Cry, the Beloved Country chapter 28

1. By: Joan Klages Cry, the Beloved Country chapter 28

2. Summary • The judge says that there is not enough evidence to convict Pafuri and Johannes to be charged. So they are declared not guilty. • Judge sentences Absalom to death by hanging. • A young white man helps Kumalo through the black doors.

3. Motifs • Crying – After the judgment Absalom falls crying to the floor • Segregation – The white and black sections in the court room • Pain – Kumalo is in emotional pain when he is leaving the court room. • Right and Wrong – The judge talks about how something can be right but according to the law be wrong

4. Contrasts • Respect vs. disrespect- Before the judgment the crowd is respectful. After the judgment the crowd is crying out as the judge leaves.

5. Point of View/Language • This chapter is in the third person point of view. • The judge is speaking in English, but what he says is being translated into Zulu.

6. Themes • Justice – Absalom is punished for killing Arthur Jarvis. • Prejudice – The white and black sections and the white man crying out for silence when Absalom is defending himself.

7. Questions • Do you think the judge’s decision of letting Pafuri and Johannes go, but punishing Absalom was just? • Before Absalom is sentenced it says that the girl is looking at the judge and not at her lover. Why would she be doing this? • Why is it such a big deal for the young white man to go out the black door while helping Kumalo?