| Author | Message | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2043 Registered: 5-2003 |
She offered him a pencil. He hit her. | ||
| Sunshine (Sunshine)
New member Username: Sunshine Post Number: 850 Registered: 1-2001 |
She? he? her? HA? She = her? Did he want a pencil? Had he asked for one? Did he hit her with the pencil? With his fist? Relevant with what? Was it her pencil? Was she surprised to be hit? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1494 Registered: 11-2008 |
Was she acting in good will? Did she deliberately want to offend him? Any misunderstanding involved? | ||
| Kaygee (Kaygee)
New member Username: Kaygee Post Number: 427 Registered: 9-2008 |
Did she say something relevant while offering the pencil? Did she say anything relevant after being hit? Did he hit her immediately after the pencil was offered? Several minutes later? Several hours? Several days? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2045 Registered: 5-2003 |
She? he? her? HA? Both human, age irrelevant. Assume they are children. She = her? Yes. Did he want a pencil? No. Had he asked for one? No. Did he hit her with the pencil? With his fist? Assume this. Relevant with what? No. Was it her pencil? Assume yes. Was she surprised to be hit? If she was, she shouldn't have been. Was she acting in good will? No. Did she deliberately want to offend him? Yes. Any misunderstanding involved? No. Did she say something relevant while offering the pencil? Assume yes. Did she say anything relevant after being hit? No. Did he hit her immediately after the pencil was offered? Several minutes later? Several hours? Several days? | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 598 Registered: 6-2008 |
Were there relevant previous comments between "he and "her"? from another person to "he" and "her"? As far as it was offensive, the closest implication of her offering him the pencil would be that he was: stupid? cheap? unpopular/uncool? ugly? In the offensive interpretation that went along with offering a pencil, would the intention be that he would write with it? do something else with it? or is the purpose irrelevant? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1498 Registered: 11-2008 |
Does the pencil serve as a symbol? If so, is the size of the pencil relevant? Its function? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2047 Registered: 5-2003 |
Were there relevant previous comments between "he and "her"? Assume yes. from another person to "he" and "her"? No. As far as it was offensive, the closest implication of her offering him the pencil would be that he was: stupid? cheap? unpopular/uncool? ugly? None of the above, though any of these might be tangential. In the offensive interpretation that went along with offering a pencil, would the intention be that he would write with it? do something else with it? This. or is the purpose irrelevant? No. Does the pencil serve as a symbol? No. If so, is the size of the pencil relevant? Its function? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1499 Registered: 11-2008 |
Just trying to figure out what reason would be strong enough for a man to rightfully hit a woman: Can the pencil be perceived as an allusion to any part of his body? To his lack of competence in any sense? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2048 Registered: 5-2003 |
Just trying to figure out what reason would be strong enough for a man to rightfully hit a woman: Again, assume they're students. Can the pencil be perceived as an allusion to any part of his body? Yes. To his lack of competence in any sense? Not really. | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2049 Registered: 5-2003 |
Did he hit her immediately after the pencil was offered? This. Several minutes later? Several hours? Several days? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1500 Registered: 11-2008 |
His ... erm... privates? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2050 Registered: 5-2003 |
His ... erm... privates? Nope. | ||
| Kaygee (Kaygee)
New member Username: Kaygee Post Number: 432 Registered: 9-2008 |
Did he ask for something else and she offered the pencil instead? Was her comment a suggestion of what he could do with the pencil? Or why she thought the pencil would be appropriate at that moment? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2058 Registered: 5-2003 |
Did he ask for something else and she offered the pencil instead? No. Was her comment a suggestion of what he could do with the pencil? Yes. Or why she thought the pencil would be appropriate at that moment? No. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1505 Registered: 11-2008 |
Was she suggesting he should shove the pencil up one of his bodily orifices? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2063 Registered: 5-2003 |
Was she suggesting he should shove the pencil up one of his bodily orifices? No... | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1506 Registered: 11-2008 |
As to the allusion at a part of his body: is this part on his head? trunk? arms? hands? legs? feet? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2065 Registered: 5-2003 |
As to the allusion at a part of his body: is this part on his head? This. trunk? arms? hands? legs? feet? | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 973 Registered: 9-2009 |
Does the pencil have an eraser? Relevant? Is the allusion to the size of his head/brain? Did she suggest he poke his eye(s) out with the pencil? Injure himself in some other way? Do something humiliating? | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 599 Registered: 6-2008 |
Is the pencil supposed to be used to pick his nose? to stick in his ears to block out a noise? or to clean them? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1510 Registered: 11-2008 |
His nose? Ear? Eye? Mouth? Tongue? Brain? Hair? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2067 Registered: 5-2003 |
