essay questions on cry the beloved country

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Cry, the Beloved Country

42 pages • 1 hour read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Book 1, Chapters 1-8

Book 1, Chapters 9-17

Book 2, Chapters 18-29

Book 3, Chapters 30-36

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Compare and contrast the settings of Johannesburg and Ndotsheni. What keeps former residents of Ndotsheni in Johannesburg? What pushes people out of Ndotsheni? How does a comparison of these two settings highlight the functioning of colonialism in the text?

What are the roles of women within the novel? How do they figure into the novel’s themes and the history of colonialism?

Alan Paton includes several biblical allusions in the novel, such as the names Stephen, John, Absalom, and Theophilus. What is the literary significance of these allusions?

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Cry, the Beloved Country

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Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Alan Paton's Cry, the Beloved Country . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Cry, the Beloved Country: Introduction

Cry, the beloved country: plot summary, cry, the beloved country: detailed summary & analysis, cry, the beloved country: themes, cry, the beloved country: quotes, cry, the beloved country: characters, cry, the beloved country: symbols, cry, the beloved country: theme wheel, brief biography of alan paton.

Historical Context of Cry, the Beloved Country

Other books related to cry, the beloved country.

• Full Title: Cry, The Beloved Country
• When Written: 1946
• Where Written: Norway and the United States
• When Published: 1948
• Literary Period: Modernism
• Genre: Novel
• Setting: Johannesburg & Ndotsheni, South Africa
• Climax: When Absalom is found guilty of murder and sentenced to death.
• Antagonist: The State
• Point of View: Some sections are from the third-person POV of Stephen Kumalo, some from the third-person POV of James Jarvis, and still others from a nameless narrator.

Extra Credit for Cry, the Beloved Country

Film Adaptations. Two famous films have been adapted from Cry, the Beloved Country: the first, in 1951, was written by Paton, and starred Sidney Poitier and Canada Lee. The second, in 1995, starred James Earl Jones.

Political Prediction. Cry, the Beloved Country was very politically prescient: it described a country descending into apartheid and was published in 1948, just before apartheid was enacted into law.

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Book navigation

• Cry the Beloved Country: Summary: Book I Chapters 1-4
• Cry the Beloved Country: Novel Summary: Book I Chapters 1-4
• Cry the Beloved Country: Novel Summary: Book I Chapters 5-8
• Cry the Beloved Country: Novel Summary: Book I Chapters 9-12
• Cry the Beloved Country: Novel Summary: Book I Chapters 13-17
• Cry the Beloved Country: Novel Summary: Book II Chapters 18-21
• Cry the Beloved Country: Novel Summary: Book II Chapters 22-25
• Cry the Beloved Country: Novel Summary: Book II Chapters 26-29
• Cry the Beloved Country: Novel Summary: Book III Chapters 30-33
• Cry the Beloved Country: Novel Summary: Book III Chapters 34-36
• Cry the Beloved Country: Character Profiles
• Cry the Beloved Country: Metaphor Analysis
• Cry the Beloved Country: Theme Analysis
• Cry the Beloved Country: Top Ten Quotes
• Cry the Beloved Country: Biography: Alan Paton

