Religion In The Beloved Country

Religious elements run rampant in many of the most classic novels. However, the importance of religion cannot be understated in some of the lesser known novels as in Alan Paton’s Cry, The Beloved Country. Paton’s novel follows the spiritual journey of Stephen Kumalo, a priest who undergoes a dramatic transformation because of his spirituality. Kumalo’s journey is best understood in the context of the people, events, and attitudes related to his journey, and the stark difference between the Kumalo at the end of the story and the character introduced at the beginning. The people Kumalo encounters are particularly influential in his spiritual journey. Perhaps the most influential is Theophilus Msimangu. Msimangu is the true impetus for Kumalo’s journey to find his son. He is one of the most influential characters because of his dedication to helping Kumalo. At one point, Msimangu asserts “I am not kind. I am a selfish and sinful man" (Paton, 45). He recognizes the fact that he is a sinful man because he tends to lose his temper, but he also believes “God put his hands” on him

The murder of Jarvis is especially important, as it launches Kumalo’s initial quest for redemption. This is directly caused by the fact that it was his son who committed the murder, which led him to run originally. Kumalo’s son murdered Jarvis, then fled, thus launching Kumalo’s journey and eventual quest for forgiveness. Kumalo’s journey throughout the continent forces him to meet several individual people and tribes. With each new greeting, the new events force him to realize just how differently the various cultures are treated, and directly catalyze his eventual spiritual realization. Eventually, Kumalo finds his son, only to lose him to his unavoidable execution. This directly influences Kumalo’s spiritual journey, as it forces him to consider issues such as justice, spirituality itself, and