CRY, THE BELOVED COUNTRY READING QUESTIONS Chapter 1 ●Describe the vision of the hills of Natal.The hills were green, lush, and beautiful to describe with green grass fields and birds singing. Rivers flowed through the mountains. ●Contrast the descriptions of the hills with land found in the valley.The valley was dry, deserted, and filled with the blood of men. Fires burned the ground as sharp stones stab the feet of those who dare to step on it. ●Who lives in this valley?The old people along with the very young. No teens or normal adults. ●One of the ideas that will appear in this book is the unfairness of segregation. How might the descriptions in this chapter foreshadows this motif of injustice? Chapter 2 ●Who is Stephen Kumalo?He is a reverend at a church in a poor local community in the mountains. ●Why is Kumalo nervous about opening the letter from Johannesburg?He was nervous because he didn’t know who it would be from. Although he was hopeful that it would be from either his brother or son, it wasn’t. Most of his family left to Johannesburg but none of them came back. ●How does the description of Kumalo's wife help characterize her? What do you learn about her in this chapter?She is kind and gentle. She cares for her husband very much and is willing to do everything to make him happy, Chapter 3 ●Paton presents the reader with a vision of a society divided by race. How does this chapter give readers a glimpse of this troubled society?One race is far more advanced than the other ●Contrast Kumalo's home village with what he expects to find in Johannesburg.He expects it to be more dangerous as it states where boys were feared crossing the street. ●Paton's protagonist, Stephen Kumalo, is a round character. He comes across as a real person, one who has his good qualities and his share of flaws. Based on what you've read in this chapter, what would you list as Kumalo's strengths and weaknesses?He is good with public speaking and hiding how he really feels but on the contrary, he is a total worry bug. Chapter 4 ●Describe Kumalo's first experience in Johannesburg.He is curious about the many different types of inventions and is overwhelmed by the amount of people and being in a new location. He doesn’t understand traffic laws and is easily taken advantage of.
