Cry, The Beloved Country
Cry, The Beloved Country "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. 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. He was grave and silent, and then he said somberly, I have one great fear in my heart, that one day when they are turned to loving, they will find we are turned to hating." (Paton71) Love and the lust for power are important messages portrayed throughout Cry, The Beloved Country. The novel shares these contrasting actions throughout the setting, meaning between the black and white people of South Africa and through the specific characters. Kumalo's prevailing love for his family, even for those who have gone astray show the beauty and humility of the umfundisi. His brother, John Kumalo, has a lust for power creating a barrier between the love that he once shared with those around him. Instead he dotes on material items and the feeling of supremacy and control as in his way to rival the injustices the native people face. This can be seen through his great speeches given in his deep, bull voice about the need to rise up. The novel's journey unfolds some of Paton's deeper
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meanings such that it is only the power of love that can break these walls and create bonds that will last forever. The underlying power of love can never be overused as it is one of the truths to the world. It cannot be overused due to the ongoing struggle to find and hold onto love so that it can be seen in its purest form. Love is something of a mystery as it can be found to heal broken hearts and broken countries. It is something so easy for one and almost impossible for another. Paton helps expound upon the importance and mystery of love as he tells of its necessity. This passage clearly stands out among the rest because of the truth and beauty behind the words. "It was getting dark now, but the road was still thick with the Alexandra people going home. And there were still cars stopping to give them lifts, especially to the old people, and the women, and the cripples. Kumalo's face wore the smile, the strange smile not known in other countries, of a black man when he sees one of his people helped in public by a white man, for such a thing is not lightly done." (81) This passage helps to continue the message of love and compassion that is so desperately needed within the world. The actions of some of the white people show that not everyone can be taken for account for the cruel discrimination. There were many acts throughout the novel such as this one that develops the underlying good within some of society. This passage offers hope for the rest of the book and to the native people as the white people acted out of compassion even when they were asked to stop. Police warned these considerate citizens of their need for a warrant but instead of acting for the law, they acted for the good of humanity out of love. The simple acts of kindness shown give the rightful beauty back to humanity. It gives a sense of hope and inspires one to not only continue reading, but to act in such a way in their own life. A smile can be brought to the faces of the reader as it does Kumalo. It is the power of love and great compassion that can bring people to both share a grin and to shed a tear. "My friend, your anxiety turn to fear, and your fear turned to sorrow. But sorrow is better than fear. For fear impoverishes always, while sorrow may enrich....Fear is a journey, a terrible journey, but sorrow is at least an arriving. When the storm threatens, a man is afraid for his house, said Father Vincent in that symbolic language that is like the Zulu tongue. But when the house is destroyed, there is something to do. About the storm he can do nothing, but he can rebuild a house. " (140) The connection between fear and sorrow is an extremely powerful one, as mentioned in this quote. Fear creates a kind of sickness and madness within a person especially because nothing really can be done but wait. Sorrow usually derives from this fear that actually leads to harm. Once the fear is confirmed though, something can be done. Msimangu uses these inspiring words to comfort the old umfundisi and to encourage him to fix what has been broken. Kumalo finds himself hurt after learning about his son. It is during this time when the waiting is over that fear no longer possess his mind, leaving him with the ability to make good of the situation. This quote is supposed to be a motivational guide to influence Kumalo to live on and continue to work through God, especially for the good of Ndotsheni. Alan Paton perfectly pinpoints the difference between fear and sorrow, making this an unforgettable quote. The small story relates to a Biblical parable that helps the reader to connect the moving words to their own life. Paton's word choice is so phenomenal leading everyone to believe in its truth. It is set apart from all other passages due to the fact that it informs the reader to live on by empowering them. Even if you may lose the things you love there is still the opportunity to start over. The items such as your house and other possessions are of little importance in life, it is the people that are important. "I believe, he said, but I have learned that it is a secret. Pain and suffering, they are a secret. Kindness and love, they are a secret. But I have learned that kindness and love can pay for pain and suffering. There is my wife, and you, my friend, and these people who welcomed me, and the child who is so eager to be with us here in Ndotsheni– so in my suffering I can believe." (261) Paton tries to share how hard it is for one to understand the pain, suffering, and happiness of others. Everyone has their own experiences leading to different points of view, diving people’s connections. Kumalo says that although people may not feel his pain or realize what he has been through, the people in his life still welcome him with open arms. They continue to maintain a loving relationship based on what they do share in common. Kumalo’s son is to be hanged, his son left his wife who was with child, his sister was reduced to prostitution and she left her son behind, his brother lost his faith and no longer believes in the tribe. When Kumalo finally returns home, although reduced to grief, he marches on willing only to help everyone that he can. His family and friends are overjoyed to see him again even in the course of the faults within his family. Kumalo is pleased to find