Ask AI: How did Benjamin from "fiela se Kind" find himself?

In Dalene Matthee's novel "Fiela's Child," Benjamin is a white child raised by Fiela, a Coloured woman, when he is found lost in the forests of South Africa. The core of the story is Benjamin's journey to find his true identity. As Benjamin grows older, he starts becoming aware that he is different from the rest of his family. He questions his origins and grapples with the possible reasons for his differences. His journey towards self-discovery begins when government officials discover that he is not Fiela's biological child. They suspect that Benjamin could be the long-lost son of the Van Rooyens family. As a result, they send him to live with the Van Rooyens, who claim him as their lost son, Lukas. Although Benjamin is unsure of his true identity, he decides to search for his origins. He starts by investigating the circumstances of Lukas' disappearance while trying to fit into the Van Rooyen family. Benjamin compares his upbringing with Fiela and that with the Van Rooyens, and begins to understand the differing values of both families. During his time with the Van Rooyens, Benjamin realizes that he struggles to connect with their ruthless and aggressive nature, especially with Elias, the family patriarch. He remains unconvinced that he is Lukas, but continues searching for tangible confirmation of his true identity. Benjamin's journey of self-discovery also involves exploring the forests where he was found initially. He feels a strong connection to the natural world and spends time in the forest learning from the woodcutters about the forest ecosystem. Towards the climax of the story, there is a confrontation between the two families in court, with both claiming Benjamin as their own. Benjamin is declared as Lukas and made to live with the Van Rooyens. However, it's the combination of the fierce love he shares with Fiela and the values she instilled in him that truly helps Benjamin find himself. He takes control of his own life, and ultimately, he chooses to return to Fiela and the life he had known. In summary, Benjamin finds himself through a combination of investigating his past, contemplating the values and morals of those around him, and acknowledging the importance of the maternal bond he shares with Fiela. His journey showcases the resilience, determination, and the power of love in shaping an individual's identity.