born a crime essay titles

Racism: “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah

Born a Crime is an autobiography written by comedian Trevor Noah, where he reflects on his childhood under the racist laws of apartheid. It is thrilling to follow his experience because it showcases the horrors and unfairness of racism. He talks about being a chameleon among African people as a child of a black woman and a white man. He belonged to no group and tried to find his place in the world as a mix-raced person. The book explores his identity, the places he did not feel different, and reviews his life in detail, which can teach a person to be more understanding, socially responsible, and tolerant.

Firstly, in his book, Noah talks about ‘being a chameleon’, which is an exciting part of the book. He is a person of color, which was considered illegal during apartheid. Yet he thought of himself as a black person because of his upbringing and the knowledge of several different African languages (Noah 40). As written in the book, he stayed the same color, but the perception of his color changed instantly when he changed the language he spoke. It was the benefit of knowing several African languages – he could respond to a robber in his native language, which instantly made Trevor a part of the robber’s culture, and that is why he was never robbed (Noah 42-43). However, the cost of that knowledge and the power to fit in almost with any group was the difficulty of finding his native identity. He did not know who he was, because he always had to choose sides ‘black or white, he did not realize his national identity because he belonged to Xhosa just as much as he belonged to the Swiss community.

As mentioned in the title of a book, Trevor was ‘born a crime’; he was living evidence of the ‘crime’ his parents committed under a racist regime. He was ‘too white’ to be considered black, and at the same time, he was ‘too black’ to be considered white (Noah, 44). However, there was one place where he felt like race did not matter and he was accepted. It was the Maryvale school, where children did not get teased because of the color of their skin, they were instead teased for general things like being too smart, too dumb, too skinny, or too fat (Noah 44-45). In that place, he felt as if he was accepted, which changed as he entered the new school H.A. Jack Primary, where he again became different. Black kids and one Indian kid recognized him, but he was still an anomaly, an exception, a crime (Noah 44-45). Although he felt like an outsider most of his life because of his skin color, he learned to live with those feelings and accept his identity.

Trevor Noah was a multilingual child with English as his first and primary language. In his book, he explained how under apartheid different languages resulted in greater oppression and division. For example, white people were discouraged from learning African languages because from early childhood, they were taught that those languages were beneath them (Noah 44). If one wanted to be employed somewhere of high prestige, one had to know English; otherwise, there was no chance to work in prestigious establishments. African languages and their language-bearers were also divided by different schools and believed that other words are enemy ones (Noah 43). When Trevor spoke to others in their native language, they viewed him as a person from their tribe’, as their own, and that is how he and his mother escaped various challenging situations throughout their life.

Language plays a rather important part in creating and sharing culture because the culture is often transferred through the tongue. A language has been created in a specific locality to preserve and pass down the culture of the people who are speaking it. One can observe the historical examples of how the national identity of some nations was ruined by destroying their native language first (as in the case of Romansh language, which people try to restore). A word can create unity because if one can understand the language another person speaks, primarily if this occurs in a foreign country, they feel like family or close friends. At the same time, if one language is demonized, using it in public can completely change the perception of another person.

As a bilingual person, I can share some advantages and disadvantages of knowing two languages. For example, when I speak to the other person, I can use the words from another language, as sometimes I can forget the most straightforward word in the needed language. It helps to understand a person from another country; it can be a great conversation starter that would interest many people. It would be easier for me to learn another language than for a person who can speak only one language. However, there are several disadvantages, for example, I can struggle to speak at an appropriate level in a professional setting. In addition, sometimes I can forget how to talk at all because, although I try to keep in mind and recycle both languages, I will always be better at one and worse at the other.

Speaking about the incidents I remembered the most in the book Born a Crime , it was an episode in the very beginning, where the mother was forced to throw her son out of the moving car to save his life. The man driving them was cursing the family for nothing and threatening to rape the mother and do worse to the children (Noah 16). That was when Patricia decided not to accept her fate calmly, but she made a choice, which saved her life and the lives of her children. After this situation, I started to look at that woman with admiration, because that episode not only showcased her inner strength, but she was wise enough not to make her children panic ahead of time. As the autobiography progressed, there were many similar stories, which showed her strength and will, but this one made the most significant impact on my mind.

