LUOA English 10: Cry, The Beloved Country Study Guide
Why is Jarvis initially hurt by his son's essay?
His son felt like he was uninformed about the real world.
What surprises Jarvis the most about his son's funeral?
How may races and types of people were present
Why is the newspaper headline about another murder unfortunate timing?
It may impact Absalom's case.
What strange claim does Johannes make about his iron bar that convinces Absolom he should bring it to the Jarvis's house?
It was blessed
What is symbolic about umfundisi buying Gertrude and the child new clothing?
It's a new start.
As James Jarvis sits in his son's house realizing how little he knew of him, he notices four paintings on the wall. Match the painting title/description to what it reveals about Arthur.
Jesus on the Cross - He was acting on his faith... Abraham Lincoln - He was inspired by political... Vergelegen - He honored South Africa's... Willows in the winter - He loved South Africa's...
Who does it seem was in charge of the incident?
Johannes
Who is the man with the "great bull voice"?
John Kumalo
Both Kumalo and Jarvis use weather metaphors to explain their feelings about the news of their sons. Explain the connection between the two images. What do they symbolize? What do the different images reveal about the characters?
Kumalo and Jarvis both use weather metaphors to symbolize both of their situations with their sons. Neither of these people knew what was going to happen and they were both equally surprised by their sons actions or problems.
Explain what Odendaalsrust is and why it is significant.
Odendaalsrust is the name of a mine. It is significant because it was a very plentiful mine that contained a lot of gold within it which opened lots of opportunities.
Which of the following cities is a capital of South Africa?
Pretoria Bloemfontein Cape Town
Harrison often disagreed with Arthur about the natives and the problems in South Africa. How does Harrison feel about Arthur now?
Respect and admiration
What do Kumalo and the girl agree to do?
She will marry Absalom and return home with umfundisi.
What do umfundisi and the girl agree to do?
She will marry Absalom and return home with umfundisi.
Where was Alan Paton born and raised?
South Africa
How does Absolom feel about his sentence?
Terrified
What was Margaret's last wish as detailed in Jarvis's letter?
That the church be rebuilt
Both Kumalo and Father Vincent discuss a metaphor dealing with a storm approaching. Explain the two different ideas and applications of this metaphor.
The metaphor talks about a man who was sleeping in the grass and was unaware of a storm that was approaching. Everyone around the man was running but no one stopped to inform the man of the storm. Even though the man can't prevent the storm, he can still rebuild his house.
Why is nothing between blacks and whites resolved in Johannesburg?
There are too many opinions.
What is ironic about the names of the streets in Claremont?
They are all names of beautiful flowers, but the place is anything but beautiful.
After Kumalo tells about Ixopo, its beauty and its current situation, what comparison do the pastors make between Ixopo and Johannesburg?
They are both broken.
What are the white hills that Kumalo sees from the train as he approaches Johannesburg?
They are mines.
What does the information Msimangu get from Mrs. Mkize seem to imply about Absalom and his cousin?
They are thieves.
Which change that Napolean wants to make will ask people to change their cultural traditions?
They will need to stop hoarding cows to use as a sign of wealth
Explain what this sentence reveals about the character of the "great bull." "There is no applause in prison."
This sentence means that people don't respect anyone who is in prison or has previously been. This reveals that the character of the "great bull" has never been to prison and is respected and looked up to.
Father Vincent says, "And while there is life, there is hope of amendment of life." Explain how this might be comforting to Kumalo.
This statement might be comforting to Kumalo because it helps him understand that there is still time for his son to turn his life around and fix himself.
Paton felt that because men have gone to work in the cities and mines and families are broken apart, the country suffered from the breakdown of the ______.
