Shivam Vashi
English 10-2 Adv.
May 22, 2004
Cry, The Beloved Country
Cry, The Beloved Country: Literary Aspects
Cry, The Beloved Country is a novel full of different literary techniques. These tools help in the novel’s progression and add to the depth of the novel. Throughout the journey led by Stephen Kumalo, there are many examples of theme and mood. One theme portrayed in the novel is reality, and is shown throughout the course of the plot. The mood of the novel depicts gloominess, since there are a number of tragedies that happens to Stephen. The combination of literary aspects helps Cry, The Beloved Country to be a novel with a deep meaning.
There are many themes portrayed in Cry, The Beloved Country. One theme exercised in the novel is reality, and this is shown when Stephen searches for his family in Johannesburg. When Stephen finds out that his sister is a prostitute and his son has committed a heinous crime, he is awestruck. Stephen Kumalo never thought that something like this would happen to his own family, and the reality of the events that take place makes it difficult for him to go on with life. These realities were all thanks to Johannesburg, a town full of crime and poverty. Another theme in the novel is protest. This is shown when Stephen is in Johannesburg and there is a bus protest by the blacks. The protest was occurring because fares were being raised. The blacks of Johannesburg have resided there for so long, and they were demanding the rights that they deserve. For these reasons, crime and anarchy emerges, since there is no other resort for the black population. The white population holds them back from succeeding, and many blacks must live in turmoil because of this. A prime example of the oppression of black South Africans is in Shantytown, a village with such bad living conditions that up to thirty people could be forced to reside in one hut. These principles are accounted for at the end of the novel, when...