these open arms through his pain, helping him to continue to hold a firm grasp on his faith. It is through the suffering that people must look on to the better things in life including those who are there for them and care. This quote provides that look into the good that remains in people's lives. This is when the good things may be hardest to see due to the numbness for pain and grief. The readers are able to feel this connection and yet can see the people that are there to comfort the umfundisi. Kumalo luckily realizes his great fortune and is thankful for these people in his life that are always there to have his back. This is a nice reminder for the reader especially so that they may remember those people in their life that they should be thankful for. "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, God save Africa. But he would not see that salvation. It lay afar off, because men were afraid of it. Because, to tell the truth, they were afraid of him, and his wife, and Msimangu, and the young demonstrator. And what was there evil in their desires, in their hunger? That men should walk upright in the land where they were born, and be free to use the fruits of the earth, what was there evil in it? Yet men were afraid, with a fear that was deep, deep in the heart, a fear so deep that they hid their kindness, or brought it out with fierceness and anger, and they were so few. And such fear could not be cast out, but by love." (311) People should not be afraid of people like Kumalo, Msimangu, and the young demonstrator, yet they are. They are only afraid because they are scared they may gain power. Power gains dominance and this cannot be an option because these men are natives. They are of a different race and yet they have done no harm. Instead they have only done what they can to help people. This quote shows the significance of the fear the white people had and the injustice placed behind their beliefs. People should be able to enjoy their country, rather than be controlled and shut down because of it. Fear influences people to build walls to block out the horrors they fear. It causes a dark, twisted feeling that brings out the worst in people rather than the best. Its this idea of fear that creates problems within our world. If people did not fear, then there would be no need of secrets, lies, locks, or armies. War would be considered a thing of the past because people would not fear the power, the takeover, or the influence of others. Paton hold out these brilliant ideas for his readers taking. He offers such deep topics of thought, provoking one to see past the norms of reality. This quote helps put a different view on how fear is used by people and the effects of fear. The reader is able to take away a collection of thoughts which is necessary for finding ways to change the world. "Sadness and fear and hate, how they well up in the heart and mind, whenever one opens the pages of these messengers of doom. Cry for the broken tribe, for the law and the custom that is gone. Aye, and cry aloud for the man who is dead, for the woman and children bereaved. Cry, the beloved country, these things are not yet at an end. The sun pours down on the earth, on the lovely land that man cannot enjoy. He knows only the fear of his heart." (105) This quote perfectly sums up the novel, Cry, The Beloved Country because it incorporates both of the main themes of the book. The destruction of tribal culture and the breakdown of native families is portrayed through the sorrow expressed of 'the beloved country' and 'the broken tribe.' The importance of Christian charity is seen through the sorrow as caring is the first step to making a difference. Within the book, there are many examples of both the destruction of the tribal culture and the Christian charity to fight against or back the belief of keeping it alive. It is the job of the people, all people within the country, to fix the desolate land and reconnect the forgotten culture of South Africa. Although it is said the white man tore the tribal system apart, it cannot be rebuilt without the help of the native people. They must all work together to achieve the much-needed goal of the reconstruction of South Africa and the peace between the people. Alan Paton describes the relationship between whites and natives providing an examination of both the good and bad that occurs. He specifically connects the characters of Jarvis and Kumalo beginning with a unsteady bond and eventually kindling a kind of partnership. These two characters help illustrate the two main themes of the novel and leave the story with a hope for the future.
Mrs. Benni, Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton was an amazing novel full of lessons and inspiring characters.
When we first began reading the book as a class, I did not enjoy it. The beginning was a little rough for me to get into because it had a gloomy, depressing feeling to it. Plus, Paton used many words that derived from Africa making it hard for me to connect and fully understand the story. I would much rather read happy, upbeat books that I am able to understand but with time I realized the deep meaning of the book. I began to enjoy reading as the story continued to unfold bring about some new adventure for poor
Kumalo. Once I began to understand the story more, finding good quotes was beyond easy. The issue was not finding quotes but narrowing my selection down to six quotes that I felt I should include in my essay. I loved the written excerpts from Arthur Jarvis' essays giving clarity on his beliefs and the idea of how South Africa should really be. I loved how Jarvis eventually accepted this idea and made it his dying wish to help the native people of Ndotsheni. I always felt Jarvis had a compassion and connection to Kumalo but it made me so happy to see his great kindness especially through the pain he suffered by the event that took place between their sons. It is my hope that the story does not stop where it did, but begin there. I would love to hear about the restoration of the land, the tribal system, and the people. Although the book was extremely sad, it left the reader with some hope for the future and a new outlook on life. Alan Paton has a way of writing that is clearly inspirational and is exceedingly thought provoking. I aspire to write like him some day and to be able to make a difference in the world in one way or another just as the characters within Cry, The Beloved Country were able to do.
