Transforming moments Gcina Mhlophe Setting Eastern Cape perhaps
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Transforming moments Gcina Mhlophe Setting: Eastern Cape - perhaps 1970 s. 17 and in Std 9. High school where girls can be boarders – dormitory. Visit to Tsolo (Transkei) Title – epiphany of illumination / from Miss Ugly to Miss Perfect!
Characters 1. Story teller – Miss-ugly-top-of-the-class. She develops – changes. 2. Sizwe. 3. Father Fikeni (kind) 4. Cira - imbongi
Summary – main points Starts with the fundamental change that young girl undergoes – teenagers. Poor self-image. Ugly with terrible voice. Surprised – handsome boy befriends her. Minister – says she has a resonant voice – needs praise. Sees imbongi performing. Inspires her. New self-confidence and direction. Feels special.
Plot development 1. Opening – narrator is academically successful. 2. Complications: poor self-image. Boy asks her out – tells him to leave. Other girls are hostile. 3. Climax: inspired when she sees imbongi performing. 4. Resolution: inspired – writes her first poem and enjoys performing it. 5. Now knows – transforming moment.
Themes • Special moments in our lives / Golden moments / ONE event … • Importance of praise and encouragement. • The transformation needs to be done internally. • Talent development. • The terrible voice becomes resonant – ideal for poetry. • The ugly duckling becomes the beautiful swan.
Themes Independence Some Themes: Transformation; ambition and purpose; acceptance and change; insecurity versus confidence Climax • Cira – praise poet; the narrator drew inspiration from him.
Need to know • Title: A reference to the total transformation the narrator undergoes. • Setting: The Eastern Cape probably in the 1970 s. • Characterization: • Narrator – Poor self-image (at the beginning of the story) – refers to herself at • “Miss-ugly- top-of-the-class”; inner conflict – dismissed from school choir – thinks boys will not be interested in her; intelligent; transforms – good self-image by the end of the story. • Sizwe – the narrator’s boyfriend; rugby star; persistent; accepts the narrator with her flaws • Father Fikeni – church minister; has a positive influence on the narrator; invited her to visit his family in Tsolo for the weekend