Characters (Grade 12 NSC Matric English FAL): Revision Notes
Characters
Understanding the characters in "Cry, the Beloved Country" is essential for grasping the novel's themes and messages. The characters represent different aspects of South African society and their journeys reflect the broader social transformation taking place in the country. This section will help you analyse the main and minor characters effectively for your exams, focusing on the novel's central themes of reconciliation, social justice, and moral transformation.
Main characters
The main characters drive the story forwards and embody the novel's central themes. Each protagonist undergoes a significant journey that reflects the broader social changes in South African society.
Stephen Kumalo
Stephen Kumalo serves as one of the novel's two protagonists and represents the moral heart of the story. He is an elderly Zulu priest who has devoted his entire life to serving his community in the rural village of Ndotsheni.
Kumalo functions as the moral centre of the novel, though Paton deliberately shows him as a flawed human being rather than a perfect saint. This makes his character more realistic and relatable to readers.
Key characteristics:
- Moral foundation: As a priest, Kumalo possesses strong moral principles and an unwavering faith in God, though he is not portrayed as perfect
- Humility and gentleness: He approaches life with quiet dignity and treats others with respect and compassion
- Human flaws: Despite his moral strength, Kumalo sometimes struggles with temptation and occasionally responds to others with harsh words or dishonesty
- Resilience: His ability to accept suffering with grace whilst maintaining his determination to help his people makes him the moral centre of the novel
Kumalo's journey from Ndotsheni to Johannesburg represents both a physical and spiritual quest that transforms him throughout the story.
James Jarvis
James Jarvis is the novel's second protagonist, a white landowner whose farm overlooks Kumalo's village of Ndotsheni. His character undergoes a significant transformation that parallels Kumalo's journey.
Character development:
- Initial state: At the beginning, Jarvis is portrayed as a conservative farmer who speaks little and remains largely indifferent to the social injustices affecting South Africa
- Catalyst for change: His worldview is completely shattered when he learns of his son Arthur's murder, forcing him to confront realities he had previously ignored
- Journey of discovery: When he travels to Johannesburg to deal with his son's death, Jarvis discovers that Arthur had become a prominent community leader who advocated for social justice and racial equality
- Transformation: Through learning about his son's beliefs and values, Jarvis begins to rethink his own opinions and develops a new understanding of his relationship with the inhabitants of Ndotsheni
James Jarvis's transformation is crucial to the novel's message about reconciliation. His journey from indifference to understanding mirrors the broader social changes that Paton believed were necessary for South Africa's future.
Absalom Kumalo
Absalom represents the tragedy of young black South Africans who leave rural areas seeking opportunities but fall into crime due to social conditions.
Character journey:
- Background: He is Stephen Kumalo's only child who left home to search for his aunt Gertrude in Johannesburg
- Downfall: Once in the city, Absalom becomes naive and vulnerable, eventually falling into a life of crime
- The crime: Out of fear during an attempted robbery, he shoots and kills Arthur Jarvis, leading to his conviction for murder
- Redemption: Before his execution, Absalom demonstrates newfound maturity and appears to have reconciled himself with his fate
Absalom's story represents the systemic problems facing young black South Africans in apartheid society. His fall into crime is not portrayed as a personal failing but as a consequence of social conditions and lack of opportunities.
Theophilus Msimanga
Msimanga serves as Stephen Kumalo's guide and host during his stay in Johannesburg, representing wisdom and spiritual guidance in the urban environment.
Important qualities:
- Spiritual insight: As a young minister at the Mission House in Sophiatown, he possesses an acute understanding of the problems facing South Africa
- Guidance: He helps Kumalo navigate and understand the people and places they encounter during their search
- Human complexity: Although generally kind, he sometimes speaks harshly but quickly shows remorse for his words
- Spiritual commitment: His name means "one who loves God", and his eventual decision to enter a monastery demonstrates the depth of his faith and generous spirit
Minor characters
The novel includes numerous supporting characters who enrich the story and help develop its themes. Understanding these characters will help you appreciate the full scope of South African society that Paton presents.
While these characters may seem minor, they each serve important functions in developing the novel's themes and providing a comprehensive view of South African society during this period.
