Cry, the beloved country

by Ward

Joined Feb 2017
Published Books 1

Stephen Kumalo is the protagonist of the novel. He is wise and compassionate Zulu minister of the St Mark’s church in the village of Ndotsheni. He is a father of Absalom Kumalo.

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Cry, the beloved country by Ward - Ourboox.com

James Jarvis is a white farmer and land owner in Ndotsheni. He does not share a same view of Blacks as his son, who fights for Black people’s right. However, after his son’s death, Jarvis changes his attitude towards Black people significantly.

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Theophilus Msimangu

Theophilus Msimangu is a young minister from Johannesburg. Though he can say hurtful words, he is an honest and kind man. He guides Kumalo through Johannesburg and help Kumalo find his son.

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Absalom Kumalo

John Kumalo’s one and only son. He went to Johannesburg in order to look for Gertrude. However, he never returned to Ndotsheni. He murdered Arthur Jarvis when he was discovered breaking into his house with Johannes Pafuri and Matthew Kumalo.

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Arthur Jarvis

Arthur Jarvis is James Jarvis’s son. He fought for black people’s right. He is loved by both white and black people. However, he was murdered by Absalom Kumalo when he discovered Kumalo and his accomplices breaking into his house.

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Gertrude Kumalo

Gertrude is a little sister of Stephen Kumalo. She went to Johannesburg to look for her husband, who works in a mine. However, instead of looking for her husband, she becomes a prostitute and sells alcohol, which is against christinan principles. Furthermore, she is very irresponsible and immature. She does not pay great attention to her son. When Kumalo asked where her son was, she was not able to pinpoint her son’s whereabouts.

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John Kumalo

He is a brother of Stephen Kumalo. He used to be a carpenter; however, he becomes a politician after he came to Johannesburg. He has a powerful voice that he uses to gain power. John Kumalo abandoned his faith as Christian and enjoys his power as politician. It is ironic how John Kumalo claims that black is ill-treated by White but still enjoys western custom to the point to abandon old customs.

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Absalom’s Girlfriend

Absalom’s Girlfriend is a girl pregnant with Absalom’s child. She longs for a family; therefore, when Stephen Kumalo asks her to come to Ndotsheni with him, she becomes overjoyed. Even though she is young, she is very keen and smart.

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