Quotes regarding the character Arthur Jarvis.
“Here [Arthur Jarvis] was, day to day, on a kind of mission.” (173)
Jesus Christ is symbolized by the figure of Arthur Jarvis. He is a white reformer who fights for rights of blacks. Like Christ, he is very altruistic and wants to pursue his aims at all costs. This is the quote in which his friend Harrison described him as.
Unforunately, Arthur Jarvis was killed in his house by Absalom, who got entangled in crime. Absalom only wanted to rob Arthur Jarvis, and the homicide is unintentional. Absalom thought that Arthur Jarvis is out and comes into the house with two friends. Startled and afraid, Absalom fires blindly. Absalom later says in court: “Then a white man came into the passage I was frightened. I fired the revolver.” (194)
Absalom’s blind fear was a symbol of the fear, blindness, and misunderstanding between whites and blacks; these were the reasons of racial hatred.
“Kumalo put his hands with the book on the top of the gate, and he put his head on his hands, and wept bitterly.” (248)
This quote shows a comparison with Adam and Eve who were never able to return to primeval innocence of paradise, likewise Kumalo is permanently changed by his journey to Johannesburg. For this reason the bishop tells him, “Mr. Kumalo, you should go away from Ndotcheni.” Because of the knowledge and understanding he acquires in Johannesburg, Kumalo cannot go back to his old way of life. Also, he experiences compassion and help of generous and benevolent people such as Msimangu along the way.
“Jarvis sat, deeply moved after reading Arthur’s last paper. Then Jarvis read the Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln, and felt with a sudden lifting of the spirit that here was a secret unfolding, a track picked up again.” (188)
Jarvis was not a bad person but was considered ignorant towards the lives of blacks and the real issues that occurred. After the death of his son Jarvis learns to view blacks as real people. Jarvis reads his son’s papers and suddenly becomes concerned with the ideas expressed by his son and by Abraham Lincoln. Later on, when Kumalo and Jarvis meet, Kumalo stumbles and almost faints because of the shame and guilt he feels. Jarvis doesn’t yet know Kumalo is the father of the criminal, and doesn’t understand Kumalo’s anxiety. However, Jarvis doesn’t dismiss him as a dirty old parson like before. Earlier Jarvis might barely have noticed expressions on the face of a Zulu, but now he has changed enough to recognize that this man does not mean to be rude.
As a result of reading his son’s writings, Jarvis learns about the real problems of South Africa. Most of the whites don’t view blacks as real people and are unaware the problems blacks have to face. Therefore it is easy for whites to oppress blacks.
“They shook hands, and the captain looked at him.
-Mr. Jarvis. -Yes. -I have bad news for you. -Bad news? Jarvis sat down, his heart beating loudly. Is it my son? he asked? -Yes, Mr. Jarvis. -Is he dead?
-Yes, Mr, Jarvis” (165).
This scene seemed like it came straight from a movie-Ladder 49. This is the most dreadful news for any parent to hear. Arthur Jarvis must have been one of those successful and intelligent son that left too early. Seems like a cliche, the good die young. What a shame.
I chose this quote because it stands out to me. It caught my eye right away because it’s something I say all the time. I love to say that to just about everything. Some times I just don’t understand certain things so thats my favorite thing to say.
I chose this quote because it stands for something real. This quote has a lot of significance.I agree with this quote because I think only a foolish person would keep their mouth shut. I believe everyone should voice their opinion or just simply speak out on what ever it may be. There is no reason anyone should be afraid to speak out.
I chose this quote because it’s something I like to say. I use it to reasurre people and myself. It really makes me do things and get things done faster. In order for me to have gotten where I’m at now I had to keep repeating those words to my mom and myself.
“The other papers were in his son’s handwriting. They were obviously part of some larger whole…” (177).
It was said that Arthur Jarvis was an activist. He defended the people and tried to make their lives easier and more prosperous. He protested the mines and the working conditions, housing, etc. He was like the famous Muckrakers of America during the Industrial Revolution. Arthur is part of something larger than himself.
“At the back of the court there were seats rising from the tiers, those on the right for Europeans, those on the left for non-Europeans, according to the custom” (190).
Talk about segregation. Even the court system is divided up based on the fact that your either European or non-European. To me, this is unfair because the White man are living on the African’s land, and all should be treated equally or the other way around. Well, at least non-Europeans are allowed to be juries.
“And the people were ignorant, and knew nothing about farming methods.” (pg.162)
This quote shows how imporant farming is and how they need it. Farming is one of the main jobs that brings in money and crops. Some people can not survive with out the crops they grow or even the money they can get from them. The land is one thing he always brings up and shows the importance of it.
“Jarvis filled his pipe slowly, and listened to this tale of his son, to this tale of a stranger.” (172)
Jarvis listens to the stories about his son. Things that he never knew and probably never would have if he didn’t die. It’s sad to see that he only seems truly concerned about his son after he dies; when he doesn’t need him anymore. It personally gets to me because this is how I feel my mom treats me. Like James and Arthur , my mother and I never really agree on a lot of things. Her “love” for me shows only if I’m in a bad situation that involves life or death. What does a child do in that situation? As seen in this novel, James and his son were apart. They just separated themselves from each other to the point where a man doesn’t even know his own son.
“He pondered over it, and said then, I was very fond of my son, he said. I was never ashamed of having him.” (p.g 171)
This quote shows how much he cared about his son. He loved his son and now that his son is dead he misses him a lot. He thinks about the past and he was never ashamed of his son. i believe family is very important, it’s the one thing you can hold on to.
“There are to many of these murders and robberies and brutal attacks.”(p.g 173)
This quote shows the setting in a new light. The author first describes the setting, but now you see the crime that is being commited in the town. Everyone has crime where they live.
“The Judge does not make the Law. It is the people that make the Law. Therefore if a Law is unjust, and if the Judge judges according to the Law, that is justice, even if it is not just.” (191)
This quote reflect on the people. The people make the Law according to their rights, needs and wants. Being that this novel takes place in South Africa, the only people that have such rights are white people so, they make the Laws. If the Law states that a black man is guilty because he is black, then the Judge must give him a sentence that is suitable for a guilty black man even if he is innocent. It is his job to abide by the Law and judge by the Law and in doing so he may not actually be doing what everyone agrees on as justice.
“The prosecutor seems taken aback for a moment, but the Judge says, and what did you pray there?
-I prayed for forgiveness.” (197)
This quote kind of shocked me also because although they are trying to portray Absolam as a bad person he doesn’t really seem like it. Yet, I didn’t think that he would pray and ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness from Arthur’s family maybe but for him to go to God shows that what his father instilled in him is still there even though he left home a very long time ago.
When I read Book II I noticed repetition in the first two paragraphs. Book I had almost the same exact words. I think this has something to do with the inability of africans need for change. It also kept talking about the soil and how everything is.
“There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills. These hills are grass-covered and rolling, and they are lovely beyond any singing of it.”
I think this is symbolism. It kind of displays the hills as a better place or “utopia” type and downs Ixopo. The word lovely brings upon a descriptive mage in my mind.
“Kumalo put his hands with the book on the top of the gate, and he put his head on his hands, and wept bitterly.” (248)
Kumalo could have thought about his life or how it could have been. He ran away killed a white man and had a child. Instead he could have been in school learning and the touching of the book probably helped him realize the mistake that he made. Having a wife and a son to be child isnt the easy task to tackle but he we learn.
