rooyen, the head of the house, tries to force Benjamin to act like a white boy and a part of the van Rooyen family. He even tries to force Benjamin to change his name to ‘Lukas’; “Greet your brother and sister, Lukas!” says Elias impatiently. Elias also forces Benjamin to join in the family trade of making beams. The strength of the identity Benjamin gained while living with the Komoeties is tested by ...

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