Post your Book I comments to this entry. Remember: you may pull out quotations to discuss or reflect on parts of the story that are meaningful or interesting to you in some way. And, by all means, read each other’s comments and make reference to them. Start a dialogue. Have some fun. 
February 4, 2009...4:59 am
Cry, The Beloved Country Book I
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February 7, 2009 at 11:15 pm
“You have said it, he said. it is said now. This money which was saved for that purpose will never be used for it. You have opened a door, and because you have opened it, we must go through. And Tixo alone knows where we shall go.” (39)
Stephen got upset that his wife wanted to use the money they were saving to help their son, in order to go to Johannesburg now to help his sister. I kind of understand why he didn’t want to use it but he shouldn’t have yelled at her. I think she was thinking rationally in the sense that their son went to Johannesburg too and they have not heard from him in a very long time. She wanted to help his sister being that she is the only person they have heard anything about.
February 7, 2009 at 11:20 pm
“He looked around, hoping there might be someone with whom he could talk, but there was no one who appeared of that class.”(43)
This quote upset me because that makes him seem cocky and ignorant. He didn’t think he could speak to certain people because of their social class? I guess that’s how Africa was divided back then maybe even now, but he is supposed to be a man of God. Those things aren’t supposed to matter to him. Then again, white people were “christians” who hung slaves because they weren’t people in their eyes.
February 9, 2009 at 2:47 am
“I have one great fear in my heart, that one day when they are turned to loving, they will find that we are turned to hating.”
I found this quote to be interesting because you would think that since finally they got them to love then every thing will be ok but of course nothing works out that way. It’s always something wrong. I know I can relate to that quote because it’s just like when you fight so hard to get something or someone and you finally do you don’t really care for it any more. You don’t necessarily hate it but just don’t care for it as much as you did when you started going for it.
February 9, 2009 at 3:56 am
“I say we shall always have native crime to fear until the native people of this country have worthy purposes to inspire them and worthy goals to work for.”
I think this quote is kind of weird because yeah it does make sense that people should have a reason to strive for better and worthy things. I just dont think the continuation of crime is the way to make people realize that. Yeah it does take something big to happen for people to realize something which is the sad part of life.
February 9, 2009 at 4:02 am
“Why else do we live?”
I actually chose this quote because I can relate to it. This is a question I ask myself pretty often. This is a frequently asked question especially right after somone either does something or is trying to find answers as to the reason why they believ in somthing or have done something. I’ve come to realize that we live because we all have to live and learn and I think that we were put on this earth for a purpose. I guess you can say “we all have a mission to complete.”
February 9, 2009 at 9:13 pm
I like how he starts off the book with the setting. He describes the hills and the land. This reminded me of puerto rico. Theres a part of the island where you can see the other hills and all the land. It also rains a lot at night, so when he talked about the mist it got me thinking about the rain at night in puerto rico.
February 9, 2009 at 9:18 pm
“He sees great high buildings, there are red and green lights on them….” (pg.47)
This quote reminded me of the empire state building during christmas. The top of the building is always lit up in diffrents colors but at christmas time it’s always green and red. He also talks about how high the buildings are, and new york is know for having high, tall buildings.
February 10, 2009 at 12:09 am
“…Alexandra was outside the boundaries of Johannesburg, and was a place where a black man could buy land and own a house. But the streets were not cared for, and there were no lights…” (75).
It’s just sad, in their own country? First in The United States and then Africa for almost 60 years.
I saw images of the signs and it is horrific. It said, “Under Section 37 of the Durban Beach by-laws. This bathing area is reserved for the sole use of members of the white race group” (wiki).
I don’t even know why Europeans do this, this is completely inhumane.
February 10, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Msimangu says that the main problem facing the native population of South Africa is that nothing has been built to replace the broken moral and social framework of the tribes. John Kumalo thinks the main trouble is economic inequality.
February 10, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Arthur contrasts a Christianity that supports the notion of black people as inferior with a true Christianity that rejects white superiority. Some Christians, Arthur says, argue that it is God’s will that black South Africans remain unskilled workers
February 10, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Kumalo prays for Africa, even though he knows it will be a long time before his prayers are answered. He understands that fear is the root of injustice: white men fear black men because there are so few whites and so many blacks. They worry that if the basic needs of the black population are met, then there will be little left for them.
February 10, 2009 at 11:31 pm
“If you use this bus you are weakening the cause of the black people. We have determined not to use these buses until the fare is brought back again to fourpence” (73).
Back to the Apartheid. It was just like the Montgomery Bus boycott during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. I never knew that the Africans protested and boycotted during the Apartheid. Very interesting.
