LIEN SE LANKSTAANSKOENE – COMPLETE CHEAT SHEET FOR ENGLISH LEARNERS
Genre: Novel (Roman)
Target Grade: 12 FAL
This cheat sheet gives you the whole story in simple English, plus all the characters, themes, and exam tips you need. Read this alongside the original book.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Quick Summary (English)
2. Character List with Descriptions
3. Chapter-by-Chapter Summary (Afrikaans & English side by side)
4. Themes
5. Symbols (Simboliek)
6. Important Quotes (Belangrike aanhalings)
7. Exam Tips & Possible Questions
8. Vocabulary Help (Woordeskat)
1. QUICK SUMMARY (IN ENGLISH)
Lien Jooste is a matric learner whose father is in prison for fraud. Her mother, Christein, has become an alcoholic and cannot hold a job or take care of Lien and her younger brother Braam. The family moves from their luxury home to a small apartment.
Lien works at a coffee shop and later a hair salon to earn money, but when she loses both jobs, she is desperate. She disguises herself with a wig and glasses and goes to beg at a traffic light in a rich area. There she meets Roos and Tibbey, two other people who beg on the streets.
At school, her friends Wouter and Miemie support her. Her drama teacher helps her discover her talent for acting. Throughout the story, Lien grows from a bitter, angry girl into a responsible, compassionate young woman. She learns that running away from problems does not help and that true friendship can be found in unexpected places.
2. CHARACTER LIST (KARAKTERS)
Lien Jooste – The main character (protagonist). A matric girl who is responsible, hardworking, and caring. She sacrifices her own dreams to support her family. She learns to forgive and to accept help from others.
Braam Jooste – Lien's younger brother. He is quiet and often ignored by their mother. Lien takes care of him like a mother.
Christein Jooste (Ma) – Lien's mother. She becomes an alcoholic after her husband goes to prison. She cannot cope and neglects her children. Later, she goes to rehabilitation.
Pa Jooste – Lien's father. A lawyer who is in prison for fraud (bedrog). Lien hates him for what he did to the family.
Wouter – Lien's friend at school. He is kind and supports Lien. He has a crush on her.
Miemie – Lien's friend. She is from a rich family and does not understand Lien's problems at first, but she tries to help.
Roos – A woman who begs on the streets. She becomes Lien's friend and teaches her how to survive. She is wise and kind.
Tibbey – Another person who begs. He is disabled (in a wheelchair) and lives on the streets. Lien gives him her savings to help him.
Sproet – The owner of the hair salon where Lien works. He treats Lien badly and tries to take advantage of her.
tannie Bets – An older woman who lives in Lien's apartment building. She gives the children food and helps them.
Drama teacher (Mev. / Mnr.) – Helps Lien discover her talent for acting. The school play gives Lien confidence.
3. CHAPTER-BY-CHAPTER SUMMARY
Prologue (Voorspel)
Afrikaans: 'n Man kyk na ou video's. 'n Gelukkige dogtertjie speel in die swembad. 'n Seuntjie hardloop saam met hondjies. Die man wat vleis braai is die pa. Die persoon wat die video neem (die ma) het pienk plakkies aan.
English: A man watches old home videos. A happy little girl plays in a swimming pool. A boy runs with puppies. The man braaiing meat is the father. The person filming (the mother) wears pink flip-flops.
Why it matters: This shows how happy the family was before everything went wrong.
Chapter 1: Geel en gelukkig (Yellow and happy)
Afrikaans: Lien en Braam kyk TV. Hulle ma drink wyn in die kombuis. Sy maak kos, maar eet self nie. Sy is dronk. Braam is kwaad oor sy ma se gedrag. Lien herstel Braam se skoolbroek met blou gare. Sy luister na Norah Jones en sê in die spieël sy haat haar pa.
English: Lien and Braam watch TV. Their mother drinks wine in the kitchen. She makes food but does not eat. She is drunk. Braam is angry at his mother's behaviour. Lien fixes Braam's school trousers with blue thread. She listens to Norah Jones and tells her reflection that she hates her father.
Key quote: "Ek haat jou." (I hate you.) – Lien says this to her father's photo.
Chapter 2
Afrikaans: Lien se ma verloor haar werk. Lien kry 'n werk by tant Malie se koffiewinkel. Sy werk hard. Braam sukkel op skool. Lien voel verantwoordelik vir alles.
English: Lien's mother loses her job. Lien gets a job at tant Malie's coffee shop. She works hard. Braam struggles at school. Lien feels responsible for everything.
Chapter 3
Afrikaans: Lien begin by Sproet se haarsalon werk. Sproet is vreemd en maak haar ongemaklik. Later probeer hy haar misbruik. Lien los die werk.
