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Throughout history, certain types of people have been constantly discriminated against. Only recently, with the introduction of the idea of ‘political correctness’, has discrimination become less accepted in society. Among those traditionally discriminated against, and seen as inferior, have been women and blacks. In the late 1800s, the time in which Fiela’s Child is set, women were not looked upon as important figures. It took two world wars to properly change this. Also in the late 1800s, blacks were not looked upon as important figures. It took a lot a rebellion and rejection of Hitler’s ‘master race’ theory to change this. So in the late 1800s, for a black woman to be as strong as Fiela Komoetie undeniably is would have been extraordinary to come across. And this is what makes Fiela so special, and such an interesting character. The author of Fiela’s Child, Dalene Matthee has used a number of methods to create a character of such strength in Fiela. Some of these are subtly implemented, some of these are quite obvious, but all contribute in some way or another, and all must be looked at in this essay.
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