February 10, 2009 at 11:50 pm
“-These things were so bad, said Msimangu, that the white people of Orange Groove and Norwood and Highlands North got up a petition to do away with the place altogether…there was a terrible case of a white woman…she resisted some of our young men who broke in, they killed her” (75).
Based on the description, Alexandra reminds me of South Central, Los Angeles, California. Gangs, violence, destruction, high rate of homicide, racial conflicts, and neighborhoods gradually tearing itself apart. Places like this frightens a lot of people. The Europeans took over the land of the Africans and set up beautiful suburbs and urban areas, while letting the Africans destroy their own people. Harsh.
February 11, 2009 at 12:19 am
South Africa shows how there are diffrent towns who live diffrent ways. There are always good and bad parts to diffrent places. Each town is diffrent in its own way. When he gets to Johannesburg he talks about it as if it was more like the city. Where he lives is like the country side.
February 11, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Arthur to my knowledge isn’t no more ignorant than what a white person would call an african american. I see it that arthur is holding some type of a grudge against african americans. I agree with the fact that how danny lin sees it stricking for arthur to feel the way that he does about african american being “unskilled”.
February 11, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I agree with “Ms. Dynomite” and what she said about with why else do we live. This quote also struck me as interesting of some sort. I am also able to relate to this quote. Being how I am christian and all….. I am actually all for the cause of thinking that there truly is a higher power. Being how I am christian I can say that I believe that therefore i am living because of a higher power that is Jesus Christ.
February 11, 2009 at 8:57 pm
I absolutely DO NOT agree with what “Miss Ambitious”had to say about the quote on page 43. I don’t believe that ALL christians were the factors of the dimise of the african americans in the slave days. However, I do agree with the fact that he actually is “supposed” to be christian or a man of God…. however, critizcing someone because of their socail class is NOT the way that he should act or the type of a mentality that he should have, being how he’s supposed to be a “man of God”. Unfortunately, we all do things that we aren’t supposed to. Yes, indeed that makes him out to be a hypocrite, but Hey! who are we to be criticzing anyone when we are as guilty as them for criticzing.
February 11, 2009 at 11:02 pm
“Pain and suffering, they are a secret. Kindness and love, they are a secret. But I have learned that kindness and love can pay for pain and suffering.”
This is my favorite quote from the book. Is one of those quotes that is like a life lesson, saying that everybody has to deal with pain and suffering, but as long as you have some love, its all going to be okay.
February 11, 2009 at 11:30 pm
“They walked down Lily Street, and turned off into Hyacinth Street, for the names there are very beautiful.” (59)
The journey from Kumalo to Johannesburg can be considered as a loss of innocence. An example would be the time when Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. After the incident they were allowed to live the simple naked life in the garden East of Eden. Instead, they were forced out in the wasteland and began a new and hard life. When Kumalo traveled to Johannesburg, he had to deal with problems that ever occurred during his life in the simple agrarian community of Ndotcheni. It was then that he realizes the ugliness of the life outside of Ndotcheni.
February 11, 2009 at 11:36 pm
“My friend, your fear has turned to sorrow. But sorrow is better than fear. Fear is a journey, a terrible journey, but sorrow is at least an arriving.” (140)
When Kumalo returned to his home in Ndotcheni, he has acquired a new understanding of racial problems. In addition, he has also found the capability to help his people to the most of his ability. Even though he lost a son, a sister, and a brother; he was given new family members such a daughter-in-law, a nephew, and a grandson. The younger generation emphasizes a new beginning, a new way of life for Kumalo. By creating a friendship with Jarvis, Kumalo also changes his way of life in Ndotcheni. Although the end of the journey was fulled of sorrow and hardships, it is a reformation.
February 11, 2009 at 11:36 pm
“..That man should walk upright in the land where they were born, and be free to use the fruits of the earth, what was there evil in it? . . . They were afraid because they were so few.”
This quote is saying that kumalo wants nothing mre then to be treated like a human, and not like they treat black men. Hes saying that he was born on this earth, just like everyone else, whites, blacks, everyone was born on this earth. And he just wants blacks to be treated like human. And also that the white men are scared of the black men, becuase “they were so few” and there were far more black men then white
February 11, 2009 at 11:45 pm
“It would be better to say that she had many husbands.” (57)
Stephen Kumalo’s sister, Gertrude can be compared with a Samaritan woman in the New Testament. In the story, Priest Msimangu describes Gertrude to Kumalo as a prostitute in other words. Although this doesn’t sound right from a priest, it’s quite true. When I was reading this, I noticed the connection to a prostitute. Likewise, Christ said to the Samaritan woman that she had many husbands, but none of them were her true husband. But in terms with the Bible, we were able to view Gertrude differently, and forgive her like Jesus Christ forgave the sins of the Samaritan woman even though she acted like one.