Family members
- Mrs Khumalo: Stephen Kumalo's wife, characterised by her strength, supportive nature, and loving devotion to her husband
- John Khumalo: Stephen's brother who lives in Johannesburg as a businessman with a passion for politics
- Gertrude Khumalo: Stephen's sister, who was the original reason for his journey to Johannesburg. Living independently in the city, she has become easily influenced and involved in prostitution
The Jarvis family
- Arthur Jarvis: Though he appears in the novel only after his death, Arthur represents the liberal white South African activist who believed in justice and equality for all races
- Mary Jarvis: Arthur's wife, who takes her husband's murder very hard but remains strong for her children and continues to share his commitment to social justice
- Arthur's son: Despite being only a child, he displays characteristics similar to his father - curiosity, intelligence, and generosity. He treats black people with unusual courtesy, which pleases Kumalo when the boy visits and attempts to speak Zulu
- Margaret Jarvis: James Jarvis's wife, who is deeply affected by her son's death. She is portrayed as physically fragile yet emotionally strong, supporting her husband through their shared grief
Legal and religious figures
- Father Vincent: An English priest who lives with Msimanga at the Mission House
- The Judge: The judge presiding over Absalom's case appears to be fair-minded, but he is constrained by unjust laws which he applies strictly
- Mr Carmichael: Father Vincent's acquaintance who becomes Absalom's lawyer. He is described as a tall, serious man with an almost royal bearing who takes Absalom's case pro deo (meaning "for God" - without payment)
Other significant characters
- The young man from the Reformatory: Works at the reformatory and provides as much help and support to Reverend Kumalo as possible
- Absalom's girlfriend: A kind-hearted and quiet sixteen-year-old girl whom Absalom has made pregnant
- Napoleon Letsitsi: An agricultural expert hired by James Jarvis to teach improved farming techniques to the black community
- Mrs Lethibi: An Msutu woman living in Sophiatown with whom Kumalo stays during his time in Johannesburg
Character analysis techniques
When analysing characters for your exams, focus on their actions, thoughts, and dialogue rather than their physical appearance. This approach will help you understand their deeper significance in the novel.
Remember: Character analysis should focus on what characters do, say, and think - not what they look like. Physical descriptions are far less important than behaviour, motivations, and development.
Key analysis methods
Actions and behaviour: Examine what characters do in specific situations and how these actions reveal their true nature. Consider how characters respond to challenges and conflicts throughout the story.
Character development: Look for incidents in a character's past that have shaped who they are and affected their behaviour. Pay attention to how characters change and develop as the story progresses.
Relationships with others: Analyse how other characters react to and treat the character you are studying. These reactions can tell you whether a character is liked, respected, trusted, or viewed negatively by others.
Dialogue and speech patterns: Consider how a character speaks, including their choice of words, tone, and the topics they discuss. Dialogue reveals personality traits and attitudes.
Character interactions: Examine how characters relate to one another, as these relationships often convey important qualities and reveal character development.
Character Analysis Example: Stephen Kumalo's Development
Step 1: Identify the character's initial state At the beginning, Kumalo is a simple rural priest, somewhat naive about urban problems.
Step 2: Track key events that affect the character His journey to Johannesburg, discovering his son's crime, and meeting James Jarvis all contribute to his growth.
Step 3: Analyse the character's final state By the end, Kumalo has gained wisdom and strength, becoming a more effective leader for his community.
Step 4: Consider what this development represents thematically His growth mirrors South Africa's potential for positive change through understanding and reconciliation.
Creating character charts
To keep track of character evidence while studying, create charts that list:
- Character traits in the first column
- Specific evidence from the text (with chapter references) in the second column
This method helps you organise textual evidence systematically and makes it easier to find supporting details during revision.
Character trait vocabulary
Understanding descriptive vocabulary will help you express your character analysis more effectively in exams. Here are useful terms organised by type:
Positive traits: bright, cheerful, caring, charming, considerate, delightful, encouraging, fair, kind, likeable, loving, peaceful, pleasant, polite, respectful, sensitive, sweet, thoughtful, trustworthy, wise
Negative traits: annoyed, argumentative, cold-hearted, dangerous, disrespectful, evil, greedy, harsh, impatient, impolite, insensitive, jealous, pessimistic, rude, selfish, stubborn, thoughtless, uncaring, unpleasant, vulgar
Emotional states: sad, cheerless, depressed, desolate, dejected, gloomy, heartbroken, isolated, lonely, miserable, unhappy, shy, timid, meek, humble, nervous
Confidence levels: confident, assertive, brave, certain, courageous, fearless, independent, sure, nervous, anxious, concerned, fearful, hesitant, uncertain, uneasy, unsure
Behavioural traits: irresponsible, responsible, lazy, prudent, careless, careful, sloppy, persistent, messy, studious, disorganised, organised, brave, intelligent, courageous, clever, noble, smart, bold, quick-witted, daring, devious
When using character trait vocabulary in your essays, always support your descriptions with specific evidence from the text. Simply stating that a character is "brave" is not enough - you need to explain which actions or decisions demonstrate this bravery.
Key Points to Remember:
- Stephen Kumalo and James Jarvis are the two protagonists who undergo parallel journeys of transformation and discovery
- Characters in "Cry, the Beloved Country" represent different aspects of South African society and its challenges
- When analysing characters, focus on their actions, thoughts, and words rather than physical descriptions
- Character development shows how individuals change throughout the story, often reflecting broader social themes
- Understanding both main and minor characters helps you appreciate the novel's exploration of reconciliation, justice, and moral growth
- Always support character analysis with specific textual evidence and chapter references