In Book I of
Cry, the Beloved Country, Alan Paton
displays a variety of strong themes and motifs that move the story line. At
this point in the novel, the role of a parent seems to be the most prominent
and definite theme that has been shown. When Absalom Kumalo left his home and
family, he turned into a life of crime with acquaintances that did nothing but
destroy his character and morals. Because of this fact, his father, Stephen
Kumalo, has suffered from the guilt of failing his son and being a dishonorable
parent in general. Throughout the book Paton shows the negative and positive
effects of parenting and how it determines the path of a child.
Paton displays Kumalo’s true guilt
and shame towards his son while he is speaking to Father Vincent. When Kumalo
describes Absalom as “the greatest evil [he has] known,” the anxiety of being
the parent of a murderer shines through his character as expected. Kumalo is
somewhat blaming himself for his sons actions, because he is the person that
allowed Absalom to leave his home and community. Even though Kumalo is
supposedly a strong and honorable man of God, the world’s trials regarding
parenting are causing him to sway away from his morals and fear God’s will. In
this moment Paton is showing that no parent is perfect, and that it is easy for
a parent to blame themselves for their child’s mistakes.
Another strong key of parenting that
Alan Paton presents is never giving up for children. Throughout Book I, Stephen
Kumalo goes through hell and back to aid his son in every possible way. In
Chapter 14, in a conversation with Absalom, Kumalo says powerfully, “I have
searched in every place for you.” This statement alone allows the power and
strong will of Kumalo’s parenting to show. Even though Absalom did everything
against his father, Kumalo still loves him enough to fight for his well-being. Paton
symbolizes an admirable parent through Kumalo’s actions in order to strengthen
his character and show his good will.
In Chapter 6, Alan Paton acquaints
another side of parenting with the reader through Stephen Kumalo’s sister
Gertrude. Because of her awful ways, her role as a parent has weakened greatly.
When Kumalo goes to visit her, it becomes quite obvious that she is no longer
the mother that was before. Even though she argues that all her action are “for
the child,” the reality is that she is placing her child in the worst
environment possible. Paton uses this demonstration to contrast Kumalo’s
fighting love for his son, and shows that parenting is not always an easy
situation.
All things considered, Alan Paton displays
the role and actions of a parent to be a cardinal theme in the first half of Cry, the Beloved Country. Paton not only
contrasts different types of parenting between different people, but also shows
that the same parent can utilize different styles of guidance and love,
depending on their situation and view of morals.