February 12, 2009 at 12:01 am
“I see only one hope for our country, and that is when white men and black men . . . desiring only the good of their country, come together to work for it. . . . I have one great fear in my heart, that one day when they are turned to loving, they will find we are turned to hating.”
I think this quote has a really valuble lesson behind it. The white men are not evil for having power, becuase power itself is evil. Untill power is equal between everyone, there will always be evil. It doesnt matter the race, or gender or anything, if you have power, power makes you evil in many ways.
February 12, 2009 at 12:31 am
“You have said it, he said. it is said now. This money which was saved for that purpose will never be used for it. You have opened a door, and because you have opened it, we must go through. And Tixo alone knows where we shall go.” (39)
Stephen used the money that was for his son to go to St. Chad’s because he wanted to see his sister that was sick. Also for quite some time Stephen and his wife havent heard any news from their son and so thats why he wanted to go to Johannesburg so he could see whats up.
February 12, 2009 at 12:40 am
They he wentto Johannesburg, and as you said when people go to Johannesburg, they do not come back. They dont even write back(19).
Everyone that goes to Johannesburg gets lostand never comes back. Stephenand his wife has been waiting for their sons arrival but there is no answer. He decided to go to Johannesburg with his money to see his sister.
February 12, 2009 at 12:51 am
“I see only one hope for our country, and that is when white men and black men . . . desiring only the good of their country, come together to work for it. . . . I have one great fear in my heart, that one day when they are turned to loving, they will find we are turned to hating.”
I think that this quote is a very good one and it still is being used today because there are some people are still rascist. Its good how most things are better like white men and black men can come together and work and be friends.
February 12, 2009 at 1:24 am
“I have one great fear in my heart, that one day when they are turned to loving, they will find that we are turned to hating.”
- Alan Paton//Chapter 7
This quote to me means that although the society will turn to love and have peace with one another there will eventually be hatred once again because there are beings that seek hatred. It shows how people dont want to try to have a grace between one another. There will always be conflict.
February 12, 2009 at 1:27 am
“Cry, the beloved country, for the unborn child that is the inheritor of our fear.”
- Alan Paton,//Chapter 12
This quote to me at first was difficult to understand but i thought it meant how a person isn’t truly evolved from being a child till they face there fears. I guess it is trying to say that you become stronger when you confront your fears and gain strength from that experience.
February 12, 2009 at 1:34 am
“Old man, leave him alone. You lead him so far and then you spring upon him.”
- Alan Paton, Cry//Chapter 17
I think this quote was trying to say how the person lead the other person on with high hopes but towards the end let him down. It portrays how no one is reliable. Society isn’t reliable.
February 12, 2009 at 1:45 am
“How we desire such a letter, and when it comes, we fear to open it.”
Rev. Stephen Kumalos wife said this because Kumalos brother has gone off to Johannesburg and so has his sister who they haven’t heard from in a long time. Johannesburg is a town where people usually go and don’t return so this quote shows how they’re anxious to hear from their family but then again scared because they’re afraid that it might be bad news or result in fatal results.
I feel that anticipation leads to dissapointment sometimes wanting something is better then having it.
February 12, 2009 at 1:49 am
“She went out, and came back with a tin, of the kind in which they sell coffee or cocoa, and thus she gave to him. He held it in his hand, studying it, as though there might be some answer in it, till at last she said it, it must be done, Stephen”
Stephens wife gave him a tin of money to go off to Johannesburg to take care of his sister. They saved up this money to send Absalom to St. Chads. Stephen is kind of mad that it all came down to this.Taking money that was meant for something else but he and his wife feel that it needs to be done due to family commitment or guilt.This quote displays the cliche of “family first”.
February 12, 2009 at 1:54 am
“the grass is rich, you cannot see the soil”(33).
when we talk about Africa, people have a stereotypical view of the the country. Many people view it as a continent of deserts only, so this sentence is quite ironic. A lot of people are victims of this and we need to break misleading point of views.
February 12, 2009 at 1:59 am
“The journey had begun. And now the fear back again, the fear of the unknown, the fear of the great city where boys were killed crossing the street, the fear of Gertrude’s sickness.”
As Reverend Stephen is on the train he’s thinking about where he’s going. He’s afraid that his sister is seriously ill and isn’t going to make it. But most of all he’s afraid of going to Johannesburg because it’s known as the unknown country. No one is really to thrilled about it or what the country has to offer you could even refer to the tittle as a reference. It displays sorry and imagery at the same time giving a poverty or depression type feeling off to readers.
February 12, 2009 at 2:16 am
“But Kumalo was a humble man, and did not much care. They saw his clerical collar, and moved up to make room for the umfundisi.”
