Compassion: James Jarvis shows compassion towards Reverend Kumalo even before he recognises him as the parson of the church in Ndotsheni. After Reverend Kumalo has told James that Absalom has murdered his son, he is not angry at him. Upon his return to Ndotsheni, James Jarvis provides the means for the community to restore their land, to build a dam and to rebuild the church. His caring is demonstrated in a practical way. James Jarvis meets Reverend Kumalo on his way to his vigil for Absalom. The fathers’ suffering for the loss of their sons has created a bond of compassion between them so that Jarvis can say, “I understand completely” (p. 233 in your school edition).
3.2.6 Journey
A journey takes place at several levels: physical, emotional and spiritual.
Physical journey: The physical journey happens when Reverend Kumalo travels from Ndotsheni to Johannesburg to find his son; when he travels around Johannesburg, Alexandra, Sophiatown, Orlando and Shanty Town; when he returns to Ndotsheni. James Jarvis and his wife also travel from Ndotsheni to Johannesburg, then to Springs; and they return to Ndotsheni. Absalom, Gertrude and John Kumalo travel to Johannesburg, but do not return to Ndotsheni. Arthur Jarvis travels to Johannesburg, where he is killed. Absalom’s wife and Gertrude’s son travel with Reverend Kumalo from Johannesburg to Ndotsheni.
Reverend Kumalo’s emotional journey: Reverend Kumalo’s emotional journey leads him from anxiety to an ever-deepening fear of destruction. He discovers the impact of corruption and crime in Johannesburg when he meets his sister and brother. His fear becomes overpowering when his son pleads guilty to murder. Reverend Kumalo describes his journey to Father Vincent as a “sorrowful journey” (p. 92 in your school edition), whereupon Father Vincent comforts him by saying that fear “is a journey, a terrible journey, but sorrow is at least an arriving” (p. 93 in your school edition). Reverend Kumalo has arrived at a stage in his emotional journey where he realises that he can be instrumental in rebuilding relationships with his son, his family and his community.
James Jarvis’ emotional journey: James Jarvis’ ability to feel compassion for the suffering of black people grows. His emotional journey of suffering after his son’s death leads to a desire to understand his son’s thinking. He discovers his son’s commitment to social justice. Intellectually and emotionally, he travels with his son while he reads his manuscripts and looks at his books and paintings in his study. His son’s “Private Essay on the Evolution of a South African” (p. 150 in your school edition) describes Arthur Jarvis’ own journey from ignorance about the suffering caused by social injustice in South Africa to his commitment to social and political justice.
Spiritual journey: Reverend Kumalo’s spiritual journey takes him from destructive anger at Gertrude and Absalom to the uplifting power of forgiveness. He repents for his cruelty towards Absalom’s girlfriend and his brother. He forgives Msimangu and the white young man’s anger born of their frustration at witnessing how corruption and a lack of moral values destroy young people in Johannesburg.
After his first visit to his son, Reverend Kumalo is bitter because it seems that his son is only sorry for himself. At the trial Absalom tells the judge that he prayed for forgiveness after he had buried the revolver that he used to shoot Arthur Jarvis. He tells the judge that he repented only because he “was in trouble” (p. 144 in your school edition) and not because he was sorry for his deed. Reverend Kumalo finds new strength in his faith in God when he is able to pray for his son’s repentance.
He is able to show compassion towards him. Even though his son’s plea for mercy was denied, Reverend Kumalo’s love and faith in God’s saving grace continue. He holds a vigil for his son when he has to die.
Fathers discover their sons: The fathers’ physical journey to Johannesburg has taken them out of their own environments and comfort zones. Both fathers have come a long way in discovering and coming closer to their sons, who were strangers when they first made contact with them in Johannesburg. Reverend Kumalo met his son in prison and James Jarvis met his son by reading his writings and by visiting the house where he had lived.
Both fathers are shocked and angered when they discover that they were ignorant of the challenges and dangers that their sons face in Johannesburg. Their journey to find their sons ends in loss and in new hope. Loss because both sons die. Hope because their increased insight into the social and political problems of South Africa creates opportunities to strengthen communication and rebuild moral values in their relationships with their grandchildren, family and communities in both Ndotsheni and Johannesburg.
3.2.7 Restoration
The theme of restoration presents the writer’s plea for change from the old to the new in a positive way. Destruction of the soil, tribal tradition; moral standards and social conscience eaten away by greed for power, possessions and fear can be reversed through commitment to positive change.
Commitment to restoring the valley of Ndotsheni: Reverend Kumalo and James Jarvis undergo a change of heart and opinion in Johannesburg. They realise the need to work towards the restoration of the land and its people. Upon their return, they share a commitment to restoring the valley of Ndotsheni: its farmlands, the community and the church. Jarvis sends Mr. Litsitsi, the agricultural demonstrator, to show the community how to change their old farming methods to new ones. Reverend Kumalo supports the young man by giving him accommodation, encouragement and help in persuading the community to accept the sacrifices required to bring about change. Mr. Litsitsi not only demonstrates new agricultural methods, he also demonstrates a commitment to the restoration of the valley: “I desire to restore it, that is all” (p. 230 in your school edition).
Commitment to the restoration of justice: In Johannesburg, Reverend Kumalo comments on Dubula and his wife’s commitment to the cause of the bus boycott. They fight against the increase in bus fees by walking eleven miles from Alexandra to Johannesburg in the morning and by walking back to Alexandra in the evening. He remarks: “That is something to be proud of. Johannesburg is a place of wonders” (p. 37 in your school edition). Msimangu is totally overwhelmed by the commitment of some white people who are prepared to be taken to court because they give lifts to black people. He exclaims to Reverend Kumalo, “It beats me, my friend, it beats me” (p. 43 in your school edition).
Arthur Jarvis’ writings and his life demonstrate his commitment to the restoration of social justice in South Africa: “Therefore I shall devote myself, my time, my energy, my talents, to the service of South Africa” (p. 151 in your school edition). He adds: “Therefore I shall try to do what is right, and to speak what is true” (p. 151 in your school edition). He is committed to dying for the restoration of justice. Ironically, he dies of a crime committed as a consequence of social injustice.
Your own notes about the themes in Cry, the Beloved Country
3.3 Motifs supporting the themes
Songs, paintings and tapestries are examples of works of art. Poems, dramas, short stories and novels are different kinds, or genres, of art in literature. All works of art use the principles of repetition and contrast to communicate more powerful and artistic messages to their listeners, readers and viewers. When you listen to a song, you usually remember how the melody and words repeat to express its message. When you look at a painting, you appreciate how the repetition of bright colours contrast with darker colours to bring its message to life. When you read a story, you notice how some ideas, phrases and images are repeated and contrasted to communicate a powerful message to the reader.
Paton refers to Cry, the Beloved Country as his “love song” for South Africa. You already know that he wrote this love song in the format of a novel. However, he uses phrases in his novel that repeat. They remind the reader of a song. He paints pictures of the landscape and of the characters that the reader can see in his/her mind’s eye. These repeating images and phrases form part of the motifs in the novel.
Definition: Motifs are repeating structures, descriptions, phrases, images and symbols that develop and explain the themes of the novel; they support the themes.
Motifs help to communicate the message of the novel: Cry, the beloved Country communicates an urgent