Cry, The Beloved Country
Why is the death of Arthur Jarvis a terrible blow
1. Absalom was involved 2. Arthur was a key fighter for social reform and an antisegregationist
Where does the money come from for Kumalo's journey?
Absalom's schooling money
How does Kumalo find the Reverend Msimangu?
An elderly man guides Kumalo to Msimangu's house after Kumalo's money was stolen
Describe the housing situation in Black Johannesburg
Blacks live in a shantytown in Orlando, Johannesburg. There is sickness here and the houses are built from scrap parts
What does Kumalo learn of his son's behavior
He had been given leave from the reformatory partially due to his good behavior, and partially due to the fact that he got a girl pregnant
What does Kumalo learn of Absalom in Alexandra
He had moved to a shantytown on the outskirts of Orlando
How does Kumalo react to the things he sees from the train?
He is awestruck of the huge buildings but he is also very overwhelmed with the crowds, the traffic, and people speaking in a language that he does not speak.
How does Kumalo react to Gertrude's son
He is sorrowful that he has to live in such child unfriendly conditions with Gertrude
What is Gertrude's sickness?
Her loose morality i.e. she's a prostitute
How does Gertrude react to Kumalo's visit?
She is fearful at first, then she becomes very remorseful
What is the message in the letter Kumalo receives?
That he needs to come to Johannesburg the next day because his sister, Gertrude, is sick
What does Kumalo learn from his brother
That his wife has left him, but that in Johannesburg he has felt freer than ever before. He also says that he and Absalom share an apartment together.
What does Msimangu think of the social problem?
That it is a result of whites in power destroying black tribal culture, but he thinks that power in general will always corrupt even a black man
What is the problem in Ndotsheni
The hills are drying out from overgrazing and overpopulation
How do Msimangu and Kumalo get to Alexandra
They were walking when a white driver went out of his way to take them there
What does his companion request of Kumalo at the train station?
To find the daughter of a man named Sibeko, who accompanied a white family to Johannesburg and hasn't written since.
What is the purpose of the bus strike
To protest the rising costs of transportation
