DISTRICT SIX QUESTIONS

Part One: Morning 1955

Author’s Introduction
1) Describe the structure of the novel in your own words (refer to page v)
2) How is the Author’s Information narrated? First, second or third person?
Explain why you say so by making reference to the text.
3) What is the setting of the novel?
4) What house number was the Rive’s house?
5) What does ‘lay-bye’ mean?
6) Give a synonym for the word ‘bioscope’.
7) Define the word ‘minion’
8) What part of the week does the author fondly remember? Describe
some of the things that happen on these days.
9) Name the 3 shop owners of District Six
10)Was District Six a wealthy or poor area? Describe by making reference
to the text.

Mary
1) Define the following words:
Buxom
Dexterity
Refractory
2) What euphemism does the author use to describe Mary Bruintjies’s
affairs with different men? (Euphemism: A mild or indirect word or
phrase, used to describe something
unpleasant or embarrassing)
3) Explain why Joseph and Henry night were
given the names ‘Last-Knight’ and ‘Knight-
Before-Last’
4) Which 3 ladies came to live with Mary?
5) What do you think the red light symbolizes,
that was fitted over the entrance of the
Casbah?
6) Describe how this chapter is narrated? (First,
second or third person)
7) Why is it ironic that Mary still attended church?
 8) What characteristics would you use to describe Mary? Support your
answer by identifying events that take place in this chapter?
THE ZOOT SUIT

Zoot
1) Define the following words:
Maiden
Truanting
Pilfering
Burly
Reformatory
2) Did Milton September’s father pass away? Support your answer by
making reference to the text.
3) Name the 2 talents that Milton September possessed.
4) Explain how Milton used his one talent to expose people that got on his
wrong side.
5) Give a synonym for the word “Bioscope”.
6) Explain how Milton September felt about educational institutions.
7) Give the name that describes the style of the poems that Milton
September composed.
8) Who offered Milton a job when he came out of the Roeland Street jail?
What 2 tasks was he given?
9) How did Zoot come to live at number 203?
10)Explain why the name ‘Zoot’ is a clever nickname for Milton
September.

The Jungle Boys

1) Define the following words:
Ineffectual
Taciturnity
Pugnacious
2) Describe the relationship between Mr Abrahams and his wife, Sies
Mariam.
3) How did Mr Abrahams’ three sons earn the name of The Jungle Boys?
4) Although the Jungle Boys do display instances of brutality and animal-
like behaviour (fighting in a pack), they do indeed have a caring side
to them, especially in defending family and being loyal to friends.
Identify an instance where this is displayed.
5) What sport did The Jungle Boys play?
6) Why were players from the other teams afraid to play against them
and choose to forfeit?
 7) Explain why the match between the Young Anemones and the
Summer Roses never had a final score?
8) Would you agree or disagree that one of the themes in this chapter, is
loyalty? Explain your answer by making reference to the text.

Pretty-Boy
1) Define the following words:
Corrugation
Doilies
Miser
2) Is Zoot happy to find Pretty-Boy sleeping in his bed when he gets home
from Mary’s? Explain your answer by making reference to the text.
3) Where did Zoot and Pretty-Boy meet?
4) Give an explanation to why Pretty-Boy decided he wanted to live with
Zoot?
5) How did Pretty-Boy attain his nickname?
6) “He could repair any broken gadget, open any locked door and
pickpocket any unsuspecting victim.”
Based on the quote above, what was Pretty-Boy’s bad habit and how
did he justify his actions?
7) Mention a few things that Pretty-Boy did and added to Number 203.
Do you think he really attained certain assets from a friend at ‘bargain
prices’? Give an explanation for your answer
8) Explain how Oubaas and Boere came to live at Number 203 with Zoot
and Pretty-Boy.
9) Who can we assume Pretty-Boy got the pink paint from to paint
Number 203? Make reference to page 11.
10)List the names given to 201 and 203.

RADIOGRAM JARMANS
Mr Wilkens
1) Define the following words:
Dote
Solicitous
Coquette
Dubious
Wiles
Ostentatious
2) Below is a table containing some of the characteristics of both Moena
Mooies and Moena Lelik. Complete the table by stating which
characteristic belongs to which ‘Moena’
Description Moena Mooies/Lelik
Very plain - Concious of her poor looks
Treacherous – Exploits and abuses her cousin
Pretty and vivacious - Uses her looks to get her way
Caring of others
Idle – Does not try to find work and lolls around the
house
Homely – attached to her family and loyal to them
Shy – Finds in difficult to make friends and meet
people
Vain – Constantly busy with her appearance

3) Explain why it was unusual to have a white person in District Six.

