Analysis Of The Story 'Out Of Bounds'

At some point in our lives, we believe false information, but we later find out the truth. The story “Out of Bounds” by Beverly Naidoo is about a boy from South Africa, named Rohan, who leaves his house to help a poor boy in need. The boy, Solani, needed water for his mother because she was giving birth. Thus, instead of leaving Solani and not helping him, Rohan showed him where to obtain water and helped carry a bucket to Solani’s house. However, to reach Solani’s house, they must pass the squatter camp. Rohan’s parents and neighbors, who are private house owners, all declared that the squatters were thieves and untrustworthy. They all claimed that the squatters have been stealing their clothes and breaking into their homes. Even though Rohan was informed that the squatters were people to stay away from, he still walked through the camp. After visiting the squatter camp, Rohan’s perspective towards squatters reversed. In the beginning of the story, Rohan views the squatters as thieves and criminals because he believed his parents and his

Rohan knew that he was going to get in trouble if his parents found out that he walked to the squatter camp, and he thought “if he didn’t leave soon, [his mother] would be back before him” (Naidoo, 794). However, Rohan did not hold back. He realized that helping Solani was the right thing to do. He continued to carry the bucket of water to Solani’s family. As they approached Solani’s house, they heard sharp and rapid moans. After a few minutes, the baby is delivered and it was all because of Rohan. Rohan brought water to Solani’s mother, who was in pain. Although Rohan could have been in big trouble, he still walked into the squatter camp and turned into a hero. Through that experience, he learned that the squatters were different and not anything like what his family explained they