The author opens up book 2 the same way he opened up book 1. The hills of Ndotsheni are dry from over-farming and no one knows how to solve the problem. Jarvis overlooks the hills hoping that they could soon come to a solution to the problem.
Arthur Jarvis had an essay written. I guess he wishes to be heard at some point so he writes. His father forces himself to read it and without knowing it made him come closer to his son. They disagreed a lot and this essay made him know his son much better.
“it is the duty of a judge to do justice, but it is only the people that can be just. Therefore if justice be not just, that is not to be laid at the door of the judge, but at the door of the people, which means at the door of the white people, for it is the white people that make the law.”
Absaloms trial begins. The judges are treated with great respect by all races. Most laws that are created by the white people are often unjust but need to be respected because they are white.
“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.”
this quote informs everyone that the color code is what stop us from being great. Color doesnt affect personality nor actions yet many let it divide them.
“There are too many of these murders and robberies and brutal attacks.”
This quote goes to show what goes on in Johannesburg. Reverend Stephen Kumalo explained in book 1 that Johannesburg is know for these kind of things and here it is reappearing in book 2.
In chapter 25 both kumalo and jarvis meet. This brings a new perspective on both their point of views. This shows us the distance between blacks and whites. It shows us how whites are powerful and strong and how blacks is the opposite of that
“Here he was, day in and day out, on a kind of mission. And it was he who was killed.”(173)
This quote is very ironic. You would think someone that is on a mission and supposed to be on top of their stuff wouldn’t get killed. This quote just kind of like stood out to me because it’s sort of mind blowing and awkward.
“Is it strange then that our civilization is riddled through and through with dilemma?”(187-188)
This quote made me realize something. There is no denying that something is always going on in your life whether its good or bad. You get things and people and situations thrown at you for a reason beacuse that’s just what life is all about.
The truth is that our civilization is not Christian; it is a tragic compound of great ideal and fearful practice, of high assurance and desperate anxiety, of loving charity and fearful clutching of possessions.
Arthur says this in chapter 21 its true what he says that their civilizaton is not christain they keep blacks inferior they are not allowed to be educated and thats unchristian becuase veryone should be allowed to develop their own gifts.
“If the law is the law of a society that some feel to be unjust, it is the law and the society that must be changed.”(234)
This quote is very true. If people feel that the law is not fair then it’s their job to some how change it. Some laws maybe outragoeus but they exist for a reason.
The purpose of having a gun is to frighten someone. Guns can not kill people, but the bullet can. I think having a gun is legal, however having bullet is not legal. Having a gun without bullet is harmless.
“This gold is as rich as any gold that has ever been discovered in South Africa, as rich as anything in Johannesburg.” (200)
This part reminds me about the gold rush in California during 1800’s. Many people travel to California and leaving their family behind to search for golds. During the gold rush, many Native Americans were killed and kicked out of their land. It is wrong for Americans to just treat Native Americans unfairly because they only care for themselves only.
“No second Johannesburg is needed upon the earth. One is enough” (205)
I agree with this passage because there are many incidents of murder and robbing in the first Johannesburg. Having a second one might cause even more troubles. On the other hand, having a second Johannesburg will allow more space for people to live in city instead of the country side.
“With them went Athena, holding her goatskin-tippet, precious, unfading, incorruptible, with a hundred dangling tassels of solid gold, neatly braided, worth each a hundred oxen. Through the host she passed, dazzling them with the vision, and filling each heart with courage to wage war implacable and unceasing. In a moment war became sweeter to them than to sail back safely to their own native land.”
This shows that fighting back actually feels good instead of always retreating in situations. Having the courage to “wage war” is different because there was never retaliation.
“The other papers were in his son’s handwriting. They were obviously part of some larger whole…” (pg.177).
In this quote, I can understand Arthur is a “good” person who always try to defende other people. In his life, he think that he should do something to improve the unjust African society. That’s the reason why he protested the housing conditions of the mines’ workers, ignoring warnings that he was jeopardizing his job as an engineer and maintaining that the truth was more important than money.
This is true. When we get hurt, it’s hard to forget. It leaves a scar behind that takes a long, long time to heal completely. It must be very hard for Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis to accept the fact that their son was killed.
“At the back of the court there were seats rising from the tiers, those on the right for Europeans, those on the left for non-Europeans, according to the custom” (pg. 190).
When I read this quote, I think it gave me some thoughts. Obviously, it is unfair because Europeans and non-Europeans were blocked off two different parts, eventhough in the court.
I think black people will feel sad about this custom.
“I was very fond of my son, he said. I was never ashamed of having him”- 171
Its nice that he says he was never ashamed of his son, but just the same i think it was unnecessary to say. Its sort of implying that many people are ashamed of their children, so he felt as though he needed to add that little sentence. He said it almost as though its suprising he wasnt ashamed of his son.
I strongly agree with this quote. I personally think it is true. However, I do not think it available in today’s society. In this book, Arthur is able to speak out about his opinion about the unjust society but he did not receive a good result. Today, people will try to keep quiet in some ways in order to keep their comfortable life and money.
Not necessarily. In alot of cases yeah, i supose that a mother takes a childs death a little bit harder, but i think its just that men dont burst out and cry. Just LikeJarvis, he didnt seem to show much emotion, yet you could tell he was upset. When they hugged goodbye before she went to sleep, it said that he cried a little bit once his wife started to cry.
This line is somewhat true. I think it kind of means that you are a fool if you don’t speak out. One might be a fool if s/he knows that something is not right but won’t speak and acknowledge that fact.
“margaret do you want me to come up with you”
“no my darling, stay and have your drink”
Just like what i said before. I think that Mr jarvis has a hard time showing his emotion. His son just died, and he wants to drink and talk, instead of being with his crying wife. But i know that he’s sad, becuase a couple pages later, when he’s reading his sons memior, he really starts wondering about the murder, and it really upsets him. he starts thinking about what could have happened, things that could have prevented it, its all pretty sad
“. . . a black woman spoke to them about her call to become a nun and to renounce the world, and how God had taken from her that desire which is in the nature of women” (227).
I don’t really think this is in the nature of women. Not all women want to become a nun and renounce the world. I think what is in the nature of women, like men, is good and bad. If she is a good person, there will always be a little bad in her and vice versa. That’s why no matter how nice she’s nice, when something she doesn’t like happens, like her husband or boyfriend cheated on her, she might go ballistic and plot revenges.
“But when the dawn will come, of our emancipation, from the fear of bondage and the bondage of fear, why, that is a secret”
The secret is yet to be known. They’re saying they dont know when, they dont know how, but what they do know is that discrimination will end in the future.
“If the law is the law of a society that some feel to be unjust, it is the law and the society that must be changed.”
I find this quote interesting because how can a society be controlled by one person depending how they feel.. It runs by the majority and if not, then anything can be a law but no society. A law can be unfair sometimes, a law is a law and must be followed.
this is weird because book II starts off with characters that were not mentioned. Then it was more clear when arthur was mentioned. I thought it was a good way to start the chapter.
Motif: the setting and how the chapter started with a family and son relationship. Book II started out just like Book I, i thought this was very interesting. It creates interest and that is a good way to capture the reader’s attention. Well it caught mine and thats good enough.
Absalom was tried guilty and got sentenced to death. This is unfair to him because the law is corrupted by the whites. He had no intentions of killing Arthur. Kumalo can grieve while the guards take Absalom away. John is part of this whole corruption as well. He has power, but don’t use it wisely.
“But I wish now that I’d known more of him” (175).
