Abstract:
In this article, I examine the representation of displacement in Bessie Head’s
When Rain Clouds Gather (1969). Head not only features displaced characters
but also depicts, through her protagonists, the struggles that arise from
displacement. I draw on the work of prominent scholars to explore and apply
concepts such as “home” and belonging, which are central to any discussion of
displacement, as well as to explore the integration challenges faced by, for
example, a displaced person vis-á-vis a settled community. Through a close
reading of the text, I demonstrate how Head uses this work to generate important
insights into displacement.
