Bibilical Illusions With The Novel Cry, The Beloved Country

biblical reference within the story Cry the dear domain         Mevery times in literary pieces, every last(predicate)usions be commit in hots, used to foreshadow the ending of a book. The most common types of allusions are those from the bible. This is probably because many are long-familiar with the bible and its stories. The determination of foreshadowing is to provide a guidance for the reader to think much about the big picture, quite a than what is happening page by page. In the novel, Cry the Beloved County, allusions to the Bible are very apparent and hold in high spirits significance in the story. The character Absalom dooms tre custodydous similarities to the scriptural Absalom and c flake out to take care to be made out of the same mold. Steven Kumalo from the novel and the simple man Job from the bible are tried in the same way and come out in the end in the same way.

        Biblical Absalom is essentially wronged by his half- chum salmon Amnon, when his half brother forced his child Tamar to intermission with him. Similarly Absalom Kumalo is wronged by his fathers, brothers, parole, Matthew, when he will non reserve to the court that he was an accessory to polish off. Basically, both(prenominal) are wronged by a close family member, Biblical Absalom by his brother, and Absalom Kumalo by his cousin. In both stories, though non sh experience in depth, the workforce show a close trusting relationship with the one whom dupe wronged them. Before Amnon slept with his sister Tamar, Biblical Absalom would have no think not to trust his brother, just as Absalom Kumalo would not doubt his cousin whom aided him in the murder. Later on, both workforce find out that, Amnon and Matthew are in it for themselves, not irrelevant both Absaloms. Absalom Kumalo pearlescent Arthur Jarvis with the intentions of becoming richer. Even though Biblical Absalom killed his brother for sleeping with his sister, with Amnon dead, Absalom would inherit his fathers throne.

(Bible p372-380) (Ward pp.188-189)         In retrospect, both men were ultimately driven to commit the murder. Absalom Kumalo probably felt that if a uncontaminating man can underhand him, and deny him money, consequently he deserves some of his fortune. So because whites men, kept melanise-markets unskilled and did not allow them the same rights, many rebelled against the whites. In the same frame in of mind, biblical Absaloms hatred for his brother was built up until he decided to go through with his murder. Even though Absalom Kumalo shot the white man on accident, he was doing it for his own gain. He went into the house with the intention of stealing and instead shot a white man out of fear. Though it may seem that he regretted what he had done, which he in some slipway did, his crime could not be fully repented. More than any intimacy he probably wishes for Arthur Jarvis to be alive. He doesnt feels bad about cleanup position him, he simply does not want to deal with the consequences. Biblical Absalom plans out the murder of his brother when he has him over for dinner. neither men regret killing a man that was as family to them. (Bible p372-380) (Davis p184)         Biblical Absalom slay his brother Amnon for raping his sister Tamar two years earlier. Absalom Kumalo, on the same note, accidentally murdered a white man, while attempting to rob him. Absalom Kumalo, wish well biblical Absalom essentially murdered his own brother. Arthur Jarvis, the man Absalom Kumalo shot, was like a brother to the black men. He devoted his life to make a departure in blacks rights in South Africa. For both men, the act of murder on their part, ultimately led to their own demise. Biblical Absalom killed his brother Amnon and when king David found out that Absalom had indeed killed his brother Amnon. by and by the murder, both men flee the scene. Absalom Kumalo, runs because the price for killing a white man is high. Biblical Absalom flees because he also knows, that if he stays, hash consequences will be enforced. (Bible p372-380)         Eventually, both man are captured and die in an unusual manner against both their fathers wishes. Absalom Kumalo is hung for his crime, so as to set an example. Though, the hanging of Absalom is not so unlike in itself, its near foretold in the biblical story of Absalom. after(prenominal) biblical Absalom flees his home on a horse, his head gets caught in a tree while passing under. This act is almost too familiar. As biblical Absalom dies with his body off the ground, struggle to get down, Absalom Kumalo dies with his head in a noose, and body dangle above the ground. (Bible p372-380) (Davis p184)         In the bible, Job is developed as a man whom would never speak ill of graven image. Job is well-tried by heller, who believes that Job will curse God if his successfulness is taken away.

Satan kills Jobs children and all of his livestock, but Job does not lose his faith. Satan then takes away Job wellness by planting boils all over his body. Job last become very disappointed with his life and curses the day he was born. This is a classic example of how no man is ideal and when Steven was introduced into Cry, the Beloved Country, he seemed to strive for double-dyed(a)ion just as Job had in the bible. Job in theory seemed perfect but, Satan proved Job not to be, just as Stevens family proved him not to be. (Davis pp.265-272) (Bible p572-600)         When brought into the story, both Steven and Job seem to be perfect and upright men. Steven, as a simple black parson and Job, as a upright man whom has shown no flaws. Though Stevens flaws are shown early on the novel, Cry, the Beloved County, he is still seen as a good man. Both men are examples of how bad things sometimes happen to good people.



They both try to be the best men they can be, by fixing others mistakes and trying to be good people. Job offered burned-over offerings to god everyday for his children who may have cursed god in their hearts and Steven prayed everyday to repent the sins of others and his own. The main thing that made these men eligible to lose so much, was because they had gained so much earlier in life. Though Steven want a rich man, he was far better off than any man in his village, and Job was a very booming man and looked well upon by god. (Davis pp.265-272) (Bible p572-600)         Since Job was thought so highly of by God, he was well-tried by Satan in order to see if he would lose his faith. Steven Kumalo is tested in the same way as Job. Steven receives a earn from a priest informing him with the news that his sister, Gertrude, is sick.

He leaves his universal life in the valley and travels to the city, with the intentions of bringing her home. When he arrives there, he is confronted with the horrifying news that she is selling herself to men. Steven goes in search of his son Absalom, and eventually finds him. Absalom had shot a white man and is prison term to be hung. Everything that went on in Jhonnaneburg hurt Steven and just like Job, he is tortured to the point where he will falling out if anything else were to happen. (Bible p572-600) (Ward p.222)         In the end, though both men had lost much everything they cared about, Steven his son and sister, and Job all his children and his prosperity, but then things got significantly better. Steven loses a son but gains a daughter carrying baby, and his sister Gertrudes son. Job loses all his children but gains ten new children and all his livestock back. Its an interesting coincidence how both men lose their child or children, but as they regain faith, new children are restored to them. (Davis pp.265-272) (Bible p572-600)         Paton used the name Absalom as an allusion in the story. His goal was probably to allow people to see into the future of Absaloms mortality. When I first read the story of Absalom, I didnt any defined similarities but as the stories start intertwining, I understood why he used the name Absalom for Stevens son. Absalom in general was a greedy boy, who really thought he deserved more and makes the mistake of killing a man which ultimately leads to his own death. Job and Steven, on the other hand, are generally men who strived to be good men. They were tested with their faith and both men failed, but they do gain their faith back, and their happiness on with it.

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