The Biblical Message from Cry, the Beloved Country agitation by whites and blacks over the policy of white segregation called apartheid. The book describes how understanding between whites and blacks can end mutual fear and aggression and bring reform and hope to a small Ndotcheni community as well as South Africa as a whole. The language of the book reflects the Bible; in addition, several characters and episodes recall stories from the New Testament and the teachings of Christ. Thus, Alan Paton, as a reformer and author of “Cry, the Beloved Country”, gives the South African people a new modern Bible, where he teaches, like Christ, “to love your brother as yourself” in order to to help whites and blacks overcome fear and misunderstanding of each other. The language of the book reveals its biblical nature from the beginning. "The great valley of Umzimkulu is still in darkness, but light will come there. Ndotcheni is still in darkness, but light will come there too." The style includes symbols such as light and dark, short clauses connected by "and" or "but", and repetition. This style is used to represent speech or thoughts “translated” from Zulu. Jesus Christ is symbolized by the figure of Arthur Jarvis. He is a white reformer who fights for black rights. Like Christ, he is very altruistic and wants to pursue his goals at all costs. His friend Harrison says: “Here [Arthur Jarvis] was, day to day, on a mission. » (173) Arthur Jarvis and his wife Mary "agree that it is more important to tell the truth than to make money." (172) Arthur Jarvis is killed in his house by Absalom, a young black man involved in the crime. Absalom only intends to rob Arthur Jarvis, and the homicide is unintentional. Absalom thinks Arthur Jarvis is out and enters the house with two friends. However, when Arthur Jarvis “heard a noise and went down to investigate” (186). Surprised and frightened, Absalom shoots blindly. Absalom would later tell the court: "Then a white man came into the passage...I got scared. I fired the gun." (194) Absalom's blind fear is symbolic of the fear, blindness and misunderstanding between whites and blacks; these are the reasons for racial hatred.

Essay / The Biblical Message from Cry, the Beloved Country agitation by whites and blacks over the policy of white segregation called apartheid. The book describes how understanding between whites and blacks can end mutual fear and aggression and bring reform and hope to a small Ndotcheni community as well as South Africa as a whole. The language of the book reflects the Bible; in addition, several characters and episodes recall stories from the New Testament and the teachings of Christ. Thus, Alan Paton, as a reformer and author of “Cry, the Beloved Country”, gives the South African people a new modern Bible, where he teaches, like Christ, “to love your brother as yourself” in order to to help whites and blacks overcome fear and misunderstanding of each other. The language of the book reveals its biblical nature from the beginning. "The great valley of Umzimkulu is still in darkness, but light will come there. Ndotcheni is still in darkness, but light will come there too." The style includes symbols such as light and dark, short clauses connected by "and" or "but", and repetition. This style is used to represent speech or thoughts “translated” from Zulu. Jesus Christ is symbolized by the figure of Arthur Jarvis. He is a white reformer who fights for black rights. Like Christ, he is very altruistic and wants to pursue his goals at all costs. His friend Harrison says: “Here [Arthur Jarvis] was, day to day, on a mission. » (173) Arthur Jarvis and his wife Mary "agree that it is more important to tell the truth than to make money." (172) Arthur Jarvis is killed in his house by Absalom, a young black man involved in the crime. Absalom only intends to rob Arthur Jarvis, and the homicide is unintentional. Absalom thinks Arthur Jarvis is out and enters the house with two friends. However, when Arthur Jarvis “heard a noise and went down to investigate” (186). Surprised and frightened, Absalom shoots blindly. Absalom would later tell the court: "Then a white man came into the passage...I got scared. I fired the gun." (194) Absalom's blind fear is symbolic of the fear, blindness and misunderstanding between whites and blacks; these are the reasons for racial hatred.

Navigation

« Prev 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

Get In Touch