In Nadine Gordimer's 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. At first glance, their relationship appears to be that of tragic “star-crossed lovers” separated by unjust laws. However, with deeper analysis, they are separated not only by the state, but also by their individual habitus and the resulting racist connotations in their relationship. Even before being arrested by South African authorities, they are separated physically, educationally and socially, which is reflected in every aspect of their relationship. Even though their relationship may seem like a step against racism, this abstract force is still very much present in the details of their romance throughout the story. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay One of the major and most obvious flaws in their relationship is their physical separation in the public eye. Although they have sex in his apartment “every late afternoon” (Gordimer 84), “they never kiss when neither [leaves] the apartment” (85 ). By keeping their relationship hidden in the apartment, they reinforce society's racist views because they do not question or oppose it. The girl justifies the secrecy of their relationship by insisting that "he works on his papers, writes, writes, every evening, 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 country… where there [is] no one” (84). Again, the two are physically separated in the public sphere and can only be together when no one else is present. Her justification of why it doesn't matter if they don't come out shows that she is passive in the face of this racism. Even though society does not allow the two men to be together, Dr. von Leinsdorf and the girl also reinforce these racist views by glossing over the flaws in their love story. Their physical separation in the public eye 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 is another vehicle for racism. The two have very different upbringings: Dr von Leinsdorf is "a cultured man engaged in international mineralogical research" as opposed to the girl who "left school in Standard Three", separating them educationally and allowing the racism to ensue in many areas of their lives. relationship (88). Dr. von Leinsdorf's condescension is apparent when he teaches the girl how to prepare "real coffee, fresh, from the beans," as they do "in [his] country" (83). When she tries to explain how she makes coffee, he “laughs, instructively” (83). Although subtle, he mocks her habitus and scorns her way of preparing coffee, enlightening her about his supposedly superior method. This motif runs through the story. The girl "never attempts to cook anything until she [watches] in silence while he [does] it the way he likes it, and [learns] to reproduce the exact simple dishes he prefer[s],” totally adapting to do things the way he expects them to be done (84). This reinforces racism because it has a negative undercurrent that superior white people come in and gaslight the “people.