Trevor Noah's Childhood Experiences

Questions and Answers

Who are the Khoisan?

The native Americans of South Africa.

Why did Trevor have no friends?

He couldn't make any friends because he was different.

What type of haircut did Trevor have when he lived in Eden Park?

Afro

Why did colored people think that Trevor thought he was better than them?

Trevor spoke perfect English and went to a white church. Signup and view all the answers

Why did his mother start laughing when Trevor came back home after being attacked by mulberries?

Patricia was laughing because she thought that Trevor had gotten beaten up and she was relieved that he only had mulberry juice on him. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Abel physically.

He was big, around 6 foot 3, long and lean with a dangerous vibe. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Patricia tell Trevor not to tell Abel what happened?

She told him not to say anything because she knew he would take his anger out on one of the bullies. Signup and view all the answers

What did the kids do as soon as they saw Abel and Trevor?

They quickly scattered knowing they would end up getting hurt. Signup and view all the answers

Did Trevor like revenge?

True Signup and view all the answers

What happened after Abel beat up the kid?

Abel demanded that the kid say sorry to Trevor for what he did. Signup and view all the answers

What did Trevor's mom never teach him?

How to be a boy. Signup and view all the answers

What would Trevor's mom always tell him?

The way that you treat me is the way you will treat women. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Khoisan and Trevor's Childhood

Khoisan are the indigenous people of South Africa, recognized for their unique cultures and languages.
Trevor struggled to form friendships due to his different background and experiences.

Appearance and Perceptions

He sported an Afro haircut while living in Eden Park, reflecting both cultural identity and personal style.
Trevor's fluent English and attendance at a predominantly white church led some colored individuals to perceive him as aloof or superior.

Family Dynamics and Humor

Patricia, Trevor's mother, found humor in an incident where he returned covered in mulberry juice, mistaking it for a worse injury.

Abel's Influence

Abel, described as tall (around 6 foot 3) and imposing, had a reputation that instilled fear among the neighborhood kids.
Trevor's mother warned him to withhold information from Abel about school bullying to prevent retaliatory violence.

Fear and Conflict

Other kids would flee at the sight of Abel and Trevor, anticipating trouble if they provoked them.
While Trevor initially thrived on thoughts of revenge, he experienced a change of heart upon witnessing fear in his adversary's eyes.

Confrontation and Apology

After Abel intervened and physically retaliated against a bully, he required the child to apologize to Trevor, showcasing a sense of justice.
Trevor's upbringing lacked traditional male guidance, as his mother never explicitly taught him how to embody masculine traits.

Lessons on Respect

Patricia instilled critical values in Trevor, reinforcing that his treatment of her would influence how he interacted with women in the future.

Description

Explore the intricacies of Trevor Noah's upbringing as portrayed in his memoir. This quiz delves into his experiences as a mixed-race child in South Africa, highlighting cultural dynamics, family influence, and the challenges he faced in forming friendships. Test your understanding of his unique background and its impact on his identity.