One of the key concerns of the story is the way in which death can be seen as a disruption to the community, particularly in a rural setting where people are often closely tied to the land and to each other. The story also explores the ways in which people cope with grief and loss, and the ways in which death can be seen as a catalyst for change.
The title, Six Feet of the Country , is bitterly ironic. To the narrator, "six feet" is a trivial amount of land, a small patch on his property he is willing to give. But under apartheid, that six feet is not his to give. The state owns the very geography of death. The story reveals how racial segregation extends beyond housing, work, and social life to the final resting place. six feet of the country by nadine gordimer summary
The family’s immediate problem is practical: where to bury the man. The narrator, driven by a mix of guilt, irritation, and a vague sense of justice, decides he will bury the brother on their own land. He sees it as a simple, humane gesture. He contacts the local municipal office to get a permit. One of the key concerns of the story
The narrative is characterized by Gordimer's vivid descriptions of the rural landscape and the people who inhabit it. Her writing style is lyrical and evocative, drawing the reader into the world of the story. To the narrator, "six feet" is a trivial
The narrator’s journey is one of forced political awakening. Initially, he is a typical liberal white South African: irritated by the demands of his black servants, dismissive of Lerice’s softer sympathies, and convinced that he is a fair man. He does not see himself as a racist. However, as he fights the bureaucracy, he is forced to confront his own powerlessness. He cannot buy, bribe, or argue his way past the law. For the first time, he experiences a fraction of the dehumanization that black South Africans live with daily.