This quote goes to show how much respect people have for Rev. Kumalo because they see that he’s a man of high authority because of his white collar. The word “umfundisi” must mean Reverend because it keeps coming up throughout the story especially when people talk to him.
February 12, 2009 at 2:17 am
“do you wish to come back,” “she nods her head. she sobs too. I do not like johannesburg, she says. i am sick here. the child is sick too”(61).
when she says she is sick, could it be that she has aids. she is a prostitute and aids in common in africa. she knows she has been doing herself wrong and she wants to return, but she think she is not worthy.
February 12, 2009 at 2:25 am
“He was grateful for this kindness, but half of him was afraid. He was glad the young man did not offer to carry his bag, but he spoke courteously.”
Reverend Stephen is aware of where he is and is a bit afraid. He doesn’t want to show it because the young man was being courteous but he’s keeping is eye open because he knows what Johannesburg is known for.
February 12, 2009 at 2:31 am
When Reverend Stephen finally sees his sister she cries to him and tells him how she isn’t happy in Johannesburg. But if she isn’t happy there and is suffering I don’t understand why she went in the first place.
February 12, 2009 at 2:36 am
“She cried out at him, You are hurting me also.”
As I read this scene on page 39 and came across this sentence, I wondered if the word “you” was capitalized purposely. Maybe it was to emphasize the fact that it isn’t just the people that are away from her that are hurting her, but it could also be the person that she deals with everyday that’s hurting her as well.
February 12, 2009 at 2:44 am
At the end of chapter 3 it seems as if there’s a little poem or just an extra mini paragraph; “All roads lead to Johannesburg. Through the long nights the trains pass to Johannesburg. The lights of the swaying coach fall on the cutting-sides, on the grass and the stones of a country that sleeps. Happy the eyes that can close.
I’m still not exactly sure what this passage is saying but it caught my attention. My favorite line is the last sentence, and when I read it I thought it could either mean once someone reaches death, they can close their eyes and be happily at peace, or one can be happy to close their eyes knowing they have another day in Johannesburg ahead of them.
February 12, 2009 at 2:51 am
I noticed that so far in book 1, the names Lord, Christ and Bishop have been mentioned quite a few times as well as attenting church, such as Stephan when he asked for forgiveness in chapter 2. Some people find that Church is their very own sanctuary or meditation space even till this day. Maybe praying was much more crucial to some people at that time because of the slavery and such things.
February 12, 2009 at 2:58 am
“yes, yea, john kumalo interrupts him, and smiles at him, ‘who will believe your son’ he asks”(134).
he is betrayed by his brother and nephew. they saved themselves and did not even help him out. john has a lawyer leaving Kumalo behind with his son. they do not have a lawyer and in need of one. his brother betrays him and that is wrong
February 12, 2009 at 3:03 am
“He looked around, hoping there might be someone with whom he could talk, but there was no one who appeared of that class.” (43)
This part is interesting to me because he mentions that everyone who takes the train is black and all the Europeans drive cars. I’m curious about what class he is talking about. Do u have to be of a certain class to be able to talk to? I don’t know why but Kumalo didn’t seem comfortable in this environment.
February 12, 2009 at 3:38 am
“Because the white man has power, we too want power” (70)
In this world, power and money are everything. Those who has it will have a easy life and they can get what they want. As long as the person is not corrupted, they can use it for good things. If I have a chance to obtain of them, I will use it for positive things.
February 12, 2009 at 3:44 am
“He sees great high buildings, there are red and green lights on them, almost as tall as the buildings” (47)
This quote reminds me of when I first came to America. When I first arrived, I felt fear and nervous just like Kumalo just arriving to Johannesburg because I don’t know much about New York City. Its like entering a whole new world with different language and style.
February 12, 2009 at 3:48 am
I see only one hope for our country, and that is when white men and black men . . . desiring only the good of their country, come together to work for it. . . . I have one great fear in my heart, that one day when they are turned to loving, they will find we are turned to hating.
I chose this quote because i found it interesting due to the fact that it made me think of the days during slavery and how many people wanted unity..But it made me feel,Like people in their country still had hope for what could change.
February 12, 2009 at 3:55 am
“…she sat down at his table, and put her head on it, and was silent, with the patient suffering of black women…”(40)
I felt bad for Kumalo’s wife because she saved up money to buy a new stove, pay for school and buy him some new clothes. Yet, he used all the money to go to Johannesburg just to save his son which never wrote back.When she counted the money they had, I kind of felt the sadden within her as if she don’t wants to spend all their money.
February 12, 2009 at 3:58 am
Overall I’m finding this book toO be intresting now that i’ve really gotten into it..I’m actually lOoking foward to the conclusion of the bOok…
But in responce to what lOvely said about how his sister told him she was unhappy in Johannesburg. I think she might have stayed there to be on her own.She might have thought things would be better for her out there.