4) How does the car Mr Wilkens drives foreshadow his character?
5) Why does he knock ostentatiously at the door?
6) Carefully look at what Mr Wilkens says on page 40. He thinks he is
making a good first impression with the Abrahams family. Do you think
so? Give a reason for your answer.
7) Did the Jungle Boys not like Mr Wilkens because he is white or because
of the person that he is? Explain your answer by quoting from the text.
8) Mr Wilkens, upon finding out that Moena was pregnant, abandons her
and then returns once she has had the abortion. Comment on his
character and his actual intentions he had with Moena Mooies,
bearing in mind that they also met at the Cashbah.
Jennifer
1) Define the following words:
Conscientiously
Painstakingly
Admonished
Curt
Reticence
2) Quote a word from the text to suggest that Jennifer is white.
3) Give the name of the house that Jennifer lives at and how this name came to
be.
4) “Mrs Peters grunted some reply and turned to her daughter. ‘So it’s a poet this
time. Last time it was that crazy violinist who played for the Spes Bona
orchestra.’”
Based on the above quotation, what does this reveal about Jennifer?
5) “Mrs Peters was clearly a monster but who cared, if she had a daughter like
Jennifer?”
Explain why this statement is ironic
6) Upon annoucing his engagment to Jennifer to The Boys, Zoot also tells The
Boys that they will need to find another place to live because a poet and his
wife need their own space. Explain in your own words how Pretty-Boy
intervened to make sure this engagment never happened.
7) Quote a word from the text to describe Jennifer’s changing nature.
8) Do you think that Zoot was sincerely in love with Jennifer? Give a reason for
your answer.
Saint Marks’s Church
Mrs Knight
1) Define the following words:
Piety
Inaugural
Treasurers
Solicited
Impertinence
2) Explain what you think the phrase ‘house of ill
fame’ means.
3) Suggest a reason why Mrs Knight would be throwing glanes at Mary during
church servies.
4) Discuss why it’s ironic that they decided to make Pretty-Boy the treasurer of
the stall?
5) Explain what is meant when the Zoot suggests that “he and The Boys, possibly
assisted by The Jungle Boys if necessary, should immediatley visit the Knights
and do some persuasion their own way”.
 6) How did Mary and The Girls as well as Zoot and The Boys accumulate goods
to sell at their stall?
7) Explain how Mary and Mrs Knight’s relationship was restored.

Part 2: Afternoon 1960

Author’s Introduction
1) Define the following words:
Diaspora
Invectives
Soporific
Akimbo
Hirsute
2) What time of year is being described here?
3) Name the 3 places they were moved to from District Six during the
implication of the Group Area’s Act.
4) One of the major themes in Disctrict Six is the theme of Apartheid.
Quote certain phrases throughout the Aurthor’s Introduction to show
how reference was made to the consequences of Apartheid.
5) ‘Per Ardua ad Astra’. This is the motto of the Christmas choir band that
was displayed on their banner. It means ‘through struggle to the stars’.
How do you think this predicted the futures of the people living in
Disctrict Six in 1960, specifically Richard Rive?
6) How did Henry and Jopesh Knight attain their nicknames of Last-Knight
and Knight-Before-Last?
7) “My mother always gave me ‘something useful that you can share with
the family.’” Do you think this is real gift giving?
8) Mention the typical things that would take place during this festive
time.
9) Another 2 major themes in this book is commonality and community
spirit. (Commonality: Although different, people share much in
common). Complete the table by filling in either ‘commonality’ or
‘community spirit’ in the last coloumn.

Scene Reasons Theme

The Christmas band The bandsmen voluntarily
offer service of a holiday.
The barber shop The freedom to offer a rough
solution
Attending Christmas Although Armien is a Muslim,
morning service with Ronnie, he attends a Christian
norman and Armien celebrtion
The visit to Moodley’s shop The shop is open on a holiday
Christmas morning visits Sharing the joy of Christmas is
a tradition in the community
The train ride to Kalk Bay Religion is no bar to friendship

Knight-Before-Last

1) Define the following words:

Dapper
Unperturbed
Episcopal
Tonsorial
Mercenary
Harangue
2) Read the description at the top of page 82.
What does this reveal about Knight-Before-
Last?
Errol Flynn moustache
3) Account for Joseph Knight’s attitude towards
his brother.
4) Henry Knight preaches to everyone(page 83). What 2 consecutive
words does he use that points to his real motive for visiting Cape Town?
5) What was Zoot’s intention when he walked into Joseph Knight’s barber
shop?
6) If we describe a hypocrite as someone who pretends to have morals
and principles that they do not actually possess and it is displayed
through their actions, why does Joseph Knight refer to his brother as a
hypocrite?
7) Do you think Zoot and Pretty-Boy intentionally planned the evening
where they would expose Henry Knight? Explain your answer by making
reference to the text.
CAPE COON TROUPEs
AKA: KAAPSE KLOPSE
Moena Lelik