Does the pencil have an eraser? Relevant? No. Is the allusion to the size of his head/brain? No. Did she suggest he poke his eye(s) out with the pencil? No. Injure himself in some other way? No. Do something humiliating? Yes. Is the pencil supposed to be used to pick his nose? to stick in his ears to block out a noise? or to clean them? No to all. His nose? Ear? Eye? Mouth? Tongue? Brain? Hair? This. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1525 Registered: 11-2008 |
Was he bald? Did she suggest he should paint hair on his head with the pencil? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2070 Registered: 5-2003 |
Was he bald? Did she suggest he should paint hair on his head with the pencil? No to both. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1533 Registered: 11-2008 |
Was she alluding to lack of hair? Quality? Colour? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2076 Registered: 5-2003 |
Was she alluding to lack of hair? Quality? Thisish. Colour? | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 987 Registered: 9-2009 |
Hair: length? Shape? Haircut/hairdo? Did she suggest/insinuate that his hair was girly? Would a stick have sufficed instead of the pencil? How about a ballpoint pen? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2077 Registered: 5-2003 |
Hair: length? Shape? Haircut/hairdo? None of these. Did she suggest/insinuate that his hair was girly? No. Would a stick have sufficed instead of the pencil? Maybe, maybe not. How about a ballpoint pen? Yes. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1535 Registered: 11-2008 |
Was the intended purpose of the pencil to interfere with his hair? If so, to colour it? Make curls? Cut it according to its length? Compare its colour? OIs it relevant that a pencil and a pen can be written with? | ||
| Probably_monty_hall (Probably_monty_hall)
New member Username: Probably_monty_hall Post Number: 131 Registered: 10-2009 |
lice relevant? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2080 Registered: 5-2003 |
Was the intended purpose of the pencil to interfere with his hair? Noish. If so, to colour it? Make curls? Cut it according to its length? Compare its colour? None of these. Is it relevant that a pencil and a pen can be written with? No. lice relevant? No. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1552 Registered: 11-2008 |
A pity, lice as an idea were very nice. What is important about the pencil: its length? Width? Colour? The material it is made of? Any usual purpose it is used for? Unusual purpose? (We have already discarded the fact you can write with it, haven't we?) | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2084 Registered: 5-2003 |
What is important about the pencil: its length? Width? Colour? The material it is made of? Any usual purpose it is used for? Unusual purpose? This. (We have already discarded the fact you can write with it, haven't we?) Yes. | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1019 Registered: 9-2009 |
Important that a pencil is: sharp? Straight? Round? Smooth? Hard? Stiff? Slender? Would a knitting needle have worked? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2085 Registered: 5-2003 |
Important that a pencil is: sharp? Straight? Round? Smooth? Hard? Stiff? Slender? Roundness and sharpness, possibly not. Others, yes. Would a knitting needle have worked? Anything the same rough shape and size as a pencil would work. | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1031 Registered: 9-2009 |
Relevant how his hair looks? Is it unusual in some way? Dandruff relevant? Is a natural property of the hair relevant (such as thickness, color, curliness etc)? Or a chosen one (such as hairdo, length, artificial color etc)? Is he unhappy with his hair? Is she? Envy relevant to the conflict? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2092 Registered: 5-2003 |
Relevant how his hair looks? Assume yes. Is it unusual in some way? Yesish. Dandruff relevant? No. Is a natural property of the hair relevant (such as thickness, color, curliness etc)? This. Or a chosen one (such as hairdo, length, artificial color etc)? Is he unhappy with his hair? Assume no. Is she? Assume no. Envy relevant to the conflict? No. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1617 Registered: 11-2008 |
You said she wanted to offend him deliberately. Would it help to find out what was the exact reason? Did he offend her earlier? If so, was it about her hair? Does he have a comb-over (yuck)? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2095 Registered: 5-2003 |
You said she wanted to offend him deliberately. Would it help to find out what was the exact reason? Not really. She could have offended him in this way for any reason. Did he offend her earlier? irrelevant. If so, was it about her hair? Does he have a comb-over (yuck)? No. | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1078 Registered: 9-2009 |
Relevant hair property: color? Thickness? Slipperiness? Greasiness? Curliness or lack thereof? Did she suggest that he used the pencil to make curls in his hair? Does he look like someone/something relevant with his hair? Or would he if he did what she suggested? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2096 Registered: 5-2003 |
Relevant hair property: color? Possibly. Thickness? Slipperiness? Greasiness? Curliness Thisish. or lack thereof? Did she suggest that he used the pencil to make curls in his hair? No. Does he look like someone/something relevant with his hair? Assume yes. Or would he if he did what she suggested? No. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1629 Registered: 11-2008 |
Is the pencil a symbol of something/somebody? Like eg. the Golliwogg? Is he black? Any racist connotations involved? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2097 Registered: 5-2003 |
Is the pencil a symbol of something/somebody? Yesish. Like eg. the Golliwogg? Is he black? No. Any racist connotations involved? Yes. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1631 Registered: 11-2008 |
