Questions and Answers
How did Trevor get out of jail?
The cop connected him with a lawyer. His mother paid the lawyer's fees and his bail. His lawyer helped get him out of jail on bail.
How did Patricia's relationship with Abel begin?
Abel worked at a garage called Mighty Mechanics where Patricia took her car for repairs. He became her boyfriend and lived with them.
What was Abel's family like, and what did Patricia think of the family culture?
They lived in Tzaneen, a Tsonga homeland, which was extremely patriarchal. Patricia disliked the culture and mocked it.
Describe the first instance of Abel's abuse.
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How did Trevor respond when Abel hit him for forging his mother's signature?
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Describe the incident when Abel shot Patricia.
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Why did the doctor call what happened a miracle, and why does Trevor's mom believe she was spared?
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Why did Trevor's date with Bibiki turn out so terribly?
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What event in Trevor's childhood most cemented his reputation as a 'naughty child'?
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When Trevor claims that he was 'born a crime,' what does he mean?
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Why did Trevor not take the advanced track of classes at H.A. Jack Primary School?
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How does Trevor's family respond after they find his feces in the trash?
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What South African languages does Trevor speak?
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How did Trevor and his mother communicate about disciplinary matters when he was a child?
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What did Trevor's friend Andrew do for him that changed his life?
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What was the term for young people in the Alex neighborhood who were relatively well-off?
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What does Trevor do that gets him caught in jail for a week?
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How is Trevor able to become friends with the scary Hulk who is imprisoned in the same jail cell as him?
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What is the 'miracle' experienced by Trevor's mother at the end of the book?
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What made Trevor such a successful DJ in Johannesburg?
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What role did church play in Trevor's upbringing?
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What is Trevor's mother like, based on his descriptions?
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How did Trevor end up being thrown from the mini-bus?
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How did apartheid come about according to Noah?
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How did Trevor's mother find a place to live in Johannesburg?
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What was life like for Trevor as a child in Johannesburg and Soweto?
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Explain Trevor's experience growing up 'in a world run by women.'
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What does Trevor call Soweto?
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What happened when Trevor decided to use the bathroom on the floor instead of the public outhouse?
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After Trevor injured his cousin Bulelwa's ear, why did Bulelwa and the other cousins get punished while Trevor did not?
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What are some other perks that Trevor experienced for being 'white'?
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Describe Trevor's experience at Maryvale College School and H.A. Jack Primary School.
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Describe Patricia's upbringing.
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How did Trevor's life change when he and his mother moved to Eden Park?
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What did Patricia do to give Trevor everything she never had?
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Explain some things Trevor does that show he is a 'hyperactive' kid.
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Describe Trevor's relationship with his mom using his metaphor.
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What incident happened with the Catholic Eucharist?
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What happened to Trevor's 2 black cats?
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Describe the story of Fufi escaping.
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What were some experiences Trevor had with his dad when he was young?
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How did Trevor contact his dad later in life?
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What was it like for Trevor to see his dad later in life?
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Why does Trevor say 'I was the anomaly wherever we lived?'
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Describe the mulberry tree story.
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What happened with Maylene on Valentine's Day?
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What was Trevor's new school, Sandringham, like?
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How did Trevor find his niche at Sandringham?
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What happened with Trevor's crush on Zaheera?
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Who is Teddy and how does Trevor get into mischief with him?
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What did Tom promise Trevor?
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What happened when Trevor took Babiki to the school dance?
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Why does Trevor say that having money was the most liberating feeling?
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How does Trevor become a DJ?
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What happened when Trevor was asked to DJ at King David school?
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Describe Alex and why Trevor calls it 'the hood.'
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What does it mean to be a 'cheese boy'?
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What are the different 'degrees of crime' that Trevor describes?
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What type of business does Trevor run in the hood?
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How did Trevor lose his music?
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What stolen item made Trevor want to stop selling stolen goods?
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Why was Trevor arrested?
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What was Trevor's time in jail like?
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Study Notes
Family - Growing Up
- Trevor's mother was devoutly Christian, attending three different churches each Sunday, emphasizing her strong faith and diverse social interactions.
- She is characterized as stubborn, determined, and fierce, facing societal dangers while striving to maintain a normal life.
- Trevor's illegal existence in Johannesburg made family outings complicated—his parents had to walk on opposite sides of the street to avoid attracting attention.
Race - Tribal Dynamics
- Trevor and his mother once hitchhiked home from church and faced harassment from a mini-bus driver, resulting in Trevor's mother having to forcibly exit the bus to protect her family.
