Mordechai Gatiro/C10 Character Analysis in The Theory of Flight

A freedom fighter turned and recruited as an intelligence asset by colonial spymaster Emil Coetzee, Mordechai—known as C10—is a famously brutal and effective interrogator for the colonial government until he tortures but fails to break Minenhle Tikiti during the colonial government’s hunt for her brother, freedom fighter Golide Gumele. Inspired by Minenhle’s spirit, Mordechai leaves the job, utterly transforms himself, and romances Minenhle without letting her know that he is the same person who tortured her. They become life partners, and he devotes himself to protecting and supporting her.

Mordechai Gatiro/C10 Character Timeline in The Theory of Flight

The timeline below shows where the character Mordechai Gatiro/C10 appears in The Theory of Flight. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Individual Aspiration vs. Group Belonging Theme Icon

Colonialism and Postcolonialism Theme Icon

...original name or a reliable physical description of him, so he deploys a favored employee, Mordechai Gatiro, to find out. Mordechai grew up in a dangerous township, exposed to violence, without... (full context)

Mordechai finds out that Golide has a sister, Minenhle, on the Beauford Farm and Estate. Though... (full context)

...plans to send Marcus a 1965 atlas, Krystle a Victoria Falls postcard, and Minenhle and Mordechai a bird; she also plans to take Beatrice to the spa. (full context)

...strangers” anymore, the way people did on Beauford Farm and Estate. On the sixth floor, Mordechai lets them into an apartment, where he and Marcus’s parents make boring small talk. Marcus... (full context)

They hear Mordechai coming down the hall. When he enters the room, he’s carrying a bird in his... (full context)

Love, Family, and Selfishness Theme Icon

Mordechai places himself between Minenhle and their visitors, as if shielding her, and says the police... (full context)

...whether Thandi did know, then. Thandi orders Marcus not to feel sorry for Minenhle and Mordechai, who believe the Masukus “stole” Genie by “brib[ing] the judge.” When she asks Marcus to... (full context)

...the damage done to Minenhle, thinks that the Organization interrogator who tortured her in 1978, C10, was a butcher—so unlike the gentlemanly man who accompanied her to Valentine’s offices. Minenhle tells... (full context)

...could fly. After Minenhle leaves the offices, Valentine watches her through the window. She rejoins Mordechai in the courtyard, and a colorful bird flies into her hand. As they pass out... (full context)

...as well as leading four other cars, carrying Beatrice and Kuki, the Masukus, Minenhle and Mordechai, and Bhekithemba. They park outside a dilapidated house. A man emerges and yells that they’re... (full context)

...place. He moves in that direction. To his surprise, all the mourners follow him: Minenhle, Mordechai, Jestina, Valentine, Bhekithemba, Kuki, Beatrice, Dr. Mambo, The Survivors, the veterans, Stefanos, Matilda, David, the... (full context)