Cry, Beloved Country Study guide

Mrs. Ndlela

A woman in Sophiatown who makes Absalom leave because of his friends.

Mrs. Lithebe

A woman in Johannesburg who houses Kumalo, and then Gertrude and her son.

Mrs. Mkize

A woman in Alexandra who houses Absalom and his stolen things.

Mary Jarvis

Arthur’s wife.

Margaret Jarvis

Arthur’s mother, who dies at the end of the book.

Mr. Carmichael

The lawyer Father Vincent procures for Absalom.

John Harrison

Arthur’s brother-in-law who shares his opinions about the natives.

Napoleon Letsitsi

Agricultural demonstrator sent to Ndotsheni by Jarvis.

Kuluse

Zulu man in Ndotsheni whose baby is dying for lack of milk.

Johannes Pafuri

Present with Matthew and Absalom at Arthur’s murder but isn’t called guilty at the trial.

Hlbanei

The taxi driver in Alexandra who steals things with Absalom.

Van Jarrsveld

Afrikaans policeman who informs Jarvis of Arthur’s murder.

Sir Oppenheimer

White man involved in government and development of the mines.

Richard Mpiring

Arthur’s houseboy who is wounded in the events leading to Arthur’s death.

Dubula

Native African who organizes the bus boycott and Shantytown’s construction.

Inkosi

Means chief or master.

Tixo

A Xhosa word meaning Great Spirit.

Blood River

1838 battle where 464 Boers defeated more than 10,000 Zulu, leading to a determination to keep separate from British and Africans.

Umnunzana

Means sir.

Unfundisi

Means parson, also used as a title with respect.

Transvaal

One of the two Boer Republics, where diamonds and gold were discovered in 1886.

Nelson Mandela

Head of ANC, jailed in 1963; freed in 1990 and elected president in 1994.

Sharpeville

1960 event where police shot demonstrators against pass laws, resulting in 69 deaths.

Soweto

A region where children protested Afrikaans in schools, leading to riots and many deaths.

Pretoria

City founded by Voortrekkers, capital of the Union of South Africa.

Kumalo’s journey to Johannesburg

He is nervous and scared about traffic, finances, and sees the reality of Johannesburg.

Gertrude’s situation

Goes to Johannesburg with her son, initially sullen and blames others.

John Kumalo

Successful businessman who is indifferent and angry about resource distribution.

The bus boycott

Led by Dubula, supported by some whites, requiring Kumalo and Msimangu to walk long distances.

Kumalo’s interaction with Absalom’s girl

He confronts her but leaves with some lifted pain after apologizing to her.

Circumstances of Arthur Jarvis’ death

Arthur was shot by Absalom during a break-in.

Arthur Jarvis’ beliefs

Believed in the importance of fighting against racism and the injustices in South Africa.

John Harrison’s reaction to Arthur

He admired and was influenced by Arthur’s views.

Meeting of Kumalo and Jarvis

They met in a house of springs, where Jarvis displays compassion.

Absalom’s trials

He is sentenced to death after stating he shot Arthur in fear.

Kumalo’s homecoming

Returns to Ndotsheni, finds drought and excitement from his congregation.

Arthur Jarvis’ son

Visits Kumalo and learns about the conditions of the natives.

Restoration of Ndotsheni

Kumalo prays for help, leading to agricultural improvements.

Kumalo’s Bishop

Advises Kumalo to leave Ndotsheni, but they agree he should stay.

Interactions between Kumalo and James Jarvis

Reflect their development and changes due to the circumstances.

Absalom’s death

Resulted from his being found guilty; he was hung.