Cry, the
Beloved
Country
Book 2, Chapter 7-12
These skies of a strange
country told him nothing.”
Recap of Book 2: Chap 1-6
Key issues:
– James Jarvis learning about his role as a father
– Arthur Jarvis as an advocate
– The reality in South Africa from the perspective of
a White individual
– The notion of justice
– Is there hope for Absalom?
Chapter 7:
James Jarvis visiting Arthur’s house again
and reading his writings.
– James Jarvis shocked and hurt that his son feels that his
parenting was lacking depth and truth.
But of South Africa, I learnt nothing at all” (p.150)
– We learn through Arthur Jarvis’s writings that James
Jarvis was someone who held ordinary beliefs and would
not think about nor pursue such beliefs.
Chapter 7:
James Jarvis visiting Arthur’s house again
and reading his writings.
– An internal conflict between action and
conscience - doing what is right even if it is
unpopular, even if it means taking risks.
“It is the only way to end the conflict of my deepest
soul” (p. 151)
“I am moved
by something
that is not my
own, that
moves me to
do what is
right, at
whatever cost
it may be.”
(p. 151)
Chapter 7:
James Jarvis visiting Arthur’s house again
and reading his writings.
– Arthur Jarvis holding on to his strong values and basic moral
principles.
– Parallel to Absalom who lose that value, moral principles.
– Arthur Jarvis inspired and propelled by the desire to do what is
right – showing an absence of fear. Whereas, Absalom is
propelled by fear. This could be a reason for the jarring and
differing actions of individuals like Arthur and Absalom.
– Highlights the dangers of fear  fatal consequences
Chapter 7:
James Jarvis visiting Arthur’s house again
and reading his writings.
– Possible acceptance of Arthur’s death
– Renewed sense of courage, perhaps.
– Arthur Jarvis’s writings could also be a reflection of
Paton’s own voice.
“He was not going that way anymore, that was all.”
(p. 152)
Chapter 8: The meeting of James
Jarvis and Stephen Kumalo.
– James Jarvis also a man of the land, rooted to the land,
shares a sort of bond with the land – a similarity shared
with Stephen Kumalo
“He was a man of soil” (p.152)
Chapter 8: The meeting of James
Jarvis and Stephen Kumalo.
– Acceptance and realization of the reality of his son’s death, of the
truth about South Africa and its true face – the injustice, the
robbed culture, the prejudice, the fear and pain of the Black
community, the lack of action to truly right the wrong
– Perhaps, Arthur’s death was needed to reveal such truths
“I understand what I did not understand. There is no anger in me.” (p.
156)
Chapter 8: The meeting of James
Jarvis and Stephen Kumalo.
– Reaching a sort of acceptance on both James and Kumalo’s part of
the circumstances of their own sons. Both failed in their own
ways.
– A rather moving scene that shows the strength of forgiveness –
eases the initial tension at the beginning of the confrontation
between Kumalo and Jarvis.
“Go well” “Stay well” (p. 157)
Chapter 9: John Kumalo and his
speeches which ignited a strike.
– John Kumalo continues to speak apparent words
of truth and justice but as audience, we already
know his true nature.
“And here the great voice growls in the bull throat.”
(p. 158)
Chapter 9: John Kumalo and his
speeches which ignited a strike.
– John Kumalo pretends to be noble and righteous when
he is truly corrupted and selfish. He knows the power of
his words to enrage and truly incite change but he holds
back as he enjoys holding that power and control over
the people.
“He knows the great power that he has, the power of which
he is afraid.” (p. 159)
Chapter 9: John Kumalo and his
speeches which ignited a strike.
– The nature of the strikes shows the vulnerability and naivety of the
natives.
– Omniscient narrator is back – whose voice?
– A suppression of the true extent of resistance
“All is quiet, they report, all is quiet.” (p. 163)
“Nothing is ever quiet, except for fools.” (p. 164)
Chapter 10: Mrs Lithebe and her
advice. News of another “native
crime”
– Gertrude attempts to renew herself – expresses a desire
to be a nun so that she may control her sexual desires
– Rather dubious. As Mrs Lithebe has to advise her again
to stop her careless laughter and ways show her lack of
change
“I am a weak woman” (p. 166)
Chapter 11: The sentence
“I am only
pointing out
that a Judge
cannot, must
not, dare not
allow the
existing defects
of society to
influence him to
do anything but
administer the
Law.” (p. 171)
– Absalom fully admits to his crime and receive his sentence –
sympathy evoked for Absalom. He is certainly a victim of the
circumstances of social injustice but does this justify his action?
– It is still fear that propels Absalom to admit to the killing of Arthur
Jarvis – feels helpless in the face of the justice system.
– Is the sentence justified? What does the sentence consider? Who
runs the justice system?
– Questions the fairness of the justice system in South Africa
Chapter 11: The sentence
– Reaction to the sentencing was rather emotional – breaking of
norms, breaking of hearts
– A seemingly unusual sight – confusing
– Young white man who breaks the custom signifies a sense of hope
in the midst of the miserable sentence
“partly because of the custom that is being broken. For such a thing is
not lightly done.” (p. 174)
“The young man’s brow is set, and he looks fiercely before him.” (p.
174)
Chapter 12: The marriage and
the farewell
– Kumalo wants to ensure that Absalom’s child is formally
his and that Absalom’s girl is formally his daughter in
law– could explain reason for marriage despite knowing
Absalom’s inevitable death
– Formality between father and son that emphasizes the
barrier that Kumalo faced when he first met his son –
father son relationship can no longer be salvaged.
Chapter 12: The marriage and
the farewell
– Kumalo loses Gertrude, John and Absalom but instead gains a sort
of surrogate family to rebuild his house that was wrecked in the
storm of Johannesburg.
“Brother has shut out brother, from the same womb had they come.”
(p. 182)
“Tomorrow, it is Ndotsheni.” (p. 185)