Wednesday, July 26, 2006

 

Cry, the Beloved Country Questions

CRY, THE BELOVED COUNTRY
BY ALAN PATON--CHAPTER QUESTIONS

CHAPTER 1 pages 33-34 (THE BEGINNING OF BOOK ONE
)

1. Where does this lovely road run? (33)
2. How far does it climb into the hills and where does it climb? (33)
3. What river is in the valley? (33)
4. What are the thoughts about the ground? Why stand unshod? Why should you keep it? What happens if you destroy it? (33)
5. What is a kloof?(33)
6. What are dry in the kloofs? (33)
7. Why is the kloof dry? (34)
8. What is the tithayo?(34)
9. What cannot keep the men and girls in the village? (34)
10. What do the series of contrasts underscore in the book?
11. What is important about the grass of the hills?
12. What is the contrast of the valley?
13. The first chapter sets what about the book?
14. How is style featured?
15. Because of the books reverent treatment of the land what other book and author may have influenced this book?
16. What is an intercalary chapter?

CHAPTER 2 pages 35-40

1. Where was the small child running? (35)
2. What did she have in her hand? (35)
3. What does the word umfumdisi mean? (35)
4. Why did the girl not leave immediately? (35)
5. Where did the letter come from? (36)
6. Whom does Kumalo know there? (36)
7. Why was Kumalo reluctant to open it? (36)
8. What church is Kumalo pastor? (36)
9. Who sent the letter? (37)
10. What is the general information of the letter? (37)
11. Why will Absalom not use the money for St. Chads? (38)
12. What is at St. Chad’s? (39)
13. How much was in the tin? (40)
14. How much is in the Post Office Book? (40)
15. How much will Kumalo take? (40)
16. What does the letter reveal about Kumalo’s life and life in general?
17. What is the importance of Stephen’s name?
18. What is the meaning of Absalom’s name?
19. What is the meaning of John’s name?
20. Why does it take them so long to open the letter?
21. What is important in the native world?
22. Who is the protagonist?
23. Chapter 2 introduces one of the major themes of the book. What is this theme?
24. What is indicated by Stephen taking the St. Chad’s savings for his trip?

CHAPTER 3 pages 41-44

1. Who was killed in Johannesburg? (42)
2. What is asked of Kumalo before he departs? (42)
3. Who are ordinarily on the trains and why? (43)
4. Who would still wear primitive dress? (43)
5. On page 44 there are a number of fears stated. Name five. (43)
6. What world alone was certain to Kumalo? (44)
7. What has come with the arrival of Msimangu’s letter from the city?
8. What show Kumalo’s changing temperament?
9. What is the purpose of the 3rd chapter?
10. How does Chapter 3 pass from exterior to interior description?
11. What is the underlining meaning of a friend asking Kumalo to look for Sibeko’s daughter?
12. What type of impression does Kumalo try to give on the train?
13. What is the larger view of this chapter?
14. What is the interior felling of Kumalo?

CHAPTER 4 pages 45-50

1. What language has Kumalo never heard spoken? (45)
2. What is to be extracted from the mines? (46)
3. What happens when the rock is too hard to dig out? (46)
4. How is Kumalo cheated at the bus station? (48)
5. Where is the Rev. Kumalo from? (49)
6. Who greet Kumalo at the door? (49)
7. At the end of the chapater what does Kumalo finally feel? (50
8. The descriptions of Johannesburg leaves us with what type of feeling?
9. Who explains the workings and logistics of Johannesburg to Kumalo?
10. Despite his age and experience, Kumalo possesses what?
11. What will Msimangu serve as throughout the novel?

