Cry the Beloved Country-English
Which of the following is something John Kumalo would likely say about church
"It has not done enough."
What devastating news does umfundisi hear?
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 does sadness does the newspaper headline bring the priests?
Arthur Jarvis is dead
Why do you think the police are looking for Absalom?
Because he was already in the reformitory and has missed work and disapeared.
What hope does umfundisi have that Absalom is not the one who murdered Arthur Jarvis?
He can think of nothing that wolud indicate that his son was capable of such a thing
Why did John Kumalo's son leave?
He disagreed with his step mom.
Explain what this sentence means in the context of what Umfundisi is doing and also what it might mean in context of foreshadowing. "He was reluctant to open it, for once such a thing is opened, it cannot be shut again."
He does not want it to be bad news because when he reads it, it makes it real.
What bothers umfundisi most about Absalom's choices?
He doesn't seem to regret them.
How do the situations facing umfundisi encourage him?
He feels like they will make him a better pastor.
How is umfundisi's situation like "the valley of the shadow of death"?
He finds out what Absalom has done and he is worried but he trust in the Lord.
What lie did Absalom tell the people in charge of his rehabilitation?
He had no family.
What news of Absalom do umfundisi and Msimangu find out in Shanty Town?
He has been sent to a reformatory.
What news does umfundisi find out about his brother?
He is a successful businessman and politician.
In Cry the Beloved Country, which would best describe John Kumalo's feelings about church?
He is advanced beyond the church.
Why do the people on the train laugh at umfundisi?
He is so naive
What ties does umfundisi have to the people involved in the news story?
He knows the father of the man who was murdered.
Explain what Msimangu means when he says, "The tragedy is not that things are broken. The tragedy is that they are not mended again."
He means that yes things break, so that is not the problem. The problem is that they refuse to fix it
Why does umfundisi readily believe and forgive Gertrude?
He pitted her and believed that God forgave her so he had no right to not forgive her.
Explain how Msimangu's sermon seems to speak directly to umfundisi?
He speaks of how God will not forsake mankind which gives him peace.
What reason does the young white man from the reformatory school give for his poor behavior toward umfundisi?
He was disappointed
What is John Kumalo's reason for not wanting to return to the tribe?
He would have to obey the tribe chief.
For what does Msimangu ask forgiveness from umfundisi?
His rash bitterness.
Describe Umfundisi's opinion of Johannesburg.
It is a very big and scary city. Many of his family, including his son, have gone there and have not returned.
Explain the title phrase that appears in this chapter, "Cry the beloved country.
It is the narrator reflecting upon how big South Africa's problems are.
Explain what this statement means, "As long as there is life, there is hope for amendment of life."
It means that even though so much bad stuff is happening but if there is just a little bit of hope, there is possibility for good.
In Cry the Beloved Country, why did the reformatory let Absalom go?
It seemed he had a promising life to get back to.
What is symbolic about umfundisi buying Gertrude and the child new clothing?
It's a new start.
Explain what the statement "All roads lead to Johannesburg" means
People who go to Johannesburg hoping for work and a better life. Only to end up with a life of misfortune.
In Cry the Beloved Country, which of the following would best describe Msimangu's feelings on power?
Power corrupts.
In Cry the Beloved Country, what does the overcrowding of Johannesburg lead to?
Shanty Town
In Cry the Beloved Country, how does Gertrude initially react to her brother's arrival?
She is afraid of him.
Why did Msimangu call Gertrude sick?
She is sick with sin.
Why does the little girl linger?
She wants food.
Explain the truth Msimangu shares about gaining power.
She warns them that with the power it will corrupt them just as much as it corrupted the whites. That they will end up just like them if they are not careful.
Why is it that there are mostly black people and rarely white people on the train?
The white people had their own cars now, so they did not need the train.
Why is nothing between blacks and whites resolved in Johannesburg?
There are too many opinions.
Explain the metaphor umfundisi uses of the sleeping man with the storm coming.
There was a man sleeping and there was a storm coming. Many people passed him but no one woke him up either because they were scared or they didn't see him. He did not know what was coming.
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 umfundisi 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?
They are mines.
What does the information Msimangu get from Mrs. Mkize seem to imply about Absalom and his cousin?
They are thieves.
What does the little girl bring to Umfundisi?
a letter
What kind of person prevents umfundisi and Msimangu from getting on the bus?
a protester
What indications are there that Absalom is doing well and is rehabilitated?
all of the answers
Why was Absalom released?
all of the answers
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 doesn't Sibeko ask the umfundisi for the favor himself?
because he is not part of the umfundisi's church
Why did Absalom have to leave Mrs. and Mrs. Ndlela's house?
because of his friends
Why does Father Vincent say sorrow is better than fear?
because something can be done about sorrow, but not fear
Why do the young people leave?
because the land is not productive anymore
Which word best describes Arthur Jarvis?
charitable
What seems to be John Kumalo's passion?
empowering the black people
In Cry the Beloved Country, what does the traffic in Johannesburg represent for the umfundisi?
fear
What word best describes Gertrude's initial reaction to her brother's arrival?
fear
What does Mrs. Seme long for?
her native land
In Cry the Beloved Country, John Kumalo's unwillingness to return to the tribe and obey the chief best shows which personality flaw?
his arrogance
Which word best describes Shanty Town?
improvised
In Cry the Beloved Country, what does Msimangu believe is the ultimate power?
love
What does Msimangu believe is the ultimate power?
love
Which word best describes the hills of Ixopo?
lush
In Cry the Beloved Country, what does umfundisi buy Gertrude and her son to symbolize their new start?
new clothing
What lesson does the umfundisi 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
Which word best describes Absalom's reaction to his father's questions?
reluctance
Which word best describes umfundisi's first impression of Reverend Msimangu?
safe
Which adjective best describes Gertrude's occupation now?
scandalous
Which word best describes the valley of Ixopo?
stripped
What news does Umfundisi receive?
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
In Cry the Beloved Country, how is umfundisi taken advantage of almost immediately upon reaching Johannesburg?
the bus ticket incident
Who does Msimangu blame for the brokenness of the black people?
the mines
What in particular does umfundisi feel passionate for when he returns home?
the schools
What modern convenience surprises umfundisi at the beginning of chapter 5?
the sink
Which image of Johannesburg best represents the Umfundisi'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 umfundisi from his daydreams and descriptions of their native land?
thoughts of his son
What favor does Sibeko ask of the umfundisi?
to check on his daughter
Why did Gertrude go to Johannesburg?
to find her husband
Why is Mrs. Seme called to a "committee meeting"?
to pay a bribe
What kindness puts a broad smile on umfundisi's face?
white men giving rides to the black workers refusing to ride the bus
What does Msimangu call sin in the umfundisi's life?
worry
