Discussion questions:

1-4 contributed by Dr. M. Cloete, University of the North, South Africa.

1.     What is meant by Maru's knowledge that "Moleka would never have lived down the ridicule and malice and would in the end have destroyed her from embarrassment"?

2.     What are Margaret's true feelings about the two male protagonists?

3.     What do you regard as the author's real achievement in tackling the problem of oppression from the angle of black on black oppression?

4.     Evaluate the autobiographical elements of the novel.

5.     Does Head challenge or affirm prejudice in the novel, especially in the relationship between Margaret and Maru.

Essays:

 Stan Galloway's essay "San Culture in Bessie Head's Maru"

 Alan Ramon Ward's essay "Using the heart: the symbolism of individual change in Bessie Head's Maru" available on campus