Now is your chance to ask me a question about Cry, the Beloved Country. I love the questions that you come up with, they always impress me. I look forward to discussing this book with you!
Kevin you can answer Daniel's question
Daniel you can answer Tyler's question
Tyler you can answer Kevin's question
For the essays, please don't forget to post your essay under the Essay Question post.
Tyler read Daniel's essay
Kevin read Tyler's essay
Daniel read Kevin's essay
Please post your response to their essays in the comments section. Enjoy!
The above picture is of a shanty town in Johannesburg.
10 comments:
Even though his wife asked of it, why do you think James Jarvis went to such great lengths to help the natives?
Even though his wife asked of it, why do you think James Jarvis went to such great lengths to help the natives?
I think he helped out the natives to honor the memory of his son. Arthur wanted to help the black people, and Mr. Jarvis in a sense carried on the work his son could not complete.
Do you think Gertrude decided to relive her past, or became a nun when she left Kumalo?
Do you think Gertrude decided to relive her past, or became a nun when she left Kumalo?
Its hard to tell, but I think that she fell back into her old ways. She had had trouble in that area before, and it wouldn't surprise me if she had gotten caught in her old sin again.
Why do you think Mrs. Lithebe was so hospitable and kind to all she met?
Why do you think Mrs. Lithebe was so hospitable and kind to all she met?
I'm thinking that all she had been through, just helping was what she felt most comfortable doing.
Tyler,
This is a good question, because even though we don't get to know Mr. Jarvis well, it is clear in the beginning that he had never thought about the struggles Blacks faced every day. His son's writings were the first time he faced the reality of the racial divisions in his country. Therefore, as you ask, "why did he change?"
Well I think he changed for two reasons. I agree with Daniel, that he did it as a way to carry on the legacy of his beloved son. By doing the unfinished work of his son, he was able to keep his son alive. If his son's work continued, then it reduces the sense of loss. It was a way for Jarvis to connect with the son he had had a difficult time understanding. I think once he started helping the natives, he understood his son better.
The other reason is, I think Arthur's writings really enlightened Jarvis to the plight of the natives. Jarvis is a kind and caring man. He has always treated the native people that have worked for him well. But he has never interacted with them, gotten to know them, etc. Therefore he was able to keep his eyes closed to the inequality in South Africa. Once his eyes were opened by his son's writing, he had no choice but to take part in changing things.
I love the character of James Jarvis. His act of forgiveness is so powerful. It is of Biblical proportions. Imagine sincerely asking if the murderer of your son will be shown mercy or not? And then being sympathetic that he is not receiving mercy!! That is such Christ like forgiveness, it is truly amazing. His forgiveness is so profound and powerful it makes Kumalo nervous and scared in his presence. In all the books that we have read, James Jarvis is the man we should all fashion our lives after.
Good question Tyler! What did you think about Jarvis?
Daniel,
Oh, I so wish that I could say Gertrude decided to go be a nun!!!! How nicely her part of the story could have ended. This book has some pretty sad endings, and unfortunately she is one of them. Despite Kumalo's best efforts, he could not save his sister. I think it was very intentional on the part of the author that Gertrude went back to her old life. I think he was trying to show us we all go back to our old sin again and again. Even when we have changed our surroundings or lifestyle, our old habits beckon.
Gertrude is a perfect example of someone being offered salvation and rejecting it. It is really sad because we see all that Kumalo does for her, and the better life he offers her and her son, yet she returns to a horrible existence of exploitation and pain. Reminds me of Proverbs 26:11. Look it up!
The only positive in the midst of the situation is that her son will now live in a wholesome environment. It is always sad to separate mother and child, but in this instance it is a good thing. I think Mr. and Mrs. Kumalo probably take great comfort in having their young nephew around.
The characters in this book became so alive to me. I feel like they are living and breathing, so when I discuss them I feel like I'm talking about REAL people. Did you feel the same way?
Kevin,
Didn't you just love Mrs. Lithebe? She was such a great loving and caring character, yet very strong. I love how she would give her little lectures to Gertrude and other characters in the book. She is feisty!!! A real firecracker!!
I think Mrs. Lithebe was acutely aware of the grace of God in her life. She felt it, saw it, tasted it. It was so real to her she had no choice but to pass it on to others. She has such gratitude for the life that God has given her. I think this combination of grace and gratitude is what drives her.
Her perspective was that all she had was from God, therefore it was not hers to own, but hers to share. She takes great delight in being able to help people and be part of the change in their lives. She is an example of helping people in the simplest way and being truly hospitable. Think how much more difficult Kumalo's trip would have been if he had been worried about the safety of the place he was staying, or where he was going to get his meals. She provided him with the basics, and it meant that he could find his son. We can be part of God's work by just offering food and shelter to people. She is an inspiration.
What do you think drove her? Did the characters become as alive to you as they did to me?
The characters in this book became so alive to me. I feel like they are living and breathing, so when I discuss them I feel like I'm talking about REAL people. Did you feel the same way?
I don't think I felt the same as you did. But the author did a great job providing a little history behind every character. With that knowledge we better understood their actions. We could almost predict their reactions to certian situations.
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