Donker web | Hoofstuk 12 Summary | Afrikaans FAL

Summary

Greg is confronted with unsettling truths about his family when he discovers his mother’s secret relationship with a man named Andre. His emotional turmoil deepens during a visit to his father in prison, where the strained conversation reveals bitter family secrets and unresolved tension. Greg’s father, imprisoned for a crime, denies any involvement in other dark matters, including a mysterious figure named 'the baker.' As Greg grapples with his emotions and the painful revelations, he becomes more determined to uncover the truth, even as he faces chilling encounters with familiar faces from the past.

Takeaways

• 😀 Greg arrives home to find a strange man, Andre, in his house, and learns that his mom has been involved with him romantically.
• 😀 Greg's mother reveals that there are many secrets in their family, and Andre is a chemical engineer with whom she has been intimate.
• 😀 Greg visits his father in prison and learns about the difficult conditions he endures, including poor food, cramped living spaces, and lack of privacy.
• 😀 Greg's dad expresses frustration and resentment towards him for dragging their name through the mud, though Greg denies responsibility for the crimes his father committed.
• 😀 Greg feels conflicted about his father's situation and their strained relationship, but refuses to tell his father about his mother's affair with Andre.
• 😀 Greg's father complains about the lack of visits from his mother, which has left him feeling neglected despite her occasional visits.
• 😀 The prison visit takes an emotional toll on Greg, as he struggles with the reality of his father's circumstances and the lingering guilt over their family’s problems.
• 😀 Greg's father warns him to stay away from someone named 'the baker,' but refuses to explain further, leaving Greg more curious and unsettled.
• 😀 Greg’s father shows a strong emotional reaction when Greg mentions 'the baker,' causing Greg to feel uneasy about what is being hidden.
• 😀 At the end of the visit, Greg is shaken after encountering the former school principal, who he believes to be a murderer, fueling his desire to investigate further into the mystery of the baker.

Q & A

Why does Greg feel shocked when he arrives home and finds a man in his house?

Greg is shocked because he finds a man, Andre, standing in his house wearing only boxers. This man is about the same age as Greg's father, and it is clear that his mother has been hiding something from him.

What does Greg's mother reveal about her relationship with Andre?

Greg's mother reveals that she has been lonely and that Andre is a chemical engineer. She hints at a deeper connection between them, suggesting that their relationship has been ongoing for some time.

What is Greg's reaction when he finds out about his mother's relationship with Andre?

Greg reacts with frustration and anger, accusing his mother of sleeping with Andre and questioning whether this relationship had been going on before his father went to prison.

Why does Greg visit his father in prison?

Greg visits his father in prison to see how he is coping and to stay connected with him, despite the difficulties that come with his father's incarceration.

What does Greg learn about his father's living conditions in prison?

Greg learns that his father is living in harsh conditions: a small, cramped cell with little privacy, poor food, and an overall uncomfortable environment. His father describes the experience as grueling and mentally taxing.

How does Greg feel about his father's situation in prison?

Greg feels sympathy and sadness for his father, acknowledging that his father’s life in prison is extremely difficult. However, he also feels conflicted due to his father's criminal past and their strained relationship.

What secret does Greg decide not to share with his father during their visit?

Greg decides not to tell his father about his mother’s relationship with Andre, choosing to keep that information from him during the visit.

Why does Greg's father ask him to stay away from the baker?

Greg’s father warns him to stay away from the baker, likely because the baker is linked to dark secrets from the past that his father wants to protect him from. His father reacts with fear when Greg mentions the baker.

What does Greg realize when he sees the former school principal in prison?

When Greg sees the former school principal in prison, he realizes that the principal, who was involved in a murder, might have some connection to his own family's dark past. This encounter increases Greg’s desire to find out more about the baker.

What emotions does Greg experience when thinking about his father's smell?

Greg feels a deep sense of longing and nostalgia when thinking about how his father might smell. He recalls that his father used to smell like sweet and cheap soap, and he imagines that if he could hug him, his father would still smell that way.