When Beryl is quite young, she reflects that "softness and helplessness got you nothing in this place." Do you agree with her?

When Beryl is quite young, she reflects that "softness and helplessness got you nothing in this place." Do you agree with her? Or do you think Beryl placed too much value on strength and independence?

Beryl basically had free rein in her life until Mrs. Orchardson moves in. She's been her father's shadow and disciple from an early age. She'd had the freedom of her friendship with Ruta, which probably wouldn't have happened is she'd had a mother present. She had to make her own way in a rugged land. Her toughness led her into typically male endeavors at a time when that wasn't done. I do admire her for that.

Given the rugged circumstances of Beryl's childhood, I can see why she would feel that "softness and helplessness got you nothing..." She wasn't really allowed to be soft and helpless. She had to fight and struggle and endure in almost every aspect of her young life.

In her life context,

Yes, from Beryl's perspective I think this is true.

I have travelled in southern Africa and I would think that Beryl realized that independence, strength of will and toughness were the only sure paths to survival. Africa was dangerous territory that demanded a lot of Europeans. Some thrived like her father, Denys and Karen, but others simply left like her mother, Doris and Boy.

Yes. That was a departure for her era! It shows that she was very strong and brave even at a young age.

Daily life was survival of the fittest for Beryl. Any sign of weakness could put her in mortal danger so Beryl became a strong, independent woman.

Africa was not a place for the weak -- surprising that a few women loved it so much. Not as surprising that some of the men did -- it was really a place for strong men and women.