Setting paralleling Stephen's life

In the story Cry, the Beloved Country, Alan Paton uses setting to parallel the life of the main character in the story, Stephen Kumalo.  This can by following Kumalo through various, relevant points in the story. Before Stephen leaves his home, the land is said to have hills that are “lovely beyond any singing of it.” (34) However though, as we follow Stephen throughout his journey, the land changes as parts of his life do. Like when Stephen first leaves his home to travel to Johannesburg to find his son and Gertrude, he is feeling adventurous, perspective, and nervous to travel to such an unfamiliar and perplexing city. At a parallel moment, the land is being introduced as a place where “others like it, and find in it mystery and fascination, and prelude to adventure, and an intimidation of the unknown.” (41) Although these are just 2 examples of how his life is paralleled with setting, it appears many times throughout the book.

Ashoka Fellows

http://www.ashoka.org/fellow/5451

http://www.ashoka.org/node/3135

http://www.ashoka.org/node/3136

Cry, the Beloved Country nameless characters

In Cry, the Beloved Country, Alan Paton leaves some of his characters without names. One example of this is Absalom’s wife, which is solely what she is referred to as. I think that Paton intentionally leaves her without any standing or name; without an identity. This sends a message to the reader subconsciously, one that says,”She doesn’t mean enough to have a name,” for a variety of reasons. Maybe she doesn’t deserve one because of her actions, or maybe she doesn’t have the privilege because of the customs of the society.

C, TBC book seperation

I think Paton chooses to separate the story into different books to create a definite line between perspectives and feelings. Already, just from the first page, it’s clear to the reader that there will be a second opinion on the same valley area. I think by including multiple perspectives, Paton creates a more well rounded story that helps the reader to not have such a biased view and gives them the opportunity to make a more fair decision.

Oppression Examples:

Details on Cambodian oppression:
http://www.cambodiangenocide.org/front.html

Holocaust oppression details:
http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007312

Phrase:
One particular phrase that is repeated is “lovely beyond any singing of it.” This phrase is repeated when the umfundisi is traveling through or remembering the rolling hills of his homeland. This shows his love for his hometown and how it compares to the big city of Johannesburg. The author does not use this phrase when describing city life.

Concept:
One concept that repeats is the image of women’s abuse. This image is present throughout the story, and helps to introduce the reader to this time and age. It shows how not only women were treated, but men as well. It also helps to paint a picture of how much discrimination can affect a society.

Image:
A repetitious image is the one of kindness from strangers. This appears several times including once when umfundisi first arrives in Johannesburg and is helped at the bus stop. Another is of the people who give him a ride after he boycotts riding the bus.

C, TBC women analysis

Paton characterizes women differently in Cry, the Beloved Country. He does this using different, more feeble or self-conscious adjectives to describe their actions/feelings. One example can be found when he writes, “It was not I who opened it, she said, hurt by his accusation.” Here, Paton shows the reader how submissively the wife responds to her husband. Paton also doesn’t give her a name or title. This shows a sense of inferiority to her husband, making her seem humbled.