This is what Jarvis says to his wife before they go to bed of his son. Parents sometimes are stubborn and don’t take that much interest into their kids lives.In Jarvis’s case , living in a black and white divided country, he knows but wants to deny the fact that its a cold war between the two races and its wrong. As Jarvis himself always says that he is not into that kind of stuff demonstrates his fear of conflicts and complications. He sees courage that he doesn’t have in his son when Arthur is already dead and regrets it.
Its a irony that Jarvis and Kumalo are from the same area but are at opposite sides: the “better” white side and the “poor” black side. Jarvis’s son Arthur was murdered by Kumalo’s son Absalom, both of the young men went to the city to a better life and both the fathers had but so many clues about their sons lives. Even thought Kamulo and Jarvis may be different men they are very similar. They both lose their sons. They are both returning home with grief for both their lost and the fact that they didn’t know that much of their sons.
Kumalo as mentioned in the book is a very down to earth man, even thought his son is about to die as beat down as he is he still holds up thanks to his faith and hope. Kumalo is described as a week man physically and sometimes mentally, for instance when he first arrived at the city in book I as if wasn’t “cool” for the city but he was wise. To be brief Kumalo is a very strong man to watch his only son get locked with the knowledge that he was going to get killed.
” she isn’t strong , He said . I dont know how she will stand it . page 166
I picked this quote because i can imagine how the mother is going to feel when jarvis tells her that her son his dead.Taking a child away from a mother is the worst thing you can do as a human. The mother in the book does’nt even know her son is dead and she will never see him again.
” She’s wondering captain Even at this distance she knows something is wrong. Page 167
A Mother knows when her child is and danger and also knows when her Husband is in a time for need. Jarvis knew that his wife had some clue that their son was in trouble because she could sense the emotions coming from Jarvis.
”But a boy with a education did not want to work on the farms ” page 163
Any indivisual with an education that they work hard for will not settle with working on a farm. The man with the eduacation should be in charge with of the farm but the harsh reality back then Black educated men was looked over untill equality came to ligth. I belive that no dream is too big you just have to go get it.
“At the back of the court there were seats rising from the tiers, those on the right for Europeans, those on the left for non-Europeans, according to the custom”. (190)
This reminds me of aparthied and how strict it was. I don’t know why they have to segragate like this in a court room. Maybe they think that the two groups think differently and they don’t want any corruption or bad influence. Maybe they really think that this segragation will effect the final decisions.
“The truth is that our civilization is not Christian; it is a tragic compound of great ideal and fearful practice, of high assurance and desperate anxiety, of loving charity and fearful clutching of possessions. ”
These words are written by Arthur Jarvis and read by his father in Chapter 21. 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.
“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. ”
Msimangu makes this statement in Chapter 5 after he welcomes Kumalo to Johannesburg, while discussing the troubles of Gertrude and Absalom. Msimangu explains to Kumalo what he believes has gone wrong with their country: the tribal bonds have been broken, giving young men and women no reason to stay in their villages.
“now for all the people of Africa, the beloved country. Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, God save Africa. But he would not see that salvation. It lay afar off, because men were afraid of it. Because, to tell the truth, they were afraid of him, and his wife, and Msimangu, and the young demonstrator.”
These thoughts are part of the novel’s conclusion, as Kumalo keeps his vigil on the mountain while Absalom hangs. 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.
“Some people said there must be more education, but a boy with education did not want to work on the farms, and went off to the towns to look for more congenial occupation.”
I agree with this quote because no one with a good education is going to take a job that is not that good when they know they can find a better job that is better paying and has better working conditions.
“His own father has sworn that he would disinherit any child of his who married an Afrikaner, but times had changed.”
This quote sounds a little bit racist to me because the father does not want his own children to marry their own race because he thinks they won’t go nowhere so he is making them feel like it is forbidden for them to even think about marrying someone from their race because he won’t even accept them which makes his kids feel like if they don’t do what he says he won’t love them no more.
“There are too many of these murders and robbers and brutal attacks.”
This quote gives me an idea of how bad is the place where they live at and it sounds like it is really bad which shows me they are really strong people for trying to overcome all these things and survive all those years.
“If one could have cried then, don’t go down! If one could have cried stop, there is danger! But there was no one to cry.”
In this quote it shows how they could not count on anyone for protection so they could never ask for help at anytime something bad happened to them so they did not feel protected at anytime.
“Money is for security, and for dreams, and for hopes, and for purposes.”
I agree with this quote because now these days money is everything no one can make one move without it people would not live how they live now because people don’t know how to function without it as people say “money makes the world go round”
I just want to start off by saying that I find it very interesting on how the author goes about this book. He first starts off with an adventure kind of flow to the book. Then in the second book it has a whole new different mood to it. I find the transition odd.
“Money is for security,and for dreams, and for hopes, and for purposes”. I believe this is the best quote in the entire book. I could relate with this quote because I personally go by it. I believe that money is the key to success. You can’t be successful in today’s society without being wealthy.
“There are too many of these murders and robbers and brutal attacks.” I believe that this quote reflects on society as a whole. People die and get killed everyday. In the news all that is shown is the negativity caused and not positivity resolved. There will always be violence no matter what.
I agree with the quote that “Ms. Dynomite” chose …… ” I AM DETERMINED I PROMISE YOU THAT”. This quote is very significant to the average high schoolers’ daily life. An average highschooler tries to convince him/herself that they are determined to finish and to complete work and to be able to hand the actual work in on time.
I strongly agree with lily’s perspective about the quote that was on page (189). The quote that states, “pain doesn’t go away so quickly” and this is so very true. This quote struck me alot because in today’s world in which we live in, whether someone hurt you in or outside your family, it gets harder and harder to forgive4 anyone who may have mistreated in any way in today’s society.
“If the law is the law of a society that some feel to be unjust, it is the law and the society that must be changed.”(234)
This quote is very true because if a law that is suppose to represent an entire society is not fair towards everybody, then somebody should figure out a way to change it so that it is equally fair for everybody.
I can relate to this quote because when my Grandma passed away, it took me a very long time before i found a way to somewhat deal with it cause it hurt so much and I couldn’t control it. It still at times is hard to forget it because i share alot of childhood memories with my Grandma that are very hard to forget.
“I was very fond of my son, he said,. I was never ashamed of having him.” (171)
This quote really stood out to me alot because while reading, it reminded me of the connection I never had with my Father and something I feel that every kid should have with their Fathers as well. I don’t want to say that he was ashamed of me, it’s just that he wasn’t there for me for whatever his purpose be.
The only thing interesting about book 2 is what happened to Absalom and the result of Gertrude. I felt that it was unfair to sentence Absalom to death. Absalom should have been punished but not as severely. The judge didn’t show any mercy. I believe he was scared and shot Mr. Jarvis by accident. He wasn’t plotting to kill him. But he did plot to rob him, and the court should have focused mainly on the robbing. Also, Absalom came forth and told the truth on his own.
Every one commented on the quote “pain doesn’t go away so quickly.” so I will to. I totally agree. It takes as much time to heal as it does to let pain marinate and sit in your body and soul. I felt a lot of pain coming from Kumalo. His son is dying. His sister is a prostitute and his brother doesn’t care about much just getting ahead. Things eventually turn around. Pain is only temporary. and I feel like you must go through it in order to enjoy whats truly important and what makes you happy.
Kumalo is strong about his return. He knows that news will spread about his son. He spreads the news first so he can get it over with. He wants people to know and to see if they are willing to accept him or not.