CHAPTER 5 pages 51-57

1. Where will Kumalo sleep and what will it cost him? (51)
2. Can you explain why the land of Kumalo’s village is sick? (52)
3. What happened to break the families in Kumalo’s village? (52) .
4. What is white Johannesburg afraid of? (52)
5. Paraphrase the headline in the Johannesburg mail? (52)
6. Why did Kumalo’s sister come to Johannesburg? (53)
7. What happened to his sister’s husband? (53)
8. How sick is Kumalo’s sister? (53)
9. Msimangu explains to Kumalo that Kumalo’s sister does not have a husband now. What did Kumalo think about this? (53)
10. What is Claremont known for? (53)
11. What does Kumalo’s sister do to make money? (53)
12. Where has his sister been more than once? (53)
13. Where is the child and what does Msimangu suggest Kumalo do? (54)
14. What happened to his son Absalom? (54)
15. What is Kumalo’s habit at the end of each day? (55)
16. What is the name and occupation of Kumalo’s brother? (55)
17. Does Msimangu know him and what is John’s other occupation? (55)
18. What is the tragedy? (56)
19. What has the white man done? (56)
20. What is Kumalo’s primary task?
21. Why does Kumalo try to do this?
22. What then is the analogy?
23. How will Msimangu affect Kumalo’s life?
24. What is the central problem of the entire novel?
25. How has this occurred?
26. One of these worlds is dead and one is powerless to be born. What do people turn to in this state of limbo?
27. What does Kumalo represent in Johannesburg?

CHAPTER 6 pages 58-63

1. What is Claremont know as? (58)
2. What is Kumalo shocked at concerning Claremont? (59)
3. Why are some of the children not in school? (59)
4. In what number house did his sister live? (59)
5. What kind of voices does he hear from this house? (59)
6. What kind of feelings were in her eyes? (59)
7. What did his sister’s hand feel like? (59)
8. Where is her husband? (60)
9. What has his sister done to him and the family by her actions? (61)
10. Does she wish to return with Kumalo and Why? (61)
11. After they talk awhile, whom does Kumalo ask about? (61)
12. Where will Kumalo send his sister and nephew? (62)
13. What is the symbolic meaning of Kumalo and Gertrude’s meeting?
14. How does this chapter end?
15. Do you think the entire novel will be one of hope?
16. What is a central metaphor in this novel?

CHAPTER 7 PAGES 64-72

1. Why were Kumalo and his wife saving money? (64)
2. To whom was Kumalo writing when Msimangu walked up to him? (65)
3. How did John and Stephen address each other? (65)
4. John was married. What was his wife’s name and what happened to her? (66)
5. According to John why is Johannesburg different from Ndotsheni? (66)
6. How did Johannesburg get built according to John? (67)
7. Who are these buildings for? (67)
8. How much does a worker get a day for working in the mines? (67-8)
9. When gold is found, do the laborers get more money from the white owners? (67)
10. When more gold is found, what do the while men do? (68)
11. Why did John’s son leave John’s house? (69)
12. Who went with John’s son? (69)
13. Why could they not telephone the textile company and ask about Absalom? (70)
14. What did Msimangu say about John? (70)
15. According to Msimangu, what happens when a black man gets power? (70)
16. What is love according t Msimangu? (71)
17. What is the one thing that will succeed? (71)
18. What happened at Doornfontern? (71)
19. Why did Absalom leave the house in Sophiatown? (72)
20. Why is John Kumalo introduced?
21. Why is John right about the tribal people?
22. What does John say that is true about the church?
23. Although John is right about many things, why is he wrong?
24. What is the symbolism in buying Gertrude and her son new clothes?
25. What does Msimangu represent in the book?
26. What is one of the principal evils of society?

CHAPTER 8 pages 73-82

1. Why are Msimangu and Kumalo asked not to ride the bus to Alexandra? (73)
2. How far it is to Alexandra? (74)
3. How does Msimangu characterize John and his other two friends? (74)
4. Who is the government afraid of? (74)
5. How did they get to Alexandra? (75)
6. Who had brains, voice and hearts in one man? (77)
7. Is the boy at this place of residence? (77)
8. Who went back to the house and why? (78)
9. What did she finally tell Msimangu? (79)
10. Whom were the boys friendly with? (79)
11. What did Hbabeni tell Msimangu? (80)
12. According to Msimangu, what is the one hope for his country?
13. What will be learned if the boycott fails?
14. What is the main issue?
15. How is the fate of Absalom foreshadowed?
16. What is the main emotion shown at the mention of Absalom’s name?

