Cry, the Beloved Country is about a priest who reconciles with his family (the broken tribe). There are many challenges the priest, Stephen Kumalo, faces including situations with his family. In the book, Alan Paton reveals countless prominent themes. Three illustrations of Paton's pronounced themes are, caring for family, protecting culture, and inequality and injustice. Alan Paton highlights these three themes because he wants us to take a glimpse at what the average family may struggle upon.
During Kumalo's journey in Johannesburg, he has a major conflict with his family. Family is a primary theme in the book; Paton shows Stephen Kumalo's acceptance of his family (John Kumalo, Gertrude, and Absalom) and their lifestyles. Stephen Kumalo may not agree with his families choices in life, but he will still support and care for them. ''His eyes fill with tears, his deep gentleness returns to him. He goes to her and lifts her from the floor to the chair. Inarticulately he strokes her face, his heart filled with pity." (41) This quote is when Stephen Kumalo confronts Gertrude and feels betrayed for what she has done. ''I have searched in every place for you.'' (132) This text evidence describes Kumalo and Abaslom meeting again; it shows how compassionate his tireless journey has been to find his son, only to be disappointed by Absalom's reactions. Regardless the fact, you may not pick your family, but you still love and care for them...
Stephen Kumalo encounters numerous situations having to deal with his family, but one of the more prominent reasons as to why he is in Johannesburg is to repair the broken tribe. Not only is Reverend Kumalo there to find his family and make sure they are doing well, but he is also there to protect the culture of the family. Once he passes away, the family tradition will be in need of a family member to help continue the culture along until the next generation. Kumalo contemplates whether his broken family is religiously prepared to carry on the family culture, after what he hears and sees, his decision is rather skeptical. ''I hope I shall not hurt you further. Your brother has no use for the Church any more. He says what God has not done for South Africa, man must do.'' (55) ''You have shamed us, in a low voice, not wishing to make it known to the world. A liquor seller, a prostitute, with a child and you do not know where it is?'' (61) It is questionable if the Kumalo family is ready or has the culture changed, and will the broken tribe ever be repaired?
As Stephen Kumalo and Msimangu prepare to get on the bus, they are stopped and told they cannot get on because of the boycott. Reverend Kumalo struggles with countless situations, including segregation and crime; shortly after Kumalo arrives in Johannesburg, he encounters native crime and is robbed of his money. Native crime and segregation are huge issues in Johannesburg, and that is what makes the life of a black African difficult to live his or her life in peace. ''Shall I get your ticket for you, umfundisi. Have you your money for the ticket?'' Where is the ticket office, my friend?" ''You have been cheated, umfundisi." (48-49) "It is a long way, umfundisi. Eleven miles." "That is a long way, for an old man." "Men as old as you are doing it every day, unfundisi. And women, and some that are sick, and some crippled, and children." (74) It is not only unfair for the black people to live, but it is the fact that the white people do not think it is fair as well.
Cry, the Beloved Country reveals many themes in the book that show what might the average family household may be dealing with. This book contains a widespread amount of different themes that can all relate to family; all themes trace back to family one way or another. Family issues can be viewed in this book, including, a predominantly religious family, but a few family members who are not; a family who does not communicate or see one another anymore; and a family who is unsure of what decisions should be made and where go to from that point. All family types can be seen in this book at one point in their lives because whether your family is doing well or not so well, all families have their downfalls in life. Stephen Kumalo's main role in this book is to bring his family out of their downfall and repair the broken tribe so the family can be a whole again.
