No Witchcraft for Sale

Teddy is the young son of the Farquar family, a white landowning family that employs Gideon and other native Africans. As a baby and young boy, the family’s servants doted on him, and he particularly loves to play with Gideon. However, by the time he is six, Teddy becomes more aware of their differences and the power structure imposed by apartheid. He begins to treat Gideon more like a servant than a friend and is dismissive of his son, a Black boy who is a little younger than him. He calls the boy names and tries to scare him, evidently not concerned enough about his feelings to apologize. Even as he bullies Gideon’s son, he still craves Gideon’s attention and approval.

When a snake spits poison into Teddy’s eyes, Gideon heals him with his knowledge of medicinal plants, saving him from going blind by spitting a chewed-up root into his eyes. At the end of the story, Teddy recalls Gideon leading them on a fruitless journey for the root as a joke Gideon played on them, failing to recognize Gideon’s attempt to protect his dignity and cultural traditions. Teddy’s changing relationship with Gideon is a clear illustration of how societal forces can cause problems in relationships that begin free from prejudice.

The Farquars are a white couple that employs African servants on their land. They are devout Christians and appear to treat their servants kindly, but they maintain that it is God’s will and the natural order that white people should dominate Black people. Teddy is their only son; the author indicates that it was not easy for them to conceive Teddy, and they were not able to have more children after him. For this reason, the Farquars and their servants dote on Teddy. The Farquars represent many white families in colonial Africa who are well-meaning but ultimately support the privilege and entitlement that comes with colonial and apartheid policies.

When Gideon heals their son’s eyes from snake poison, the Farquars reward him with praise, gifts, and a raise, but they are uncomfortable with being beholden to a servant for saving their son. When the scientist comes to town to learn more about the healing root, the Farquars are eager to have Gideon share his knowledge. They are seduced by the idea of helping others, but they would like the root to be widely used to relieve themselves of the burden of owing so much to Gideon. They are confused and angry when Gideon refuses to help by showing the scientist where the root grows; they feel it is an act of hostility and disloyalty, and it takes some time for them to recover.

In the end, Gideon’s small act of resistance is personally meaningful for him but does not affect the colonial power structure. The Farquars laugh over the incident years later—Gideon is still their servant, and they still enjoy their elevated social position as white colonizers.