CHAPTER 9 pages 83-91

1. What is Chapter 9 generally about?
2. What narrative style does Paton display?
3. What symbolism is shown in this chapter?
4. What is the parallel between the bus boycott and Shanty Town?
5. Why is this chapter important?

CHAPTER 10 pages 92-101

1. What did Kumalo do as he was waiting for Msimangu to take him to Shanty Town? (92)
2. Whom did they first ask about Absalom and what did they find out? (95)
3. What does the lady tell them about Absalom? (96)
4. What two languages were spoken by Msimangu? (97)
5. Is Absalom at the reformatory? (97)
6. Why was he allowed to leave? (98)
7. What is the real question concerning Absalom? (98)
8. What will the young man do for Kumalo and Msimangu? (98)
9. What were some of the topics of discussion with the men? (98-99)
10. When they got to Pimville, where was Absalom? (99)
11. Why did Msimangu ask for forgiveness from Kumalo? (101)
12. What will Msimangu do for Kumalo? (101)
13. What does Kumalo see in his young nephew?
14. What does Kumalo reflect upon in these chapters?
15. What is the girl’s fate?
16. What does the reformatory attempt?
17. Is the reformatory successful?
18. What does the young girl represent?
19. What does the white worker at the reformatory represent?
20. The news of Absalom continues to foreshadow what?

CHAPTER 11 pages 102-105

1. Where will they go to take a rest? (102)
2. What were the headlines from the Evening Star? (103)
3. What was the name of the man who was murdered? (103)
4. Who knows the father of Arthur Jarvis? (103)
5. Why do you think they chose that house to rob? (104)
6. Why would Paton choose this point to write CRY, THE BELOVED COUNTRY? (105)
7. What does Kumalo feel in his heart? (105)
8. What will Kumalo cry for?
9. Why would this be considered a black episode in the novel?
10. Why is the death of Arthur Jarvis a significant event?

CHAPTER 12 pages 106-117

1. What is Mr. McLaren’s resolution? (107)
2. How many natives are sent to prison every year? (108)
3. Who is looking for Kumalo and why? (112)
4. Where do Kumalo and Msimangu go and why? (112-117)
5. What does Chapter 9 show?
6. What does Chapter 12 show?
7. Why is it easier to use police and oppression at this time?
8. What is one of the main problems presented in the novel?
9. What is the central motif of this chapter?
10. There is discussion of the crime against the white man. What is obviously missing from Paton’s book?

CHAPTER 13 pages 118-124

1. Where did they return after their search for Absalom? (118)
2. On page 119, what or whom did Kumalo think about?
3. What raises Kumalo’s spirits? (124)
4. What does Chapter 10 opens with—and what does Chapter 12 close with?
5. The Kumalo family becomes a model for coping with what?
6. What else might give Kumalo hope?
7. How does Kumalo enter Ezenzeleni and how does he leave?

CHAPTER 14 pages 125-135

1. What do the two men confirm to Kumalo? (126)
2. Who also was involved with this crime? (126)
3. Where is the first place Kumalo wants to go when he finds out this news? (127)
4. Did John have knowledge of Absalom’s situation? (128)
5. What does Kumalo tell John? (129)
6. When Kumalo meets his son and states, “It is too late.”, What is Absalom’s reply? (130)
7. Why did Absalom carry the revolver? (130)
8. How do the authorities know that Absalom shot the white man? (131)
9. Why does Absalom said he did these bad things? (132)
10. What was Absalom’s second answer? (132)
11. Does Absalom wish to marry the girl? (133)
12. After the visit to their sons, who does John Kumalo suggest they see? (133)
13. What does John Kumalo want a lawyer to prove? (134)
14. By the end of this chapter, Kumalo has found three people he searched for. Who are they?
15. Why is there a vast distance between Kumalo and his son?
16. What do we learn about John?
17. What does John represent and what does Stephen represent?
18. What does Stephen do during his visit with his son?
19. What does John do during his visit with his son?
20. Since Absalom has admitted to the shooting, what will Kumalo’s task be?

