When we are first introduced to Moipone, she talks about how her mother, Keke, is ‘deathly afraid of being alone’. Do you know someone like that in your life? It might be someone who just surrounds themselves with people and activities. Or have you gone through a similar stage in your life?
What do you think of Moipone’s fear of rats and Keke just brushing it off? What do you think this says about their relationship?
What do you think of the introduction to Moipone’s father? What ghosts do you think are haunting him?
After the scare with a rat, Moipone announces she is going with Seun to Gauteng. What do you expect Moipone to find there? Will she find exactly what her father said is there? Or will she find the freedom she is searching for?
When Moipone meets her aunt and her cousins, she feels relief that she looks like them. What do you think of this sense of belonging that Moipone is starting to feel?
What are your first impressions of Prettygirl?
What do you think of Seun lying to his sister about why he brought Moipone to the house?
Seun’s arrival has caused a lot of tension in the house. Why do you think he is criticizing everything his sister has done?
Gal gives off a sense of warmth, but Rosemary seems to give the opposite. Why do you think Rosemary is like this?
The sight and smell of her aunt cooking awakens something in Moipone, did you have a similar experience when you were younger? Did you get a desire to cook from watching your family?
What do you think is the secret surrounding the father of Gal and Rosemary?
What do you think of Seun’s outburst after seeing Moipone in Fumane’s apron?
Moipone’s grandfather makes a statement that Moipone is the only one of his blood at the table. What do you think of the responsibility he has just placed on her shoulders? What do you think of Gal encouraging Moipone to speak the prayer in Sesotho?
As we shift to Gal’s perspective, the tone changes quite a bit. What do you think of the contrast between Moipone’s perspective and Gal’s?
Through Gal we meet Mthunzi. What do you think of him? He has been in Gal’s life for a long time. Do you believe that he has turned a new leaf?
7 responses to “Fabrics of Love – Day One”
-
1. Nope, not really. I actually revel in solitude. Being alone has never scared me, I find it peaceful.
2. I hate when people dismiss other people’s feelings like that. Keke probably thinks Moipone is just being dramatic, but that little moment shows how invalidated Moipone feels around her.
3. I kept wondering the same thing. Maybe it has something to do with the stunt he pulled at the funeral? Feels like his past mistakes are weighing heavy on him.
4. As someone living in Gauteng, I’d say her father wasn’t completely wrong. If she treads carefully, she might find the freedom she’s craving. But if she’s reckless, she’ll regret that move quickly.
5. I totally get it. Looking and feeling different from your family can be exhausting. That instant sense of belonging must have felt like a weight off her shoulders.
6. At first, her question about Moipone’s name made me think she’d be full of herself. But surprisingly, I like her! Honestly, more than Rosemary.
7. That was just Seun feeding his ego. And it feels like he gets away with that kind of thing all the time because their dad enables him.
8. The Ntoi men are an ungrateful bunch, honestly. From my perspective, Seun is just jealous of Buang. Men often think they’re the ones who should be “taking care” of the family, and when they don’t, they lash out.
9. I feel like Rosemary might be projecting something, but I’m not sure what. Otherwise, maybe she just feels threatened by Moipone’s presence, like her place in the household is shifting.
10. Honestly, no. I still don’t get it even now. Don’t get me wrong, I can cook (apparently well too), but I hate the process. It demands too much and the joy of eating lasts only 10 minutes.
11. Lol, maybe he killed his wife? I don’t know yet, but it must be something big.
12. Seun clearly has deeper issues. I really think he’s haunted by whatever he did at that funeral, and he’s just taking it out on Moipone.
13. I feel like Lemohang favours Seun for reasons I can’t understand, because all he does is cause trouble. The “only one of my blood” comment just piles pressure on Moipone, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Rosemary resents her more for it. As for Gal, I think she was reminding Moipone that she doesn’t have to bend over backwards to impress anyone—just be herself.
