In the short story of "The Lemon Orchard" displays a character who has been taken by a gang of white men who wish to punish this black man for his actions against another man of the gangs colour. the captive/victim only ever says two words through-out the short story. This silence tells the reader of his dignity and refusal to be ridiculed by his superiors. It is a challenge for him to obtain this dignity and to remain brave-faced for it is all that he is left with.
As they walk through the lemon orchard he given questions (often indirectly), but will never answer. His silence represents his determination to remain dignified in front of these cruel, jeering men. Although, they soon get frustrated with him not answering and begin saying things such as '"Listen you hotnot bastard," he said loudly. "Why don't you answer?"' His refusal to speak soon provokes one of the men to strike him on the cheek and he is forced to relent his guard and say "Yes, baas." Yet amazingly, as he speaks "he straightens up" and speaks with "contempt that was missed by those who surrounded him." All that is left for this man is to fight for his dignity that he so strongly possesses, despite all else and the situation he is in.
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