Arthur’s son visits Kumalo. I wonder what is going on in Kumalo’s mind when he see’s this boy. Does he feel a need to take care of this little boy? Maybe and maybe not, but he does teaches him some Zulu. Maybe thats one way to repent for his son’s sins.
Kumalo meets Jarvis at the end of the novel. I would assume Kumalo is still feeling guilty, but Jarvis is helping the town. Jarvis is trying to help Kumalo’s village get out of the bad situation. Kumalo thanks him and blesses him. Maybe this can help Kumalo feel more at peace.
To respond to Julie’s quote regarding the Father talking about the marrying of an Afrikaner of his own children, I don’t think that quote is racist.. its just that he feels that it could be something his family follows like a religion thing or something and he feels like marrying an Afrikaner may interfere with that.
I agree with Jazmine’s response to her quote on p. 162 because that quote really shows the importance of farming and crops and back in the day, crops made lots of money due to the goods they carried. To this day, people still continue to farm and grow crops because it’s a very good source in terms of making money and sruviving.
I strongly agree with Shannon Griffith’s quote regarding the importance of color because color doesnt determine a persons personality nor their actions, but yet at the same time people let it divide them because they don’t understand where the other person come from in terms of discussing color and judging where it does and doesn’t fit in.
-Yes, I should like it to be peter
-And if it is a daughter?
-No, if it is a daughter, i have not thought of any name.
It was a tradition from the old times for the family to wish for a son (usually as a first born) for it symbolizes their leadership and carrying their family name. There were many old stories where female daughters were killed since they didnt “need” them.
“The little boy was there , the red dress and the white turban were there. But Gertrude was gone.”
In my prospective, the colors that the author chose to be abandoned by Gertrude symbolizes red for loyalty (leaving everyone to run away), and white for purity or anything angelic wise that is good; she left all that behind.
“nothing is every quiet,except for fools.”This quote is so true.I interpret it as people who dont speak up for themselves never get a voice.The ones who stay quiet may or may not get recognized.If you dont have a voice then you are basically a nobody. In the society we live in today everyone has to speak up for themselves and speak on what they want and how they want it.Everything is pretty straight forward and based all around opinions.
“pain doesnt go away quickly”.I so truly agree with this quote. Pain never ends. Everyone takes pain in a different way. Some pain people may need to get them in the right track it might be for the good.I encountered many times of pain, mainly around deaths and they helped me be the person I am today.
I totally agree with KB2191 a law should be fit for everyone. Laws are made for a reason and that reason is to protect the people.So if laws are made for example in this book, that are not equal to everyone how would their society be an equal society.
“It is not permissible to add to one’s possesions if these things can only be done at the cost of other men. Such development has only one true name, and that is exploitation.”
- Alan Paton, Chapter 20
i think that this qoute means how a persons flaws shouldnt be added to because then it will cover up who they truely are. the person cant learn from their flaws unless they see them not cover them up.
“They shook hands, and the captain looked at him.
-Mr. Jarvis. -Yes. -I have bad news for you. -Bad news? Jarvis sat down, his heart beating loudly. Is it my son? he asked? -Yes, Mr. Jarvis. -Is he dead?
-Yes, Mr, Jarvis” (165).
This quote is very powerful. It shows the sensitivity to that men have yet try to keep held within. This quote is also very poetic and descreptive. The way it describes Mr. Jarvis’ pain allows the character to feel for him.
“At the back of the court there were seats rising from the tiers, those on the right for Europeans, those on the left for non-Europeans, according to the custom”. (190)
This quote definitely exemplifies a great deal of apartheid or as American citizens no it, segregation. It’s unfortunate that some countries did not try to take the revolutionary approach as this country is still taking to make their countries better and safer. And most of all equal.
“His own father has sworn that he would disinherit any child of his who married an Afrikaner, but times had changed.”
This quote is quite ironic for the simple fact that the father does not want hi schildren to marry his own race. I believe this is a result to the seperation that it is located all around South Africa. The racist views that exist from the Europeans affected the self-esteem of the African people.
“There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills. These hills are grass-covered and rolling, and they are lovely beyond any singing of it.” (161)
I like this quote because it talks about a different type of Africa we have never seen
“It was permissible as an experiment, in the light of what we knew. But in the light of what we know now, with certain exceptions, it is no longer permissible.” (178)
Even though this is very true it is not always followed. People knew slavery was bad since the beginning, but no one stopped. It spread throughout the world into all different cultures. Those enslaved ended up enslaving others, you would think they know better since they experienced it themselves.
“No second Johannesburg is needed upon the earth. One is enough.” (205)
Indeed no such place should exists in the world, where corruption and oppression runs loosely harming all in its way. Johannesburg has torn up Kumalo’s world. He lost all his self-respect due to all the sins of his family, the members of his family is being disrupted one by one, and his inner-struggle between his faith is faltering.
I disagree with joel (February 25, 2009 at 3:41 am). Money is not everything in the world you can be successful without money. While you need money to survive there are things money cant buy. Whats the point of being successful if you cant share it with anyone. Money cannot bring you a successful family/relationship. It is also the main cause of corruption in the world.
Welcome, Class of 2010! I hope you will find this blog to be a useful, expedient mechanism for sharing your writing and responding to the writing of others. Furthermore, I hope you have some fun! There are some rules, however, of which you must be aware.
First Rule
This blog is educational. It is not a space for chatting with your friends (you have myspace, facebook, bebo, etc. for that). You'll be expected to respond to your classmates' writing, but I want you to think of them more as colleagues than friends on this site. The "fun" mentioned above will be in taking others' ideas to task in friendly debate. Therefore...
Second Rule
Writing on this site is FORMAL. For a GRADE. You will be graded on the content quality of your response, not your grammar. HOWEVER...Grammar mistakes will lead to grammar assignments selected especially for you. The fewer mistakes you make, the fewer grammar check-ups you'll be required to complete.
Third Rule
Text message/Chat abbreviations are just that -- for texting and chatting. You won't be LOL-ing, btw, when I pwn ur grade, lolz! (For the record, I love txt lingo -- and it has its place -- but my job is to teach you to write formally -- not be your bff -- hence the requirement that you write with a formal tone here).
Fourth Rule
Comment on the comments of others, but remember that there's a person behind that comment. People have a tendency to think that it's okay to be cruel online and to "speak" to others in ways they wouldn't speak to others in real life. Remember: I know who you are.
Fifth Rule
Always use the same username in your comments. If you use a name that isn't already known to me, I'll assume you aren't one of my students and I'll delete the comment -- which means you'll have to write it again under your usual username, and that would not be fun.
95 Comments
February 17, 2009 at 3:34 am
Quotes regarding the character Arthur Jarvis.
“Here [Arthur Jarvis] was, day to day, on a kind of mission.” (173)
Jesus Christ is symbolized by the figure of Arthur Jarvis. He is a white reformer who fights for rights of blacks. Like Christ, he is very altruistic and wants to pursue his aims at all costs. This is the quote in which his friend Harrison described him as.
Unforunately, Arthur Jarvis was killed in his house by Absalom, who got entangled in crime. Absalom only wanted to rob Arthur Jarvis, and the homicide is unintentional. Absalom thought that Arthur Jarvis is out and comes into the house with two friends. Startled and afraid, Absalom fires blindly. Absalom later says in court: “Then a white man came into the passage I was frightened. I fired the revolver.” (194)
Absalom’s blind fear was a symbol of the fear, blindness, and misunderstanding between whites and blacks; these were the reasons of racial hatred.
