Intro: “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah is a non-fiction book about how the comedian’s life growing up in South Africa during and after apartheid. This book mixes humor with insights about race, identity and belonging.

Important themes: Two major themes from this book are family and belonging. We read all throughout the book about his cherished relationship with his mother and how she has always been a massive part of his life. We also see that in the book, Trevor mentions quite a bit how he struggles to see himself fitting or belonging anywhere, this second topic being a major part of the book.

Summary: In this book, Trevor shares stories from his childhood and early life in South Africa throughout and past apartheid. Born to a black mother and a white father, Noah writes about the challenges of growing up in a racially divided society as a biracial boy. Each chapter explores his personal experiences, discussing topics like family, resilience, and the impact of systemic oppression.

Picture 1:

In this page, we focused on identifying efferent/informational and aesthetic parts of the book. I found that the informational sections primarily highlighted the apartheid rules, which help emphasize the gravity of the situation during that time. I believe I captured this well with the quotes I selected, as they provide a deeper understanding of the harsh realities Trevor Noah faced while growing up in South Africa.

Picture 2: 

This page defines POV and voice analysis, which are essential for understanding Born a Crime, as the book is narrated by Trevor Noah, a biracial man growing up in apartheid South Africa. By analyzing his point of view, we gain deeper insight into his experiences and connect with the themes of race, identity, and survival. The voice analysis also helps us recognize how Trevor’s unique tone and humor, was influenced by his mother, which adds depth to his deep and loving relationship with his mom. I think this page was good because I went straight to the point and stayed clear.

Picture 3:

This page focused on expressing our thoughts on why Trevor Noah wrote Born a Crime. I believe this is one of the most compelling pages, as it delves into the purpose behind the book, which is to share his personal story and highlight the struggles of growing up biracial in apartheid South Africa. I think I did a good job capturing the essence of why Trevor would write this book, considering his desire to shed light on the complexities of race, identity, and survival.

Picture 4:

The final page I chose focused on collecting the best “mic drop” moments, whether at the ends of paragraphs or chapters. This task reflects some of the most impactful sentences in the book, showcasing Trevor Noah’s skill in delivering poignant, thought-provoking conclusions. I believe it was a great page because each selected quote carries a significant emotional weight, highlighting the depth of his storytelling and the profound messages he conveys.