Boston Throws Up and Throws Shade: A Look at One Gang Member's Less Than Stellar Reaction to Murder
So, you've cracked open Athol Fugard's gritty masterpiece, Tsotsi, and you're knee-deep in the brutal world of Johannesburg's gangsters. Things are bleak, tensions are high, and then WHAM! Our merry band of thugs offs a poor schmuck named Gumboot. But wait, what's this? One member of the gang isn't exactly down to celebrate with a celebratory shank dance. Yes, folks, we're talking about Boston, the gang's resident fountain of… well, let's just say his internal plumbing wasn't too happy about the whole murder thing.
How Does Boston React To The Killing Of Gumboot And Why |
The Great Upchuck: A Sign of Weakness or Inner Thoreau?
Now, you might think Boston's technicolor yawn is just weakness. Here's a guy surrounded by hardened criminals, and he loses his lunch over a little homicide? Get a grip, right? Wrong. Boston's reaction is the most interesting part of the whole scene. See, unlike his callous comrades, Boston actually has a conscience, a pesky little voice whispering that maybe, just maybe, carving up a dude for his paycheck isn't the most stand-up move.
Tip: Take a sip of water, then continue fresh.
This internal struggle manifests itself in the most gloriously human way possible: projectile vomiting. While Butcher and Die Aap are high-fiving over their kill count, Boston is having a heart-to-heart with the nearest gutter. It's both hilarious and heartbreaking.
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But Why the Big Fuss, Boston?
There are a few reasons why Boston flips his metaphorical cookies over Gumboot's demise. Here's the lowdown:
Tip: Stop when you find something useful.
- He Ain't Built for the Brutality: Look, Boston isn't exactly Mr. Sunshine, but compared to the rest of the gang, he's practically Mother Teresa. He's the one who questions their actions, the one who seems to yearn for something more. Maybe a life filled with less shankings and more… well, anything else.
- The Gruesome Details Got Him: Let's face it, these guys aren't exactly known for their surgical precision. It's likely the whole messy affair was a bit too much for poor Boston's delicate sensibilities.
- A Glimpse of His Own Mortality: Maybe by witnessing Gumboot's demise, Boston gets a stark reminder of his own precarious place in the world. Today it's Gumboot, tomorrow it could be him on the receiving end of a rusty bicycle spoke. It's a sobering thought, even for a hardened gang member with a questionable fashion sense.
So, Boston's reaction isn't weakness, it's humanity. It's a crack in the hardened exterior, a glimpse of a young man struggling to reconcile the violence around him with whatever shred of decency he has left.
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Tsotsi's Fun Facts: How To Be a Gangster (According to Boston)
How to Be a Gangster (According to Boston):
- Hold onto your lunch: You never know when you might witness something that'll turn your stomach.
- Question authority (sometimes): It's okay to wonder if repeatedly shanking people is the best career choice.
- Develop a taste for subtlety: Maybe a good talking-to is more effective than a shiv to the gut.
- Accessorize with despair: A healthy dose of existential dread goes a long way in the gang life.
- Practice your exit strategy: Because let's be honest, this whole gang thing probably isn't going to end well.
So there you have it, folks. Boston's reaction to Gumboot's demise is a fascinating look at the complexities of human nature, even in the grimy underbelly of Johannesburg. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go bleach my brain after all that talk of shanks and bicycle spokes.