English: Lien starts working at Sproet's hair salon. Sproet is strange and makes her uncomfortable. Later he tries to abuse her. Lien leaves the job.
Important: This shows Lien learning to stand up for herself.
Chapter 4-5
Afrikaans: Lien sien nie meer 'n uitweg nie. Die kos is min. Haar ma drink meer. Lien besluit om te gaan bedel. Sy maak 'n plakkaat ("Werkloos. Twee afhanklikes. Enige donasie welkom."). Sy vermom haarself met 'n pruik en bril.
English: Lien sees no way out. There is little food. Her mother drinks more. Lien decides to go beg. She makes a sign ("Unemployed. Two dependents. Any donation welcome."). She disguises herself with a wig and glasses.
Key quote: "Wat het my besiel?" (What possessed me?) – Lien thinks this while standing at the traffic light.
Chapter 6-10
Afrikaans: Lien ontmoet Roos en Tibbey wat ook bedel. Hulle word vriende. Roos leer Lien hoe om te bedel. Sy sê Lien moet gemaklike skoene dra – "lankstaanskoene". Lien se skoolvriende, Wouter en Miemie, vind uit van haar bedelary. Wouter ondersteun haar. Miemie verstaan nie eers nie, maar probeer help.
English: Lien meets Roos and Tibbey who also beg. They become friends. Roos teaches Lien how to beg. She tells Lien to wear comfortable shoes – "long-standing shoes". Lien's school friends, Wouter and Miemie, find out about her begging. Wouter supports her. Miemie does not understand at first, but tries to help.
Chapter 11-15
Afrikaans: Lien se ma gaan in behandeling by 'n rehabilitasiesentrum. Lien besoek haar. Hulle begin om weer 'n verhouding te bou. Lien spaar geld om Tibbey te help. Sy gee haar spaargeld vir hom. Haar droom om oorsee te reis word vir eers opsy gesit.
English: Lien's mother goes into treatment at a rehabilitation centre. Lien visits her. They start to build a relationship again. Lien saves money to help Tibbey. She gives him her savings. Her dream of travelling overseas is put aside for now.
Chapter 16-20
Afrikaans: Die skool se toneelstuk is 'n groot sukses. Lien skitter op die verhoog. Sy kry selfvertroue. Die dramaonderwyser sien haar talent. Lien besef sy kan 'n toekoms in die teater hê. Aan die einde van die boek is daar hoop. Lien is nie meer dieselfde bitter meisie nie.
English: The school play is a big success. Lien shines on stage. She gains confidence. The drama teacher sees her talent. Lien realises she could have a future in theatre. At the end of the book, there is hope. Lien is no longer the same bitter girl.
Key theme: Deursettingsvermoë (perseverance) and groei (growth).
4. THEMES (TEMAS)
1. Deursettingsvermoë (Perseverance)
Lien never gives up, even when things are very bad. She keeps working, keeps trying, and keeps going.
Exam tip: You will be asked if this theme is still relevant today. Answer: Yes, because people still face hard times and need to persevere.
2. Vriendskap en ondersteuning (Friendship and support)
Lien gets help from unexpected people: Roos, Tibbey, Wouter, tannie Bets. True friendship is about being there for each other.
Evidence: Roos teaches Lien how to survive on the streets. Wouter supports her emotionally.
3. Vergewe en aanvaar (Forgiveness and acceptance)
Lien learns to forgive her father and her mother. She accepts her circumstances and makes the best of them.
4. Identiteit en selfontdekking (Identity and self-discovery)
Through acting in the school play, Lien discovers who she really is and what she wants to do with her life.
5. Die impak van alkoholisme (The impact of alcoholism)
The novel shows how alcohol destroys families. Christein cannot take care of her children because of her drinking.
5. SYMBOLS (SIMBOLIEK)
Lankstaanskoene (Long-standing shoes)
The title itself is a symbol. Roos tells Lien to wear comfortable shoes because she will be standing for a long time while begging. The shoes represent endurance, survival, and the long, hard road Lien has to walk.
Die pruik en bril (The wig and glasses)
Lien uses these to disguise herself when begging. They represent shame and hiding her true identity. Later, she uses acting (another form of disguise) to express herself.
Die video's (The home videos)
The videos at the beginning show a happy family. They represent what was lost and what Lien wishes she still had.
Norah Jones se musiek
Lien listens to Norah Jones in her room. The music is an escape and a comfort to her.
Die plakkaat (The sign)
"Werkloos. Twee afhanklikes." This sign represents Lien's desperation and her willingness to do anything for her family.
