Cry Of The Beloved Essay Research Paper

Cry Of The Beloved Essay, Research Paper

Cry the Beloved Country

Book One

Theme Quotes

Because the white man has power, we too want power, he said. But when a black man gets power, when he gets money, he is a great man if he is not corrupted. I have seen it often. He seeks power and money to put right what is wrong, and when he gets them, why, he enjoys the power and the money. Now he can gratify his lusts, now he can arrange ways to get white man s liquor, he can speak to thousands and hear them clap their hands. Some of us think when we have power, we shall revenge ourselves on the white man who has had power, and because our desire is corrupt, we are corrupted, and the power has no heart in it. But most white men do not know this truth about power, and they are afraid lest we get it. (Paton 39)

This is a quote explaining the power a white man has over a black man. It shows that a black man is a great man if he becomes wealthy and does not become corrupted. It is expressed that a black man needs money to put himself out of poverty and the problems that come with poverty. If given wealth he can therefore satisfy himself and this can lead to the problem of greed and selfishness which causes corruption. In relation to the theme, a white man fears a black man receiving power because he has treated blacks unfairly and in a his own eyes, if a black man is powerful, he believes he will feel the wrath and hatred of the black man.

There is only one thing that has power completely, and that is love. Because when a man loves, he seeks no power, and therefore he has power. I see only one hope for our country, and that is when white men and black men, desiring neither power nor money, but desiring only the good of their country, come together to work for it. (Paton 39-40)

This quote explains that true power lies in the concept of love. When blacks and whites unite together to help each other and love each other, power is not needed to distinguish between who is greater. The only hope for South Africa is when all races come together to work things out as a country and unite to resolve all conflicts establishing peace throughout the country.

Have no doubt it is fear in the land. For what can men do when so many have grown lawless. Who can enjoy the lovely land, who can enjoy the seventy years, and the sun that pours down on the earth, when there is fear in the heart. Who can walk quietly in the shadow of the jacarandas, when their beauty is grown to danger. Who can lie peacefully abed, while the darkness holds some secret. What lovers can lie sweetly under the stars, when menace grows with the measure of their seclusion. There are voices crying what must be done, a hundred, a thousand voices. But what do they help if one seeks for counsel, for one cries this, and one cries that, and another cries something that is neither this nor that. (Paton 75)

There is fear in the land. The blacks fear the whites and in a way the whites fear the blacks. There are hatred crimes and extreme discrimination between that of the minority race and those of the white. The country of South Africa seeks peace. This quote shows how fear is taking over the nation. The white man is taking control of everything. What used to be beautiful no longer appears to be seen as pleasant. The question is what can be done to improve the nation.

But what does one do, when one cries this thing, and one cries another. Who knows how we shall fashion a land of peace where black outnumbers white so greatly. Some say that the earth has bounty enough for all, and that more for one does not mean less for another. They say that poor paid labour means a poor nation, and that better paid labour means greater markets and greater scope for industry and manufacture. And others say that this is a danger, for better paid labour will not only buy more but will also read more, think more, ask more, and will not be content to be forever voiceless and inferior. Who knows how we shall fashion such a land. For we fear not only the loss of our possessions, but the loss of our superiority and the loss of our whiteness. Some say it is true that crime is bad, but would this not be worse. Is it not better to hold what we have, and to pay the price of it with fear. And others say, can such fear be endured. For is it not this fear that drives men to ponder these things at all. (Paton78-79)

This explains that it will be difficult for the country to settle their conflicts between each other and seek peace. Different ideas are expressed on how to manage the land ,but it is hard to determine what is the best thing to do. Crime is a factor in the society, and it influences the emotions and feelings of individuals in the society. To assure peace one has to feel comfortable where they live not having to fear they will be robbed or even murdered for their belongings.

One could go back knowing better the things that one fought against, knowing better the kind of thing that one must build. He would go back with a new and quickened interest in the school, not as a place where children learned to read and write and count only, but as a place, where they must be prepared for life in any place to which they might go. Oh for education for his people, for schools up and down the land, where something might be built that would serve them when they went away to the towns, s