14. My jaw dropped. Honestly, I don’t have much to say because I was still in shock at the things Gal was doing. That chapter was wild.
15. Nope. I don’t buy it. He’s probably just trying to win Gal over again. He feels dangerous, and I don’t think he’s changed. -
1. I personally love solitude, but I know of many people who really don’t like to be alone.
2. I think it shows that there is no respect in the relationship.
3. No idea, but really looking forward to finding out as I think there is some history there.
4. I’m hoping she finds some sort of freedom.
5. I think it’s lovely. There is something quite comforting to realise that you do belong somewhere.
6. She seems quite down to earth and quite forward in speaking her thoughts.
7. Very dodge! Definitely a whole lotta history there.
8. We don’t know much about Seun and what we do know is that he lies, so there must be some underlying reason for the tension, and the lieing. Maybe he is jealous?
9. I think its because she is determined and single minded in her goals.
10. Not really. Though I think food and cooking is such a wonderful way to connect with family, and lineage.
11. I cannot wait to find out!
12. I thought it was very strange, even though we know he has had such outbursts before while M has been sleeping.
13. I think its a little wierd actually.
14. Im enjoying the difference in perspectives
15. Hmm, I dont think he has. While Id love for it to be true, sometimes our wish for someone to have changed is bigger than the actual change. -
1. I don’t think I know someone like this but I think most people go through the phase of not being able to be alone and just always wanting to be with people or doing something.
2. That Keke doesn’t really take her daughter seriously and that they don’t have much of a relationship.
3. Seun seems to be going through trauma that he just can’t pin point. I didn’t understand their arrangement with Keke. I also think there’s a lot he didn’t do right by his mother on and that’s what haunts him.
4. I was actually shocked that she would want to leave with a father that only shows up once a year. For her sake I hope like in Gauteng is better but I just don’t think it will be. I think it just might be worse.
5. That sense of belonging made she feel assured of her decision to come to Gauteng with her father. It also finally made her feel like a normal person because there are other people that look just like her. She probably was so happy to finally feel part of something, even though even there she was still the “outsider”.
6. I actually loved that she made Moipone comfortable unlike Rosemary. I actually like that even though she would also say things I found offish I still think she was a lot more pleasant than Rosemary.
7. I already didn’t like him from the moment we were introduced to him but this angered me so much more because if he could easily lie like that about something so serious he can kill a person. But that can lie so easily scare me.
8. They definitely have a lot of unresolved issues. Mostly I think steaming from him feeling like his sister thinks she is better because she is a principal and has money while he doesn’t have a job.
9. Being younger she has probably been compared many times to her older sister and has probably lived life trying to prove herself and act strong. She is probably also battling with all the unspoken family issues.
10. I definitely got this from seeing my granny cook. She was such an amazing cook and over the years my love for cooking has grown and in some moments in my kitchen I just think back to watching her cook with so much love and passion.
11. He is probably family or he might have been way older than Buang.
12. I feel that Seun always wants to look for someone to blame for his life being what it is and never wants to take accountability. He also seems like he always wants to discredit people so that he is not the only one seen to have issues or be a bad person, for lack of a better word.
13. I think he was wrong for making Gal and Rosemary feel like outsiders now that Moipone has arrived. This tends to build resentment and I think he is also the reason why his children don’t get along. I think that was done to make Moipone feel small and remind her that she doesn’t know English like they do.
14. I loved Moipone’s perspective a lot more. I found Gal to actually be very forward and that took me by surprise.
15. I definitely don’t think he has turned a new leaf but if he has that would be great. I don’t like him. I felt that he was taking advantage of a child and still is, that age gap won’t go away no matter how they look at it, it’s all just wrong.
-
1. I really love being alone and finding peace in solitude. Being surrounded by people and constant activity can sometimes feel overwhelming, and I cherish quiet moments to simply reflect and be with my own thoughts.
2. It shows that Keke may be somewhat dismissive or less attentive to Moipone’s vulnerabilities, which could point to a gap in emotional understanding or communication between them.
