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Ha'penny by Alan Paton
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Point of View
Theme
The point of view this short story was told in was first person, with the narrator not knowing what others were thinking or feeling.
Alan Paton (the author) had also worked in a reformatory and I believe that this was based off of a true story, making Alan the narrator.
Rising Action
As soon as Ha'penny talks about his family, the story starts to get more interesting. The narrator then investigates further and learns that the family Ha'penny told him about does indeed exist.
The main theme that I could sense was the fact that a lack of family and loneliness can lead to you being negatively affected mentally and physically.
Setting
Resolution
This story is set in Johannesburg, South Africa in a reformatory for youth.
I believe the story is set between the years of 1935 to 1949 since that is when Alan worked at Diepkloof Reformatory for Young.
The story ends with Ha'penny passing away. Both the narrator and Mrs. Maarman are saddened and Mrs. Maarman feels guilty for not taking Ha'penny under her wing sooner. She then leaves for Bloemfontein and the narrator stays and continues with his job at the reformatory.
Exposition
Ha'penny
The story starts with the narrator, who works at the reformatory, introducing the reader to Ha'penny. Ha'penny is a homeless boy and intrigues the reader when he tells the narrator about his family.
In "Ha'penny" by Alan Paton, the narrator tells the reader about the events that take place in a South African reformatory for youth regarding a homeless boy who desperately craves a family to call his own.
Climax
I would say that the climax of this story is when the narrator finds out that Mrs. Maarman and her children are not related to Ha'penny but simply lived on his street. The narrator then also writes to Mrs. Maarman.
I think "Ha'penny" focuses a lot on what we, as humans, need to be happy and what those around us can do to help. The narrator seems like a kind and understanding person and his tone suggests that he was curious about and fond of Ha'penny.