The Bolshevik Revolution

Click here to view my presentation of "The Bolshevik Revolution".

Unraveling the Real You

       Throughout the first book of “Cry, The Beloved Country,”Alan Paton greatly reveals who Stephen Kumalo is. His character in this book is both realistic and dynamic and explains how he acknowledges life and doesn’t look at it as some imaginary and fairytale extraordinaire. Stephen Kumalo does not necessarily enjoy to face reality, but he does look it in the face and accept it. So far, the experiences that he has undergone havemade him a stronger person. Coming from an “ideal” village to Johannesburg where everything is destructive and treacherous, he has learned that not everything in life is perfect and organized. Life throws curve balls some times, but Kumalolooks it in the eye and takes his best swing.

        In the beginning chapters of the book, Stephen Kumalocame across as a strong willed and honorable man. Paton describes him as a “humble” that cares for his people and his country. There are signs of struggle when Kumalo is notified about his brother, because he starts to feel the guilt of letting go of his family. His sense of humility almost turns into shame when he remembers that his brother, sister, and son left their town and family to go into deceitful Johannesburg, with no sign of returning.

        As Stephen Kumalo goes throughout Johannesburg to search for his family, he finds out details that disturb him greatly. For instance, his sister Gertrude became a prostitute while looking for her husband who had gone to work on the mines. His son Absalom had been involved with dangerous people that led him into a life of crime. Because of his findings,Kumalo reverts into a deep shame of his family that makes him question his honor and pride. He asks in chapter 13 “where had [he] failed?” in serving his family. Kumalo’s character changes with this as he shows a guilty conscience.

         After Stephen Kumalo is told that his son had in fact murdered a man while attempting to break into a house, he feels an enormous amount of pain because he feels that he had failed as a father and a guide for his son. For a while Kumalo is at a loss for what to do regarding helping Absalom go through trial and court. He shows a sense of denial when he “could not continue” after hearing the horrible news. Then, Kumalo begins to face his problem and take action is helping his son and other family to the best of his ability. Here, Paton shows a side ofKumalo that is strong and honorable, even though he is questioning his ability.

          In this novel, Stephen Kumalo is shown as a round and dynamic character as he changes from prideful, to guilty, to strong. Paton shows Kumalo’s growth as a character as he goes through trials and tribulations that test his will to be an honorable priest and father to his son. His negative guilt turned into him taking action that will be best for those around him. He has changed as a person because of the experience he has gone through, and is now stronger because of it.