Cry, the Beloved Country Ch. 26-31 discussion outline
Ch. 26

John Kumalo speaking in public square
o Why aren't police worried?
o "What if this voice should say words that it speaks already in private, should rise and not fall again, should rise and rise and
rise, and the people rise with it...?"
o Msimangu: "Perhaps we should thank God [John Kumalo] is corrupt, for if he were not corrupt he could plunge this country into
bloodshed."
o Jarvis sees John Kumalo's speech

Reflection upon a strike at a mine - reflections upon dangers of native strikes, discussions amongst church leaders what to do, and their
lack of decision so "all is quiet"

Mine strike ends and "all is quiet"

“So in a way it is best not to think about it at all”

"In the deserted harbor there is yet water that laps against the quays. In the dark and silent forest there is a leaf that falls. Behind the
polished paneling the white ant eats away the wood. Nothing is ever quiet, except for fools."
Ch. 27

Newspaper headlines about black crime troubling

Gertrude considers becoming a nun - Absalom's girlfriend commits to caring for Gertrude's child if this occurs
Ch. 28

Judge doubts reliability of testimony of Jarvis' black servant, doubts woman they spent the night with after murder, thus other two boys
Matthew and Pafuri acquitted

P. 234 judge addresses fact that some laws may be unjust, but that is not his fault

Law says intention to kill may be "inferred" from attempt to inflict "grievous bodily harm," thus Absalom is found guilty and sentenced to
hang

Impossible for courtroom to have silence "For who can stop the heart from breaking?"

Young white man, breaking custom, helps Stephen out of courtroom due to "deep experience"
Ch. 29

Real moment of connection father/son had been waiting for when Absalom breaks down and sobs while Stephen holds his head

P. 242 Where are Absalom’s thoughts?

Stephen seems genuinely concerned for safety and well-being of nephew Matthew and brother John - doesn't seem to hold grudge
against John

"He had come to tell his brother that _______, that a man who fights for _____ must himself be cleansed and purified, that ______ is
greater than force. And none of these things he had done..."

James's donation

Msimangu giving up possessions for life of solitude, reflection (like a monk)

Stephen drops to knees and thanks God for "all the kindness of men" - filled with strength/hope

Gertrude disappears
Ch. 30 (Book III)

Compare/contrast train ride back to Ixopo to initial train ride into Johannesburg

Reaction of Stephen's wife to bad news about Gertrude and Absalom

“…the red land of Ndotsheni. It is a wasted land, a land of old men and women and children, but it is home. The maize hardly grows to
the height of a man, but it is home.”

Impromptu church service inspires Stephen - he prays for grandson, new adopted daughter, and Absalom - “It is done, it is out, the hard
thing that was so feared. He knows it is not he, it is these people who have done it…they kneel on the bare red earth…”

“Yes, God save Africa, the beloved country. God save us from the deep depths of our sins. God save us from the fear that is afraid of
justice. God save us from the fear that is afraid of men. God save us all….Dance oh small boy…Call and dance, Innocence, call and
dance while you may. For this is a prelude, it is only a beginning."
Ch. 31

Stephen "knew that [prayer] was not enough. Somewhere down here upon earth men must come together, think something, do
something.”

Stephen goes to chief: “Who would be chief over this desolation? It was a thing that white man had done, knocked these chiefs down,
and put them up again, to hold the pieces together. But the white men had taken most of the pieces away.... something that had begun
and must now be continued. For there in Johannesburg things were happening that had nothing to do with any chief.”

"Kumalo knew that nothing more would come…the counselors…were frowning and perplexed, and that for this matter there was no
counsel that they could give at all. For the counselors of a broken tribe have counsel for many things, but none for the matter of a
broken tribe.”

Jarvis' grandson visits Stephen - conversation

Kumalo “dumb and stupid” with shock when boy returns with milk – Stephen’s message of thanks is “Tixo will bless him”

Worker on Jarvis' farm who's only worked there a week says he respects Jarvis so much that if the man said die, he’d be willing to die