Cry the Beloved Country
The controversial novel, Cry the Beloved country, originally published in 1948 by Alan Paton has received just as much praise as condemnation. The novel, thought long since antiquated by some, remains a classic still, after 50 years. Paton's novel has been continually critiqued, compared, and contrasted against not only his own later work, but also with other South African novelistsPaton, who grew up in Pietermartizburg, Natal, South Africa; always enjoyed the beauty around him. At the age of 22, he began a teaching career, first at a native school in the village of Ixopo, then at Pietermartizburg College. Years later he abandoned teaching to begin a career as a reformatory worker. He was appointed principal to the diepkloof reformatory, where he attempted to loosen the restrictions placed on the boys and emphasizes preparation for life outside the reformatory walls. He traveled extensively to study reformatories throughout the world. It was on one of these trips that he was inspired to write cry the beloved country, the novel that made him famous.In the 1930's and 40's South Africa was a nation torn apart by racial segregation, enforced inequality, and prejudice. A wave of crime, mostly by
Paton's novel finds its setting in this fragile society, where fear and hatred diminish the beauty and good of the nation. Paton closes the novel as Absalom Kumalo is being put to death. black natives and largely upon wealthy white citizens, was leading to a kind of national panic among the white minority. These sub-chapters take us away from the personal conflict of Steven Kumalo and James Jarvis, and take us to problems on a much more global scale. These intercalary chapters give us images such as the racial conflict and how a solution won't be found until people have an open mind. Though, when potential for good in a person comes to mind, the character Jarvis would have to be the most deserving of praise. The story follows the Reverend Kumalo on his journey to find his son. Kumalo taught the young boy the native Zulu language. Apartheid is forced segregation; it is a form of keeping different racial groups as separate as possible. Paton uses the struggle of Steven Kumalo, and his son as an example of what was going on each and every day under Apartheid rule. This new dawn will show the goodness possible for all mankind. Though afraid of the city, he overcomes his fears and makes a valiant attempt to bring his family back to their native homeland. The changing of customs and values created apprehension and fear for both the natives and the Europeans. This "wave" of crime that was sweeping through the land was a cry out for help by black natives who only wanted to be given justice, to be treated as equals. The idea that good can be found in all men is a predominant theme running through the novel.
Common topics in this essay:
South Africa,
Beloved Country,
Kumalo Msimangu,
Natal Jarvis,
Reverend Kumalo,
Pietermartizburg College,
South African,
Steven Kumalo,
Johannesburg Kumalo,
James Jarvis,
south africa,
cry beloved country,
cry beloved,
beloved country,
steven kumalo,
south african,
absalom kumalo,
jarvis' grandson,
late son,
dawn means,
crime paton,
novel cry beloved,
|
Acceptance Essays