There are many characters in Born a Crime; however, the one who exemplifies Francian Values the most is Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah Trevor’s mother. First of all, as Lourdes is a community of learning, Patricia teaches her son English, to read, to write, to understand the world around him. She showed him the truth and tried to make him know that the world is big and following one’s dreams is necessary (Noah 51). As Lourdes is a community of reverence, Patricia recognized and respected all human beings, their dignity, and their worth. As much as she was strong, she saw the better in prostitutes, gangsters, and robbers. Patricia’s heart accepted Jesus, and that is why she was incredibly respectful, even though she could talk back to anyone to protect her dignity. As Lourdes is a community of service, she challenged her son to help those in need. Even in her childhood, Patricia gave everything to the children who had less than her. She tried to help everybody, which is why I think she is the best example of Francian values’ human embodiment.

This book teaches that living in a diverse community is more comfortable than living in a society when one person is unique. For example, the reader can observe how Trevor was treated in an all-black neighborhood, where he was exceptional. Older people were afraid of giving him proper punishments; they believed his prayers were better-heard because he prayed in English; he was a miracle, an abnormality (Noah 40). However, when his environment became more diverse, people stopped thinking that he was not normal and accepted him. If more diversity were implemented globally, people would forget about racism as they would stop judging a person based on one’s race. After all, different races would not be considered an abnormality. It became a part of my way of thinking as it should because the distinction of races ultimately creates more racism and unfairness.

To conclude, Born a Crime teaches the reader about integrity, being kind, and being open to everyone despite his physical traits, such as race. It also teaches one to be ethical and not to divide people into white, black, and people of color. Lastly, it teaches one to be socially responsible, like the mother of the main character. Patricia gave everything she could to her son, including proper education and a sense of morality. She had a responsibility as a parent and gave everything she could to all three of her children, even if that meant that Patricia herself would suffer from abusive relationships. Her social responsibility paid off at the end of the story when her son helped her pay for her treatment. She was responsible for him, and he responded with his responsible behavior towards her.

Noah, Trevor. Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood . Hachette UK, 2016.

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Literacy Analysis of Trevor Noah’s “Born a Crime” Essay

Trevor Noah’s mom instilled in him the traits of a self-assured and sensible adult. Every choice, movement, and encounter that he made was a lesson. Every child makes errors as they grow up, and at times they commit the same mistake several times before learning the lesson. In his book Born a Crime , South African comedian Trevor Noah recalls his boyhood during the country’s transformation from apartheid, a white supremacist system of governance founded on forced labour and racial segregation. The connection between Noah and his mother will be examined to see how the intricacies and constraints of that relationship shaped Noah’s character and his vision of the world.

Patricia, Trevor’s mom, was distinct from the rest of her family; she constantly felt as though she did not belong. She desired something to love, cherish, and provide pleasure in her life. In the same way that Trevor was a problematic kid, so was his mother. “My mom was the problem child, a tomboy, stubborn, defiant. My Gran had no idea how to raise her” (Noah 64). Attitude is passed along in the same way that genes are. His mother had a troubled childhood and always felt like an outsider. As for her parents, they did not have a lot either.

The government seized their home and bulldozed the whole area to build a fancy, new white suburb, triumph. Triumph along with tens of thousands of other black people, my grandparents were forcibly relocated to Soweto, to a neighborhood called the Meadowlands (Noah 63).

Since she grew up under limits imposed by her family and was compelled to labor as a youngster, she desired a different upbringing for Trevor. She wanted to reveal to him the prospects and demonstrate that it is possible to move from nothing to anything. Before giving birth to Trevor, she had nothing, and he was her whole world. She did not impose many restrictions on what he might do to have a happy and successful life. As a kind of rebellion against apartheid, Patricia opted to give birth to Trevor with a white and eventually raised him alone. She desired Trevor to be unrestricted in his movements, actions, and identities. Patricia provided him with the resources necessary to complete the task. She educated him on English as his first language and frequently read to him.