CHAPTER 15 pages 136-142

1. Who comes to visit Kumalo’s son, Absalom, and why? (136)
2. Who helped Kumalo find a good lawyer? (138)
3. What will be the defense of the lawyer for Absalom? (138)
4. What emotions did Kumalo go through? (140)
5. What is another part of Kumalo’s shame and sorrow? (141)
6. Another theme of the novel is faith. What is Kumalo asked to have faith in?

CHAPTER 16 pages 143-148

1. Where did Kumalo go the next day? (143)
2. Why did he go alone? (143)
3. What two items were discussed? (144)
4. How many men has the girl been with? (146)
5. How old is the girl? (147)
6. What do Absalom’s girlfriend and Gertrude represent?
7. How does Kumalo test this young girl’s intent to be faithful?

CHAPTER 17 pages 149-157 (END OF BOOK ONE)

1. What did Mrs. Lithebe’s husband do for a living? (149) .
2. Will Mrs. Lithebe allow the girl to move into her house? (150)
3. Kumalo and his wife were saving money for what items? (151)
4. What did the other two men respond when Absalom said they were with him at the crime scene? (154) .
5. What gives Absalom some hope? (154)
6. What is the name of the lawyer? (156)
7. How much will Mr. Carmichael charge Kumalo for his services? (156)
8. This chapter is divided into three sections. What are they?
9. What does Mr. Carmichael represent?
10. According to Mr. Carmichael, what can Absalom hope for at the end of this trial?

CHAPTER 18 pages 161-168 (THE BEGINNING OF BOOK TWO)

1. Who owns the High Place farm? (161)
2. Where is it located? (161)
3. What seems to be the problem with the farming at the high place farm? (162)
4. What happened year by year in the reserves? (162)
5. What is the problem with the farming? (162)
6. Would Jarvis’ son taken over the farm when he became old enough? (164)
7. Who has come to talk to James Jarvis? (164)
8. What news did the officers bring Jarvis? (165)
9. From what perspective is the beginning of Book Two presented?
10. What are some of the reasons for impoverishment of the land?

CHAPTER 19 pages 169-175

1. Were Arthur and his father in agreement about the plight of the native? (170)
2. What is a great fear in Johannesburg? (173)
3. What do we learn about Arthur?

CHAPTER 20 pages 176-180

1. From the books in Arthur’s den, what can we assume?
2. In reading Arthur’s papers and looking at his collection of books, what does James hope to accomplish?
3. How does Paton introduce Arthur Jarvis?

CHAPTER 21 pages 181-190

1. Is Harrison interested in the plight of the natives? (183)
2. What does Jarvis wish to see the next day? (185)
3. What did Harrison tell Jarvis the next morning? (186)
4. What does Jarvis read after breakfast? (186)
5. Who also read the manuscript? (189)

CHAPTER 22 pages 190-199

1. Who are the people that make the law in South Africa? (191)
2. Why are all people, black and white, proud of their judges? (191)
3. Do the black men have faith in the judges? (191)
4. When the three prisoners enter the courtroom, what does a white man say about them? (191) .
5. How did Absalom Kumalo plead? (192)
6. Who hit the servant and what weapon did he hit him with? (193)
7. Why did Absalom have a revolver? (195)
8. Who is Baby Mkize? (197)
9. What did Absalom do after he left Baby Mkize’s house? (197)
10. Why did Absalom repent? (199)
11. Why did it seem that Johannes wanted to rob this particular family?
12. Why does Absalom want to rob this particular family?
13. What does this chapter present?
14. Would you consider this chapter to be emotional or objective in its presentation?

