Oct 10, 2008

Cry, the Beloved Country | Cry, the Beloved Country

At a glance:

Author: Alan Paton
First Published: 1948
Type of Work: Novel
Type of Plot: Social realism
Time of Work: Mid-twentieth century
Setting: South Africa
Genres: Long fiction, Social realism
Subjects: Prisoners, Blacks, Colonialism, Murder or homicide, Twentieth century, Prostitution or prostitutes, Capital punishment, Ministry or ministers, Ethnic relations, South Africa or South Africans, Clergy, Apartheid
Locales: Johannesburg, South Africa

Characters Discussed

The Reverend Stephen Kumalo (kew- MAH-loh), a Zulu who is an educated man and an Anglican priest. He lives in the country and is unused to the ways of the city and its people. Even so, he goes to Johannesburg to help his sister and find his son. He does his best, which is not enough, to help his relatives. When his son is executed, he cries out for help—for his land and his people as well as for his son.

Gertrude, the clergyman’s sister. She has become a prostitute and dealer in illegal liquor in Johannesburg.

John, the clergyman’s...

[The entire page is 615 words long]

Cry, the Beloved Country | Cry, the Beloved Country

At a glance:

Characters Discussed

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