Character Analysis
A gigantic woman who cries and speaks English instead of Afrikaans when she's drunk, Big Hettie passes out in Peekay's train compartment after Hoppie's fight, and ends up stuck in the floor under the bunks due to her hefty size.
Hettie is one of the first truly sad people that Peekay meets, and tells him her troubles as she scarfs down unimaginable quantities of food. The train ride ends with her death, probably of a heart attack, and Peekay once again loses a friend to an unexpected death.