Ignorance In Cry The Beloved Country

“Enlighten my ignorance.” This request is sometimes used by a person who is lacking information. In Cry, the Beloved Country, the author Alan Paton describes many situations that show the problems that arise because of unjust conditions in the country of South Africa. One of the major problems is ignorance. Some people are lacking formal educations, some are lacking an understanding of other cultures, and some are lacking understanding of members of their own family. One of the main characters is James Jarvis whose son Arthur has been murdered. After the death of his son, James comes to understand that while he is an educated businessman, he is ignorant in several ways. James Jarvis is an example of the change that can happen when one man realizes he is ignorant of his son’s motivation, of his neighbor’s needs, and of what he can do to make a difference. As Jarvis grieves over the death of his son, he begins to read things his son has written. He realizes that he has not understood his son’s view on what needs to be done in the country to replace what has been destroyed in the native culture. Arthur has written, “It is not permissible for us to go on destroying the family life when we

From him, James Jarvis becomes aware of the needs of the people of the village down the hill from his farm. While he has been aware of the village, he has had little contact with the people. Once aware that children are dying because they have no milk, his immediate response is to send milk to the village. This leads to interaction with Pastor Stephen Kumolo and greater knowledge of the needs of the people. The association with Kumolo is difficult at first because it was Kumolo’s son who killed Jarvis’ son. Instead responding with anger or plotting revenge, Jarvis honors his son by becoming involved in planning for a dam, a new church, and for agricultural reform. These are beginnings that can lead to larger