1) Define the following words:

Salvaged
Sordidness
2) On which day of the year would the Casbah be
closed for the entire day and what would people
be doing on this particular day?
3) Suggest a reason why everyone from Buckingham palace had to ride
in the third-class compartment.
4) “A pleasant relationship seemed to be developing between the two.”
Identify who these 2 people are.
 5) Describe the incident that took place when these 2 characters
decided to go for a walk along the beaches to Saint James.
6) On page 95 and 96, Zoot describes how he feels about apartheid.
Read these few lines and identify the figure of speech he uses to
describe Apartheid and why it is effective.
Pastor Bruintjies TYPICAL TEDDY –
BOY OUTFITS
1) Define the following words:
Omnious
Cherub
Parsonage
Epitome
2) Explain why Mary had to call an emergency meeting
at the Casbah.
3) Who replaced Boere and how did this character
receive his name?
4) What did The Girls and The Boys eventually decide to do regarding
Mary’s father’s unexpected visit? Was it a success? Provide a reason for
your answer.
5) Explain why is it ironic that Pastor Bruintjies downed 2 glasses of
champagne?
6) Read the last sentence of this chapter. What does this idiom winked an
eye finally convey about the Pastor?

Mr O’Grady
1) Define the following words:
Temerity
Cassocked
Altercation
2) Name the 2 main events that took place in the District and what time
of the year they occurred.
3) Why is it difficult to find a panel of three willing enough to judge (page
108)?
4) Account for the sumpathetic music (page 108) that Mr Stan Murray
plays. Identify the figure of speech, and show how it is effective.
5) Give a reason why you think Mr Plaatjies’s name is often accompanied
with his university degree? (B.A)
6) Give a brief description of Mr O’Grady. (pg 110)
7) Suggest what you understand by the term “Immorality Act”
8) Mention 2 incidents in this chapter that suggest that Mr O’Grady will
happily take someone’s money with no intention of paying the person
back.
Elvis
1) Define the following words:
Compere
Taffeta
Flappers
Brazen
2) How did Elvis obtain his nickname?
3) Give the correct names for the following words: ‘jalopy’ and ‘Volksie’.
4) Quote the name that Elvis refers to Faith as when speaking to Zoot and
Pretty-Boy. Describe how you think Elvis feels about women.
5) Provide an explanation for the following quote:
“It’s got a little something in to make a little girl I know love me tender.”
6) Give a possible reason why Johnny O’Grady drinks large amounts of
alcohol.
7) Give a reason why Mrs Knight would be upset anout Faith going to
Mary’s house first after her incident with Elvis.
8) Explain the following line using your own words:
“They methodically set to work on him.”
 Part 3: Night 1970

Author’s Introduction
1) Define the following words:
Punitive
Conglomerates
Disparate
Remnants
2) Explain what the idion ‘writing on the wall’ means.
3) Explain what Rive means by ‘tactless irony’
4) Identify the metaphor that Richard uses to describe the broken-down
houses of District Six, when he returned to visit.
5) “...stood in stony defiance overlooking the destruction.”
What are they referring to and how is this description is effective?
6) “And they tell their children’s children because it must never be
forgotten.” Do you agree with this statement? Give a mature and well-
thought reason for your answer.

Inspector Engelbrecht
1) Define the following words:
Impervious
Libellous
Skinflint
Midas
Frivolity
2) “I bet he wants money out of me. He never repairs anything in this
house but always reminds us how much rent we owe him.”
Explain why this statement made by Zoot is ironic.
3) Zoot promises to pay Katzen back every cent of rent that he owes for
the past 15 years. Do you think that Zoot will hold true to his word? Give
a reason for your answer.
4) What is the real reason that Katzen called Zoot to his shop?
5) What reassuring message does Katzen leave Zoot with after their
meeting?
6) Give a brief description of Inspector Engelbrecht.
7) What did The Butterfly mistake the inspector for?
8) Describe the reactions of each household from 201 to 209 when
Inspector Engelbrecht came to their house’s.
 Katzen
1) Define the following words:
Pernicious
Laconically
Anomaly
Pogroms
2) “Zoot took his letter to Father Rowland. They had a
long discussion and it was decided to call a
meeting in the vestry, over which the priest would reside.”
Provide a summarized explanation why this meeting would be held
and what was discussed.
3) Explain Oubaas’s confusion when it came to Pretoria.
4) What was Mrs Knight’s view-point of being moved out of the district?
5) Describe Katzen’s state of health by quoting a few lines from this
chapter.
6) The meaning of ‘goyim’ is someone that is non-Jewish. Quote another
word that has the same meaning.
7) Describe how Katzen’s past is similar to the non-white people’s situation
in District Six.
8) Has your opinion changed about Katzen, bearing your answer to
question 6 in mind.
9) “It is very funny for me. In Germany they treated me as an
untermenschen. Here they force me to be part of the herrenvolk.”
Explain what this statement means and how Katzen feels about it.(You
may need to consult Google to get a better understanding of the
highlighted words).
King George VI

