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 took an interest in Arthur’s fight for justice, for equality. It helped him grow closer to his son, regardless of his death.
Kumalo hardly knew his son, as well. When Absalom went to the city of Johannesburg, he lost all contact with his son. He had no clue where he even was. When Kumalo goes into the city to retrieve Gertrude, he decides to seek out his son as well. He has nothing to go off of, except word of mouth. With much determination, Kumalo finds his son, and finds out what he has done. Kumalo is prepared to help his son as much as he can, regardless of the situation. At first, he is ashamed of his son’s actions but soon begins to forgive. Kumalo learns, through this experience that his son was a thief as well as a sinner. He had a pregnant girlfriend that Kumalo knew nothing about. Kumalo begins to make plans as the situation gets deeper and deeper. He plans to marry Absalom and his girlfriend, and to find a lawyer and fight the case in court.
Both men handled each situation differently, but both are prepared to take action. They are connected through their son’s actions, otherwise they would have never known each other. Stephen Kumalo is respectful and civil when he visits Jarvis, and confesses that his son killed Arthur. Neither is anger, there is no conflict between them. Jarvis is a broken man, having lost his son to a murderer. Kumalo is shamed, his son is a killer. They are brought together by fatherhood and the sadness that comes with losing a child, regardless of the circumstances.