Amelia Butler
PRE-AP ENG 10
Chappel
Title: The Special Land
According to Google, land is
define as, the part of the earth's surface that is not covered by water, as
opposed to the sea or the air. In Cry the Beloved Country, what makes
South Africas' land so unique? One of the major symbolic evidence I have
understood is how the land of Johannesburg represents false hopes. Another
symbolic feature is the importance of family, tradition, community, and
the developing of personal identity.
Alan reveal, "John a carpenter
had gone there [Johannesburg] had a business of his own in Sophiatown
(36)."[...] "He is too busy to write. He is one of our great
politicians (55)." Many people travel to Johannesburg desiring a better future;
instead they get something else that they were not expecting. By the looks of
things they get something negative back instead of something positive. For
instance, the roles of parents are being tested and families are being broken
apart. "A liquor seller and prostitute” used to describe Gertrude, Stephen
Kumalo's "new" sister (61). Paton writes, "Where is
the ticket office, umfundisi?[...] You get your ticket on the bus. There is no
ticket office [...] You have been cheated, umfundisi (49)" this
demonstrate how the people are on this "special land" and the people
is what makes the land. Just like what makes you, you: personalities and different traits make you who you are today.
Also, this proves how there is a struggle on the land and you have to do
whatever you can in order to live and provide for not only yourself, but also
your family too. I have learned, within this book that Absalom Kumalo has
stolen from the rich whites in order to provide. I feel like Paton is trying to
describe how the land has been destroyed by man.
Alan mentions, "The son of
our brother John and your [Stephen's] son were often together,""Although
his [Stephen] money was little, he bought her [Gertrude] a red dress and a
white thing that they called a turban for her head (62, 65)." This is
describing the importance of family and how you suppose to care for one another
the best way you can... but this land has change this view of caring for family
and trusting in God to help provide. Although Stephen still tries to keep his
focus on God and trying to help his family, he often come across obstacles that
makes he want to stop asking God for help. As mention above you see how they
seem to be caring for one another showing compassion and love toward one
another. For example, Stephen showing his concern still try to buy his sister
something with the little money he has...Next, I witness how the land has
change John Kumalo against his
family. Instead of John trying to protect his son and his nephew, he throws his
nephew under the bus without thought. John Kumalo says, "[...] brother, there
is no proof that my son or this other young man was there at all (134)," referring
to the murder of Arthur Jarvis, the turn in Africa. Jarvis death has a powerful
impact because he was fighting trying to help Natives like Lincoln on this “special
land.”
In conclusion, Johannesburg
represents false hopes and the importance of family and tradition is how this
land is being symbolic used. How this land has change people. Just like I once
heard “money changes people” apparently land can too. I want to leave you with
this final quote by Paton, "Cry, the beloved country, for the unborn child
that is inheritor of our fear. Let him not love the earth too deeply. Let him
not laugh not laugh too gladly when the water runs through his fingers, nor
stand too silent when the setting sun makes red the veld with fire. Let him not
be too moved when the birds of his land are singing, nor give too much of his
heart to a mountain or a valley. for gear will rob him of all if he gives to
much (111)."
Word Count: 684
