Major Issues
Author Links
Essay Questions

Major Issues

Nadine Gordimer has been recognized and lauded as the most important fictional chronicler of 20th century South Africa. Reviewers and critics have commented on her ability to convey both the mundane daily details and the larger philosophical and moral dilemmas of living in a racism-entrenched society. Gordimer has denied that her work is polemic, although some critics have identified what they see as didactic elements. She has been labelled a regional writer, who examines the impact of the physical, social, and political landscapes on her characters. Other critics note that the larger issues and conflicts that Gordimer explores are by no means unique to South Africa. Parent-child and individual-community relationships, for example, figure prominently in many of her works. Scholars note the influence of early 20th century English writers on Gordimer’s work, especially D.H. Lawrence.

Author Links

Nadine Gordimer
A bio-critical essay which highlights the impact of apartheid in Gordimer’s life and literary works.

More on Nadine Gordimer
Reviews of Gordimer’s books, along with articles by and about Gordimer from the The New York Times archives.

The Conscience of South Africa
A 1998 interview in "Salon" magazine in which Gordimer discusses the new South Africa, language, books, and her attempts to identify with and portray non-white South Africans.

Online Literary Criticism Collection
This site will connect you with places to find more information about Gordimer’s life, works, critical reception, and context.

Writing and Being
Transcript of Gordimer’s lecture upon receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991.