This research paper aims to shed light on the psychological impact of apartheid on Colored identity in Zoe Wicomb's Playing in the Light (2006) and October (2014). In fact, the word "psychological" is too wide, so this paper will focus on the defense mechanisms adopted by the characters in Wicomb's two novels to cope with their life as colored people. The paper aims to examine both novels by illuminating how the characters use defence mechanisms to cope with.
The paper aims to show that apartheid and racial thoughts can ruin the life of many colored families including their innocent children who do not even understand the complexities of apartheid and racial life and the result is distorted generations that suffer confusing perception of home and loss of identity, the thing which cause a constant pain in mind, heart and soul.
Key words: defense mechanisms, apartheid, colored, Wicomb, October, Playing in the Light