meanings such that it is only the power of love that can break these walls and create bonds that will last forever. The underlying power of love can never be overused as it is one of the truths to the world. It cannot be overused due to the ongoing struggle to find and hold onto love so that it can be seen in its purest form. Love is something of a mystery as it can be found to heal broken hearts and broken countries. It is something so easy for one and almost impossible for another. Paton helps expound upon the importance and mystery of love as he tells of its necessity. This passage clearly stands out among the rest because of the truth and beauty behind the words. "It was getting dark now, but the road was still thick with the Alexandra people going home. And there were still cars stopping to give them lifts, especially to the old people, and the women, and the cripples. Kumalo's face wore the smile, the strange smile not known in other countries, of a black man when he sees one of his people helped in public by a white man, for such a thing is not lightly done." (81) This passage helps to continue the message of love and compassion that is so desperately needed within the world. The actions of some of the white people show that not everyone can be taken for account for the cruel discrimination. There were many acts throughout the novel such as this one that develops the underlying good within some of society. This passage offers hope for the rest of the book and to the native people as the white people acted out of compassion even when they were asked to stop. Police warned these considerate citizens of their need for a warrant but instead of acting for the law, they acted for the good of humanity out of love. The simple acts of kindness shown give the rightful beauty back to humanity. It gives a sense of hope and inspires one to not only continue reading, but to act in such a way in their own life. A smile can be brought to the faces of the reader as it does Kumalo. It is the power of love and great compassion that can bring people to both share a grin and to shed a tear. "My friend, your anxiety turn to fear, and your fear turned to sorrow. But sorrow is better than fear. For fear impoverishes always, while sorrow may enrich....Fear is a journey, a terrible journey, but sorrow is at least an arriving. When the storm threatens, a man is afraid for his house, said Father Vincent in that symbolic language that is like the Zulu tongue. But when the house is destroyed, there is something to do. About the storm he can do nothing, but he can rebuild a house. " (140) The connection between fear and sorrow is an extremely powerful one, as mentioned in this quote. Fear creates a kind of sickness and madness within a person especially because nothing really can be done but wait. Sorrow usually derives from this fear that actually leads to harm. Once the fear is confirmed though, something can be done. Msimangu uses these inspiring words to comfort the old umfundisi and to encourage him to fix what has been broken. Kumalo finds himself hurt after learning about his son. It is during this time when the waiting is over that fear no longer possess his mind, leaving him with the ability to make good of the situation. This quote is supposed to be a motivational guide to influence Kumalo to live on and continue to work through God, especially for the good of Ndotsheni. Alan Paton perfectly pinpoints the difference between fear and sorrow, making this an unforgettable quote. The small story relates to a Biblical parable that helps the reader to connect the moving words to their own life. Paton's word choice is so phenomenal leading everyone to believe in its truth. It is set apart from all other passages due to the fact that it informs the reader to live on by empowering them. Even if you may lose the things you love there is still the opportunity to start over. The items such as your house and other possessions are of little importance in life, it is the people that are important. "I believe, he said, but I have learned that it is a secret. Pain and suffering, they are a secret. Kindness and love, they are a secret. But I have learned that kindness and love can pay for pain and suffering. There is my wife, and you, my friend, and these people who welcomed me, and the child who is so eager to be with us here in Ndotsheni– so in my suffering I can believe." (261) Paton tries to share how hard it is for one to understand the pain, suffering, and happiness of others. Everyone has their own experiences leading to different points of view, diving people’s connections. Kumalo says that although people may not feel his pain or realize what he has been through, the people in his life still welcome him with open arms. They continue to maintain a loving relationship based on what they do share in common. Kumalo’s son is to be hanged, his son left his wife who was with child, his sister was reduced to prostitution and she left her son behind, his brother lost his faith and no longer believes in the tribe. When Kumalo finally returns home, although reduced to grief, he marches on willing only to help everyone that he can. His family and friends are overjoyed to see him again even in the course of the faults within his family. Kumalo is pleased to find these open arms through his pain, helping him to continue to hold a firm grasp on his faith. It is through the suffering that people must look on to the better things in life including those who are there for them and care. This quote provides that look into the good that remains in people's lives. This is when the good things may be hardest to see due to the numbness for pain and grief. The readers are able to feel this connection and yet can see the people that are there to comfort the umfundisi. Kumalo luckily realizes his great fortune and is thankful for these people in his life that