February 12, 2009 at 4:16 am
“We had a son, he said harshly. Zulus have many children, but we had only one son. He went to Johannesburg, and as you said- when people go to Johannesburg, they do not come back. They do not even write any more. (pg.39)”
I think this quote is meaningful. Also, it reveals Kumulo’s concern about Johannesburg. He did not want to gove up his son, even though his wife told him that they should use the money in another way. For most people, the life in Jahannesburg is horrible.
February 12, 2009 at 4:17 am
“Because the white man has power, we too want power”
I found this quote interesting because it showed that they wanted everything to be equal…between blacks and whites.They didnt want olny one group of people to have all the power
February 12, 2009 at 4:31 am
“My friend, your anxiety turned to fear, and your fear turned to sorrow. But sorrow is better than fear. For fear impoverishes always, while sorrow may enrich (pg.140). ”
Anxiety, fear and sorrow are always around the main character Kumulo’s journey in Johannesburg. I agree with this quote. Fear will make a person disappoint and give up. But sorrow make change a person. In another way, during his journey, he built a lot of friendship. He changes himself in this way.
February 12, 2009 at 4:43 am
“Kumalo put his hand on his friend’s arm. The things are not happy that brought me to Johannesburg, he said, but I have found much pleasure in your company (pg.72).”
In Kumalo’s point of view, he thinks Johannesburg is horrible and dangerous. Many people that he knew went to there but never came back. This make him scare. However, when he really is in Johannesburg, he knew some people and made friends with them. He built friendship with them so that can get happy from them. It should be considered his pleasure in Johannesburg.
February 12, 2009 at 4:44 am
“Kumalo put his hand on his friend’s arm. The things are not happy that brought me to Johannesburg, he said, but I have found much pleasure in your company (pg.72).”
In Kumalo’s point of view, he thinks Johannesburg is horrible and dangerous. Many people that he knew went to there but never came back. This make him scare. However, when he really is in Johannesburg, he knew some people and made friends with them. He built friendship with them so that can get happy from them. It should be considered his pleasure in Johannesburg.
February 12, 2009 at 5:00 am
When Kumalo was leaving to go to Johannesburg to find his sick sister his friend asked him for a favor, the favor was if he could try to find this young woman who went to the city to work. It seems like back in the days people who always went for adventures in the city always disappear or comes back years later without any letters or anything for all that time.If you read old literature on war and movies of that sort they all have that same thing happening. From my own experience Africans do that often even today. They tend to give like important letters to like people who goes to the the big city and stuff instead of just mailing it I guess they just prefer the old fashion.
February 12, 2009 at 5:26 am
“He looked at Kumalo. It would be truer to say, he said, that she has many husbands.” (53)
I think that this implies that Kumalo’s sister has HIV/AIDS. I think this because the book said earlier that she was very sick and she was a different kind of sick. This quote says that Kumalo’s sister was sleeping around and that is why I think her illness is sexually transmitted.
February 12, 2009 at 6:15 am
“Tixo, watch over me, he says to himself. Tixo, watch over me” (48).
It seems as if every time someone needs help, they would say Tixo. It’s the same as we are. Most would say “God, watch over me” instead. We believe that by asking God for help, a miracle can happen and we can get what we asked. Even if something bad happens, they might still believe in Him.
February 12, 2009 at 6:18 am
” I am a bad woman, my brother. I am no woman to go back.”(61) Living in New York, immigrants and small town people are seen here all the time with the same issue as Gertrude. They come here to the big city expecting more to return home with a better life due to the opportunities New york and other big cities offer.You see them trying to become stars etc… or trying to have a decent job so they can take care of their families or loved ones. The problem is caused when conflicts occur and they feel like they are not as successful as they wanted to become, so they feel stuck in that big city full of opportunities but only if you are lucky enough.
February 12, 2009 at 6:34 am
Book 1 of Cry, The Beloved Country, has a theme of striving for a better life. For instance Kumalo’s brother John went to Johannesburg to get a better life but since it didn’t turn out so well he gave up on his family until he can get back on his feet. when he does get back on his feet he just decides not to write them anymore maybe it was shame for not keeping in touch with them in so long. The same thing happens with Absalom, he said he was going to look for his aunt and uncle but when he really got to the city, he didn’t worry much about them since the city had him on a leash. So what is the actual point in going for adventures to become better or have more when you are not really familiar with what actually goes on out there. From my perspective, it can only bring you two things either happiness and success or failure and shame.
February 12, 2009 at 7:04 am
“Who knows what we live, and struggle, and die?” (95).
