Compare Arthur Jarvis’ son’s attitude toward Kumalo and by extension blacks, to the attitude of the generations above him.

The son of Arthur Jarvis demonstrates that racism is not inherent, it must be taught. The boy is respectful of Kumalo as an adult and a priest in ways that even people like the white reformatory worker, who cared about blacks, were not. He assumes an equality exists, and is surprised to learn it does not exist (for example, he is surprised to learn Ndotsheni’s children are dying because they are too poor to get milk) rather than assuming a superiority and confirming it by what he sees at Kumalo’s house.