Sunday, October 31, 2010

How is Land the Extended Metaphor for Kumalo

in the book cry, the beloved country, paton uses land as an extended metaphor for the character of kumalo.
"the grass is rich and matted, you cannot see the soil. it holds the rain and the mist, and they seep into the ground, feeding the streams in every kloof. it is well-tended, and not too many cattle feed upon it; not too many fires burn it, laying bare the soil. stand unshod upon it, for the ground is holy, being even as it came from the Creator. keep it, guard it, care for it, for it keeps men, cares for men, destory it and man is destroyed." (33)
i think this passage is a perfect description of Kumalo. he's the type to take care of people (such as the soil in this passage) but not many take advantage of him. only few do who do not know him such as the cab driver who stole his money. and the holy part of the ground represents kumalo being a priest. but if kumalo were to be destroyed or not around anymore, people would'nt know where to turn anymore and their lives would be ruined, like his sister.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Ashoke Fellows

EMMANUEL ACHE
Emmanuel Ache believes that the overcrowded prisons in are not being tended to enough, and that the warden's have too much of a burden on the warden's. he's trying to make the prisons better in small ways (like transportation to and from courts, allowing inmates to see their families, and arranging legal assistance) to put less of a work load on the inmates and the wardens.

CYNTHIA MPATI
Cynthia Mpati has started a 3 year teaching program for unliscened teachers who have been teaching for 5 or more years.since their schools are so overcrowded, cynthis feels its important to get teachers educated and to be able to get more teachers out there and raise the pay for african teachers. so far, everything is going great with the project.

ZIENAB AL- MOMANI
Zienab is trying to liberate farm women in rural areas and let them have a voice with government decisions involving things they do and where aand how they work.

Cry, the Beloved Country Women's Lack of Names

In cry the beloved country, it is apparent that Paton fails to give some women names, but not on accident. women such as Absaloms wife, the stout woman, and Kumalo's wife are not given name. the more importnnt characters, such as Gertrude, have names. i think the authr is trying to emphasize the opression that was upon the women in these times. i think it's annoying how every man in the book is fighting for their rights, but no one is thinking about the women. perhaps that's the point Paton wanted to make. Even though the men deserve rights, i think the author is trying to emphasize that no one respects or cares about the women, especially his usage of making them all poor, maides, hookers, and alcoholics.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Why Have Several Books in Cry, the Beloved Country

i think the purpose of having several books in cry, the beloved country is to show how even though we all have difference something will always connect us. for example, the different purposes of each book are different people in different settings and cultures, yet they all tie together somehow. i like how book 2 is the side of the family who's son got murdered. i think when the husband travels to Johannesburg to mourn his son, he will meet Stephen and their lives will become one. it's ironic how the victims family has been well off, with much love through the family and white yet accepting in a nice city where everyone of different races mix and live together in peace, yet Stephen's son, who killed the guy they're mourning, comes from a very racist crime ridden place and yet somehow their lives will be brought together. the reason is more of a theme than a reason.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Cry the Beloved Country Repetition Analysis

The first concept that repeats itself in Cry the Beloved Country is the concept in the beginning that nobody comes back from johannesburg. i think the reason the author does this is to really emphasize what a dangerous and risky journey Stephen is taking by going there. it also shows the emotional effect of stephen losing two of his family members to the bistling city life. the effect it has on the reader is a bit of foreshadowing of the dangers Stephen will face on his journey.

The second thing that is repeated is the description of the sickness of the baby in the ninth chapter. the specific lines that repeat are "quietly my child" and "the child coughs badly, and her brow is hotter than fire" (89). the reason for this repetition is to again emphasize the seriousness of the situation to really sink it into the readers mind. the effect is the loss of hope for the poor child, it's also a sort of goodbye to the dying baby.

The third form or repetition is the constant topic of the slaray black people are earning. the reaso for this is to emphasize the issue of the poverty, and everyone is coming to johannesburg to find work and better their lives. It also ties in with the other repeiton of nobody comes back fromm Johannesburg, because people become so obsessed with trying to make a good living that they don't come back. it's actually quite sad, because they're almost forced to do thatt because of poverty and how unfair they're treated.