Is she black? Caucasian? African? Asian? Same question for him. | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2098 Registered: 5-2003 |
Is she black? Caucasian? This for both. African? Asian? Same question for him. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1632 Registered: 11-2008 |
Is she alluding at his actual race? Or intending to say he is/should be/resembles another race? Does he look like a specific person? Animal? Object? A generic one? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2099 Registered: 5-2003 |
Is she alluding at his actual race? Or intending to say he is/should be/resembles another race? This. Does he look like a specific person? Animal? Object? A generic one? None of these. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1634 Registered: 11-2008 |
If so, is the race African? Asian? Should he put the pencil in his hair like some African tribes wear a bone? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2101 Registered: 5-2003 |
If so, is the race African? This. Asian? Should he put the pencil in his hair like some African tribes wear a bone? No. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1635 Registered: 11-2008 |
So both of them are white but she is suggesting he looks like a black man? Is this the only offence, or is there more to it? Is it because he has curly hair? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2102 Registered: 5-2003 |
So both of them are white but she is suggesting he looks like a black man? Yes. Is this the only offence, Yes. or is there more to it? Is it because he has curly hair? Likely. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1637 Registered: 11-2008 |
So is the only remaining thing for us to establish what is he supposed to do with the pencil? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2103 Registered: 5-2003 |
So is the only remaining thing for us to establish what is he supposed to do with the pencil? That, and what the significance of the pencil is in the first place. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1640 Registered: 11-2008 |
So she offers him a pencil with a comment recommending him to do something with it. Does the pencil symbolise an object an African would probably use? If so, would he use it back in Africa/in the country where this happens? Is it physically possible for him to do with the pencil what she told him to do? If so, would he hold the pencil in his hand? Would the pencil touch his hair? His head? His body? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2106 Registered: 5-2003 |
So she offers him a pencil with a comment recommending him to do something with it. Yes. Does the pencil symbolise an object an African would probably use? Yesish. If so, would he use it back in Africa/in the country where this happens? Yes. Is it physically possible for him to do with the pencil what she told him to do? Yes. If so, would he hold the pencil in his hand? Yes. Would the pencil touch his hair? This. His head? And probably this. His body? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1642 Registered: 11-2008 |
Would the pencil touch his hair with its tip? Its side? Relevant? Is the exact part of his head relevant (ie front/back/sides)? Would he hold the pencil just in one hand? Would he hold it all the time? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2110 Registered: 5-2003 |
Would the pencil touch his hair with its tip? Its side? Both. Relevant? Yes. Is the exact part of his head relevant (ie front/back/sides)? Not really. Would he hold the pencil just in one hand? Yes. Would he hold it all the time? No. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1646 Registered: 11-2008 |
So in the end, the pencil would be stuck in his hair, correct? If so, would it be parallel to the ground (of course provided he is standing upright)? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2115 Registered: 5-2003 |
So in the end, the pencil would be stuck in his hair, correct? Yes. If so, would it be parallel to the ground (of course provided he is standing upright)? Irrelevant. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1651 Registered: 11-2008 |
Stuck in his hair, but does not symbolize a bone. Hmmm... Does it symbolize another object used as an adornment? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2117 Registered: 5-2003 |
Stuck in his hair, but does not symbolize a bone. Hmmm... Does it symbolize another object used as an adornment? No. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1653 Registered: 11-2008 |
Does it symbolize an object at all? If so, is it a tool? A plant, or a part thereof? Does she suggest something more than he is African (eg the exact country, a sport)? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2118 Registered: 5-2003 |
Does it symbolize an object at all? It symbolizes nothing. If so, is it a tool? A plant, or a part thereof? Does she suggest something more than he is African (eg the exact country, a sport)? The exact country is relevant. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1654 Registered: 11-2008 |
In Africa? If so, is it in its southern part? Northern? In the middle? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2119 Registered: 5-2003 |
In Africa? Yes. If so, is it in its southern part? Yes. Northern? In the middle? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1656 Registered: 11-2008 |
South African Republic? Zambia? Botswana? Angola? Malawi? Mozambique? Namibia? Lesotho? Do we need to know something specific to the country to be able to solve this puzzle? Does she suggest that he is a "soutie"? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2123 Registered: 5-2003 |
South African Republic? This. Zambia? Botswana? Angola? Malawi? Mozambique? Namibia? Lesotho? Do we need to know something specific to the country to be able to solve this puzzle? Yes, but I'm confident everyone here knows it. Does she suggest that he is a "soutie"? (Looks that up) No. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1657 Registered: 11-2008 |
