Stephen Kumalo is afraid of losing his son, Absalom, to a life of crime and corruption. He is also afraid of the destruction of his community in Ndotsheni. Much of his fear stems from the rapid changes happening in South Africa and the impact this has on his family and community.
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Stephen Kumalo is straightforward in his depiction of the characters, their thoughts, and feelings. Many of his characters are based on real people.
The dirty old parson is Stephen Kumalo himself. Remember that Jarvis does not know it is Stephen's son who murdered Jarvis' own son yet. This different viewpoint of Stephen Kumalo is critical. Take a look at how much Kumalo has physically aged since the news of his son's crimes, thefts, and murder.
At the end of "Cry, the Beloved Country," James Jarvis learns about his son's efforts to improve society and reconciles with Stephen Kumalo. Stephen Kumalo learns to forgive the father of the man who killed his son and finds a sense of peace in the shared grief with James Jarvis. Both characters undergo a transformation through understanding and forgiveness.
He went to Johannesburg to find his son Absalom,his sister Gertrude, and his brother John.
He goes to see what "sickness" Gertrude (his sister) has, where his son (Absamlom) is, and what has happened to his brother (John).
in the novel "Cry the Beloved Country" by Alan Peyton, Reverend Stephen Kumalo is an Anglican priest who travels to Johannesburg to find his sister Gertrude and his son Absalom. His sister and son had travelled to Johannesburg and had not returned. In Johannesburg Stephen also meets with his brother John, who works as a carpenter.
Stephen Kumalo travels to Johannesburg to find his son, Absalom, who has been out of contact and is rumored to be involved in criminal activities. He also seeks to reconnect with other family members and to understand the changes affecting his community. His journey reflects the broader themes of dislocation and the challenges faced by black South Africans during apartheid. Ultimately, Kumalo's quest is driven by a desire for family unity and understanding in a rapidly changing society.
Alton Kumalo died on August 30, 2013, in UK.
Stephen Kumalo and James Jarvis are alike in their profound personal transformations spurred by loss and tragedy. Both characters experience the pain of losing a son—Kumalo due to his son's imprisonment and Jarvis due to his son's death—leading them to confront social injustices in South Africa. They ultimately seek understanding and reconciliation, bridging the gap between their different backgrounds and perspectives. Their journeys highlight themes of empathy, redemption, and the potential for unity in a divided society.
A quote that describes Stephen Kumalo in "Cry, the Beloved Country" is, "a figure of gentleness, of eagerness, of curiosity, in which there was the beginning of a great dread," emphasizing his compassionate and inquisitive nature as well as the fear that accompanies his pursuit of truth and reconciliation in the face of injustice and suffering.
He plans on retiring and he gives kumalo the church savings