6. IMPORTANT QUOTES (BELANGRIKE AANHALINGS)
"Ek haat jou." (I hate you.)
Said to her father's photo. Shows her anger and pain at the beginning.
"Wat het my besiel?" (What possessed me?)
Said while begging. Shows her shock at what she is doing.
"Werkloos. Twee afhanklikes. Enige donasie welkom."
The words on her sign. Shows her honesty and her desperation.
"Lien Jooste, jy is 'n dark horse."
Said by Wouter. Means she has hidden talents (acting).
"Jy't lekker by ons vibe ingepas."
Said by Sproet to Lien. Shows how she was accepted (but later betrayed).
"Dis baie meer exciting as julle rugby."
Said about the school play. Shows how drama changes Lien's life.
7. EXAM TIPS & POSSIBLE QUESTIONS
Question 1: Voltooi die paragraaf (Fill in the blanks)
Possible answer: Lien en haar klasmaats moet saam aan 'n skooltaak werk. Hulle doen die taak vir die vak (4.1.1) Aardrykskunde. Die TWEE plekke wat sy eerste wil besoek, is (4.1.2) New York en (4.1.3) Rome. Lien sou baie graag liewer op haar vorm oor toekomsplanne (4.1.4) reisagent wou skryf. [citation:3]
Question 2: Motiveer waarom Lien gelieg het (Why did Lien lie?)
Answer: Lien lieg omdat sy nie 'n prokureur ken nie, maar sy wil inpas by die groep. Sy is embarrassed oor haar pa wat in die tronk is. [citation:3]
Question 3: Kies die korrekte antwoord (Multiple choice)
Example: "Hulle sit soos 'n wafferse gesin..." Hierdie woorde wys dat Lien ongemaklik is. (Answer: D) [citation:3]
Question 4: Noem TWEE mense wat vir Lien werk gegee het (Two people who gave Lien work)
Answer: Wouter en Sproet. [citation:3]
Question 5: Rangskik die gebeure in korrekte volgorde (Arrange events in order)
Correct order:
1. Lien werk in 'n koffiewinkel om kos op die tafel te sit.
2. Lien se vriend vier haar verjaarsdag saam met haar.
3. Lien gee haar spaargeld vir Hein om vir Tibbey te probeer help.
4. Lien help vir Braam om 'n borgskap te kry. [citation:3]
Question 6: Is die tema van deursettingsvermoë vandag nog relevant?
Answer: Ja, die tema is steeds relevant. Deursettingsvermoë is 'n belangrike eienskap om uitdagings in die lewe te oorkom, ongeag die tydperk. Mense staar altyd probleme in die gesig en moet aanhou probeer. [citation:3]
Question 7: Waarom kan Lien as 'n rolmodel beskou word?
Answer: Lien kan as 'n rolmodel beskou word omdat sy 'n sterk, onafhanklike en vasberade jong vrou is wat nie bang is om uitdagings aan te pak nie. Sy is ook 'n lojale vriendin en 'n omgee-mens. Sy gee haar spaargeld vir Tibbey al beteken dit sy kan nie oorsee reis nie. [citation:3]
Question 8: Match the quote to the character (Koppel die aanhaling aan die karakter)
Roos → "Vat, koop iets wat jy nodig het." (D)
Tibbey → "Jou bord is te fancy." (C)
Sproet → "Jy't lekker by ons vibe ingepas." (B)
Wouter → "Lien Jooste, jy is 'n dark horse." (A) [citation:3]
8. VOCABULARY HELP (WOORDESKAT)
Afrikaans word → English meaning
bedel → to beg
lankstaanskoene → long-standing shoes (comfortable shoes for standing long hours)
verkeerslig → traffic light
pruik → wig
vermom → disguise
afhanklikes → dependents
donasie → donation
prokureur → lawyer
bedrog → fraud
tronk → prison
rehabilitasiesentrum → rehabilitation centre
deursettingsvermoë → perseverance
rolmodel → role model
dark horse → someone with hidden talent
FINAL NOTES FOR THE EXAM
For Paper 2 (Literature):
- Learn the characters and their relationships.
- Memorise at least 3 quotes with page numbers (or chapter references).
- Understand the themes and be able to give examples from the book.
- Practice the matching questions (character to quote).
- Know the symbols (lankstaanskoene, pruik, video's).
Common mistake: Do not just retell the story. You must analyse. Use words like "this shows that..." or "this proves that..."
For the essay question: Use PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explain, Link). Start with a clear introduction that answers the question. Use quotes as evidence. Explain what the quote shows. Link back to the question.
You have everything you need. Learn this cheat sheet, read the book, and you will pass.
Comments
Post a Comment