3. He seems to be haunted by the ghost of his mother and the guilt tied to not living up to what he believes he was meant to do as her son. His seeing her through hallucinations suggests that he carries unresolved feelings and regrets that deeply affect him. Perhaps something to do with the incident at the funeral?
4. I find this quite intriguing as well. I believe Moipone is searching for a sense of safety and a better life than what she currently knows. Whether she finds exactly what her father described or the freedom she truly seeks remains to be seen, but her journey to Gauteng feels like a hopeful step toward discovering something new and meaningful.
5. Moipone’s relief at looking like her aunt and cousins reveals her longing for connection and belonging, offering her comfort in finding a place where she feels she might be truly accepted.
6. Prettygal seems sweet and accommodating. She reminds me of some of my distant cousins I grew up around.
7. Seun’s lie adds to his confusing and complex character, suggesting he may be hiding his true self or performing to gain their father’s approval after being absent, and I’m definitely judging him for taking credit for something he didn’t even want to do.
8. Seun’s criticism is mostly driven by jealousy and disrespect.
9. Rosemary seems absorbed in her own world, caring only for herself right now.
10. I grew up in my grandma’s house, where she and my mother shared a love for cooking. Watching them sparked a passion in me, and I’ve always found joy in cooking those same recipes with them. Whenever I think of home, the memories of those family meals and recipes always come to mind and my family now enjoys them too.
11. I’m hoping Gal will reveal the secret soon, as she seems to know the full story while her mother avoids the topic altogether.
12. I imagine that was a bit overwhelming for Moipone, and Seun’s outburst seems tied to his ongoing hallucinations of their mother.
13. The “only one of his blood” statement is a real shocker for me. Their dad clearly prefers Seun over Buang, causing family tension and unfair feelings. This puts a big responsibility on Moipone to carry the family name and prove she belongs. Gal is just looking out for her cousin and being her safe space!
14. I find Gal’s perspective more entertaining, but I still want to learn more about Moipone’s past and the pain she carries with her.
15. I want to believe Mthunzi has changed, but there’s still much we don’t know about him. For what it’s worth, he seems to genuinely care for Gal. -
1. Not personally, no. I’m quite alright being alone. Although, I can see how it can be a difficult thing to process.
2. I think that its blatantly disrespectful to ignore someone’s fears, there is something to be said about someone who doesn’t respect boundaries.
3. My opinion is that he is running from his past. Excited to see how that unfolds!
4. I presume it will be a combination of both.
5. It is something that she has been searching for for so long, I hope it ends up serving her well.
6. She could be a good confidante for Moipone. She seems like quite a ground force.
7. It adds to the infuriating nature of his character! There’s a lot to unpack in his past, clearly!
8. I think its a deflection tactic. If he’s talking about them, they can’t talk about him.
9. Living in her sisters shadow perhaps?
10. I’ve never been a very good cook, but I’ve always enjoyed the community to be found in the kitchen. Especially when my mom and aunt were in there together. Not to mention the family gossip!
11. Not sure – but excited to find out!
12. He needs help! It must stem from some deeper psychological issues from his past.
13. It feels like a game of ‘Who’s on the Inside?’ and excluding one for the other is wrong. Especially in a family setting. It felt very unsettling.
14. I’m quite enjoying the different perspectives and personalities!
15. No, I don’t. I hope so, but I doubt it! -
1. I have an aunt like this. Afraid of being alone in all forms of relationships. Especially platonic and romantic. She would always have overlapping relationships just to ensure that there is security. It’s the strangest thing to witness because I’m so self secure and comfortable in my autonomy and solitude.
2. The fear of rats, albeit a normal fear to have, is one that struck me as the first indication of the stark difference between mother and daughter. One would expect Moipone to be “used to” the existence of the rats and less than ideal living conditions. However, there is a sense of uncomfortableness that she holds within her. Her mother, on the other hand, has relinquished her capacity for hope beyond the limitations of her life. She strikes me as a person who is existing and not living.
