Cry the Beloved Country Background and Information English
Cry, the Beloved Country Background and Information English 10 Mr. Hill
About the Author: Alan Paton Born in S. Africa in 1903 Graduated university with a distinction in physics and soon became a science teacher Even in the early stages of his career, Paton became interested in race relations. – Joined the S. African Institute of Race Relations in 1930 (age 27)
About the Author: Alan Paton At age 32, he becomes principal of a reformatory school for delinquent urban African boys near Johannesburg. Over the next several years, Paton continues race relation studies and writes a series of articles concerning crime, punishment and reform in S. Africa.
About the Author: Alan Paton This story is written in 1948 while Paton was on a tour of prisons in Europe, the U. S. and Canada. – It took less than a year to write the novel. Several months after its publication, the National Party comes to power in S. Africa and institutes a policy known as “apartheid” (meaning “separation”) The novels success allows him to resign as principal of the school and focus on his writing.
About the Author: Alan Paton Five years after the publication of this story, Paton’s second novel is published. It is during this time that Paton becomes more interested in political topics and becomes the Vice President (and the eventual chairman) of the Liberal Party. He became the national chairman until 1968 when the government disbanded the party.
About the Author: Alan Paton However, before the party was disbanded, Paton was known for providing evidence to mitigate the treason sentence for Nelson Mandela during his 1964 trial.
Five Major Themes of the Novel
1. Reuniting the Family & Nation The efforts of Stephen Kumalo to reunite his family by bringing back his sister, Gertrude, and his son, Absalom are at the center of the story. This is a simpler form of a larger theme in the work. South African family life is broken (shown through the Kumalos) and villages are being torn apart by migrations to Johannesburg.
1. Reuniting the Family & Nation There seems to be a serious need to bring the villages and towns (as well as the entire country) back together again. The forces of modernization, change and progress (along with the divisive apartheid) have ripped the country apart and it is in need of healing.
1. Reuniting the Family & Nation In the 3 rd section of the novel, the unification shifts from the big city to the small village of Ndotsheni. The writings of the character Arthur Jarvis are also important to the development of theme of reunification.
2. Christian Values & Kindness Paton stresses a need to always act with a sense of kindness The religious influence and Christian connotations of the characters of Stephen Kumalo and the Reverend Msimangu are symbols of this. Kindness is seen as one small part of the process of bringing the country back together again.
2. Christian Values & Kindness The kindness shown between Stephen Kumalo and Arthur Jarvis (men of different race) is seen as the reason for their bond developing. If two men like this can be reunited by kindness, then there must be hope for the country as a whole.
3. Tension Between Urban & Rural This is one of the biggest themes of the novel. Rural life Shown by Stephen Kumalo Urban Life Shown by John Kumalo The rural life is displayed as being calm and controlled. The urban life is shown as one of CHAOS!
4. Emancipation (“Freedom”) There are many references to the Emancipation Movement in the U. S. in the novel. The quest for freedom is an important goal for many characters. Obvious = Arthur Jarvis’ idolization of Abraham Lincoln The major question of the novel is “WHEN will freedom from fear, poverty and bondage occur? ”
5. Public Significance of Actions Paton assumes that numerous actions are significant not in themselves but in what they represent. Shown in two major events: – Trip back to Johannesburg from Alexandra – End of the trial of Absalom Kumalo In both instances, a white man shows his allegiance to blacks of S. Africa. – Public shows of support are an important step in gaining justice in S. Africa
Major Characters
Stephen Kumalo Pastor of Ixopo – Village in rural S. African region of Ndotsheni Visits Johannesburg in order to save his sister, Gertrude, when he gets a letter saying that she is ill Also goes searching for his son, Absalom Believes in the strength of family life
Stephen Kumalo Wants to reunite his family Becomes an activist for social justice and a return to rural life – Scared a bit by the big city lifestyle – Convinced it is an evil place His concern for his family expands into a concern for the entire country of S. Africa
James Jarvis Wealthy white man His son, Arthur, is killed by Absalom Kumalo during a robbery Learns more about the social work (especially that being done by his son) going on in Johannesburg when he visits for his son’s funeral and Absalom’s trial. Has a difficult time with race relations
James Jarvis Later becomes friends with Stephen Kumalo Eventually devotes himself to the social progress of the country – Even starts the Arthur Jarvis Boys Club and makes donations to the village area around Ixopo to help with the droughts.
Absalom Kumalo Son of Stephen Kumalo Left his family and moved to Johannesburg and has been missing ever since Spent time in a reformatory in Johannesburg Murders Arthur Jarvis during a robbery attempt (cause for his going into hiding) Sentenced to death by hanging
Reverend Theophilus Msimangu Minister in Sophiatown (region of Johannesburg) Requests that Stephen Kumalo visit him in order to save his sister – She has been in jail Kumalo’s guide while in Johannesburg – Gives him all of his savings when he decides to dedicate himself to the service of the poor
Gertrude Kumalo 25 years younger than her brother, Stephen Lives in Johannesburg with her small child Has been in jail for brewing liquor and being a prostitute After being “rescued” by her brother, she falls back into her errant ways (even after moving in with Mrs. Lithebe)
John Kumalo Brother of Stephen Kumalo Former carpenter Has become a big political leader in Johannesburg (primarily because of his charisma and great speaking ability) Has forsaken the church and now lives a very immoral lifestyle His son is also responsible for the murder of Arthur Jarvis (acquitted due to lack of evidence)
Dubula One of the major black political leaders in Johannesburg – Paired with Tomlinson and John Kumalo
Mrs. Lithebe Elderly woman who offers Stephen Kumalo room and board while in Johannesburg Once Gertrude is brought to her home, she argues with her about her errant lifestyle – Believes Gertrude to be irresponsible Seen as a voice of reason in the story at very chaotic times.
Sibeko A friend of Stephen Kumalo’s friend who requests that Stephen give a letter to his daughter (who is presumably working for the Smith family in Johannesburg) – Kumalo learns that Sibeko’s daughter was fired for brewing liquor in her room – The Smith family says they do not care where she is at this point in time.
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