Princess Elizabeth
11 (Oldest Queen
Daughter) Elizabeth –
aka the
She is now known as queen mother
Queen Elizabeth

Princess Margaret
(Younger daughter)
The Last of the Knights HANOVER PARK

1) Define the following words:

Squalid
Derelict
Skollies
2) Explain why Mrs Knight wanted
to come and see Mary and
what Mary’s reaction to Mrs
Knight’s news was.
3) Do you think that Mrs Knight was
being selfish or not by wanting to move out of the District sooner than
later? Give an explanation for your answer.
4) Describe the physical and emotional transformation that Joseph Knight
went through when he moved out of the District. Also comment on the
realization that Mr Knight had regarding his wife’s need to take charge
of the family.

The Abrahamses

1) Give a brief description about how Moena Lelik felt about leaving the
District and leaving her parents.
2) Why did the Abrahams’s not want to tell Amaai the exact date of
when they would be moving?
3) Give a reason why you think Zoot didn’t want anyone help the
Abrahams’s move out of 205.
4) Despite Zoot’s instruction that no one is to help the Abrahams’s move
out, Pretty-Boy still helps Moena Lelik and her family pack up and move
out. Provide a quote from the novel to substantiate how Zoot felt
towards Moena Lelik.
5) Why do think that Zoot covered up for Pretty-Boy when Amaai asked if
Pretty-Boy helped the Abrahams’s move out?
6) What does Mr Knight and Mr Abrahams have in common?
 Yarmulka
Dieter

1) Define the following words:

Pall-bearer
Kaddish
2) Explain why Zoot felt that he did not want to go to
Katzen’s funeral.
3) Match the columns. Match the quotation on the left to the character
trait of Dieter’s on the right.

Quotation Character trait Answer

1 He did not seem to take in the A He is disowning responsibility for
two sitting quietly on the bench his father’s pledge because all
he is interested in is making
money.
2 ‘Well, there’s really no hope.’ B He is a racist and can barely
bring himself to be polite or listen
to Mary and Zoot.
3 Dieter seemed impatient and ill at C They are Coloured people and
ease with them. do not count in his world.
4 ‘Oh, yes, he had a hard time, but D He trivialises his father’s
so did many others persecution and make as
though it was exaggerated.
5 ‘He was often not responsible for E His racism surfaces once again
what he said.’ as he refuses to acknowledge
the respect being paid to his
father by the residents of
Buckingham Palace.
6 Dieter looked round once only F He is callous and has already
but showed no sign of written his father off.
recognition.
 HOMBURG HAT
The Casbah
1) Define the following words:
Linoleum
Respite
Reprieve
2) ‘“I would like to come in out of the rain,” he said in a tone that was
more of a demand than a request. ‘
Explain what this quote reveals to us about Dieter Katzen’s character.
3) Dieter tells Mary and The Butterfly that they live immoral lives. Explain
why Dieter would be considered a hypocrite in saying this.
4) Quote a line that reflects that The Butterfly wanted to make Dieter
Katzen feel guilty about not looking after his father properly.
5) Do you think that the Butterfly was right to blame herself for being
the reason that they were kicked out of 201? Explain your answer.
6) Mary comes to Dieter defence when she says, “All he did was to sell
these houses.” What insight does this give you about Mary’s
character?
7) What qualities does Zoot single out in his tribute to Mary?

Winsor Park
1) Explain what the idiom the axe would have to fall means and what it
means in the context of the story.
2) Provide a quote that stipulates how Zoot feels about moving out of
Winsor Park?
3) Zoot is described as tenderly placing the poster he has of King George
VI and his queen on the heap. Explain why he does that.
4) List where each of the characters that lived in Winsor Park were going
to.
5) Explain why Zoot believes that the future generations need to be told
about Apartheid. Support your answer by quoting a line or two from
the text.