A literature review of The Suitcase by Bruno Esekie

The 1950s saw a generation of black writers rise up and write about their
experiences of South Africa under the Apartheid rule. The popularity of the DRUM
magazine was not easily looked by and the true reach of the magazine surpassed
millions and ultimately was the most widely read magazine in Africa at the time.
This magazine gave many writers such as Henry Nxumalo, Can Themba, Casey
Motsisi and Richard Rive the opportunity to voice their opinions with a distinctive
stamp and style.
One writer, Ezekiel Mphahlele aka Bruno Esekie, really epitomized what these
writers stood for. He wrote in particular about the urban deprivation of the black
people and their resilience against those who oppressed them. One story, which
when I read, really brought to light the harsh life of the Black man in South Africa
but also the extent many mothers go to, when they dont want a child. This story
was called The Suitcase.
In the beginning of the story, we are introduced to the main character, Timi. It is
New Years Eve 1954 and Timi contemplates whether he should take a desperate
chance like the men who were stinking rich. Evidently, it is clear that Timi is not rich
and is struggling to earn money for himself. It had been a long day for Timi for he
had been led on something like a goose chase. He had gone to three different firms
in search of work and all turned him down. Timi was told things like Weve already
got a boy, John. and Youre too big, Jim. The boss wants a small boy about
eighteen, you know.
It was these things that made Timi angry, not only being denied a chance to prove
his worth but the mere fact that the White bosses could not even remember his
name and instead substitute it with a name that was convenient for them. Even
when at the third place of work, when he was handed a wage of 2 a week, and
asked for a little more, he felt insulted and left the place.
Back then in White South Africa, the black people who included all races of colour
were treated harshly by many white people in the working society and this was
likened in the story as Timi watched over the wasp that tormented the defenceless
worm. An unequal fight, an unfair fight, according to Timi, exemplified the lives of
many black people at the time.
For many black men, they had families and had to provide, just like Timi, for them.
Timis wife was sick and pregnant with their third child and like many black men,
had little or no savings left. This is why many black men resorted to crime in order
to provide for their families. In The Suitcase, Timi is constantly struggling with this
very decision and ultimately will choose the wrong one.
Even today, most people are desperate for something that can help them, and for
some people it was money. Timi needed money and he was desperate. This was

shown when the drunken man offered him a swig of brandy but Timi declined the
offer, wishing it was money instead.
Now aboard the bus home to Sophiatown, Timi remained unsure of what to do even
though the revelry in the bus suggested otherwise. A sheer contrast could be
identified between the man playing the guitar and the situation he was in. It was
New Years Eve and he wasnt celebrating. The atmosphere in the bus also differed
from the hustle and bustle of the city.
At the one stop, two women entered the bus and sat next to Timi. The one woman
looked pale and sick whilst the other was carrying a briefcase. Timi was curious
about the suitcase and in that instant Timi abandoned all of his moral scruples. He
wondered what was inside this suitcase and immediately thought that there was
something valuable inside.
At the next stop, the women exited the bus leaving the suitcase behind. A man in
the bus exclaimed that the women left their suitcase behind but Timi asserted it as
his. Why would Timi claim this suitcase as his? He didnt know what was inside it;
however he was desperate and felt it was his only chance to bring something home
to his family. He did not want to disappoint them again.
An argument arose between Timi and the man in the bus over to whom the suitcase
belonged to. Timi was adamant the suitcase belonged to him and eventually the
argument was settled by other passengers who believed Timis side of the story.
Timi felt a great relief. He had won. These two sentences show how Timis ideals
have changed considerably, from a man who wants to work hard for his money to a
man who is willing to lie for it. But, do we pity this man who is desperate for
something?
Timi was now on the run, just like a fugitive, and he had to keep the suitcase safe.
Timi was ducking and diving through backyards, trying to avoid the police. Paranoia
had seeped into his mind and this led to confusion and indecisiveness as shown
when he thinks about leaving the case and running home, thereby freeing him of
this burden.
After all, it was not his. It is in this one sentence that shows Timis confusion and
his indecisiveness between being good or bad. The suitcase had made him feel
insecure and an outlaw. He believed Providence was on his side and that the
ancestors would pity him if he didnt take it. Then the wild, primitive determination
rose in him and he left with the case.
If Providence was on his side then it surely didnt seem like it. The meeting with
Pitso suggested that luck was not on his side but it also hinted that the natural order
had been shifted. Almost immediately, a police car pulled alongside Timi, and inside
were two White constables and the African man from the bus. Timi had now been
caught and was brought in for interrogation.

Timi had lied before but now he was lying continuously to the constables about the
contents of the suitcase, even though he knew nothing about the suitcase. Even
when the constables produced torn garments from the suitcase, Timi lied that these
were his wifes clothes. This was very strange for Timi and his thoughts were racing
and milling around in his head. It would have seemed as if Fate was about to play
him.
The story reached a climax with Timi finally finding out what was inside the
suitcase. But, Timi sensed something was wrong. And then, the constable pointed
inside the case and asked Timi, And is this also your wifes? Why the emphasis
over this one thing? But it was a ghastly sight indeed. Inside was a dead, mangled
white baby that was born only twelve hours ago. It was an image of horrible death.
What we have heard is a story of man who is guilty of petty thievery but deep inside
lies his desperation of something better in a world that has rejected him. This type
of story speaks of the contemporary issues in South Africa. It speaks of those who
have nothing and steal to sustain and survive. It speaks of the women who give
birth to children and disregard them in rubbish bins. They are left for dead and the
mothers get off scotch free, leaving feeling innocent. This is similar to the poem
An Abandoned Bundle by Oswald Mtshali where the ravaging dogs fought fiercely
over the infant that was dumped on the rubbish heap. In the poem, the mother is
described as melting into the rays of the rising sun, her face glittering with
innocence, her heart as pure as untrampled dew. The mother has relieved
herself of her maternal duty but still leaves with the blood of her baby on her hands.
Although The Suitcase was written 60 years ago, its message is profound and
meaningful today.