Stephen Kumalo
There
are many things in life that can change a person for example betrayal, deaths,
or different things of that nature can tribute to how a person can change. Some
people can change for the better and there are some cases were people change
for the worse. In the book “Cry, The Beloved Country" we are introduce to
a character named, Stephen Kumalo. Stephen is a quiet and humble man. He has a
strong faith in God. Kumalo is an Anglican priest who is very caring of his
parishioners, he preside at a modest church in the village where he lives. It
seems that everything is going well in Kumalo life, but he has many dark
secrets.
It seems that Kumalo lived a pretty normal life, but we
soon found out that Kumalo was not perfect. His finally struggled to save money
for a new stove and to pay for their son schooling. Often, Kumalo would lash
out and tell lies to people, but Kumalo knows right from wrong and he is a very
religious man. When he would lash out or tell lies, he would then go and pray
to God and ask for forgiveness.
When the Kumalo took his first journey to Johannesburg,
he was very intimidated and overwhelmed by city. Kumalo was such a simple
person and used to the living in the village. The
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bright lights and the fast- paced lifestyle was
overwhelming for Kumalo. Stephen felt as if he was betraying his simple
lifestyle and background, however, with the help of very generous host he was
able to overcome his fear. Kumalo went to the city to search for his son, the
search went on the author let us know about Kumalo physical health was failing.
According to African tradition, Kumalo was at a period of his life were his son
should be taking care of him. Stephen had lived a long life and deserved to
rest at this point in his life instead he was searching for his son.
Once
it became clear to Kumalo that his son, Absalom, was in grave danger, Kumalo health
begins to decline even more. Not only did his health decline, his faith started
to decline as well, but Kumalo went to people that he knew that were in the ministry,
to support him and pray with him. As time went on and Kumalo couldn’t find his
son, he returned to village. While at the village Kumalo continued to work on
people lives. One day he was faced with death of his son, even though he was
mourning he was also overwhelmed with a sense of peace.
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