Trevor’s upbringing was unlike that of the other children he was surrounded by. He never felt like he belonged anywhere, and his mother was the only one with whom he had a decent connection but also struggled with discrepancies. Trevor was not permitted to interact with other children since he was of mixed race. The rules were different, and relationships between black and white individuals were prohibited. Trevor’s father was a white Swiss guy, and his mother was a black woman. His parents violated the law by deciding to have him. They perpetrated the crime of merging and producing a mixed-race by engaging in sexual relations in a location where they wished to maintain the superiority of whites over blacks. Being of mixed race was challenging for Trevor and affected his connection with his mom because, although he did not understand at the time why his mother would keep him indoors and try to hide him. All he wished to do was play with his relatives and other children, which prompted him to revolt and disobey his mother’s rules as a child. To keep himself busy, he would read novels that transported him to other lands and allowed him to escape his reality.

Since he was constantly alone, he went to the arcade whenever he could, such as when his mother sent him to fetch groceries, “he wouldn’t come home right home because I’d be using the change from the milk and bread to play arcade games at the supermarket” and while he was there for hours and hours “next thing I knew there’d be a behind me with a belt” (Noah 11). Thus, this is an illustration of how Patricia never confined her son to certain demands as a youngster who required greater attention to his everyday behaviors. Additionally, she allowed him to pursue his delinquency by not being there when he had to be corrected. When he was present, he would flee in order to avoid receiving his mother’s scolding and lesson.

Trevor’s mother regarded him as a child when he was little, but his grandmother, grandpa, cousins, neighbors, and even strangers recognized him as a special child. Because he was of mixed race and seemed white to them rather than black, his family treated him differently. Whenever he rode in the automobile with his grandpa, he had him ride in the backseat, served as his chauffeur, and addressed him as “Mastah” (Noah 52). “Whenever the children on the street spotted me, they would shout “Indoda yomlungu,” which means “The white guy is coming” (Noah 53). They were more kind to him since he was regarded as “white.”

Misconduct for which my cousins would have been penalized, I received a warning and was allowed to continue. And I was far more mischievous than my cousins. Not even close. It was my fault if anything was damaged or if someone stole grandmother’s cookies. My mother was the only person I really dreaded. She believed if you spare the rod, you spoil the child. But everyone else said, no, he is different, and they gave me a pass (Noah 52).

Trevor’s mother never spared him; however, she did not compel the rest of her household to treat him like she did, so he became used to his disobedience being overlooked. Particularly, Noah lived in uncertainty as a result of his biracial identity, in that his mother treated him one way while others treated him differently. Thus, this caused a lot of complications with Trevor and how he behaved in public, which was challenging for his mother since he was a stubborn child.

Trevor’s mother, Patricia, did not place a language restriction on him. Trevor’s mother ensured that he had an edge in a place where everything was restricted owing to his and his family’s ethnicity by ensuring he spoke many languages. She taught him various languages because it was advantageous for them and because they might be used as a weapon. English was essential to master since it was the most widely spoken. “English can give you a leg up. It is the language of money and equaled intelligence. English is the difference between getting the job or staying unemployed” (Noah 54). Trevor’s mother here depicts the importance of learning and comprehending the English language during the apartheid regime.

Trevor was fluent in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu, Tswana, Sotho, and Tsonga. Thus, this positively impacted his life in numerous ways, such as when he was in a store with his mom, and a worker told the security officer to follow them. He thought they stole something, and his mother “turned around and asked in beautiful, fluent Afrikaans, “Why don’t you follow these blacks so you can help them find what they are looking for?” (Noah 55). The humorous aspect of the story is that Trevor got an apology for inflicting racism on them, but not for being stereotypical and for being a racist.

As he walked alone one day, three Zulu men walked closely behind him and conversed in Zulu. Hence, this was another instance in which he had difficulty because of the color of his skin. They did not anticipate Trevor understanding what they were saying, but he understood them well and comprehended that they intended to rob him. Instead of fleeing, he approached them and said, “Yo, guys, why don’t we mug someone together?” (Noah 55). Immediately he spoke their language; however, they thought he was “part of their tribe” and left him alone (Noah 55). Trevor was able to use language as a tool to alter the perceptions of others. Thus, this is not a constraint that his mother imposed on him, and she had a profoundly good influence on his daily life, which aided him.

Raised in a nation where seeking more and capable of doing more than working as a maid or in a temporary position were not options for people of color. Apartheid, the system of segregation between blacks and whites, was effectively established. Families from the past recounted the cycle of being in debt, poverty, and not advancing because they had become used to continuing living the same way and could not afford a new lifestyle. With the end of apartheid, private schools in South Africa began to accept children of color, and since his mother worked for a reputable firm, Trevor was allowed to enroll at Maryvale College. Trevor was privileged to be able to join this private school since it not only allowed children from many backgrounds to coexist as equals but also treated them as such. His enrollment in the school shaped his perspective of the world. He learned the truth about the justice system and how blacks were treated, especially the impoverished blacks.

