FREE ESSAY ON CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY

CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY

The major conflict in the novel, Cry the Beloved Country, is an inner uncertainty within
the characters. The author, Alan Paton, shows this inner conflict from two perspectives;
the Europeans and the Native South Africans. These two groups also have inconsistencies
in their conscious to resolve. 
The black Natives are struggling between tradition and the new world. The Natives are
forfeiting their old values as they progress towards the mode of the big city life. The
Europeans are also confused. Many Europeans want to help the Natives, but are faced with
following old tradition. Conventionally, these two groups should live independently. The
changing of customs and values created apprehension and fear for both groups of people.
Steven Kumalo, a Native priest, faced inner conflicts throughout the book. Kumalo had
dreams of restoring the tribe and reuniting his family. He received a letter telling him
his sister was ill in Johannesburg. Steven overcomes his fears of the big city and
attempts to reunite his broken family. Steven hoped to find his sister Gertrude, brother
John, and son Absalom. Each of these characters rejected their old values. His brother,
John, was a corrupt politician. Kumalo's sister, Gertrude, was a prostitute. Absalom,
Stephen's son, killed Arthur Jarvis. Kumalo struggled with feelings about his family
members. He continued to encounter the clash of two different worlds affecting their
lives. 
The Europeans were caught between tradition and the modernistic ways. The Europeans had
been taught they were a superior race. Many Europeans doubted their traditional views and
lifestyles. During the Native's bus boycott, a few Europeans voluntarily drove the
Natives so they did not have to walk. The old routine customs were questioned, and
challenged. In this case, the rules were ignored.
Customs were also ignored during Absalom's trial. Absalom Kumalo, Stephen's son, was
found guilty of murdering Arthur Jarvis. Absalom's white friend broke the color line
while leaving the courtroom. Carmichael ran to help Stephen who was about to collapse
from devastating grief for his son. Helping a friend, rather than obeying tradition was
Carmichael's response to this inner conflict.
Jarvis and Kumalo began interacting with each other when they returned to Natal. Mr.
Jarvis's grandson visited Stephen's home a few times before returning to Johannesburg.
Kumalo taught the young boy the Native Zulu language. The boy was a respectful and
attentive student. Mr. Jarvis's grandson challenged the old ways and accepted his
teacher. It was much easier for the younger generations to accept the challenges of
change. The younger generations had different views about racial issues than their
parents. Mr. Kumalo hoped the younger generations would prosper and live peacefully.
James Jarvis and Stephen Kumalo returned to their homes in Natal. A deadly drought had
devastated the land. Mr. Kumalo turned to tradition for an end to the drought. He visited
the tribal chief for help. The chief told Kumalo there is nothing to be done and they
will pray for rain. 
Stephen Kumalo and many others viewed the chief as just a figurehead. Kumalo's trip to
Johannesburg taught him to accept new ways and ideas. Stephen Kumalo questioned
traditional solutions to the current problems in his land.
James Jarvis returned to help the Native tribal community. He hired a new teacher for the
school. The teacher informed the Natives of new farming methods. The new knowledge helped
the natives through the drought. Mr. Jarvis also gave the Natives milk for the young
children until they could get enough of their own. He also offered to build Stephen a new
church.
Jarvis ignored belief and custom to help people in need, regardless of their skin color.
Alan Paton's novel presents the personal conflict of Jarvis and Kumalo. Through their
lives, the larger conflict between the races in South Africa and for all humanity is
presented by this wonderful author.