Tribe
What kind of person prevents Kumalo and Msimangu from getting on the bus?
a protester
What are the police afraid John Kumalo will incite?
a strike
What gift do the people of St. Mark's Church give in honor of the dead?
a wreath
Which word best describes Kumalo's state when he sees Jarvis?
addled
What are the conditions on Jarvis' gift?
all of the answers
What do white people realize when they think of every black man and black woman refusing to work?
all of the answers
What indications are there that Absalom is doing well and is rehabilitated?
all of the answers (He has a job, He has money in the bank, He is receiving good reports by his superiors)
Why was Absalom released from the reformatory school?
all of the answers (good behaviour, he had a child, he had a girlfriend)
Which statement sums up the admonition the narrator gives about the land?
be careful - if you take care of the land it will take care of you
Why does the policeman think that Jarvis won't pass the bloodstain anymore?
because he can't take it anymore
Why does Absalom plead "not guilty" in his case even though he admits to killing Arthur Jarvis?
because he will admit to killing but not murder
Why did Arthur Jarvis ultimately devote himself to the cause of the natives?
because it was right
Why did Absalom have to leave Mrs. and Mrs. Ndlela's house?
because of his friends
Why do the young people leave?
because the land is not productive anymore
Why are the people resistant to Letsitsi's ideas?
because they must give up some of their things
What is the main idea of John Kumalo's argument?
black workers should get an equal share
Which word best describes Arthur Jarvis?
charitable
What indication is there that the drought might end soon?
clouds in the sky
What condition is threatening Mr. Jarvis' and other famers' land?
drought
What seems to be John Kumalo's passion?
empowering the black people
Which word best describes the people's reaction to Kumalo's return?
excited
What word best describes Gertrude's initial reaction to her brother's arrival?
fear
What does "pro deo" mean?
for God
Why are Kumalo, the girl, and father Vincent at the jail?
for the marriage
Check the answers that are true of Arthur Jarvis.
he was elected president of a boy's club he was writing a book about native crime he was a sought after speaker
What emotion does umfundisi regret while speaking to the girl?
his desire to hurt the girl
What does Kumalo know will happen at sunrise?
his son's execution
Which word best describes the people's feelings about judges?
honorable
Which word best describes Shanty Town?
improvised
What does Kumalo visit the chief and the headmaster about?
keeping children in the tribe by teaching them better ways to farm
What does the bishop instruct the Kumalo to do?
leave
What does Kumalo do when he goes to see his brother?
lies to him about a spy in his shop
What is John Kumalo afraid of?
losing his possessions
What does Msimangu believe is the ultimate power?
love
Which word best describes the hills of Ixopo?
lush
What item is the boy surprised that the Kumalo doesn't have?
milk
Upon what issue did Arthur and James Jarvis disagree?
natives
What sad news does the milk carrier bring?
none of the answers
What are Matthew and Johannes's verdicts?
not guilty
What lesson does the Kumalo learn almost immediately in Johannesburg?
not to trust people
Which of the following best describes the conditions that lead to the creation of Shanty Town?
overcrowding
Which word best describes John Kumalo?
pompous
What are the people in Ixopo desperate for?
rain
Which word best describes Absalom's reaction to his father's questions?
reluctance
Which word best describes Kumalo's first impression of Reverend Msimangu?
safe
Which adjective best describes Gertrude's occupation now?
scandalous
Who is Napoleon Letsitsi?
someone who will teach them to farm correctly
Which word best describes the valley of Ixopo?
stripped
What news does Mr. Carmichael send in his letter?
that Absalom will be hanged
What news does Kumalo receive from the young girl?
that his sister is ill
What detail does John Kumalo's hope for his son rest upon?
that no one can prove his son was there
Of what is Kumalo embarrassed when Jarvis comes to visit?
the holes in his church's roof
Who does Msimangu blame for the brokenness of the black people?
the mines
What modern convenience surprises Kumalo at the beginning of chapter 5?
the sink
Which image of Johannesburg best represents the Kumalo's fear of the big city?
the traffic
What was the money in the coffee can that he will use for the trip to Johannesburg supposed to be used for?
their son's schooling
What distracts Kumalo from his daydreams and descriptions of their native land?
thoughts of his son
What favor does Sibeko ask of Kumalo?
to check on his daughter
What favor does Sibeko ask of the Kumalo?
to check on his daughter
Why did Gertrude go to Johannesburg?
to find her husband
Why does the boy on the horse come back to visit Kumalo?
to practice his Zulu
Why does Kumalo go to the mountain?
to pray
Why does Kumalo go to see the girl?
to see if she still wants to marry his son
Why does umfundisi go to see the girl?
to see if she still wants to marry his son
What sound advice does Father Vincent give Kumalo?
to slowly rebuild a relationship with Absalom
Why does the police captain come to see Mr. Jarvis?
to tell him about his son's murder
Why does Kumalo go to see his brother John?
to tell him that power corrupts, and love is greater than force
What kindness puts a broad smile on Kuamlo's face?
white men giving rides to the black workers refusing to ride the bus
Which of the following is something John Kumalo would likely say about church?