White, black, and American Indian students shared the same clothes, textbooks, and teachers. Although his time in this realm was lovely, it veiled the reality from Trevor; he was oblivious to the actual world. Outside of school, whites, Indians, and blacks were perceived and treated differently according to the rules and culture of their own societies. As a result of Trevor’s transfer to H.A. Jack Primary School, the environment altered and became more like the actual world. They were “occupying the same space but choosing not to interact with each other in any way” (Noah 57). Trevor’s mom taught him that several individuals choose to associate with specific individuals but should never pass judgment on others.

Abel, Trevor’s violent alcoholic stepfather, Andrew’s biological father, and Patricia’s spouse, exemplifies the disparity in the treatment of men and women in the justice system. Abel always apologizes passionately after hitting Trevor and Patricia, persuading the family to accept him back. Conversely, he is well-liked by the community and tries his ways to assist others in need, leaving his family torn between his external and inside identities. Patricia sells their family home and leaves her profession to assist Abel in rehabilitating his garage company, but he squanders their earnings on alcohol. Patricia eventually retreats to a cabin in the backyard to escape Abel, but she is terrified to leave since she fears he will murder her.

Eventually, she meets another person and decides to leave; Abel then attempts to murder her by shooting her. She miraculously lives, while Abel brings himself in and serves no time in jail. Abel persuaded the court that he had to be free to sustain his children, despite being fully reliant on Patricia’s wages. Abel’s continual aggression and professional failure represent the pervasive challenges that afflicted black communities in South Africa following apartheid. Abel is enraged because he feels helpless and emasculated, unable to make a good income since he has never mastered operating a company. Moreover, he is preoccupied with controlling his wife to show his manhood in a society that limits him any sense of dignity.

Ideally, Trevor’s relationship with his mother was anything but normal, particularly because he was raised in a world where black and white were indistinguishable, and he was conceived with both white and black bloodlines. In the end, he was the common way between the two extremes. Due to the hostility he received from the world for being biracial, his mother set restrictions on him as a kind of love and protection. His mother’s strong love gave him the courage and fortitude he needed to withstand the fury of others and their negative impressions of him.

Following the 1976 Soweto Uprising, the South African government, led by P.W. Botha, instituted changes that it believed were reforms to restore order. These would lessen international critiques of apartheid, gratify white South Africans, establish interactions with other black African nations, and decrease internal black resistance within. Botha was also aware of a united black resistance movement (Little). As a first step, the National Party (NP) government utilised a divide and rule strategy, dividing the citizens into ethnic groups and uniquely portraying each group. Many saw these reforms as merely cosmetic because, while they changed the appearance of apartheid externally, the system did not change. The predicament for the average person on the street got worse due to these changes (Little). During this period, apartheid’s most violent years were also experienced, as the government attempted to hold on to power while repressing the resistance of black people through any means possible.

Around this era, the anti-apartheid movement grew more cohesive and active, which contributed to the outbreak of violence and the movement’s success in bringing about change in South Africa. During a national referendum held in March 1992 for “whites only,” white South Africans chose to make the change from an exceedingly restricted type of democracy to a complete version of democracy (Klaus). Sixty-nine percent of white voters supported Prime Minister Fredrick de Klerk of the national party, leading discussions on a new constitution that would provide blacks political rights (Klaus). The essence of this accord was the abolition of the racial-state system. The breakdown of the racial state was followed by the collapse of a democratic system that was confined in its scope and effectiveness. Only after the 1994 election, when citizenship was granted to black South Africans, did apartheid finally come to an end.

My first impression of Trevor Noah’s memoir Born a Crime is that it is a narrative filled with humor and amusing episodes that call attention to the political history of South Africa. My lasting impression is that the majority of this book does not adhere to what would be termed traditional structure: beginning-middle-end, following a course of action that, in normal tales, would build to a climax. There is a broad sense of chronology, with events being detailed in approximately the sequence in which they took place: the narrative proceeds from the writer’s childhood encounters, through his adolescent experiences, and into his early adulthood experiences. The narrative is anecdotal or episodic, consisting mostly of memoir-like storylines of single experiences that are given some context and include narrative and thematic repetitions of other such situations. The closest thing to a through-line is the author’s examination of his family’s connection.

