Stephen Kumalo gives up a lot for his son. He spends his very meager savings in search of the boy and then does all in his power to help Absalom once the extent of his predicament is clear. However, Stephen gives up more than money.
When you needed something, someone was there whether it was a mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, older sibling, or foster parent, someone helped you and got you ready for life. That is what Absalom Kumalo had in his father, Stephen Kumalo in the novel Cry, the Beloved Country.
Stephen Kumalo is a leader in the village of Ndotsheni. He is the reverend of the village church, and people look up to him for spiritual guidance and advice about all aspects of their lives.
Absalom Kumalo. Though Absalom is at the center of the plot of Cry, the Beloved Country, he is a somewhat mysterious figure. Having left home like most of the young people of Ndotsheni, Absalom finds work in Johannesburg. For reasons that are never made clear, however, he loses touch with his family and falls into a life of crime.
Absalom Kumalo. Next. Arthur Jarvis. – Stephen Kumalo ’s son. Absalom is led astray by Johannesburg and the people with whom he associated, leading to his accidental murder of Arthur Jarvis during a botched robbery. Absalom is found guilty of the crime and sentenced to death.
Absalom is found guilty of the crime and sentenced to death. He is afraid, but eventually comes to a kind of peace before his death. He also faces up to his responsibilities as a father by marrying his pregnant girlfriend, and providing all he can for his unborn child before his execution.
Originally afraid to die, Absalom appears to reconcile himself to his impending execution and writes respectfully to his mother and father until the time of his death, demonstrating a newfound maturity that allows him to approach death gracefully.
Young and impressionable, Absalom carries a gun for protection, but when he fires the weapon in fear, he ends up killing Arthur Jarvis. Absalom’s basic innocence is affirmed when he confesses everything to the police, and even they seem to suspect his friend Johannes and not him for the murder.
Though Absalom is at the center of the plot of Cry, the Beloved Country, he is a somewhat mysterious figure. Having left home like most of the young people of Ndotsheni, Absalom finds work in Johannesburg. For reasons that are never made clear, however, he loses touch with his family and falls into a life of crime. Young and impressionable, Absalom carries a gun for protection, but when he fires the weapon in fear, he ends up killing Arthur Jarvis. Absalom’s basic innocence is affirmed when he confesses everything to the police, and even they seem to suspect his friend Johannes and not him for the murder. Nonetheless, the court holds Absalom solely responsible for the crime. He tries to communicate honestly with Kumalo, though no words can explain what he has done. Originally afraid to die, Absalom appears to reconcile himself to his impending execution and writes respectfully to his mother and father until the time of his death, demonstrating a newfound maturity that allows him to approach death gracefully.
That is what Absalom Kumalo had in his father, Stephen Kumalo in the novel Cry, the Beloved Country. This lesson will focus on the relationship between the father, Stephen Kumalo, and his son, Absalom. Lesson.
Lesson Summary. Stephen Kuma lo gives up a lot for his son. He spends his very meager savings in search of the boy and then does all in his power to help Absalom once the extent of his predicament is clear. However, Stephen gives up more than money.
As he awaits execution, Absalom finally understands all that his father holds dear. When it comes time for Stephen Kumalo to leave for Ndotsheni, Absalom clings to his father, finally realizing what his life of crime has cost him. At that moment, Absalom is a different person than the boy who killed Jarvis.
Together they plan to rob the home of the white man Arthur Jarvis. But Jarvis returns home in the middle of the robbery and surprises them. In fear, Absalom shoots him dead.
And Absalom himself has changed from a boy who committed the crime to a man who has internalized his father's values. As he awaits execution, Absalom finally understands all that his father holds dear.
Absalom had been attending a reform school that takes the place of jail time for young, black men in Johannesburg. He leaves the reformatory for a job, but he doesn't keep it for long. When Stephen finally locates where Absalom has been living, he finds his young, pregnant girlfriend, but not Absalom. Stephen then learns what has happened to Absalom.
Immediately, he promises to help his son in every way he can. Just like the God he preaches about, Stephen Kumalo's love for Absalom is unconditional, even though he is hurt and confused by his son's actions. Though he has very little money, Stephen Kumalo manages to find a lawyer for Absalom.
Defense attorneys are often the last ray of hope for people who have gotten into serious trouble. When Stephen Kumalo's son Absalom is arrested for killing a white man in Johannesburg, Kumalo knows that his son will need help when he goes to trial. Mr. Carmichael is the lawyer who defends Absalom Kumalo in court.
'I shall take the case for you, Mr. Kumalo,' said the lawyer, 'pro Deo, as we say. It is a simple case, for the boy says that he fired because he was afraid, not meaning to kill.'