Too Late the Phalarope tells the story of a white South African policeman, Pieter van Vlaanderen, whose career and reputation are ruined when it is discovered that he has had a sexual relationship with a black woman named Stephanie. Pieter, an Afrikaner and the son of a fiercely conservative Afrikaner father, brings disgrace and destruction on both himself and on his family. Not only is he found guilty of violating the Immorality act, but he is also disowned by his father for violating society's ideal of racial purity. .
Pieter van Vlaanderen is handsome and admired for his leadership qualities as well as his rugby abilities; he epitomizes in every outward appearance the cultural ideals of his community. Alan Paton uses Pieter's downfall and personal tragedy to show a larger cultural tragedy that eventually encompasses South Africa. Pieter's aunt Sophie as narrator provides a retrospective account of these events. Drawing on Pieter's secret journals, to which she gains access after his disgrace is made public, Tante Sophie sets out to piece together the story of her nephew's self-destructive behavior. She is motivated both by her guilt for failing to prevent Pieter's tragedy and by the wish to show mercy, in contrast to the racially divisive laws that separate Pieter and the country.
The novel is set in the time following World War II, and Pieter and the other South African soldiers who volunteered to go abroad and fight with the British have returned home and resumed their lives. Pieter's father is chairman of the local National Party and reportedly wields considerable influence in the Parliament at Cape Town. An outspoken enemy of Smuts and all things English, he stands "like a chained lion" when God Save the King is played in the cinema (101). Pieter's decision to take the "red oath" and fight with the British is a source of conflict between Pieter and his father. It also shows Pieter's desire to break with his fathers accepted beliefs and power.
In the short story It's Just too Late, written by Calvin Trillin, we are presented with the story of FaNee Cooper, a troubled teenager searching to find her place in the world. Her parents once believed her to be the perfect child but now they find themselves with a rebellious introverted daughter...
The Tango Throughout the late 1800's, many people migrated to Argentina from Spain, Africa, Italia, and the Ukraine. ... However, many of the moves were too sexual that the women wore garments to protect themselves from common too close to the male. ... Although the tango has been altered from the original ideas of the immigrants that lived during the late 1800's, it brings to light and symbolizes at least part of Argentina's history that brings to mind the feelings and environment in which they lived....
These were built originally for military purposes but later functioned to develop more effective communication and trade. ... Later the government noticed these flaws, and altered their defense strategy. ... "Rome became perhaps, too good" (Heitman "About the fall of the Roman Empire") Many of the more affluent members of Roman society exercised excessive extravagance and luxury, this coming at the expense of the state and the common people. ... (Hooker "Rome: The Late Empire") Rome also suffered many problems due to the system of dictatorship they used. ... The borders simply became too large...
Adolf's father strongly wanted Adolf to go to Realschule for the Gymnasium was too old-fashioned for him. ... Hitler was also a late bloomer. ... They went on designing imaginary thing and developed a style later dubbed as "Nazi classical.' ... She had an operation two months later but remained quite ill. ...
This specific particular study mainly focuses on people who fall under the category of been in their late adolescence/early adulthood. ... These two individuals were interviewed so that they could provide a basis as to any differences that exist in the tattoo culture of the older generations compared to those of the previously mentioned late adolescent/early adult generation. ... My first tattoo was a celtic cross with a banner running through it that I designed with the quote "Tomorrow is too late, I live for today." on my left upper arm. ... I later suffered a pulminary lung embolysm in th...
Late Adulthood Interview I interviewed my 67 year old Aunt Michaela. ... I considered interviewing my dad who is 62 years old but decided to interview Michaela instead because I realize how unhappy my dad is about his age and I didn't want to mention that I was interviewing him for a "late adulthood" interview. ... I work for Michaela everyday for about an hour, such as grading papers and running things off for her, and so I was planning on interviewing her after I worked but we ran out of time which resulted in us having to do the interview over the phone later that evening. ... "Ever...
