Essay 1: “Trevor Noah’s book is as much a tragedy as it is a comedy.” To want extent do you agree

Trevor Noah’s memoir, “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood,” is a compelling narrative that masterfully intertwines tragedy and comedy, while simultaneously highlighting the profound influence of women. Through a series of vignettes that paint a vivid picture of his tumultuous upbringing during apartheid and post-apartheid South Africa, Noah navigates the complexities of race, identity, and socio-economic struggles. His unique comedic lens offers a refreshing yet poignant perspective on these weighty topics, demonstrating that humour can coexist with, and even accentuate, the tragic elements of life. This duality not only enriches the memoir but also underscores the resilience and strength of women who played a pivotal role in Trevor’s life.

Throughout the author’s childhood memories, the pervasive violence and systemic injustice are vividly depicted. Noah’s memoir does not shy away from the stark realities of his upbringing. After her mum was married with his stepfather, Noah recounts a particularly harrowing experience involving Abel’s abuse of “throwing [Trevor’s] mom down a flight of stairs”. This starkly illustrates the tragic aspects of Noah’s life, painting a vivid picture of the domestic violence and instability he endured. Furthermore, Noah also delves into the broader societal violence that defined South African life during and after apartheid. He describes incidents of police brutality and the constant oppression against the minorities in a society, providing a sobering backdrop to his personal stories. In South Africa, the police were the army. “They were not there to protect us; they were there to oppress us”, the institutionalised oppression that was an inescapable part of daily life for many South Africans. Furthermore, the harsh reality of systemic injustice faced by the vulnerable is vividly depicted in Noah’s recounting of being arrested and fearing for his life in jail, as he bluntly narrates that ‘if [individuals] are poor’ and ‘don’t know how the [legal] system works’, they can end up being ‘locked up’ even without conviction. Despite the severity of the circumstances, Noah’s humorous depictions of his surreal feelings of the prison experiences and his eventual realisation that ‘oh, shit, this is real’ lighten the mood of the narration. By interspersing these tragic realities with moments of humor, Noah creates a more profound impact, forcing readers to confront the harsh truths while also allowing them to see the resilience and adaptability of those who lived through such times.

The author’s use of humor as a coping mechanism is a testament to the power of comedy in navigating and surviving tragedy. Noah’s ability to juxtapose humor with hardship is a defining feature of his memoir. One poignant example is his description of apartheid applications in South Africa where ‘Japanese people were labeled as white’ whilst Chinese were considered as black. His amusing imagination of the incapability of ‘South African policeman’ to distinguish between a Chinese and a Japanese is indeed humorous and satirical. Thus, Noah’s comedic lens does not diminish the severity of his experiences but rather provides a coping mechanism and a means to convey the ludicrousness of the societal norms he lived under. His humor serves as a bridge, making the tragic elements more accessible and poignant for the reader. Furthermore, at the commence of the memoir, he recounts the experience of being thrown out of a moving minibus by his mother to escape a dangerous situation. While the event itself is terrifying, Noah narrates it with a comedic twist, condemning the unreal of “Hollywood movies”, that “people will actually get hurt” when they are threw or jump out of window. This ability to find humor in dire circumstances speaks to Noah’s resilience and the resilience of those around him. It also underscores the absurdity of living under constant threat, where even the most extreme measures become fodder for comedy. Through this blend of humor and tragedy, Noah effectively conveys the surreal and often ludicrous nature of the dangers he faced growing up. Thus, this comedic lens does not diminish the gravity of the situations he describes but rather enhances the reader’s understanding of their complexity. Through humor, Noah is able to critique the absurdity of apartheid, challenge societal norms, and celebrate the resilience of those who, like him, navigated life’s injustices with grace and wit.

However, depicting the present of humor and tragedy, the memoir also highlights the powerful influence of his mother on his way to mature, characterising it as being a bildungsroman/coming of age text. Patricia Noah, whose resilience and defiance against patriarchal and apartheid constraints are a constant source of strength for Noah. She placed immense value on ‘learning’ and made considerable sacrifices to ensure Trevor received a good education. Patricia believed that education was the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and oppression, and she went to great lengths to provide opportunities for her son. She passed the language down to Noah, teaching him English as his first language and also languages from different tribes, allowing him to have the freedom of choice. Noah states in his memoir “My mom did what school didn’t. She taught me how to think”, this highlights Patricia’s role in shaping Noah’s cognitive and linguistic abilities, equipping him with the tools to navigate a complex society. Patricia’s efforts extended beyond academics. She exposed Noah to ‘fancy white neighborhoods’ to show him a world beyond the limitations of his upbringing. More importantly for Noah were the lessons his mother taught him, namely that ‘the ghetto is not the world.’ She instilled in him the belief that he could aspire to a bigger and brighter future. This reflects Patricia’s determination to inspire and empower her son, ensuring that he understood his potential despite their circumstances. Thus, her actions and resilience not only shaped Noah’s life and helped him overcome difficulties but also serve as an inspiration to readers, highlighting the transformative power of women in overcoming adversity.

In “Born a Crime,” Trevor Noah masterfully blends tragedy and comedy to offer a multifaceted narrative of his childhood in South Africa. The comedic elements provide relief and a unique perspective on the absurdities of apartheid, while the tragic aspects ground the memoir in the harsh realities of systemic racism and violence. Central to Noah’s story is the enduring strength of women, particularly his mother, whose resilience and determination profoundly shaped his life. Through humor and tragedy, Noah not only recounts his personal experiences but also celebrates the transformative power of women, making “Born a Crime” a powerful and inspiring memoir. The memoir stands as a testament to the human spirit’s resilience, the importance of humor in facing life’s challenges, and the pivotal role of women in shaping and nurturing that spirit.

Essay 2: “She never let me see us as victims. We were victims, me and my mom, Andrew and Isaac. Victims of apartheid. Victims of abuse. But I was never allowed to think that way, and I didn’t see her life that way.” To what extent were Trevor Noah and his family victims?