are always there to have his back. This is a nice reminder for the reader especially so that they may remember those people in their life that they should be thankful for. "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, God save Africa. But he would not see that salvation. It lay afar off, because men were afraid of it. Because, to tell the truth, they were afraid of him, and his wife, and Msimangu, and the young demonstrator. And what was there evil in their desires, in their hunger? That men should walk upright in the land where they were born, and be free to use the fruits of the earth, what was there evil in it? Yet men were afraid, with a fear that was deep, deep in the heart, a fear so deep that they hid their kindness, or brought it out with fierceness and anger, and they were so few. And such fear could not be cast out, but by love." (311) People should not be afraid of people like Kumalo, Msimangu, and the young demonstrator, yet they are. They are only afraid because they are scared they may gain power. Power gains dominance and this cannot be an option because these men are natives. They are of a different race and yet they have done no harm. Instead they have only done what they can to help people. This quote shows the significance of the fear the white people had and the injustice placed behind their beliefs. People should be able to enjoy their country, rather than be controlled and shut down because of it. Fear influences people to build walls to block out the horrors they fear. It causes a dark, twisted feeling that brings out the worst in people rather than the best. Its this idea of fear that creates problems within our world. If people did not fear, then there would be no need of secrets, lies, locks, or armies. War would be considered a thing of the past because people would not fear the power, the takeover, or the influence of others. Paton hold out these brilliant ideas for his readers taking. He offers such deep topics of thought, provoking one to see past the norms of reality. This quote helps put a different view on how fear is used by people and the effects of fear. The reader is able to take away a collection of thoughts which is necessary for finding ways to change the world. "Sadness and fear and hate, how they well up in the heart and mind, whenever one opens the pages of these messengers of doom. Cry for the broken tribe, for the law and the custom that is gone. Aye, and cry aloud for the man who is dead, for the woman and children bereaved. Cry, the beloved country, these things are not yet at an end. The sun pours down on the earth, on the lovely land that man cannot enjoy. He knows only the fear of his heart." (105) This quote perfectly sums up the novel, Cry, The Beloved Country because it incorporates both of the main themes of the book. The destruction of tribal culture and the breakdown of native families is portrayed through the sorrow expressed of 'the beloved country' and 'the broken tribe.' The importance of Christian charity is seen through the sorrow as caring is the first step to making a difference. Within the book, there are many examples of both the destruction of the tribal culture and the Christian charity to fight against or back the belief of keeping it alive. It is the job of the people, all people within the country, to fix the desolate land and reconnect the forgotten culture of South Africa. Although it is said the white man tore the tribal system apart, it cannot be rebuilt without the help of the native people. They must all work together to achieve the much-needed goal of the reconstruction of South Africa and the peace between the people. Alan Paton describes the relationship between whites and natives providing an examination of both the good and bad that occurs. He specifically connects the characters of Jarvis and Kumalo beginning with a unsteady bond and eventually kindling a kind of partnership. These two characters help illustrate the two main themes of the novel and leave the story with a hope for the future.
Mrs. Benni, Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton was an amazing novel full of lessons and inspiring characters.
When we first began reading the book as a class, I did not enjoy it. The beginning was a little rough for me to get into because it had a gloomy, depressing feeling to it. Plus, Paton used many words that derived from Africa making it hard for me to connect and fully understand the story. I would much rather read happy, upbeat books that I am able to understand but with time I realized the deep meaning of the book. I began to enjoy reading as the story continued to unfold bring about some new adventure for poor
Kumalo. Once I began to understand the story more, finding good quotes was beyond easy. The issue was not finding quotes but narrowing my selection down to six quotes that I felt I should include in my essay. I loved the written excerpts from Arthur Jarvis' essays giving clarity on his beliefs and the idea of how South Africa should really be. I loved how Jarvis eventually accepted this idea and made it his dying wish to help the native people of Ndotsheni. I always felt Jarvis had a compassion and connection to Kumalo but it made me so happy to see his great kindness especially through the pain he suffered by the event that took place between their sons. It is my hope that the story does not stop where it did, but begin there. I would love to hear about the restoration of the land, the tribal system, and the people. Although the book was extremely sad, it left the reader with some hope for the future and a new outlook on life. Alan Paton has a way of writing that is clearly inspirational and is exceedingly thought provoking. I aspire to write like him some day and to be able to make a difference in the world in one way or another just as the characters within Cry, The Beloved Country were able to do.