My reaction to Jennifer’s disbelieving Maxie’s story was that it was presumptuous of her; but Maxie might better have replied, saying, “I assure you, it happened just as I told it.” That’s assuming it was true. People can learn. If Jennifer has some naive views, she could be helped to understand, rather than covertly rejected. But as far as Gordimer’s story goes, I understand that it depicts people’s attitudes and behaviors as they might actually be, or have been. Jake certainly has his prejudices. But even if he’s right it seems to me that Jennifer means well. I think Gordimer successfully conveys this, even though she is presenting the story from Jake’s point of view, albeit 3rd person.

I’m not clear why you say Maxie’s story isn’t plausible. What clue do you see for that conclusion? Was it too odd that he would have been assured that the food was clean, etc., as their own?