February 17, 2009 at 3:39 am
“Kumalo put his hands with the book on the top of the gate, and he put his head on his hands, and wept bitterly.” (248)
This quote shows a comparison with Adam and Eve who were never able to return to primeval innocence of paradise, likewise Kumalo is permanently changed by his journey to Johannesburg. For this reason the bishop tells him, “Mr. Kumalo, you should go away from Ndotcheni.” Because of the knowledge and understanding he acquires in Johannesburg, Kumalo cannot go back to his old way of life. Also, he experiences compassion and help of generous and benevolent people such as Msimangu along the way.
February 17, 2009 at 3:44 am
“Jarvis sat, deeply moved after reading Arthur’s last paper. Then Jarvis read the Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln, and felt with a sudden lifting of the spirit that here was a secret unfolding, a track picked up again.” (188)
Jarvis was not a bad person but was considered ignorant towards the lives of blacks and the real issues that occurred. After the death of his son Jarvis learns to view blacks as real people. Jarvis reads his son’s papers and suddenly becomes concerned with the ideas expressed by his son and by Abraham Lincoln. Later on, when Kumalo and Jarvis meet, Kumalo stumbles and almost faints because of the shame and guilt he feels. Jarvis doesn’t yet know Kumalo is the father of the criminal, and doesn’t understand Kumalo’s anxiety. However, Jarvis doesn’t dismiss him as a dirty old parson like before. Earlier Jarvis might barely have noticed expressions on the face of a Zulu, but now he has changed enough to recognize that this man does not mean to be rude.
As a result of reading his son’s writings, Jarvis learns about the real problems of South Africa. Most of the whites don’t view blacks as real people and are unaware the problems blacks have to face. Therefore it is easy for whites to oppress blacks.
February 17, 2009 at 6:11 pm
“They shook hands, and the captain looked at him.
-Mr. Jarvis. -Yes. -I have bad news for you. -Bad news? Jarvis sat down, his heart beating loudly. Is it my son? he asked? -Yes, Mr. Jarvis. -Is he dead?
-Yes, Mr, Jarvis” (165).
This scene seemed like it came straight from a movie-Ladder 49. This is the most dreadful news for any parent to hear. Arthur Jarvis must have been one of those successful and intelligent son that left too early. Seems like a cliche, the good die young. What a shame.
February 18, 2009 at 12:54 am
“What does that matter?”
I chose this quote because it stands out to me. It caught my eye right away because it’s something I say all the time. I love to say that to just about everything. Some times I just don’t understand certain things so thats my favorite thing to say.
February 18, 2009 at 1:10 am
” Nothing is ever quiet, except for fools.”
I chose this quote because it stands for something real. This quote has a lot of significance.I agree with this quote because I think only a foolish person would keep their mouth shut. I believe everyone should voice their opinion or just simply speak out on what ever it may be. There is no reason anyone should be afraid to speak out.
February 18, 2009 at 1:43 am
“I am determined. I promise you that.”
I chose this quote because it’s something I like to say. I use it to reasurre people and myself. It really makes me do things and get things done faster. In order for me to have gotten where I’m at now I had to keep repeating those words to my mom and myself.
February 18, 2009 at 8:27 pm
“The other papers were in his son’s handwriting. They were obviously part of some larger whole…” (177).
It was said that Arthur Jarvis was an activist. He defended the people and tried to make their lives easier and more prosperous. He protested the mines and the working conditions, housing, etc. He was like the famous Muckrakers of America during the Industrial Revolution. Arthur is part of something larger than himself.
February 18, 2009 at 8:43 pm
“At the back of the court there were seats rising from the tiers, those on the right for Europeans, those on the left for non-Europeans, according to the custom” (190).
Talk about segregation. Even the court system is divided up based on the fact that your either European or non-European. To me, this is unfair because the White man are living on the African’s land, and all should be treated equally or the other way around. Well, at least non-Europeans are allowed to be juries.
February 19, 2009 at 2:41 pm
“And the people were ignorant, and knew nothing about farming methods.” (pg.162)
This quote shows how imporant farming is and how they need it. Farming is one of the main jobs that brings in money and crops. Some people can not survive with out the crops they grow or even the money they can get from them. The land is one thing he always brings up and shows the importance of it.
February 20, 2009 at 5:25 pm
“Jarvis filled his pipe slowly, and listened to this tale of his son, to this tale of a stranger.” (172)
Jarvis listens to the stories about his son. Things that he never knew and probably never would have if he didn’t die. It’s sad to see that he only seems truly concerned about his son after he dies; when he doesn’t need him anymore. It personally gets to me because this is how I feel my mom treats me. Like James and Arthur , my mother and I never really agree on a lot of things. Her “love” for me shows only if I’m in a bad situation that involves life or death. What does a child do in that situation? As seen in this novel, James and his son were apart. They just separated themselves from each other to the point where a man doesn’t even know his own son.
February 20, 2009 at 7:26 pm
“He pondered over it, and said then, I was very fond of my son, he said. I was never ashamed of having him.” (p.g 171)
This quote shows how much he cared about his son. He loved his son and now that his son is dead he misses him a lot. He thinks about the past and he was never ashamed of his son. i believe family is very important, it’s the one thing you can hold on to.
February 20, 2009 at 8:00 pm
“There are to many of these murders and robberies and brutal attacks.”(p.g 173)
This quote shows the setting in a new light. The author first describes the setting, but now you see the crime that is being commited in the town. Everyone has crime where they live.
February 20, 2009 at 10:29 pm
“The Judge does not make the Law. It is the people that make the Law. Therefore if a Law is unjust, and if the Judge judges according to the Law, that is justice, even if it is not just.” (191)
This quote reflect on the people. The people make the Law according to their rights, needs and wants. Being that this novel takes place in South Africa, the only people that have such rights are white people so, they make the Laws. If the Law states that a black man is guilty because he is black, then the Judge must give him a sentence that is suitable for a guilty black man even if he is innocent. It is his job to abide by the Law and judge by the Law and in doing so he may not actually be doing what everyone agrees on as justice.
February 21, 2009 at 7:31 pm
“The prosecutor seems taken aback for a moment, but the Judge says, and what did you pray there?
-I prayed for forgiveness.” (197)
This quote kind of shocked me also because although they are trying to portray Absolam as a bad person he doesn’t really seem like it. Yet, I didn’t think that he would pray and ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness from Arthur’s family maybe but for him to go to God shows that what his father instilled in him is still there even though he left home a very long time ago.
February 22, 2009 at 4:44 am
When I read Book II I noticed repetition in the first two paragraphs. Book I had almost the same exact words. I think this has something to do with the inability of africans need for change. It also kept talking about the soil and how everything is.
February 22, 2009 at 6:27 pm
And the people were ignorant, and knew nothing about farming methods.” (pg.162)
This quote shows that farming was a major factor of survival.
February 22, 2009 at 6:28 pm
“There are to many of these murders and robberies and brutal attacks.”(p.g 173)
This quote simplifies imagery of the setting. And how the crime is really a major problem.
February 22, 2009 at 11:02 pm
“There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills. These hills are grass-covered and rolling, and they are lovely beyond any singing of it.”
I think this is symbolism. It kind of displays the hills as a better place or “utopia” type and downs Ixopo. The word lovely brings upon a descriptive mage in my mind.
February 22, 2009 at 11:05 pm
“Kumalo put his hands with the book on the top of the gate, and he put his head on his hands, and wept bitterly.” (248)
Kumalo could have thought about his life or how it could have been. He ran away killed a white man and had a child. Instead he could have been in school learning and the touching of the book probably helped him realize the mistake that he made. Having a wife and a son to be child isnt the easy task to tackle but he we learn.
