Cry, the Beloved Country Chapter 12

Language Almost the entire chapter is in English. Die spoor loop dood, from the bottom of page 84, is Afrikaans for “the trail runs dead”. During the first half of the chapter, the speaker changes between politicians, Mr. Scott, a rich white couple, and an unknown voice. The second half of the chapter has no unknown voice and is just Msimangu and Kumalo questioning people. The entire chapter is in third person.

Motifs Prejudice – “I had a boy working for me who had passed Standard Six….Now do you know, Mr. de Villiers, that this self same scoundrel..” (page 76), (page 77), (page 78), (page 80). Fear (of the truth) – The people Msimangu talks to are nervous, and Kumalo is anxious. “You are trembling, my friend. I am cold, very cold” (page 85).

Themes People in power try to keep it to themselves. (bottom of page 77). Different ethnicities of people will have problems living together until they have equal rights and opportunities.

Discussion Questions Would Mr. Scott not have said that educating native just makes “clever criminals”, if Mr. de Villiers hadn’t just said that white people should pay for it? What main groups of white people do Mr. de Villiers and Mr. Scott symbolize? How do people like the rich white couple contribute to the “sickness of the country”? What does the author mean when he says, “For fear will rob him of all if he gives too much” (page 80)?

More Questions Why does Msimangu try to leave without bringing Kumalo? “I should like to help you in this," says Msimangu. “It would be my joy to help you.” “You are kind,” says Kumalo, trembling. “But no one must pay but me.” Is this conversation about the taxi fare, or something else? Does this foreshadow future events?