Works Cited

‌Klaus, Kästle. “History of South Africa – the Republic of South Africa: 1961–Present – Key Figures in South Africa’s History.” Nationsonline.org , 2021.

Little, Becky. “Key Steps That Led to End of Apartheid.” HISTORY , 2020.

Noah, Trevor. Born a Crime : Stories from a South African childhood. 2nd ed., New York: Spiegel & Grau, 2016. Print.

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Born a Crime

By trevor noah.

• Born a Crime Summary

Trevor Noah 's memoir interweaves vignettes from his childhood and adolescence with reflections on the history and culture of South Africa. The various episodes are not always presented in a strict chronological order, and they include information about his life and the life of his mother.

Trevor's mother, Patricia Noah, is born into a Black South African family that belongs to the Xhosa tribe. After her parents' divorce and her father goes to live with his second wife and new family, Patricia grows up feeling neglected as the middle child of a working-class single mother. Although she hopes to return to live with her father, she ends up being sent to live with her paternal aunt in an impoverished rural area. Patricia, however, is able to get a good education and is ambitious, determined to make a better life for herself. She begins working as a secretary, and when she becomes frustrated with her family members taking most of her money, she moves to an apartment in Johannesburg by herself. There, she meets Robert , a white man with whom she becomes friends. Wanting to have a baby so that she can establish a new family for herself, Patricia persuades Robert to father her child; she gives birth to Trevor, a light-skinned, mixed-race child. At this time, it is illegal in South Africa for people to have sex with individuals from different racial classifications, so Trevor is evidence of her criminal activity.

Although both Patricia and Robert have to make sure that they hide their relationship to Trevor for fear of being arrested, he recalls a happy early childhood growing up first in a small flat, and then, as the influence of apartheid gradually diminishes, in a primarily colored neighborhood called Eden Park. He visits with his father every week, and he also spends time with his mother's family in the Black neighborhood of Soweto. He is a rambunctious child and his mother often disciplines him strictly, but they also have a very loving relationship. Patricia encourages Trevor to be a curious and independent thinker who reflects critically, asks lots of questions, and thinks for himself. She plants the seeds of ambition in him, encouraging him to believe in himself and have aspirations. She also gives him a good educational foundation by getting him enrolled in a private Catholic school, although Trevor often gets in trouble there for challenging rules and questioning authority.

When Trevor is about six years old, Patricia meets a charismatic mechanic named Abel , and after the two of them have dated for a while, they decide to marry. Trevor doesn't trust the man who will become his stepfather, but there's little he can do. The marriage and then the birth of Trevor's half-brother Andrew introduce new dynamics into the family. For example, Abel does not like Trevor spending time with his father Robert, so Trevor visits less frequently. This diminishing relationship leads to Robert moving away to Cape Town when Trevor is thirteen years old. Around this time, Trevor also gets kicked out of Catholic school and transfers to a public school called H.A. Jack at the end of the sixth grade. Starting at the new school, where students of different races don't intermingle much, Trevor realizes that he feels most comfortable with the Black students and identifies as Black. However, by this time it is clear that he doesn't fit in well with any specific group. His mother's family and other residents of Soweto have always treated him differently because he was light-skinned and spoke perfect English. In the primarily colored neighborhood of Eden Park, he's considered either too black or too white to fit in. Trevor rarely has close friends, is often bullied or outcast, and becomes resourceful about moving fluidly between communities, focusing on honing his language skills so that he can try to fit in wherever he goes.

This pattern continues once Trevor starts high school at Sandringham, a large public school. By this time, his stepfather has experienced serious economic troubles after trying to start his own car repair shop. Patricia provided money to help him, but Abel's problems with alcohol make him irresponsible and the business fails. Abel has also begun to occasionally be physically abusive towards Patricia, Trevor, and their pets. To cut their losses, they sell the shop and move to a primarily white neighborhood called Highlands North. Patricia legally divorces Abel but continues to live with him, supporting the family with her income while he drinks more and more heavily. Trevor becomes interested in his own business ventures, first making money placing lunch orders for other students, and then eventually selling pirated and mix CDs. While awkward and unsuccessful at attracting girls, Trevor does have a few close friends and starts making a significant income for himself.