This line made me think about the life we are leading. I think everyone has something or someone that they live, struggle, and die for. It’s the way of life and it’s just the way we are. I think that no matter how bad a person might seem, people are not entirely evil so they of course have something/one they like to protect from others.
February 12, 2009 at 7:21 am
“Is it not better to hold what we have, and to pay the price of it with fear? (110).
How will they be happy if they have to be afraid every day? Even if they keep what they have already, they still have to fear. But I think most people will do the same because they don’t want to lose any more than they already possess.
February 12, 2009 at 7:01 pm
“one must live here to understand it ” page 66
Jhon states that to steven because hes in a different environment. As a indivisual you should know how to adapt to various environments such as johanesburg. jhon knows where he lives and he accepts where he lives because he feels like hes a factor in his environment.
”you have shamed us”page 61
steven feels like gertrude his sister disgusted the family by sailing her body on the streets. steven doesnt understand her motives of being a prostitute and a liquor seller. He knows she is better then that .
“I am not a man of segregation” pg 58
this quote means alot because segregation is not a good thing for indivisuals who want to be in a diverse environment . As a african american where not accepted in thier world because they look at us as Animals but where human biens just like them
February 13, 2009 at 2:54 am
“lights change from green to red and back again to green. he has heard that. when it is green, you may go. but when he starts across, a great bus swings across the path.”(47)
by him saying this when he gets into Johannesburg shows you how busy the city is. You never realize how busy it is because we are living in it. We are like the energizer bunny we have to keep going and going. We never want to stop & in some places its normal just to stop and think but not in the city. We would not expect that to happen in the City.We really do not expect nothing in the City everything is the same just noisy. And he was not aware of that.Stephen was not used to all of this.
February 13, 2009 at 2:57 am
this is in response to sgweber the quote he used, “one must live here to understand it”. I truly believe this quote. Because when i go down south being that im a city girl im used to seeing a store on every corner but not down south you have to drive to the local wawa or piggly wiggly. I dont understand why it is not walking distant and we always have to depend on someone. But as in the city everything is right there.
February 13, 2009 at 3:08 am
“They have a bite of food, and their eyes are hardly closed on the pillow before they must stand up again, something to start off with nothing but hot water in their stomachs”
I picked this quote because it cached my attention how they spend their whole day in an empty stomach with just hot water I could really not imagine myself without eating anything for just an hour imagine a whole day I’ll go crazy, but it seemed that they were already accustomed to their type of lifestyle and it did not even bother them even one bit because they were already use to it and there was nothing they could do about it.
February 13, 2009 at 3:09 am
“Who knows what we live, and struggle, and die?” (95).
This quote resembles life and death. There are people who question themselves and their lives everyday. They wonder why there here, why they even bother getting up in the morning. Me personally don’t ask myself that. I do what i have to do to survie cause i believe life is precious and shouldn’t be taken advantaged of.
February 13, 2009 at 3:15 am
“There are times, no doubt, when god seems no more to be about the world”
This quote shows me that sometimes he loses all faith of god and he just feels like giving up on his life, it also means to me that he is trying to say that god has forgotten about all the little people on earth because he is tired of helping the people in the world and seeing any change happen like he has lost faith in the world.
February 13, 2009 at 3:23 am
“…the white man has power, we too want power”
I find this desire, to have equality for everyone, clearly impossible because it voids all the rules of leadership. Alike the saying “there cant be two captains in one ship”, one needs to be superior over another so authority is gained and less confusion.
February 13, 2009 at 3:28 am
“But school cost money, and my husband is ailing, and when he is well it is only thirty five shillings a week”
This quote shows how dedicated she is to save every last penny she has and making it last, so she spends it on the most necessary things that she needs which also show that she puts her family before herself, she also shows me that she does not really pay mind that she is poor because she is proud of the women she is.
February 13, 2009 at 4:17 am
“we do what is in us, and why it is in us, that is also a secret.”(142)
This quote is like talking about the things we do and why we do them. The reason why we do the things we do is because it feels like that’s the way its supposed to be done, seems natural to us. There’s a reason behind every decision we make and even we somteimes don’t know what that reason is even though it seems like you should know.
February 13, 2009 at 4:17 am
I agree with julie in her comment with the quote in which she touches the topic of education. I agree with the dedication put in to save money more school. I believe that education is the one of the keys to success. This is why I strongly admire what is said.
February 13, 2009 at 4:22 am
we do what is in us, and why it is in us, that is also a secret”(142)
This a great quote which many can relate to. We do what we know and what we believe is correct. Then the question why is it in us has a simple answer. It is in us because it is what we know and use to.
February 13, 2009 at 4:26 am
“he looked at kumalo. It would be truer to say, that she has many husbands.”(53)
If I were kumalo. I would be extremely mad.I made a long trip just to find out that my sister is a prostitute and a drunk. Not including the sacrifise and the money wasted. I wouldn’t even care about the situation anymore.
