Kadawers: Letsels van die verlede deur die lens van die hede

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering character motivations, symbolism, and narrative events from the Afrikaans literary study of 'Kadawers'.

Kadawers (Subtitle)

The central thematic tagline of the story: "Letsels van die verlede deur die lens van die hede" (Scars of the past through the lens of the present).

Klas van 2007: 10-Jaar Reünie

The 10-year high school reunion event for Hoërskool Bergkruin scheduled for Saturday, 24 October at 19:00 in the Ou Skoolsal, costing R250 per person with RSVPs due by 30 September.

Eva (Matric Year)

A superficial and naïve matric pupil obsessed with Henno and wanting to appear cool; she insulted Daniël as a "weirdo" or "goth" while failing to recognize his trauma and that Henno was merely using her.

Eva (Adult Perspective)

Ten years after matric, she reflects upon her memories as "kadawers" that hold the key to truth and personal happiness, prompting her to finally acknowledge the reality of her peers' lives.

Linda

Daniël's loyal friend and protector who acted as a moral compass with genuine empathy; she recognized his trauma, helped him survive, took him into her family's home, and later formed a loving adult relationship with him.

Linda's Letters (Die Briewe)

Written correspondence sent by Linda to Juffrou Slabbert asking her to intervene and assist Daniël, while requesting that his unkempt appearance and the smell of cigarette smoke be excused.

Daniël

A traumatized matric pupil abused by his father who wore a black windbreaker to hide physical scars, smoked cigarettes to soothe his nerves, and was labeled a "goth" while fighting to survive.

Die Windbreaker (The Windbreaker)

A symbolic shield against the world worn constantly by Daniël to conceal the physical marks, bruises, and scars of his father's violent domestic abuse.

Henno

A childish, immature, and manipulative matric boy who made suggestive and inappropriate remarks, used Eva behind the school store/shed, and then abandoned communication with her.

Juffrou Slabbert

The country's best Biology teacher and practicing psychologist who was university roommates with Linda's older sister; she stepped in after receiving Linda's letters to support Daniël emotionally and academically.

Kadawers (Cat Embryos)

Preserved cat embryos provided by Juffrou Slabbert to Daniël that symbolize the cruelty of his father during his childhood.

Begrawe die trauma (Burial Ritual)

The ritual occurring behind the shed where Daniël cried aloud and buried preserved cat embryos, symbolically burying his childhood trauma and the pain of his father's violence.

Die Biologieklas-dinamika (Biology Class Dynamics)

The contrasting character motivations and perceptions toward Daniël: Eva sought Henno's attention and mocked Daniël; Linda sought to protect Daniël out of empathy; Juffrou Slabbert sought to provide academic and emotional aid to a student in crisis.

Die Vriendskapsversoek (The Friend Request)

Eva's present-day act of sending a Facebook friend request upon discovering Daniël's profile and seeing him happy with Linda and a dog, signifying her recognition of past blindness and the truth of their history.