When Trevor finishes high school, he has no clear plan in place. He doesn't have the money to attend university, and the only work he can find is expanding his CD business and also beginning to DJ parties. This line of work leads him to spending more and more time in Alexandra, an impoverished neighborhood dominated by petty crime. By this time, tensions between Trevor and Abel have led Trevor to move into his own apartment. The relationship between Patricia and Abel has deteriorated, and he is hoping that his mother will leave Abel entirely. Trevor is devastated when he finds out that Patricia is pregnant again, and he spends less time with his mother and younger brothers after this. When he is in his early twenties, his career starts to take off, giving him other things to focus on. When Trevor is twenty-four, his mother encourages him to seek out his estranged father, Robert. Trevor tracks down Robert and begins to rebuild a relationship with him. Patricia also eventually leaves Abel and remarries.

Trevor is startled to receive a phone call one day when he is in his mid-twenties and learn that Abel has shot his mother. He rushes to her side and covers her medical costs. Miraculously, Patricia sustains only minor injuries, and the incident reaffirms the deep love between mother and son. Unfortunately, Abel is able to avoid jail time and goes on to live as a free man, having served only parole.

Born a Crime Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Born a Crime is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What 3 things does trevor say they always had

Chapter please?

Explain Trevor's rationale for identifying Soweto driveways as a metaphor for Soweto's hope. What symbol do you indentify with hope? Explain why you chose this symbol

Trevor's rationale for identifying Soweto driveways as a metaphor for Soweto's hope is that the driveways represent tiny steps towards progress. He sees the driveways as symbols of transformation and possibility: even small changes can lead to big...

What rhetorical choice is used when Trevor Noah says that South Africa is a mix of old and new?

South Africa is a mix of the old and the new, the ancient and the modern, and South African Christianity is a perfect example of this. We adopted the religion of our colonizers, but most people held on to the old ancestral ways, too, just...

Study Guide for Born a Crime

Born a Crime study guide contains a biography of Trevor Noah, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

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• Impact of technology on society
• Should college education be free?
• Gun control laws and their effectiveness

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Example paragraph: The impact of technology on society is undeniable, and its consequences are multifaceted. As we navigate the complexities of a tech-driven world, it is essential to critically examine its effects and strive for a balance that benefits all members of society.

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• Traditional education vs. online learning
• City life vs. rural life
• Public transportation vs. private car ownership

Example paragraph: The debate between traditional education and online learning has gained prominence in recent years, as technological advancements continue to reshape the landscape of education. While both approaches offer unique benefits, they also present distinct challenges that warrant a critical examination.

Example paragraph: The comparison between traditional education and online learning reveals the diverse opportunities and limitations associated with each approach. By understanding the nuances of both methods, we can make informed decisions that enhance the quality and accessibility of education for all learners.

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Born a Crime: a Reflection on Identity, Acceptance, and Language

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Born a Crime

Trevor noah, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Born A Crime

95 pages • 3 hours read

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Chapters 1-5

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Reading Check

1. As Noah explains in his overview of apartheid in South Africa, the number of Black South Africans outnumbered white ones by what ratio?

2. How many nights a week, typically, does Noah attend church as a child?

3. What group does Noah dub “the white tribe of Africa”? (Chapter 2)

4. Noah’s father, named Robert, is a mixture of which two white ethnicities?

5. Who was the only “semi-regular” male figure in Noah’s early childhood?

6. Noah explains how, with his “mixed” identity, he could adapt in adverse environments to be whatever race would be advantageous to him. Within this explanation, he compares himself to what animal?

7. In Noah’s words, the apartheid government built a specific kind of school to “cripple the black mind” (Chapter 5). What is this type of school called?

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Stormy Daniels Takes the Stand

The porn star testified for eight hours at donald trump’s hush-money trial. this is how it went..

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This episode contains descriptions of an alleged sexual liaison.

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Jonah E. Bromwich , who covers criminal justice in New York for The New York Times.

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In a second day of cross-examination, Stormy Daniels resisted the implication she had tried to shake down Donald J. Trump by selling her story of a sexual liaison.

Here are six takeaways from Ms. Daniels’s earlier testimony.

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