🚶🏾♂️➡️Tufty Flashcards
Who is Tufty?
Tufty is a black man that Leon meets at Rookery Road Allotments.
What is Tufty’s importance to the novel?
With the lack of male role-models, and a situation which leaves Leon devoid of knowledge of his West indian Heritage, Tufty quickly becomes a role model to Leon. He seems to enjoy teaching him and looking after him, and helps Leon to develop throughout the text. He seems to be an archetypal sage, and a paternal (father-like) figure.
“His skin is brown [… like his dad’s but shiny and muscly like the Hulk. He has three scars across his shoulder like he’s been shot or attacked, another scar on his cheek. He’s a warrior.” (Ch. 17)
In his initial description of Tufty, Leon sees him as a ‘wasp’ because of his yellow cycling clothes and dark skin. In Chapter 17, Leon’s descriptions of him use the semantic field of strength and survival: hulk’, ‘muscly’, and ‘warrior.’ Leon immediately seems to idolise and admire him, and we sense the importance of him as a role model in Leon’s life. The phrase ‘warrior’ is perhaps ironic as Tufty prefers peaceful protest, but de Waal could also be suggesting that there are different ways to fight for what you believe- not just violence.
‘The sun,’ he says, closing his eyes and turning his face to the sky, is a healer. When the sun comes out everybody smiles. World looks different. You can manage in the sun what you can’t manage in the rain.’ (Ch. 17)
This quotation is optimistic and hopeful. Like Maureen and Sylvia, Tufty tries to give the message that there are low points and high points in life, and when things are around you to support and nourish you, it’s easier to feel positive. Archetypal sage and role model teaching and guiding Leon. This links with the Bildungsroman genre of the novel, as Leon learns and grows as he comes of age- also reflected in the setting of the allotments, symbolising growing up.
‘He folds the top of the seed packet over like he saw Tufty do and puts it in his pocket.’ (Ch. 18)
Children learn by imitating adults, and copy what adults model. Leon lacks role models in his life, particularly male role models or those from his culture, and seems to see Tufty as a parent-figure. In the novel, Tufty seems to take on the Sage Archetype- he teaches Leon (about gardening, culture, and life in general), and has experience and wisdom.
‘Perhaps your balls haven’t dropped yet, is that it?’ (Ch. 27)
Even the police, when they approach Tufty, seem to be critical of his peaceful approach to the law, emasculating him and mocking him. It highlights issues about police mistreatment and prejudice, and in a society now where people are often praised for peaceful protest, seems unfair and cruel.
‘This is about them police the other day. You see me do anything?
You see me start any argument? I did nothing. …This is about racism, pure and simple.’ (Ch. 29)
The reader recognises the unfariness of Tuftys treatment here- he did nothing wrong, but it being hounded by police and threatened for eviction from the allotments because of systemic racism. We empathise with Tufty here- he was criticised by the police for not doing anything in previous chapters, and now he’s still facing negative consequences even when doing what he believes is right.
“When people f* with you, you got a choice. You f* back or you swallow down. … Swallow enough times and you start to choke. […] Or you learn to accept. Let go. Breathe easy.” (Ch. 30)
This quotation seems to summarise Tufty’s philosophy of life: you cannot get angry at things you cannot change (like Castro), but you need to accept and move on. We recognise here that people are faced with difficult choices when they witness or experience injustice. De Waal uses his changing perspectives on conflict to explore how we deal with difficult things.
‘We are the consequence of history / We are the warriors you made.’ “We have dignity and worth.’ (Ch. 33)
Perhaps in contrast to his personal philosophy we saw in Chapter 30, Tufty’s poem emphasises how the history of Britain’s treatment of black people- imperialism, slavery, the Windrush generation- has forced them into having to become warriors to fight back. The poem is powerful, and suggests a turning point in Tufty’s character- he is no longer going to ignore or accept mistreatment, but will fight back through words and language.
“You ever been angry? […] I mean down in your belly. You ever been angry in your balls? (Chapter 36)
This quotation seems to epitomise the effects of mistreatment, oppression, and systemic racism after Castro is killed by palicemen in an unlawful moment of police brutality, Tufty has finally had enough of being peaceful and verbalises his anger at the injustice of the situation.
‘I ain’t fighting you, man. […] I’m not a fighter. I don’t hate people. I’m not fighting no more.’ (Chapter 37)
With the diversion of finding Leon, Tufty reverts back to his philosophy of peace. He is still angry, but recognises that there other ways to change rather than just violence.
‘Leon likes it when they pretend to argue like they used to.’ (Chapter 42)
This ending, where Devlin and Tufty are now friends, is a satisfactory resolution as one of the key conflicts of the sub-plot has now been resolved. It leaves the reader hopeful for the future.
“like the hulk”
Since Leon is into superhero’s and action men, a key motif throughout the text, this simile is significant as it expresses the extent of Leon’s awe. The simile creates a tone of admiration suggesting that Leon looks up to him demonstrating Tuftys importance as a role model.