February 13, 2009 at 4:29 am
“And the word, the word desire, quickened her to brilliance.”(147)
This quote I can relate to because I’ve used that word myself plenty of times. I believe if you have the desire to do something then it can be achieved. It has happened to me quite a few times. I had the desire to pass all my classes and regents and I did so. So the word desire it self is very powerful but once you have it within you then your good to go.
February 13, 2009 at 4:35 am
“My friend, your fear has turned to sorrow. But sorrow is better than fear. Fear is a journey, a terrible journey, but sorrow is at least an arriving.”
I really enjoyed this quote because i havent really thought about it like that. It is no wonder deminishing a fear may take a lifetime because it may involve things deriving from the unknown, rather than sorrow that is basically overcomed once the heart is calmed.
February 13, 2009 at 4:46 am
“And the white men come again, but this time it is anger, not pity. The police come and drive the people away.”
This quote speaks of the irony of the white leaders. they shall never sincerely pity them for they first gain their trust by building houses for them, reconstructioning their “uncivilized” community. However with not even a days relief, they come back with anger and “reason” to bring their men into this land because they helped built it. There is no pity in politics.
February 18, 2009 at 8:23 pm
“No, how could I write? You people in Ndotshenido not understand the way life is in Johannesburg. I thought it better not to write.” (66)
I did not understand why Stephen’s brother chose not to write because they “don’t understand”. They are his family and Stephen even came to look for him and he couldn’t even say hi. It’s not that he had to explain everything that is going on with his life but just a simple letter to say hello and I am alive would have been nice for him to do.
February 22, 2009 at 6:22 pm
“If you use this bus you are weakening the cause of the black people. We have determined not to use these buses until the fare is brought back again to fourpence” (73).
This quote brings back to the Civil Rights Movement. When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. boycotted the buses .
February 22, 2009 at 6:23 pm
“My friend, your fear has turned to sorrow. But sorrow is better than fear. Fear is a journey, a terrible journey, but sorrow is at least an arriving.”
This quote have a lot of definition. Im still trying to understand it. Thats how deep it really is.
February 22, 2009 at 6:26 pm
In response to
“I am not a man of segregation” pg 58
this quote means alot because segregation is not a good thing for indivisuals who want to be in a diverse environment . As a african american where not accepted in thier world because they look at us as Animals but where human biens just like them
I agree with this. It is seem that we are targeted to be diverse. As a African American, were looked differently in others eyes.
February 23, 2009 at 12:25 am
“The white man has broken the tribe. And it is my belief—and again I ask your pardon—that it cannot be mended again. But the house that is broken, and the man that falls apart when the house is broken, these are the tragic things. That is why children break the law, and old white people are robbed and beaten.”
White people have broken up the tribes have broken up so the young people dont stay in their villages they run off to Johannesburg, where they pick up bad habits and start robbing the whites
February 23, 2009 at 12:29 am
“He looked at Kumalo. It would be truer to say, that she has many husbands.”
This has to be very disturbing to hear that her sister is a dirty whore.Especially after that long trip id probably kill her.
February 23, 2009 at 12:32 am
“How we desire such a letter, and when it comes, we fear to open it.”
Rev. Stephen Kumalos wife said this after Kumalos brother had gone off to Johannesburg who they haven’t heard from in a long time. This quote shows how they’re anxious to hear from their family but then again scared because they’re afraid that it might be something they dont want to know.
February 23, 2009 at 4:49 am
-”You see I have had an experience here in Johannesburg. It is not like Ndotsheni.” p.66
John was expecting to live a better life when he moved to the city, and Kamalo not hearing from him was happy when he found him. Later John then tells him how great his life is in the city, not like it was in Ndotsheni, this is important because he is an activist.
-Christianity plays an important role in a way that it is conflicting with the black South Africans. They feel as if they are betraying their own people because they are following the idea of the men who enslaved them in earlier history.
February 23, 2009 at 9:30 pm
“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”. (70)
I think this quote is one of the main reasons for all of the crime in Johanessburg. Its because the descrimination between whites and blacks creates a war in society. Once one side gets an upper hand they will most likely take advantage in any way.
February 24, 2009 at 3:28 am
“I do not like this woman. I do not like this boy. I do not like this man. I am sorry, but you must go now. (85)”
I like this quote because it shows how confusing people can be when you try to figure out what they like and don’t like.
February 24, 2009 at 3:31 am
“What about your work my friend? I have spoken to my superiors about the work. They are agreed that I mus help you till the young man is found.” (102)
I like this quote because alot of people want them to help one another and so does his superiors. As well that they care enough and hopes the best for them.