Apartheid Origins
- Apartheid emerged after the British Empire's fall, with Afrikaners devising a sophisticated system of racial oppression, studying global racism to enforce segregation in South Africa.
Living Conditions
- Patricia, Trevor's mother, established a home in Johannesburg with guidance from fellow Xhosa women, adapting by dressing as a maid to secure housing from a Swiss/German expat.
- Soweto, where Trevor grew up, was likened to a "prison" with poor infrastructure and a black market economy, showcasing the bleak realities of his childhood environment.
Education and Identity
- Trevor's school experiences varied widely; at Maryvale College, he encountered racial integration, while at H.A. Jack Primary, he faced the racial divides that influenced social group dynamics.
- He sought connection and belonging among black peers, reflecting on the impact of race on friendships and educational experiences.
Motherly Influence
- Patricia aimed to provide Trevor with opportunities she lacked, exposing him to experiences deemed "whites only" and prioritizing his education and personal growth.
Relationships and Betrayals
- Through experiences such as losing his dog and crushes in school, Trevor navigated complex feelings of betrayal and unrequited affections, highlighting the intricacies of growing up in a racially charged society.
Crime and Entrepreneurship
- Trevor's ventures into the world of crime that began with small thefts eventually evolved into a business selling pirated CDs and offering informal loans, revealing his ingenuity in adapting to his environment.
Interactive Experiences
- Notable moments included Trevor's mischief at school, interaction with authority figures, and the dynamic with his stepfather, Abel, who initially provided a sense of stability but later became an abusive figure.
Legal Troubles
- Trevor faced arrest related to grand theft auto and his time in jail offered a harsh learning curve about life, identity, and the influence of socioeconomic conditions.
Family and Abuse
- Abel's abusive nature was revealed through instances of violence and mishaps, contributing to a tumultuous home life for Trevor and his mother.
Conclusion
- Trevor's upbringing was characterized by the intersection of family, race, and societal challenges, shaping his identity and perspective as he navigated through adversity and sought personal fulfillment.### Discipline and Escape
- Trevor associates discipline with a lack of love, leading to his escape from an abusive situation with Abel.
- After the incident, Trevor chooses to live in hiding, likening his existence to that of a mouse, avoiding direct encounters with Abel.
Shooting Incident
- Patricia was shot by Abel after returning home from church with her family.
- Abel accused Patricia of stealing his life, threatened her family, and shot her as Andrew intervened.
- Following the initial impact, the gun misfired, allowing Patricia to get to the car, but she was ultimately shot in the head.
- Andrew rushed his mother to the hospital after placing her in the passenger seat.
Miracle and Beliefs
- The doctor termed the survival of Patricia as a miracle since the bullet avoided vital areas, leaving her functional.
- Trevor's mother attributes her survival to her prayers during the incident, believing divine intervention occurred at the moment of the gun misfire.
Language Barrier
- Trevor's date with Bibiki failed due to a language barrier, as they did not share a common language.
Reputation in Childhood
- Trevor earned a reputation as a "naughty child" after accidentally burning down a house, showcasing his troublesome behavior as a child.
Identity and Background
- Trevor refers to being "born a crime" due to his mixed-race origins, which were illegal under apartheid laws.
School Experience
- At H.A. Jack Primary School, Trevor opts against advanced classes, feeling uncomfortable identifying as black among predominantly white students.
Family Dynamics and Religion
- Upon discovering feces in the trash, Trevor's mother attributes it to demonic influence and organizes a prayer meeting.
Languages Spoken
- Trevor speaks several South African languages, notably Xhosa.
Communication with Mother
- Trevor and his mother communicated disciplinary matters through written letters, given his speed in verbal arguments.
Introduction to Making Money
- Trevor's friend Andrew significantly impacted his life by gifting him a CD burner, which enabled Trevor to generate income.
Local Terminology
- In the Alex neighborhood of Johannesburg, affluent youths were referred to as "Cheese Boys," indicating their potential to escape poverty.
Legal Trouble
- Troubles arose when Trevor was jailed for a week due to driving a car with a license plate that did not belong to him.
Establishing Connections
- In jail, Trevor befriended the intimidating Hulk by communicating in Tsonga, the only language spoken in the cell that he understood.
Miracle Recovery
- Trevor's mother experiences a miraculous recovery after being shot in the head, fully recuperating by the end of the narrative.
Success as a DJ
- Trevor distinguishes himself as a successful DJ in Johannesburg by maintaining a vast music collection, greatly exceeding that of his peers.
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Explore important concepts from 'Born a Crime' through these flashcards. Understand the pivotal role of Trevor Noah's mother and the influence of church in his upbringing. Perfect for reviewing key themes and character insights.