February 22, 2009 at 11:08 pm
The author opens up book 2 the same way he opened up book 1. The hills of Ndotsheni are dry from over-farming and no one knows how to solve the problem. Jarvis overlooks the hills hoping that they could soon come to a solution to the problem.
February 22, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Arthur Jarvis had an essay written. I guess he wishes to be heard at some point so he writes. His father forces himself to read it and without knowing it made him come closer to his son. They disagreed a lot and this essay made him know his son much better.
February 22, 2009 at 11:23 pm
“it is the duty of a judge to do justice, but it is only the people that can be just. Therefore if justice be not just, that is not to be laid at the door of the judge, but at the door of the people, which means at the door of the white people, for it is the white people that make the law.”
Absaloms trial begins. The judges are treated with great respect by all races. Most laws that are created by the white people are often unjust but need to be respected because they are white.
February 22, 2009 at 11:27 pm
“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.”
this quote informs everyone that the color code is what stop us from being great. Color doesnt affect personality nor actions yet many let it divide them.
February 22, 2009 at 11:28 pm
“There are too many of these murders and robberies and brutal attacks.”
This quote goes to show what goes on in Johannesburg. Reverend Stephen Kumalo explained in book 1 that Johannesburg is know for these kind of things and here it is reappearing in book 2.
February 22, 2009 at 11:28 pm
In chapter 25 both kumalo and jarvis meet. This brings a new perspective on both their point of views. This shows us the distance between blacks and whites. It shows us how whites are powerful and strong and how blacks is the opposite of that
February 23, 2009 at 12:34 am
“Here he was, day in and day out, on a kind of mission. And it was he who was killed.”(173)
This quote is very ironic. You would think someone that is on a mission and supposed to be on top of their stuff wouldn’t get killed. This quote just kind of like stood out to me because it’s sort of mind blowing and awkward.
February 23, 2009 at 12:49 am
“Is it strange then that our civilization is riddled through and through with dilemma?”(187-188)
This quote made me realize something. There is no denying that something is always going on in your life whether its good or bad. You get things and people and situations thrown at you for a reason beacuse that’s just what life is all about.
February 23, 2009 at 12:54 am
The truth is that our civilization is not Christian; it is a tragic compound of great ideal and fearful practice, of high assurance and desperate anxiety, of loving charity and fearful clutching of possessions.
Arthur says this in chapter 21 its true what he says that their civilizaton is not christain they keep blacks inferior they are not allowed to be educated and thats unchristian becuase veryone should be allowed to develop their own gifts.
February 23, 2009 at 1:01 am
“There are too many of these murders and robberies and brutal attacks.”
I pick this qoute becuase it was easy and it states all the problems in one nice short snetence.WE will never have peace in this world.
February 23, 2009 at 1:01 am
“If the law is the law of a society that some feel to be unjust, it is the law and the society that must be changed.”(234)
This quote is very true. If people feel that the law is not fair then it’s their job to some how change it. Some laws maybe outragoeus but they exist for a reason.
February 23, 2009 at 3:03 am
“But you had a revolver for frightening?”(196)
The purpose of having a gun is to frighten someone. Guns can not kill people, but the bullet can. I think having a gun is legal, however having bullet is not legal. Having a gun without bullet is harmless.
February 23, 2009 at 3:16 am
“This gold is as rich as any gold that has ever been discovered in South Africa, as rich as anything in Johannesburg.” (200)
This part reminds me about the gold rush in California during 1800’s. Many people travel to California and leaving their family behind to search for golds. During the gold rush, many Native Americans were killed and kicked out of their land. It is wrong for Americans to just treat Native Americans unfairly because they only care for themselves only.
February 23, 2009 at 3:20 am
“No second Johannesburg is needed upon the earth. One is enough” (205)
I agree with this passage because there are many incidents of murder and robbing in the first Johannesburg. Having a second one might cause even more troubles. On the other hand, having a second Johannesburg will allow more space for people to live in city instead of the country side.
February 23, 2009 at 4:41 am
“With them went Athena, holding her goatskin-tippet, precious, unfading, incorruptible, with a hundred dangling tassels of solid gold, neatly braided, worth each a hundred oxen. Through the host she passed, dazzling them with the vision, and filling each heart with courage to wage war implacable and unceasing. In a moment war became sweeter to them than to sail back safely to their own native land.”
This shows that fighting back actually feels good instead of always retreating in situations. Having the courage to “wage war” is different because there was never retaliation.
February 23, 2009 at 4:56 am
“The other papers were in his son’s handwriting. They were obviously part of some larger whole…” (pg.177).
In this quote, I can understand Arthur is a “good” person who always try to defende other people. In his life, he think that he should do something to improve the unjust African society. That’s the reason why he protested the housing conditions of the mines’ workers, ignoring warnings that he was jeopardizing his job as an engineer and maintaining that the truth was more important than money.
February 23, 2009 at 5:00 am
“Pain does not go away so quickly”(189).
This is true. When we get hurt, it’s hard to forget. It leaves a scar behind that takes a long, long time to heal completely. It must be very hard for Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis to accept the fact that their son was killed.
February 23, 2009 at 5:01 am
“At the back of the court there were seats rising from the tiers, those on the right for Europeans, those on the left for non-Europeans, according to the custom” (pg. 190).
When I read this quote, I think it gave me some thoughts. Obviously, it is unfair because Europeans and non-Europeans were blocked off two different parts, eventhough in the court.
I think black people will feel sad about this custom.
February 23, 2009 at 5:02 am
“I was very fond of my son, he said. I was never ashamed of having him”- 171
Its nice that he says he was never ashamed of his son, but just the same i think it was unnecessary to say. Its sort of implying that many people are ashamed of their children, so he felt as though he needed to add that little sentence. He said it almost as though its suprising he wasnt ashamed of his son.
February 23, 2009 at 5:07 am
“Nothing is ever quiet, except for fools.”
I strongly agree with this quote. I personally think it is true. However, I do not think it available in today’s society. In this book, Arthur is able to speak out about his opinion about the unjust society but he did not receive a good result. Today, people will try to keep quiet in some ways in order to keep their comfortable life and money.
February 23, 2009 at 5:08 am
“Its always worse for the mother, jarvis.-Yes”
Not necessarily. In alot of cases yeah, i supose that a mother takes a childs death a little bit harder, but i think its just that men dont burst out and cry. Just LikeJarvis, he didnt seem to show much emotion, yet you could tell he was upset. When they hugged goodbye before she went to sleep, it said that he cried a little bit once his wife started to cry.
February 23, 2009 at 5:28 am
“Nothing is ever quiet, except for fools” (224).
This line is somewhat true. I think it kind of means that you are a fool if you don’t speak out. One might be a fool if s/he knows that something is not right but won’t speak and acknowledge that fact.
February 23, 2009 at 5:28 am
“margaret do you want me to come up with you”
“no my darling, stay and have your drink”
Just like what i said before. I think that Mr jarvis has a hard time showing his emotion. His son just died, and he wants to drink and talk, instead of being with his crying wife. But i know that he’s sad, becuase a couple pages later, when he’s reading his sons memior, he really starts wondering about the murder, and it really upsets him. he starts thinking about what could have happened, things that could have prevented it, its all pretty sad
February 23, 2009 at 5:38 am
“. . . a black woman spoke to them about her call to become a nun and to renounce the world, and how God had taken from her that desire which is in the nature of women” (227).
