Consequence in Cry The Beloved Country Essay

Cry, The Beloved Country

All actions have a consequence. In the novel, Cry, The Beloved Country, by Alan Paton, a native murder of a white man is the center of the story, beginning with the murder itself, what caused it, and the end result of it. The first is how the murder was done.

The murder takes place in Parkwold of Plantation Road at 1:30 P.M. Mr. Arthur Jarvis was shot dead by an intruder, thought to be a native. Jarvis was in the middle of writing a book called The Truth about Native Crime when he heard someone in the house, Mr. Jarvis heard the disturbance and came down to investigate. He was shot dead at short range in the passageway leading from the stairs into the kitchen (Paton, pg. 104). Later after the murder, Three native youths were seen lounging in Plantation Road (Paton, pg. 104). The only possible witness to the crime is Richard Mpiring, Richard Mpiring, is lying unconscious in the Non-European hospital; and it is hoped that when he regains consciousness he will be able to furnish the police with important information (Paton, pg. 104). Richard was not a sufficient witness though because he had barely seen who it him and what he looked like before he was unconscious. Many things could have led Absalom to this crime.

Absalom could have just done the crime out of pure fear. His plan was to go to the house and steal, not kill, Johannes said that no one would be in the house (Paton, pg. 192). They specifically planned a day and time where there would be no one at the house. Absalom however was carrying a revolver, they told me Johannesburg was dangerous (Paton, pg. 194). Absalom had carried it for protection because he was fearful of Johannesburg. Another issue could have been that the tribe had been broken. After the tribe had been broken there are almost no rules, and you could do as you please, even if that meant you were going to steal. The results of this matter have both a good and bad side.

One major consequence of the murder was the death of two sons. Absalom Kumalo had killed Arthur Jarvis, the son of Mr. Jarvis, and Absalom had been sentenced to a hanging for killing Arthur Jarvis, And my son, he is condemned to be hanged (Paton, pg. 260). Both Mr. Jarvis and Mr. Kumalo had deep sadness for the loss of their sons. On the bright side there came to Ndotsheni a great restoration. Jarvis grandson had first brought milk to give to the starving young children, There outside the door was the milk (Paton, pg. 271). Next was an agricultural demonstrator to the schools to teach the children about farming, no doubt learning there about seeds and plants, and the right kind of grass for pastures (Paton, pg. 281). The final greatest thing was a dam to be built for water, Yes, there is to be a dam (Paton, pg. 287). They didnt have to wait for the rain to come anymore, and they could get water for pastures and themselves easily.

In conclusion the murder began with the broken tribe and fear of Johannesburg. The murder was a native killing a white man, and the result was the loss of sons, and a great restoration of Ndotsheni. The murder was the centerpiece of the novel.