3. Her father is so problematic. He seems to be living an incongruent life between who he is and who he thinks he is. He definitely has mommy issues (or parental issues) and seems like a pathological liar who will weasel his way into a narrative that benefits him. My impression of him is that he is a coward and losing touch with reality. Literally and figuratively. I think the ghosts that haunt him stem from the dishonour that he seems to have created when his mother passed.
4. Something different. Something new. Regardless of good or bad, it is something to be hopeful for.
5. I know that feeling. I even created a tab titled “I know that feeling” because there are so many relatable instances in this story. All anyone ever wants, is to feel a sense of belonging and worth. And Moipone yearns for this.
6. I thought Gal was absolutely delightful, naive, kind, confident, and empathetic.
7. Narcissistic tendencies there. He wants to be seen as the hero. As a responsible man and father. He knows the dishonour looming over him is not in his favour so he will say anything to gain positive attention.
8. Because she is a woman. She has lived a life of honour and is the sibling that strives to do the right thing. The only ammunition he has over her is the ambiguity (thus far) surrounding her daughters’ father. He has an inferiority complex and this gains him the upper hand because he knows that culturally, regardless of his incompetence, the son (the man) is still revered as head of household and he is essentially the prodigy of his father.
9. She probably feels threatened about something. I don’t know what. Younger siblings can be overly emotional sometimes (sorry, generalisation hahaha).
10. Not really. Seemed like too much effort and not enough sleep. I desired more, the elegance of being in control of the kitchen as the heart of the household. It’s more difficult than many of our mothers make it seem, I assume. Very admirable.
11. Probably a shady character or someone that humiliated Buang.
12. Definitely his mind playing tricks on him and projecting his fears on his daughter. Again, thinking people are “out to get you” is definitely narcissistic behaviour but then again, I’m not sure. His mood seems to shift frequently and it’s something Moipone is used to but his sister isn’t. So it’s definitely a new occurrence or else his sister would have found it familiar. Surely?
13. Too much pressure. Grandfathers place a lot of emphasis on tradition and bloodlines. This is probably all too overwhelming for someone who is just getting to know her estranged family and finding her own place. I annotated the prayer scene. Almost cried. It was absolutely beautiful.
14. Wild. Absolutely wild. The drama amped up pretty(gal) fast hahaha. I love it.
15. Mthunzi is the welcome mat for trauma. The entire time I was thinking “RUN” hahaha. This is not going to turn out well. I’m concerned. -
1. I know of someone like this; someone who seems to be afraid of being abandoned by the people around them so they tend to panic when they feel like they are being left behind.
2. Seems like Keke is dismissive of Moipone’s feelings
3. He might be haunted by something that has to do with the relationship he has with this family (mother + siblings) and something he did to hurt or embarrass them.
4. Think Moipone wants a better life for herself, and to experience better than living in a shack with rats.
5. I think she is relieved to be around people who are likely to be like-minded; who aspire to the same kind of life that she wants to live.
6. I liked how welcoming she was, and understanding actually, compared to her sister.
7. Something off about Seun, and he doesnt seem very credible or reliable.
8. It’s because he feels insecure as a man, that his sister did something that he wasn’t able to do.
9. I think it is her character and how she just is as a person, she is more “strict”. And she is also feelings insecure that Moipone might for whatever reason steal her thunder.
10. No, I didn’t like cooking as a child.
11. It could be someone very very close in the neighbourhood- it could be a scandal.
12. Whatever he did at his Mother’s funeral has been with him since.
13. He is a typical man favouring anything his son does over this daughter, now pitting grandchildren against each other. Telling Moipone to pray in English was her trying to make her comfortable to speak a language she is more fluent in.
14. I think she is more care-free and quite entertaining.
15. Leopards don’t change their spots. I don’t believe he has changed, he is just being manipulative to someone he knows loves him.
Leave a Reply