Cry The Beloved Country and Apartheid Essay - 1205 Words

The novel Cry the Beloved Country was a prophecy for the future of South Africa. It alludes to and sometimes even blatantly states the conditions necessary for the end of apartheid and the beginning of peace. South Africa in the 1940s was in trouble. Kumalo, a priest, was able to see through the prejudices of the world and assess the situation. When inconvenient to involve Kumalo in the investigation, the depth of South Africas disparity was illustrated directly through the stories of horrifying happenings in characters conversations. Finally, we see that Msimangu was Patons voice in the novel. When certain conditions were met Msimangu [and Paton] theorized that peace would finally be plausible in South Africa. As the reader begins†¦show more content†¦but at least [we are] free of an old ignorant man, who is nothing but a white mans dog (CTBC, p67). And so new conflict is presented: the black mans struggle against the white mans oppression. It is also established that its r esolution definitely does not lie in the reunification of the tribe: It is breaking apart, your tribal society. It is here in Johannesburg that the new society is being built (CTBC, p67). Despite these setbacks, Kumalo remained steadfast in his principles and manner of speech regardless of where he was and who he was talking with.(abstract) For instance, he maintained his politeness in spite of the ramifications of his brothers iconoclastic suggestions (as illustrated above): ...who knows what angry words might have been spoken, but Stephen Kumalo was quick to intervene. Here is the tea, my brother. That is kind of you (CTBC, p69) Somewhat similarly, when he is speaking with Absoloms to-be wife, he loses himself briefly, but returns adamant to correct his errors according to his principles: I am sorry... I am ashamed that I asked you such a question... do you truly wish to marry my son? (CTBC, p147) These constants allow us to view all parts of the book from a single perspective and follow the progression of thought as if it were our own. Therefore, the power of Kumalos ability to assess the situation at hand in a valid and believable way provides the facts and issues the prophecies of this book are meant toShow MoreRelatedApartheid and The Future of South Africa in Cry, The Beloved Country1044 Words   |  5 PagesArthur, Napoleon, and Msimangu, all characters from Alan Paton’s book, Cry, The Beloved Country, are used to share Paton’s points of view on the future of South Africa and the apartheid. Paton uses these characters to represent specific views; Arthur expresses clearly that the apartheid isn’t the right way to progress as a country, Napoleon exemplifies how Paton thinks people should take the anti-apartheid effort, and Msimangu explicitly expresses Paton’s ideas of an ideal leader. 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