I don’t really think this is in the nature of women. Not all women want to become a nun and renounce the world. I think what is in the nature of women, like men, is good and bad. If she is a good person, there will always be a little bad in her and vice versa. That’s why no matter how nice she’s nice, when something she doesn’t like happens, like her husband or boyfriend cheated on her, she might go ballistic and plot revenges.
February 23, 2009 at 5:47 am
“But when the dawn will come, of our emancipation, from the fear of bondage and the bondage of fear, why, that is a secret”
The secret is yet to be known. They’re saying they dont know when, they dont know how, but what they do know is that discrimination will end in the future.
February 23, 2009 at 5:51 am
“If the law is the law of a society that some feel to be unjust, it is the law and the society that must be changed.”
I find this quote interesting because how can a society be controlled by one person depending how they feel.. It runs by the majority and if not, then anything can be a law but no society. A law can be unfair sometimes, a law is a law and must be followed.
February 23, 2009 at 6:13 am
this is weird because book II starts off with characters that were not mentioned. Then it was more clear when arthur was mentioned. I thought it was a good way to start the chapter.
February 23, 2009 at 6:15 am
Motif: the setting and how the chapter started with a family and son relationship. Book II started out just like Book I, i thought this was very interesting. It creates interest and that is a good way to capture the reader’s attention. Well it caught mine and thats good enough.
February 23, 2009 at 6:19 am
Absalom was tried guilty and got sentenced to death. This is unfair to him because the law is corrupted by the whites. He had no intentions of killing Arthur. Kumalo can grieve while the guards take Absalom away. John is part of this whole corruption as well. He has power, but don’t use it wisely.
February 23, 2009 at 7:24 am
“But I wish now that I’d known more of him” (175).
This is what Jarvis says to his wife before they go to bed of his son. Parents sometimes are stubborn and don’t take that much interest into their kids lives.In Jarvis’s case , living in a black and white divided country, he knows but wants to deny the fact that its a cold war between the two races and its wrong. As Jarvis himself always says that he is not into that kind of stuff demonstrates his fear of conflicts and complications. He sees courage that he doesn’t have in his son when Arthur is already dead and regrets it.
February 23, 2009 at 7:59 am
Its a irony that Jarvis and Kumalo are from the same area but are at opposite sides: the “better” white side and the “poor” black side. Jarvis’s son Arthur was murdered by Kumalo’s son Absalom, both of the young men went to the city to a better life and both the fathers had but so many clues about their sons lives. Even thought Kamulo and Jarvis may be different men they are very similar. They both lose their sons. They are both returning home with grief for both their lost and the fact that they didn’t know that much of their sons.
February 23, 2009 at 8:22 am
Kumalo as mentioned in the book is a very down to earth man, even thought his son is about to die as beat down as he is he still holds up thanks to his faith and hope. Kumalo is described as a week man physically and sometimes mentally, for instance when he first arrived at the city in book I as if wasn’t “cool” for the city but he was wise. To be brief Kumalo is a very strong man to watch his only son get locked with the knowledge that he was going to get killed.
February 23, 2009 at 4:16 pm
” she isn’t strong , He said . I dont know how she will stand it . page 166
I picked this quote because i can imagine how the mother is going to feel when jarvis tells her that her son his dead.Taking a child away from a mother is the worst thing you can do as a human. The mother in the book does’nt even know her son is dead and she will never see him again.
” She’s wondering captain Even at this distance she knows something is wrong. Page 167
A Mother knows when her child is and danger and also knows when her Husband is in a time for need. Jarvis knew that his wife had some clue that their son was in trouble because she could sense the emotions coming from Jarvis.
”But a boy with a education did not want to work on the farms ” page 163
Any indivisual with an education that they work hard for will not settle with working on a farm. The man with the eduacation should be in charge with of the farm but the harsh reality back then Black educated men was looked over untill equality came to ligth. I belive that no dream is too big you just have to go get it.
February 23, 2009 at 9:55 pm
“At the back of the court there were seats rising from the tiers, those on the right for Europeans, those on the left for non-Europeans, according to the custom”. (190)
This reminds me of aparthied and how strict it was. I don’t know why they have to segragate like this in a court room. Maybe they think that the two groups think differently and they don’t want any corruption or bad influence. Maybe they really think that this segragation will effect the final decisions.
February 23, 2009 at 10:40 pm
“The truth is that our civilization is not Christian; it is a tragic compound of great ideal and fearful practice, of high assurance and desperate anxiety, of loving charity and fearful clutching of possessions. ”
These words are written by Arthur Jarvis and read by his father in Chapter 21. 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 23, 2009 at 10:41 pm
“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. ”
Msimangu makes this statement in Chapter 5 after he welcomes Kumalo to Johannesburg, while discussing the troubles of Gertrude and Absalom. Msimangu explains to Kumalo what he believes has gone wrong with their country: the tribal bonds have been broken, giving young men and women no reason to stay in their villages.
February 23, 2009 at 10:42 pm
“now for all the people of Africa, the beloved country. Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, God save Africa. But he would not see that salvation. It lay afar off, because men were afraid of it. Because, to tell the truth, they were afraid of him, and his wife, and Msimangu, and the young demonstrator.”
These thoughts are part of the novel’s conclusion, as Kumalo keeps his vigil on the mountain while Absalom hangs. 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.
February 24, 2009 at 4:50 am
“Some people said there must be more education, but a boy with education did not want to work on the farms, and went off to the towns to look for more congenial occupation.”
I agree with this quote because no one with a good education is going to take a job that is not that good when they know they can find a better job that is better paying and has better working conditions.
February 24, 2009 at 4:50 am
“His own father has sworn that he would disinherit any child of his who married an Afrikaner, but times had changed.”
This quote sounds a little bit racist to me because the father does not want his own children to marry their own race because he thinks they won’t go nowhere so he is making them feel like it is forbidden for them to even think about marrying someone from their race because he won’t even accept them which makes his kids feel like if they don’t do what he says he won’t love them no more.
February 24, 2009 at 4:51 am
“There are too many of these murders and robbers and brutal attacks.”
This quote gives me an idea of how bad is the place where they live at and it sounds like it is really bad which shows me they are really strong people for trying to overcome all these things and survive all those years.
February 24, 2009 at 4:51 am
“If one could have cried then, don’t go down! If one could have cried stop, there is danger! But there was no one to cry.”
In this quote it shows how they could not count on anyone for protection so they could never ask for help at anytime something bad happened to them so they did not feel protected at anytime.
February 24, 2009 at 4:51 am
“Money is for security, and for dreams, and for hopes, and for purposes.”
I agree with this quote because now these days money is everything no one can make one move without it people would not live how they live now because people don’t know how to function without it as people say “money makes the world go round”
February 25, 2009 at 3:33 am
I just want to start off by saying that I find it very interesting on how the author goes about this book. He first starts off with an adventure kind of flow to the book. Then in the second book it has a whole new different mood to it. I find the transition odd.
February 25, 2009 at 3:41 am
“Money is for security,and for dreams, and for hopes, and for purposes”. I believe this is the best quote in the entire book. I could relate with this quote because I personally go by it. I believe that money is the key to success. You can’t be successful in today’s society without being wealthy.
February 25, 2009 at 3:47 am
“There are too many of these murders and robbers and brutal attacks.” I believe that this quote reflects on society as a whole. People die and get killed everyday. In the news all that is shown is the negativity caused and not positivity resolved. There will always be violence no matter what.