"It has not done enough."
What is in the envelope that Jarvis gives Harrison?
1,000 pounds
The Native's Land Act of 1913 gave how much land to the black, native citizens?
7%
What devastating news does Kumalo hear about his family?
Absalom and his cousin are responsible for the murder.
What news do the men find out in Pimville?
Absalom is gone and has missed work.
What are Arthur's last recorded words?
Allow me a minute
What was the name for the act in South Africa that led to sweeping racist laws and extreme segregation?
Apartheid
When Jarvis hears the news about his son, he is watching his farm underneath a cloudless sky. What does this symbolize?
Bad news comes without warning
Which of the following were changes that Paton helped make at the boys' reformatory school?
Boys were allowed to live in off campus housing if they proved trustworthy Boy were given a trade education Boys were allowed to use the bathroom at night
A group of European settlers moved to South Africa and stayed, marrying and having children, and eventually became known as Afrikaners. Which country did they come from?
England
Which language mixed with local dialects to become known as Afrikaans?
English
What is the main idea of Arthur's book?
Europeans should change their habits and procedures now that they have seen their impact on native society
What was the main idea of Arthur's book?
Europeans should change their habits and procedures now that they have seen their impact on native society
Which emotion runs at the center of Cry, The Beloved Country?
Fear
Who does Napolean say he works for?
For Africa
What significant even happens at Odendaalsrust?
Gold is discovered
What favor does Kumalo ask of Mrs. Lithebe?
He asks to let the girl stay with them.
What favor does umfundisi ask of Mrs. Lithebe?
He asks to let the girl stay with them.
What brings umfundisi to the house where Jarvis is a guest?
He came to look for Sibeko's daughter.
Why did John Kumalo's son leave?
He disagreed with his step mom.
How does Msimangu's sermon seems to speak directly to Kumalo?
He feels his eyes can be opened and this situation can be made right by God
Why does umfundisi readily believe and forgive Gertrude?
He feels that because God has forgiven him, he must forgive others
What does Msimangu do for Kumalo before they part?
He gives him money.
Which detail of Absolom's testimony is the one that seals his fate as a convicted murderer?
He had a bullet in his gun
What lie did Absalom tell the people in charge of his rehabilitation?
He had no family.
What news of Absalom do Kuamlo and Msimangu find out in Shanty Town?
He has been sent to a reformatory.
Who is Mr. Carmichael?
He is Absalom's lawyer.
What news does Kumalo find out about his brother?
He is a successful businessman and politician.
How does reading Arthur's essay ultimately change Jarivis's feelings?
He is no longer afraid
What is Msimangu doing that no other black priest has done?
He is retiring to a special home for priests.
Why do the people on the train laugh at Kumalo?
He is so naive.
What helps Kumalo hold on to his belief despite his suffering?
He is surrounded by a loving community
What did Paton do that caused the government to confiscate his passport?
He smuggled Bibles into South Africa
Why do some people despise Msimangu?
He uses his preaching to encourage people to find contentment in Christ rather than fighting against the government
Why does Vincent think that his lawyer friend will take Absolom's case?
He wants to defend the truth
Why did the young man at the reformatory lash out at Kumalo?
He was upset because he failed at his work
What is John Kumalo's reason for not wanting to return to the tribe?
He would have to obey the tribe chief.
What desire does Gertrude discuss with Mrs. Lithebe and the girl?
Her desire to become a nun.
What piece(s) of news brings hope to Absolom's eyes in the prison?
His father has found a lawyer He can marry the girl
For what does Msimangu ask forgiveness from Kumalo?
His rash bitterness.
