Compare/Contrast of Things Fall Apart and Cry, the Beloved Country
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton are novels that revolve around the theme of social injustice but beneath that theme, we discover chaos on a deeper level. Chaos erupts on a personal level in both novels because characters refuse to accept reality. In Cry the Beloved Country, Paton points one area of his focus on separation. His story of familial separation becomes more significant against the tapestry of a country that is ravaged from within. Likewise, Achebe places his story of separation in a society that is torn between change and tradition. The backdrop of devastation reinforces the significance of communication in each context. Stephen, James, and Okonkwo undergo transformations that force them to change their perception of life and they can only come to this point through awakening to certain truths regarding life.In Cry the Beloved Country, Stephen learns a valuable lesson through the relationship with his son. He and Stephen represent a type of break that exists in the family. Only after pain and suffering does Stephen see his son for whom he really is. It takes murder, however, for this to occur. Stephen notes that his son is a "stranger . . . I cannot touch him,
He is brave in that he stands up for what he believes in but that does not come without a price. While these novels seem to come to different conclusions about the human condition, they come together on the notion that we can learn from chaos, but we cannot always adapt to it. Each novel explores the theme of social unrest and injustice but they also operate on a more personal level. He did learn something but he was not willing to accept that and death seemed like a better alternative than living a life that was false and untraditional. All men act according to their instincts. Through discomfort and agony, our eyes are more open to the truth. Some of the most important lessons we learn are accompanied with pain and suffering. These men experience chaos in order to reach certain revelations. His life experience was not one from which he could learn. His eyes are opened as well and he can learn from his experience. He is like Stephen in that it takes a painful incident for his eyes to be opened to the truth.
Common topics in this essay:
Country Stephen's,
Apart Okonkwo,
South Africa,
Country Stephen,
Likewise James,
James Okonkwo,
Alan Paton,
Beloved Country,
Stephen James,
Likewise Achebe,
cry beloved,
cry beloved country,
beloved country,
crisis faith,
stephen james,
fall apart,
theme social,
okonkwo learn,
forgive son,
personal level,
life positive,
stephen james okonkwo,
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Acceptance Essays
