Compare and Contrast Fathers

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Period 2, AP Literature and Composition

4/8/08

        

        Cry, the Beloved Country is a story about two fathers and their sons, and their intertwining lives. Book I is about Stephen Kumalo and his journey to save his family members from the corruption of a major city, Johannesburg. Initially, Kumalo is drawn to the city because of a letter he had received, stating that his sister was ill. The focus of the plot quickly changes when the reader learns that Kumalo’s son, Absalom is in jail for murder.

        The story changes in Book II. The focus is on James Jarvis, a white farmer who is ignorant to any social injustices to the native Africans. His son, Arthur was killed in a break in by thieves, more specifically, “natives”. Arthur was an advocate for black African’s rights and justice. He was a speaker and a writer trying to defeat poverty and social injustices that existed in Africa at that time.

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        These two fathers are connected clearly through Arthur’s murder. Absalom is ultimately charged with his murder and sentenced to death.

        These two men are completely different, they have different morals, different lifestyles and yet, one thing is true to both of them; neither of them were close with their sons until their sons’ death. Jarvis had never really taken interest in what Arthur had done for a living but when he died, Jarvis spent some time in his study. In his study he found letters, notes and books that helped him to learn who his son really was. He ...

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