Cry the Beloved Country: Essay Q&A

Essay Q&A

1. How does today's South Africa differ from the country depicted in 1948? How did the changes happen? South Africa today is almost unrecognizable from the country depicted in Cry, the Beloved Country. Huge political and social changes have taken place since 1946, the year in which the novel is set. But things got considerably worse before they got better. In 1948, when the novel was first published, the Nationalist Party came to power and created the system of strict racial segregation known as apartheid. Blacks were barred from many occupations, and wages for blacks were well below what whites earned. Blacks were not allowed to vote or run for office. During the 1950s, the government created separate bantustans, or homelands, for some groups of black people. Protests against apartheid grew during the 1960s, and the South African government cracked down on black activists. Nelson Mandela, leader of the African National Congress, was imprisoned for life in 1962. In 1974, South Africa was expelled from the United Nations. It became an international pariah and many countries imposed economic sanctions on it. In 1976, protesting students in the black township of Soweto, near Johannesburg, were fired on by police. Many died, and in the near anarchy that followed, over a thousand people died, and 13,000 were arrested. Opposition to apartheid continued to grow, despite repression by the government. During the late 1980s, with South Africa internationally isolated, it finally became clear to the ruling Nationalist Party that it could not continue its racist policies. In 1990, Prime Minister, F. W. de Klerk, removed the ban on the African National Congress and freed Nelson Mandela from prison. In 1994, multi-party elections were held. It was the first time in South Africa that blacks had been allowed to vote. The African National Congress emerged as the ruling party, and Mandela became President. Today, South Africa is a multiracial society in which whites and blacks are treated equally under the law. The economy is thriving. Although social problems remain, as they do in any country, South Africa has witnessed the dawn that Paton envisaged at the end of the novel, one that would release the people from the "fear of bondage and the bondage of fear." 2. What are the different ways in which John Kumalo and Msimangu address the problem of racial injustice? The basic difference between Kumalo and Msimangu is between a political and a spiritual approach to the problem. John Kumalo has rejected the church. The church speaks with fine words, he says, and condemns unjust laws, but it has been doing this for fifty years, and things get worse, not better. He has turned to political activism rather than religion, and has made a name for himself by his powerful speeches calling for higher wages for the black mineworkers, who create all the wealth that the white people enjoy. The political approach utilizes the tool of workers' strikes to force a more equitable society. Msimangu shares John Kumalo's awareness of racial injustice, but his attitude to it is different. He is a Christian priest, and therefore, he say, he cannot hate the white man. He is also suspicious of those black people who seek power, because he believes that power corrupts them. They may be well motivated to begin with, but they become selfish, and use power for their own ends. His approach is a radical, spiritual one: "But there is only one thing that has power completely, and that is love. Because when a man loves, he seeks no power, and therefore he has power." The different approaches are demonstrated vividly in the public speeches of the two men. In chapter 13, Msimangu gives an inspiring sermon at Ezenzelini, in which he emphasizes spiritual upliftment, not political action. He preaches about inheriting the spiritual kingdom after death, not in establishing that kingdom through justice on earth. This is why some consider him a friend, or at least not a threat, to the South African government. By contrast, in chapter 26, Kumalo gives a speech to a big crowd, calling for a miners' strike. Unlike Msimangu, he is perceived as a threat to the government, and they will arrest him if he offers them any provocation. Of the two approaches, the novel suggests that Msimangu's is the more likely to succeed. The strike for which Kumalo calls seems to have little effect, but Part III of the novel, which emphasizes the cooperation between white and black people in the revitalizing of Ndotsheni, seems to fulfill Msimangu's words in chapter 7: "I see only one hope for our country, and that is when white men and black men, desiring neither power nor money, but desiring only the good of their country, come together to work for it." 3. Does Absalom Kumalo receive a fair trial? Although Cry, the Beloved Country is a novel about injustice, Absalom Kumalo appears on the face of it to receive a fair trial. Since he admitted that he killed Arthur Jarvis, the issue is not one of guilt or innocence but of intent, since he claims that he did not intend