CHAPTER 23 pages 200-205

1. Why is the general populace and the news paper not paying much attention to the trial? (200)
2. What is the worst thing about these mines? (201)
3. According to Paton, what is the only solution for South Africa?
4. What does this chapter focus on?

CHAPTER 24 pages 206-209

1. Where do we find James Jarvis? (206)
2. Why is James hurt and shocked? (207)
3. What do the writings of Arthur Jarvis offer his father?

CHAPTER 25 pages 210-216

1. Who is Kumalo looking for at the beginning of this chapter? (212)
2. Why was Kumalo shaking and trembling when the door was answered? (212)
3. Does Jarvis recognize Kumalo? (213)
4. What does Jarvis ask of Kumalo? (213)
5. What did Kumalo finally reveal to Jarvis? (214)
6. How did Kumalo recognize Jarvis? (214)
7. What happened to Sibeko’s daughter? (215)
8. What serves as the impetus for the 1st direct meeting between Kumalo and Jarvis?
9. Is there any observable animosity between the two men?
10. What emotions does Kumalo feel when he meets Jarvis face to face.
11. What does Jarvis think is wrong with Kumalo at this chance meeting?
12. What reveals Jarvis’ change of heart?
13. What has changed Jarvis’ heart?
14. The purpose of Book One is…? The purpose of Book Two is…..?
15. What then happens as they meet in this chapter?
16. Whose point of view is the meeting told from?
17. Paton reveals two aspects of South African culture in this meeting. What are these two aspects?
18. What puts Kumalo and Jarvis on common ground?

CHAPTER 26 pages 217-224

1. John Kumalo has a great voice to move thousands, but what was he missing? (217)
2. Who attended the rally besides the black people who listen to him? (221)
3. What is so incredible about John Kumalo? (222)
4. What industry is South Africa built upon? (223)
5. Was there a strike and against whom? (223)
6. What is this chapter basically about?
7. Why does John Kumalo not put himself in real danger?
8. What could the charisma of John’s voice do?
9. Who is John the opposite of, in working for the benefit of South Africa?

CHAPTER 27 pages 225-229

1. Who does this chapter focus upon? (225)
2. What may be one of Gertrude’s problems? (225)
3. Gertrude feels she has a calling to what type of life? (228)
4. Whom does Gertrude talk to and what does she ask? (228)
5. What does this chapter foreshadow?
6. What is Gertrude trying to escape?
7. What else do we find out in this chapter?
8. What impact will this new crime have on Absalom’s case?
9. What will likely happen to Absalom at this point?

CHAPTER 28 pages 230-237

1. What is the setting of this chapter? (230)
2. Why do the people stand more solemnly today? (230)
3. What is the judgment of the 2nd and 3rd accused? (233)
4. What was the judgment for Absalom Kumalo? (235)
5. What is Absalom’s sentence? (236)
6. What custom is broken? (237)
7. The guilt of Absalom had already been established. What is the question of the trial?

CHAPTER 29 pages 238-250 (END OF BOOK TWO)

1. Why are Kumalo, Msimangu, Father Vincent and the young girl visiting Absalom? (238)
2. Who performed the marriage ceremony? (239)
3. What is Absalom afraid of? (241)
4. Who will take care of Absalom’s wife and child? (242)
5. Who did Stephen visit? (242)
6. What did Stephen talk about with his brother? (244-245)
7. What does Stephen warm John of? (246)
8. John does not believe this, so how does Stephen prove this act of deception as friendship? (246)
9. What did Jarvis give young John Harrison and why? (247)
10. Is there any hope for mercy for Absalom? (249)
11. If they decide against him what will happen? (249)
12. Kumalo wakes earlier and begins to wake up the travelers? What is wrong at this point in the book? (250)
(END OF BOOK TWO)

CHAPTER 30 pages 253-262 ( BEGINNING OF BOOK THREE)

1. How many trains must they take to get home? (253)
2. Were the people of Ndolsheni happy to see Kumalo’s return? (260)
3. Whom does Kumalo call the best of all men? (262)
4. The drought in the valley is a symbol of what?
5. Rain and water are symbols of love, life, rejuvenation and purification—so withdrawal of these symbolizes what?

