Arthur’s allusion represents the overall battle of good versus evil and the fight for equality. King Arthur and Arthur Jarvis were well liked, and respected by the people. Paton states “the church had been too small for all who wanted to come” (181), and this is the ultimate representation of the respect that Arthur receives. King Arthur had the Knights of the Round Table at which everyone at the table was seen as equal. Arthur Jarvis fights for the equality of both races and his death is seen as a major tragedy. The reader is able to learn about what many characters think of him in the aftermath of his death, “This is a terrible loss for South Africa said the white priest. For Arthur Jarvis was a courageous man and a great fighter for justice”
…show more content…
Paton also uses this biblical allusion to contrast John the Baptist to John Kumalo. Both characters “betrayed” their father and the correspondence between them helps the deepen John Kulamo as a character. “The great bull voice is speaking there in the square… There are those who remember their excitement, and the queer sensations of their bodies as though electricity were passing through them” (217) This quote compares to “He said, “ I am a VOICE OF ONE CRYING OUT IN THE WILDERNESS ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD” (John 1:23). Both John Kulamo and John the Baptist are voices crying out. Paton refers to John Kumalo as a bull to show that John Kumalo is able to be heard and seen by pushing powerfully. Both characters have a large influence on the people around them. They are great public speakers and help everyone reach a common …show more content…
In both Cry, the Beloved Country and the Bible, there is a loved son, Absalom, who commits murder and later, dies of a violent death. In the novel, Absalom “is in prison, arrested for the murder of a white man” (128) and is sentenced to be “hanged by the neck until you [Absalom] are dead” (236). In the Bible, Absalom kills one of his brothers and later on in the story, dies during a revolt against his father. Although sinful acts were committed in both stories, the fathers unconditionally loved their sons. On the day that Absalom was sentenced to be hanged, his father, Stephen Kumalo, showed great remorse and sorrow when wondering “would he be awake, would he be able to sleep… He cried out, My son, my son, my son” (310). In the events leading up to Kumalo’s cries, it was made evident that Absalom had disgraced his family. Nonetheless, Kumalo loved his child and still cared about his well-being up to the very second he died. This compares to the death of Absalom in the Bible because even though the boy killed one of David’s sons and planned a revolt against his father, David showed grief and sorrow when his son died in battle. This reinforces the idea that a father will always have unconditional love for his
Paton also uses this biblical allusion to contrast John the Baptist to John Kumalo. Both characters “betrayed” their father and the correspondence between them helps the deepen John Kulamo as a character. “The great bull voice is speaking there in the square… There are those who remember their excitement, and the queer sensations of their bodies as though electricity were passing through them” (217) This quote compares to “He said, “ I am a VOICE OF ONE CRYING OUT IN THE WILDERNESS ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD” (John 1:23). Both John Kulamo and John the Baptist are voices crying out. Paton refers to John Kumalo as a bull to show that John Kumalo is able to be heard and seen by pushing powerfully. Both characters have a large influence on the people around them. They are great public speakers and help everyone reach a common …show more content…
In both Cry, the Beloved Country and the Bible, there is a loved son, Absalom, who commits murder and later, dies of a violent death. In the novel, Absalom “is in prison, arrested for the murder of a white man” (128) and is sentenced to be “hanged by the neck until you [Absalom] are dead” (236). In the Bible, Absalom kills one of his brothers and later on in the story, dies during a revolt against his father. Although sinful acts were committed in both stories, the fathers unconditionally loved their sons. On the day that Absalom was sentenced to be hanged, his father, Stephen Kumalo, showed great remorse and sorrow when wondering “would he be awake, would he be able to sleep… He cried out, My son, my son, my son” (310). In the events leading up to Kumalo’s cries, it was made evident that Absalom had disgraced his family. Nonetheless, Kumalo loved his child and still cared about his well-being up to the very second he died. This compares to the death of Absalom in the Bible because even though the boy killed one of David’s sons and planned a revolt against his father, David showed grief and sorrow when his son died in battle. This reinforces the idea that a father will always have unconditional love for his