Apartheid relevant? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2125 Registered: 5-2003 |
Apartheid relevant? Yep. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1659 Registered: 11-2008 |
Slavery also relevant? Is the pencil somehow a symbol of the apartheid? Of something symbolizing the humiliation of a black person? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2127 Registered: 5-2003 |
Slavery also relevant? No. Is the pencil somehow a symbol of the apartheid? Yes. Of something symbolizing the humiliation of a black person? Yes. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1661 Registered: 11-2008 |
Is it to symbolize a sign distinguishing the coloureds from the whites? Did such a thing exist (eg was there a liability for the blacks to wear something the whites didn't)? An allusion to a derogatory name given to the blacks (such as eg. a spade?) | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2128 Registered: 5-2003 |
Is it to symbolize a sign distinguishing the coloureds from the whites? Yes. Keep in mind it's NOT really a symbol, however. Did such a thing exist Yes. (eg was there a liability for the blacks to wear something the whites didn't)? No. An allusion to a derogatory name given to the blacks (such as eg. a spade?) No. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1663 Registered: 11-2008 |
Oh dear, now I am stuck. I do not know much about the apartheid. Do you mind if I google? And - as you said everyone here should know the relevant fact you are referring to - do you think I'll need it? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2129 Registered: 5-2003 |
The relevant fact IS apartheid. This puzzle is set in South Africa during apartheid, and I'm sure you know enough about the its basics to puzzle this out without googling. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1664 Registered: 11-2008 |
I know almost nothing about the apartheid :-)) I'll give it a try, however: Is the pencil related to the fact that blacks are not allowed to go to places where whites are? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2130 Registered: 5-2003 |
Is the pencil related to the fact that blacks are not allowed to go to places where whites are? No. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1667 Registered: 11-2008 |
Did the blacks have to wear something similar to a pencil in their hair during the apartheid? Is the pencil meant merely as a distinguishing sign? Is it related to work? transportation? education? cleanliness? or lack thereof? tribal traditions? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2132 Registered: 5-2003 |
Did the blacks have to wear something similar to a pencil in their hair during the apartheid? No. Is the pencil meant merely as a distinguishing sign? Is it related to work? transportation? education? cleanliness? or lack thereof? tribal traditions? None of the above. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1669 Registered: 11-2008 |
Does it indicate that blacks are inferior to whites? Lack of education (ie illiteracy)? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2133 Registered: 5-2003 |
Does it indicate that blacks are inferior to whites? It does represent a prejudice. Lack of education (ie illiteracy)? No. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1675 Registered: 11-2008 |
Does it indicate comparison to somebody? Something? Expresses certain qualities/lack thereof? More limited rights? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1676 Registered: 11-2008 |
Does it indicate comparison to somebody? Something? Expresses certain qualities/lack thereof? More limited rights? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2137 Registered: 5-2003 |
Does it indicate comparison to somebody? Yes. Something? Expresses certain qualities/lack thereof? More limited rights? Yesish to all of these. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1687 Registered: 11-2008 |
A wild guess: Does the pencil represent a handle of a brush (alluding to the tar-brush expression)? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2138 Registered: 5-2003 |
A wild guess: Does the pencil represent a handle of a brush (alluding to the tar-brush expression)? No. It represents a pencil. | ||
| Jumpingjack (Jumpingjack)
New member Username: Jumpingjack Post Number: 1120 Registered: 3-2006 |
So by suggesting to him that he might be able to hold a pencil in his hair, is she simply saying that he has hair similar to that of a black man? or maybe hinting that he does actually have black blood? Was it common at the time for people to be 'tested' in this way? (something like how the Nazis measured people's noses during the Holocaust to determine if they were Jewish or not?) | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2140 Registered: 5-2003 |
So by suggesting to him that he might be able to hold a pencil in his hair, is she simply saying that he has hair similar to that of a black man? or maybe hinting that he does actually have black blood? Was it common at the time for people to be 'tested' in this way? (something like how the Nazis measured people's noses during the Holocaust to determine if they were Jewish or not?) You got it. SPOILERS AHEAD! *************** In South Africa during apartheid, it was necessary for people to be physically separated by race. In many cases, of course, it was hard to tell which side someone (for example, a "colored" half-caste) fell on. The standard was the pencil test, in which a pencil was stuck into the person's hair. If his hair was kinky enough for the pencil to stick there, he was black; if it fell out, he was white. This is a simplistic rendering, of course, and there were grades of "blackness" just as there were in the American South. Like Hitler's Aryanism, it was of course pseudoscientific. Among whites in such a society, it was a common and dire insult to suggest that someone could not pass the pencil test and thus had black blood. |
