Cry , the Beloved Country: Post-Colonial Literary Theory :: Cry the Beloved Country Essays

Cry , the Beloved Country Post-Colonial literary Theory Bibliography w/4 sources          Cry , the Beloved Country by Alan Paton is a perfect example of post-colonial literature. sulfur Africa is a colonized country, which is, in valety ways, still living under oppression. Though no continuing living under apartheid, the indigenous Africans argon treated as a minority, as they were when Paton wrote the book. This novel provides the political view of the author in some(prenominal) subtle and unequivocal ways. Looking at the skeleton of the novel, it is extremely evident that relationship of the colonized vs. colonizers, in this case the blacks vs. the sinlessnesss, rules the plot. Every consultations race is provided and has association with his/her place in life. A black public kills a white man, therefore that black man must die. A black umfundisi lives in a valley of desolation, while a white farmer dwells above on a rich plot of land. sporting men are even taken to court for the simple motion of giving a black man a ride. This is not a subtle point, the reader is immediately stricken by the diversities in the lives of the South Africans.      The finer details of the book are what can really be looked at in terms of post-colonial theory. The fact that a native Zulu, Stephen Kumalo, is a priest of Christianity and speaks English, communicates how the colonized are living. Neither of these practices are native to his land, further they are treated by all as if they were. Small sentences are woven into the plot to further this point, such as the reoccurring European greetings.      other emphasis is on the learned customs of the people. In court when Kumalo finds that his word of honor will be hanged, he is touched that a white man breaks the custom to help him walk outside. When the white boy raised his tip to Kumalo, he, felt a inappropriate pride that it should be so, and a strange humility that it should be so, and an astonishment that the small boy should not hit the sack the custom. (p. 234). The fact that this small courtesy was taken so heavily is provoke from a post-colonial point of view. Kumalo is so accustomed to the way of the land that he does not dare think that he deserves even this respect.      Napoleon Letsisi is the character that reveals the significant political belief of the author.