"The Train From Rhodesia" is a short story written by South African political activist Nadine Gordimer describing one woman's awakening to the isolation and selfishness of her social class. A wealthy white woman wishes to buy what she believes to be a cool lion's mask from a poor african man, but elects to pass it up because she feels it's too expensive. Her husband is determined to buy it for her and bargains it down to a fraction of the original price right before the train leaves. He is proud of his bargaining victory and gives the mask to his wife. His wife doesn't accept the gift to his surprise. At this moment the wife realizes the mistreatment and humiliation the upper class shows towards the poor. "She is dismayed at this purchase because it represents the humiliation her husband has forced upon the old African." She realizes the mistreatment of the lower class and the embarrassment of her own. She immediately feels guilty. She is shameful and wonders if all the animal carvings truly mean anything. She is disgusted by the treatment of her class towards the villagers. At this moment she is awakened to the selfishness of her class, engulfing her in grief and humiliation.
Source: https://www.scribd.com/doc/59518394/The-Train-From-Rhodesia
Source: https://www.scribd.com/doc/59518394/The-Train-From-Rhodesia