February 27, 2009 at 6:05 am
“the white man has power, we too want power.”
I like this quote alot because it shows great strive for wanting something to change, especially in a lower class society. For example, Barack Obama has made changed as showing that Black people could have power just as whites do.
March 3, 2009 at 3:58 am
“Who know’s what we like, and struggle, and die?” (95)
This quote really stood out to me alot because it makes you think…. what do you think people expect from you whether it be today, tomorrow, or whenever.
March 3, 2009 at 4:05 am
“I am a bad woman, mry brother. I am no woman to go back.” (61)
This quote is showing Gertrude’s attempt to esacpe from her problems instead of facing them. She must feel like as her being an immigrant that she won’t be able to achieve much when she really needs to stay strong and she’ll probably get somewhere.
March 3, 2009 at 4:11 am
I agree with Cassie A’s response to her quote on p. 66 because Christianity indeed plays a huge role with South Africans as they stay loyal to their people which makes them a family as a whole.. but at the same time, it conflicts with them when they betray their own people in the act that they are fighting those who have enslaved them in history.
March 3, 2009 at 4:16 am
I agree in response to Prettyboy Tai’s quote on p. 58 because he’s saying that us being African Americans we have a diffrent outlook on situations than other people do; which is true because not every person generally thinks on the same level regarding every topic but what really matters is who is more correct regarding their outlook.
March 3, 2009 at 4:26 am
I want to add to Twilight’s response to his/her quote on p. 70 because I feel that you don’t actually have to have the best life to have money and power, cause there are people that haven’t had the best life and still live a luxurious lifestyle that’s cause they put in the work needed to get there.
March 17, 2009 at 3:56 am
“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”. (70)
I think this quote is one of the main reasons for all of the crime in Johanessburg. If each race will let go of all the anger and resentment that they have maybe Johanesburg will be a better place to live. If the hate continues the problems will only continue.
March 17, 2009 at 4:08 am
“My friend, your fear has turned to sorrow. But sorrow is better than fear. Fear is a journey, a terrible journey, but sorrow is at least an arriving.”
When I read this quote I was confused at little at first. I had to really think about it. Then after a while it made sense. It’s basically saying that when you fear something you are sad, but since fear is far worst then feeling sad you’re better off feeling sorrow.
March 17, 2009 at 4:44 am
“You have said it, he said. it is said now. This money which was saved for that purpose will never be used for it. You have opened a door, and because you have opened it, we must go through. And Tixo alone knows where we shall go.” (39)
When I read this quote I thought it was pretty sad because it was almost like they gave up at this point. They had the money saved up for a specific reason but they could not use it for that reason because it seemed like a waste. Basically they felt like they were’nt going to get there son back so they gave up.
March 25, 2009 at 11:26 pm
“My friend, your fear has turned to sorrow. But sorrow is better than fear.” (140)
When Kumalo returned to his home in Ndotcheni, he started to observe racial issues that where takin place in his society. He also decided to take action and help his own kind of people. His family loss was a burden for him. An early period in time, proves new pathway of life for Kumalo. His friendship with Jarvis, enables Kumalo to change his way of life in Ndotcheni.
March 25, 2009 at 11:36 pm
I agree with Roy’s response based on “desire”. Desire in my opinion, isn’t a need but a want. And whatever anyone “wants” they can set their mind to achieving it. When someone desire something, their passion for it can allow them to overcome any obstacle that comes their way. That’s why, a “want” may be necessary for people to accomplish any goals they strive for.
March 26, 2009 at 8:49 pm
“I’m not a man of segregation.”
This quote stood out because segregation played a huge role back in Africa.This was called Apartheid where the rights of Africans was violated.So for a person to be against that was a real eye opener.
March 29, 2009 at 7:06 pm
“Kumalo’s voice rose a little, as does the voice of a child, or indeed of a grown person, who wants others to hear…He turned away from the window. It is always so, he said, as if to himself, but in truth to the people.” (43-44)
I think its funny how a grown man like Kumalo would want to impress random strangers he would never meet again. A person like him should know that respect is gained through actions not words.
March 29, 2009 at 7:43 pm
“He was grateful for this kindness, but half of him was afraid. He was glad the young man did not offer to carry his bag, but he spoke courteously, though in a strange Zulu.” (48)
Just because people in Johannesburg are corrupt it doesnt meant everyone is. A person is going out of his way to help you, but Kumalo thinks bad things about him. Even though in the end Kumalo did get scammed.
March 29, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I agree with Steve O (February 12, 2009 at 5:26 am) in that Gertrude has HIV/AIDS. This must be so disgraceful for Kumalo him being a priest having a slutty sister. Gertrude gave into lust and temptation sinning against God.