Major Theme

Alan Paton expresses many themes in his novel, Cry, the Beloved Country. One theme especially made itself perceptible to me. Alan Paton’s most prominent theme in his book is Religion. The theme is very evident in Book I of Paton’s novel throughout the entire section of the book. It’s expressed by the way the main character of the section acts, how he struggles to understand what’s happening with the younger generations, and also by the decisions he makes about his family.

 The main character in Book I, Steven Kumalo, is a religious leader of the local church in his village. He receives a letter from another pastor from Johannesburg telling him that his younger sister, Gertrude, is very sick. Kumalo packs and makes his way to Johannesburg to help his lost sister; he also goes in hopes he’ll find his son and brother whom he hasn’t heard from in years. He meets many people throughout his journey, and a lot of the people he meets use the terms, “umfundisi” which implies respect, and “man of God,” indicating Kumalo’s reverential status. Kumalo keeps his faith in mind throughout Book I and his search for his family members.

Before Steven Kumalo makes it to Johannesburg he comes face to face with the crime that is developing throughout the place by getting robbed. As he continues his search for his lost family members, he finds his brother, John Kumalo, who has become a politician who believes that “… what God has not done for South Africa, man must do…” (pg. 55). As a man of faith, this strikes Steven Kumalo in a very tender part of his heart. Steven Kumalo also finds his sister, Gertrude, who has become a prostitute with “many husbands.” He convinces her to repent and come back home with him. Also, Kumalo finds his son, Absalom, who has been imprisoned for murdering a white man. The news brought grief to Kumalo’s heart and caused him to briefly question the faith he had in his God. But he quickly recovers his faith.

Alan Paton makes the theme of Religion relevant in Book I of his novel, Cry, the Beloved Country, by the main character’s decisions that he bases on his faith. When Steven Kumalo finds his sister, Gertrude, to be a prostitute, he tells her on page 61 that, “God forgives us…,” In chapter 16, Kumalo asks the girl from Pimville- who is pregnant by his son- to promise him that she will have no more “husbands” and that “if [she] should ever repent from [their] plan… [she] must not shut it up inside [her], or run away…” The girl promised and Kumalo agreed to let her live with his family. This was quite the decision for him to make. Kumalo made this decision off of his faith and love for his son and family.

In conclusion, Alan Paton expresses the theme of Religion in Book I of his novel, Cry, the Beloved Country. He gives the main character, Steven Kumalo, an intense faith as he is a religious leader of the church in his village. Kumalo makes very difficult decisions on his trip to Johannesburg. His faith is also challenged during his trip to Johannesburg. However, Kumalo stands steady on his faith in God and he works toward bringing his family back together.