to kill. Absalom receives an adequate defense, by a distinguished lawyer, and the case is considered in detail by the judge, who carefully evaluates all the evidence. Because it cannot be established beyond doubt that the other two accused men were at the scene of the crime, they are acquitted, which suggests that this is not a trial in which innocent people are railroaded. In fact, it suggests the opposite, since it is clear that the other two accused were in fact guilty. The argument that condemns Kumalo is that he entered the house with a weapon, the use of which might result in the death of a man who interfered with the burglary. According to the judge, South African law says that an intention to kill may be inferred from such circumstances. Therefore Absalom is guilty of murder. The question of fairness really revolves around the extent to which an individual can excuse his actions and blame them on a corrupt society. This is in part the defense used by Absalom's lawyer, Mr. Carmichael. He argues that black crime happens because tribal society has been destroyed, and that white society bears some responsibility for the destruction. In that sense, the whole social system is unjust, and the lawyer argues that should be considered in evaluating the case against Absalom. However, the judge rules that such matters are irrelevant. He must simply abide by the law, and not pass comment on society. Viewed in narrow terms, then, the trial would seem to be fair, but seen in the larger context of the injustices inherent in South African society, that conclusion seems less easy to uphold. 4. How would you describe the character of Stephen Kumalo, and how does he grow during the course of the novel? Stephen Kumalo is a humble, kind man who for many years has pursued his calling as a parson in Ndotsheni. He appears to have traveled little, and has small knowledge of the wider world. This changes when he is summoned to Johannesburg to attend to his sister, during which time he also takes the opportunity to search for his son. Through this search, he learns more about the injustices that are inflicted on the black people in Johannesburg and the depths to which life can sink. Kumalo is not a man of great education or force of intellect or personality, and he has no solution to the troubled situation he finds himself in other than to try to bring his family back home with him. In this respect, he has an unshakeable sense of duty. As a religious man, he is also motivated by deep faith and a sense of moral responsibility. He inspires respect and affection in others. He is not perfect, however, and is not beyond telling a small lie to the other passengers on the train to Johannesburg, implying that he has been to the great city many times, when in fact this is his first trip. On several occasions he is tempted into saying hurtful things, once to Absalom's girlfriend, and then to his brother John. On each occasion, however, he feels remorse afterwards. Kumalo endures great sorrow and grief as a result of what happens in Johannesburg, but he does grow as a person during the course of the novel. When he returns to Ndotsheni, he takes it upon himself to try to improve the lot of his fellow villagers, consulting with the chief and the school headmaster about how to accomplish this goal. He also remembers to pray, and his prayers are answered when James Jarvis starts to help the village. By keeping faith with his religious calling, Kumalo has become the instrument through which healing and restoration come to Ndotsheni. 5. What role does Arthur Jarvis's son play in the novel? Arthur Jarvis's son, the small boy who comes to visit Stephen Kumalo in Ndotsheni, acts as an agent of reconciliation. He is a symbol of hope for the future. Knowing nothing of racial prejudice, he treats Kumalo with respect and behaves in a completely natural manner towards him, and his childish curiosity awakens the old man's affection. The boy is also a herald of good events. Immediately after each of his visits to Kumalo, something completely unexpected happens. On the first occasion, it is the delivery of milk for the small children. On the second occasion, it is the arrival of Letsitsi, who is going to teach the people how to farm. There is a hint that the boy is a messenger of the divine, an angel perhaps. Angels are often described as bright, and the boy is described several times in exactly this way. On his second visit, for example, "He sat down at the table and looked round with a pleasure inside him, so that a man felt it was something bright that had come into the house" (chapter 33). When the boy tells Kumalo he will return to Johannesburg when his grandfather comes back, Kumalo says, "When you go, something bright will go out of Ndotsheni." Seen in this light, it is significant that the boy makes his first appearance almost immediately after Kumalo prays for a miracle that will help his village. The innocent young white boy is an agent, sent by God, to set that miracle in motion.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Books — Cry The Beloved Country

