In Nadine Gordimer's short story "Town and Country Lovers", the oppressive force of racism in apartheid South Africa is expressed in the details of the relationship between Dr. Franz - Josef von Leinsdorf and the girl. From a superficial view of their relationship, the two appear to be tragic “star-crossed lovers” separated by unjust laws. However, upon deeper analysis, they are separated not only by the state, but also by their individual habitus and the racist undertones that are created in their relationship because of this. Even before they are captured by the South African authorities, they are separated physically, educationally and socially, which is reflected in every aspect of their relationship. While their relationship may seem like a step forward against racism, this abstract force is still very much present in the details of their love story throughout the narrative. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay One of the main and most obvious flaws in their relationship is their physical separation in the eyes of the public. Even though they have sex in his apartment “every late afternoon” (Gordimer 84), they “never kiss when either of them [leaves] the apartment” (85). By keeping their relationship hidden in the apartment, they reinforce society's racist view because they neither question nor oppose it. The girl justifies the secrecy of their relationship by insisting that "he works on his papers, writing, writing, every night, so [it doesn't matter] that [they can't] go out together in public places" (84). . The only time they can be together outside of the apartment is "when they [drive] to the countryside... where [there is] no one" (84). Once again, the two are physically separated in the public sphere and can only be together when no one else is around. Her justification as to why it doesn't matter that they don't leave the house shows that she is passive towards this racism. Although society does not allow the two to be together, Dr. von Leinsdorf and the girl reinforce these racist views by hiding the flaws in their love story. Their physical separation in the eyes of the public is a specific example of racism in their relationship. Second, although the two are in a romantic relationship, Dr. von Leinsdorf acts as an educator and is condescending towards the girl, which serves as a further vehicle for racism. The two have very different educational backgrounds: Dr. von Leinsdorf is "an educated man engaged in international mineralogical research" as opposed to the girl who "left school in Standard Three", separating them educationally and enabling racism to arise in many areas of their lives. relationship (88). Dr. von Leinsdorf's condescension is evident when he teaches the girl how to make "real coffee, fresh, from the beans" as it is made "in [his] country" (83). When she tries to explain how she makes coffee, he “laughs, instructive” (83). Although subtle, he is mocking her habitus and scorns her way of making coffee, gaslighting her with his supposedly superior method. This motif drives the narrative forward. The girl "never attempts to cook anything until she [watches] silently as he [does it] the way he likes, and she [learns] to reproduce exactly the simple dishes he prefers", completely adapting to making things how he expects them to be done (84). This reinforces racism because it has a negative undercurrent of white, superior people coming in and gaslighting the “inferior people” with their better ways. He also teaches her how to write and "correct her mistakes.