Literary Analysis of Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
In Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime, readers are introduced to the comedian’s childhood
and overall life in South Africa. This is done through a series of different chapters, each
focusing on a different part of his past. However, in many chapters, Noah brings up a
common theme: His race. As a mixed kid in South Africa growing up during Apartheid
(and its aftermath), Noah had many issues regarding space; namely so where he belongs,
where he is allowed, and where he cannot go. These issues raise the question: What role
does Trevor Noah’s race play in terms of physical space?
As Noah moves through different schools and systems - both diverse and not - the
rising issue of his mixed background becomes more and more apparent. As a younger child
at Maryvale, Noah recalls on page 56, “In my class we had all kinds of kids. Black kids,
white kids, Indian kids, colored kids… because of scholarships, we all sat at the same
table… There was no racial separation. Every clique was racially mixed.” Then later on the
same page, he explains, “I don’t remember anybody being teased about their race… It was
a wonderful experience to have, but the downside was that it sheltered me from reality.”
With Noah being younger and at a more diverse school, his race doesn’t clearly play into
much. He does not have the notion instilled in him that since he is different from the other
kids, he will face discrimination – all Noah knows at Maryvale is that all colors of kids can
play, work, eat, and learn together. Once he moves to a larger and more segregated school,
the idea that his race plays into his everyday life becomes a fact. During recess, Noah is
faced with the conundrum that he is neither black, nor white, nor Indian. He is immediately
