Cry The Beloved Country
Character Analysis
YoonSoo
Panthers
Stephen Kumalo - One of the two protagonists of the book, a
priest from the Zulu (one of the tribes in South Africa). He spent
almost his whole life in Ndotsheni until he tried to find his son.
He is very gentle and moral, and he prays for other people. In
the book he cares a lot about his family and he believe others
so much that he believes anyone even though he just met that
person.
James Jarvis - The other protagonist in this book. He is the
father of Arthur Jarvis, who has been killed by Absalom Kumalo.
After his sonʼs death he becomes very angry and thinks very
badly about the natives, but one day he sees his sonʼs notes
about how the natives are unfairly treated in South Africa. After
he sees his sonʼs notes, he starts to changes his mind and tries
his best to help the natives.
Theophilus Msimangu - Msimangu is in charge of the mission house in Sophia
town. He helps Stephen Kumalo find his son and guides stephen Kumalo in
Johannesburg. He also explains to Stephen Kumalo about the problems that the
black population are facing. Msimangu is sometimes very unfriendly to others, but he
regrets being rude to other people.
Absalom Kumalo - Stephen Kumaloʼs son. Absalom left his house when he was
young and finds work in Johannesburg, but this job makes Absalom commit a lot of
crimes. He carried a gun with him for a protection, but he shoots Arthur Jarvis
because of fear. He talks with his father with honesty and he proves he is innocent of
his act, but the judge says he is guilty and he should be punished by his death. He
writes a letter to his family saying that he is ready to approach his death.
Arthur Jarvis - Arthur Jarvis is the son of James Jarvis. His character doesnʼt
appear in the book until after he has been murdered by Absalom. After his death, his
father, James, finds his own writing and from this writing we can know that Arthur
tried to protect the black population. He was the one who worked for others instead
of his own benefits. In my opinion, our world need someone like Arthur Jarvis instead
of people who only think about themselves and their own benefits.
John Kumalo - Stephen Kumaloʼs brother, is a business man, and he is one of the
three most powerful black politicians in Johannesburg. He is talented in making
speeches in front of many people since he has a beautiful voice. He speaks for black
peopleʼs right, but his fear makes him worry about the punishment. This fear gets in
the way of his arguments. In addition, he is a person without courage, he is careless
about his family, and he even doesnʼt remember his brother Stephen Kumaloʼs face.
Cry The Beloved Country
Character Analysis
YoonSoo
Panthers
Absalomʼs girlfriend - This character is a sixteen year old pregnant girl who has
been abandoned by her family. She needs care and love from others. Later on the
book she marries Absalom, but Absalom is killed as a punishment for the murder he
committed.
Mr. Harrison - He blames black people about the countryʼs problems. He doesnʼt
agree with Arthurʼs opinion about the black people, but he respects Arthurʼs courage.
Margaret Jarvis - This character is James Jarvis's wife. When she first hears about
her sonʼs death, she goes into a panic and doesnʼt believe her sonʼs death. She
supports her husband and she also helps the black people in Ndotsheni.