"Country Lovers" is a short story written by Nadine Gordimer, a South African author who was known for her political activism and her works that explored the theme of racial segregation and apartheid in South Africa. The story is set in South Africa during the time when racial segregation was still practiced, and it tells the tale of two young people, Paulus and Thebedi, who fall in love with each other despite the social barriers that stand in their way.
The story begins with Paulus, a white boy, and Thebedi, a black girl, playing together as children on the farm where they both live. Despite the fact that their parents forbid them from spending time together, they continue to meet secretly, drawn to each other by their shared love of the land and their bond as friends. As they grow older, their love for each other deepens, and they become romantically involved.
However, their love is not without challenges. As a white man, Paulus is afforded privileges and opportunities that are denied to Thebedi as a black woman. Thebedi is also forced to marry another man, who is chosen for her by her family, and she is forced to bear his children. Despite this, she and Paulus continue to see each other in secret, their love sustained by the memories of their childhood together and their shared love of the land.
Ultimately, their love is doomed by the social and racial barriers that stand in their way. Paulus is eventually sent away to study abroad, and Thebedi is left behind, forced to live a life that is dictated by the expectations of her society. When Paulus returns, he is unable to reunite with Thebedi and is instead forced to marry a woman from his own social class. Thebedi, meanwhile, is left to live out her life in poverty and isolation, her only solace being the memories of the love that she shared with Paulus.
"Country Lovers" is a poignant and heart-wrenching tale of love and loss, set against the backdrop of a society that is divided by race and class. It is a reminder of the ways in which social and political systems can shape and limit our lives and our choices, and it is a testament to the enduring power of love to transcend such barriers.