Discuss the theme of colonialism or racism in “The Grass is Singing.”

Answer

Discuss the theme of colonialism or racism in “The Grass is Singing.”

Or, “The Grass is Singing” deals with the theme of Colonialism. Elucidate. [NU: 2016]

Or, How are the black Africans treated in “The Grass is Singing?” [NU: 2018, 21] ★★★

Doris Lessing’s (1919–2013) “The Grass is Singing” (1950) is set in Southern Rhodesia. It shows how colonialism controls both white farmers and black Africans. The novel is not only about Mary Turner’s death. It is about a whole system of race and power. Lessing shows how fear, hate, and silence destroy human lives. The story is a warning against racism.

White Control and Black Silence: Colonial life was built on white power. Mary had never dealt with natives before marriage. Mary sees Africans only as servants. They must obey without question. Even Samson, the cook, greets her with lowered eyes. Lessing writes, 

“The old boy kept his eyes on the ground and said, ‘Good morning, missus’”.

This shows how black Africans are forced into silence.

Mary’s Harsh Rule Over Servants: Mary cannot understand African workers. She is strict and angry. When a servant makes mistakes, she explodes,

“I told him what to do. Why doesn’t he do it?”.

Later, she even says she would like to hurt one. Her hatred comes from the racist belief that Africans are lazy or dishonest. The system trains her to see them only as bodies for work, not people.

The Farm and Exploitation of Labour: The farm in The Grass is Singing runs on cheap black labour. Dick Turner cannot run his land without African workers. But they are not free. They are treated like property. They are caught and forced to work. If they resist, they are punished. Mary is very harsh with them. When the boys come late, she says:

“I will take two and six off the ticket of every one of them that isn’t at work in ten minutes.”

This shows how