Essays on Cry The Beloved Country

Cry The Beloved Country, written by Alan Paton, is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores the social, political, and moral issues facing South Africa during the apartheid era. The novel delves into themes such as racial injustice, social inequality, and the human capacity for forgiveness and reconciliation. With its richly developed characters and evocative depiction of the South African landscape, Cry The Beloved Country continues to resonate with readers today. When it comes to writing an essay on this novel, there are numerous topics to explore that can provide a deeper understanding of the text and its relevance to contemporary society.

The Importance of the Topic

Choosing a compelling essay topic for Cry The Beloved Country is essential for producing a well-researched and engaging paper. The novel offers a wealth of themes, characters, and social issues to explore, making it a rich source for academic analysis. By selecting a topic that resonates with the reader and relates to the novel's central themes, students can delve into the complexities of the text and offer insightful interpretations of the author's intentions. Furthermore, by choosing a relevant and thought-provoking topic, students can develop their critical thinking skills and engage in meaningful discussions about the novel's themes and its impact on society.

Advice on Choosing a Topic

When selecting a topic for an essay on Cry The Beloved Country, students should consider their personal interests and the themes that resonate with them the most. It's important to choose a topic that will allow for in-depth analysis and critical interpretation of the novel. Students may also want to consider current social and political issues that parallel the themes in the novel, as this can provide a relevant and engaging angle for their essay. Additionally, students should ensure that their chosen topic is specific enough to allow for a focused analysis, but broad enough to provide ample material for research and discussion.

Cry The Beloved Country Essay Topics

• The theme of racial injustice in Cry The Beloved Country
• Alan Paton's portrayal of the social and political landscape in South Africa
• The role of religion in the novel
• The character development of Stephen Kumalo
• The impact of apartheid on the characters in the novel
• The significance of the setting in Cry The Beloved Country
• The contrast between the rural and urban communities in the novel
• The symbolic significance of the title "Cry The Beloved Country"
• The portrayal of father-son relationships in the novel
• The theme of forgiveness and reconciliation in Cry The Beloved Country
• The role of women in the novel
• The impact of economic disparities on the characters in the novel
• The representation of hope and despair in Cry The Beloved Country
• The relevance of the novel's themes to contemporary society
• The literary style and techniques used by Alan Paton in Cry The Beloved Country
• The significance of the character of James Jarvis
• The portrayal of the black experience in South Africa in the novel
• The role of education in the novel
• The impact of the natural landscape on the characters in Cry The Beloved Country
• The theme of social justice in the novel
• The portrayal of the legal system in South Africa in the novel
• The significance of the character of Absalom Kumalo
• The impact of loss and grief on the characters in the novel
• The theme of love and compassion in Cry The Beloved Country
• The portrayal of leadership and community in the novel
• The role of music and art in the novel
• The impact of fear and prejudice on the characters in Cry The Beloved Country
• The portrayal of the youth in the novel
• The significance of the character of Msimangu
• The portrayal of the church and spirituality in the novel

Cry The Beloved Country offers a wealth of compelling essay topics that can provide students with a deeper understanding of the novel and its enduring relevance. By selecting a topic that resonates with them and relates to the novel's central themes, students can delve into the complexities of the text and engage in meaningful discussions about its social, political, and moral implications. Whether exploring the theme of racial injustice, the portrayal of the South African landscape, or the character development of Stephen Kumalo, students can develop their critical thinking skills and offer insightful interpretations of Alan Paton's powerful novel.

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Similarities and Differences Between Kumalo and Jarvis in in Cry, The Beloved Country

A literary review of alan paton’s story, cry the beloved country with focus on the journey to freedom.

February 1, 1948

Novel, Political Fiction

Stephen Kumalo, James Jarvis, Absalom Kumalo, Reverend Msimangu, John Kumalo

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Cry, the Beloved Country

I'm sorry this is a short-answer forum designed for text specific questions. We are unable to provide student essays.

Kumalo, who was a partor, begins his journey as a member of a family in trouble. He visits Johannesburg in order to help his sister and then becomes consumed in a search for his son. Over the course of the novel, Stephen's determination to reunite his family finds him in a new position..... that of an activist for social justice.

Jarvis, unlike Khumalo, is faced with the task of understanding his son's murder. He is a wealthy man, who like Khumalo, joins the cause of social justice and has the money to promote it in his country.

Cry the Beloved Country

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