CHAPTER 31 pages 263-272

1. Whom does Kumalo feel he has to get together to help solve Ndotsheni’s problems? (263)
2. What is Kumalo’s plan? (265)
3. Whom will the chief speak to concerning these matters? (266)
4. Why did Kumalo not pray long in the church? (267)
5. What is the translation of inkosana? (269)
6. Who is the small white boy who comes to visit Kumalo? (269)
7. Why are the children in Ndotsheni dying? (270)
8. What did a man come and deliver to Kumalo and who was it for? (271)
9. Who sent the milk? (272)
10. Kumalo has begun to leave his denial and shame and moved onto what feeling?

CHAPTER 32 pages 273-280

1. How many letters did Kumalo receive? (273)
2. Whom were the letters for? (273)
3. What did the letter from Mr. Carmichael tell Kumalo? (273)
4. Who are the three men who meet by the church? (276)
5. What wonderful, long awaited occurrence has happened? (278)
6. Who went into the church for cover? (278)
7. What was the problem with not getting wet in the church? (278)
8. What has the rain ended?
9. What is the symbolic meaning of the rain?
10. The hope of the rain and end of the drought offsets what news?
11. How does Paton portray Jarvis?
12. What will effect change in the village?

CHAPTER 33 pages 281-289

1. What was the rumor concerning the sticks planted in the village? (281)
2. Where had Jarvis gone? (281)
3. Why did the small white boy come back to see Kumalo? (282)
4. Why is the word for medicine also mean tree in Zulu? (284)
5. Who was waiting for Kumalo by the church?
6. Who brought this man to Kumalo? (285)
7. Why is he here? (285)
8. How much would the man earn in Ndotsheni? (285)
9. What did the man confirm? (287)
10. Will the valley be able to be restored? (289)
11. There is another theme that occurs in these closing chapters—what is it?
12. What is unique about Mr. Letsitsi?
13. What does Arthur’s son represent?

CHAPTER 34 pages 290-298

1. What was everyone at the Church ready for? (290)
2. What was to be eaten? (290)
3. Why has the milk come early today? (219)
4. What does Kumalo do when he hears of the death? (292)
5. Why were there no young men or women in church? (294)
6. What does the Bishop suggest to Kumalo? (294)
7. Where does the Bishop want to send Kumalo? (295)
8. Whom did Kumalo receive a letter from while he was speaking with the Bishop? (296)
9. What in the letter was shocking news to Kumalo? (296)
10. Will Kumalo have to leave Ndotsheni? (297)
11. What did the people of St. Mark’s do for the deceased woman, Margaret Jarvis? (298)
12. What tension occurs at the information of Margaret Jarvis’ death?

CHAPTER 35 pages 299-304

1. Who is the one person who has made the European way of planting succeed? (300)
2. Why had Kuluse’s brother lost his land? (300)
3. How did the natives count their wealth? (300)
4. What is the “something new” in the valley? (300)
5. Whom could the young demonstrator not wail for? (302)
6. What advice does Kumalo give the young man? (303)
7. What do we see in the beginning of Chapter 35?

CHAPTER 36 pages 305-312

1. Why do you assume Kumalo will go up to the mountain on the 14th day of the month? (305)
2. Why does his wife not accompany him? (305)
3. What is the name of the mountain? (306)
4. Who did Kumalo meet on the path? (306)
5. What does Jarvis ask Kumalo? (306)
6. What else did Jarvis question Kumalo about? (307)
7. Does Jarvis understand why Kumalo will go to the mountain? (307)
8. What was Kumalo’s order of prayer? (308)
9. On what day does the novel end? (312)

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