February 25, 2009 at 10:09 pm
I agree with the quote that “Ms. Dynomite” chose …… ” I AM DETERMINED I PROMISE YOU THAT”. This quote is very significant to the average high schoolers’ daily life. An average highschooler tries to convince him/herself that they are determined to finish and to complete work and to be able to hand the actual work in on time.
February 25, 2009 at 10:15 pm
I strongly agree with lily’s perspective about the quote that was on page (189). The quote that states, “pain doesn’t go away so quickly” and this is so very true. This quote struck me alot because in today’s world in which we live in, whether someone hurt you in or outside your family, it gets harder and harder to forgive4 anyone who may have mistreated in any way in today’s society.
February 25, 2009 at 10:20 pm
“Nothing is ever quiet, except for fools” this quote is the prime example of the foolishness and atrocities that conspire all throughout J’Burg.
February 27, 2009 at 5:49 am
“If the law is the law of a society that some feel to be unjust, it is the law and the society that must be changed.”(234)
This quote is very true because if a law that is suppose to represent an entire society is not fair towards everybody, then somebody should figure out a way to change it so that it is equally fair for everybody.
February 27, 2009 at 5:53 am
“Pain does not go away so quickly”(189)
I can relate to this quote because when my Grandma passed away, it took me a very long time before i found a way to somewhat deal with it cause it hurt so much and I couldn’t control it. It still at times is hard to forget it because i share alot of childhood memories with my Grandma that are very hard to forget.
February 27, 2009 at 5:58 am
“I was very fond of my son, he said,. I was never ashamed of having him.” (171)
This quote really stood out to me alot because while reading, it reminded me of the connection I never had with my Father and something I feel that every kid should have with their Fathers as well. I don’t want to say that he was ashamed of me, it’s just that he wasn’t there for me for whatever his purpose be.
March 1, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Book 2
The only thing interesting about book 2 is what happened to Absalom and the result of Gertrude. I felt that it was unfair to sentence Absalom to death. Absalom should have been punished but not as severely. The judge didn’t show any mercy. I believe he was scared and shot Mr. Jarvis by accident. He wasn’t plotting to kill him. But he did plot to rob him, and the court should have focused mainly on the robbing. Also, Absalom came forth and told the truth on his own.
Every one commented on the quote “pain doesn’t go away so quickly.” so I will to. I totally agree. It takes as much time to heal as it does to let pain marinate and sit in your body and soul. I felt a lot of pain coming from Kumalo. His son is dying. His sister is a prostitute and his brother doesn’t care about much just getting ahead. Things eventually turn around. Pain is only temporary. and I feel like you must go through it in order to enjoy whats truly important and what makes you happy.
March 2, 2009 at 6:26 am
Kumalo is strong about his return. He knows that news will spread about his son. He spreads the news first so he can get it over with. He wants people to know and to see if they are willing to accept him or not.
March 2, 2009 at 6:28 am
Arthur’s son visits Kumalo. I wonder what is going on in Kumalo’s mind when he see’s this boy. Does he feel a need to take care of this little boy? Maybe and maybe not, but he does teaches him some Zulu. Maybe thats one way to repent for his son’s sins.
March 2, 2009 at 6:30 am
Kumalo meets Jarvis at the end of the novel. I would assume Kumalo is still feeling guilty, but Jarvis is helping the town. Jarvis is trying to help Kumalo’s village get out of the bad situation. Kumalo thanks him and blesses him. Maybe this can help Kumalo feel more at peace.
March 3, 2009 at 4:45 am
To respond to Julie’s quote regarding the Father talking about the marrying of an Afrikaner of his own children, I don’t think that quote is racist.. its just that he feels that it could be something his family follows like a religion thing or something and he feels like marrying an Afrikaner may interfere with that.
March 3, 2009 at 4:50 am
I agree with Jazmine’s response to her quote on p. 162 because that quote really shows the importance of farming and crops and back in the day, crops made lots of money due to the goods they carried. To this day, people still continue to farm and grow crops because it’s a very good source in terms of making money and sruviving.
March 3, 2009 at 4:58 am
I strongly agree with Shannon Griffith’s quote regarding the importance of color because color doesnt determine a persons personality nor their actions, but yet at the same time people let it divide them because they don’t understand where the other person come from in terms of discussing color and judging where it does and doesn’t fit in.
March 8, 2009 at 11:11 pm
-Yes, I should like it to be peter
-And if it is a daughter?
-No, if it is a daughter, i have not thought of any name.
It was a tradition from the old times for the family to wish for a son (usually as a first born) for it symbolizes their leadership and carrying their family name. There were many old stories where female daughters were killed since they didnt “need” them.
March 9, 2009 at 1:07 am
“And Msimangu said sharply, I am a weak and sinful man, but God put his hands on me, that is all”.
And so even for a moment, a man who has lived all his life full of sin can be forgiven once God places his hands/hope on him.
March 10, 2009 at 1:52 am
“The little boy was there , the red dress and the white turban were there. But Gertrude was gone.”
In my prospective, the colors that the author chose to be abandoned by Gertrude symbolizes red for loyalty (leaving everyone to run away), and white for purity or anything angelic wise that is good; she left all that behind.
March 10, 2009 at 2:07 am
“nothing is every quiet,except for fools.”This quote is so true.I interpret it as people who dont speak up for themselves never get a voice.The ones who stay quiet may or may not get recognized.If you dont have a voice then you are basically a nobody. In the society we live in today everyone has to speak up for themselves and speak on what they want and how they want it.Everything is pretty straight forward and based all around opinions.
March 10, 2009 at 2:12 am
“pain doesnt go away quickly”.I so truly agree with this quote. Pain never ends. Everyone takes pain in a different way. Some pain people may need to get them in the right track it might be for the good.I encountered many times of pain, mainly around deaths and they helped me be the person I am today.
March 10, 2009 at 2:14 am
I totally agree with KB2191 a law should be fit for everyone. Laws are made for a reason and that reason is to protect the people.So if laws are made for example in this book, that are not equal to everyone how would their society be an equal society.
March 16, 2009 at 8:26 pm
“It is not permissible to add to one’s possesions if these things can only be done at the cost of other men. Such development has only one true name, and that is exploitation.”
- Alan Paton, Chapter 20
i think that this qoute means how a persons flaws shouldnt be added to because then it will cover up who they truely are. the person cant learn from their flaws unless they see them not cover them up.
March 17, 2009 at 4:59 am
“They shook hands, and the captain looked at him.
-Mr. Jarvis. -Yes. -I have bad news for you. -Bad news? Jarvis sat down, his heart beating loudly. Is it my son? he asked? -Yes, Mr. Jarvis. -Is he dead?
-Yes, Mr, Jarvis” (165).
This quote is very powerful. It shows the sensitivity to that men have yet try to keep held within. This quote is also very poetic and descreptive. The way it describes Mr. Jarvis’ pain allows the character to feel for him.
March 17, 2009 at 5:03 am
“At the back of the court there were seats rising from the tiers, those on the right for Europeans, those on the left for non-Europeans, according to the custom”. (190)
This quote definitely exemplifies a great deal of apartheid or as American citizens no it, segregation. It’s unfortunate that some countries did not try to take the revolutionary approach as this country is still taking to make their countries better and safer. And most of all equal.
March 17, 2009 at 5:12 am
“His own father has sworn that he would disinherit any child of his who married an Afrikaner, but times had changed.”
This quote is quite ironic for the simple fact that the father does not want hi schildren to marry his own race. I believe this is a result to the seperation that it is located all around South Africa. The racist views that exist from the Europeans affected the self-esteem of the African people.
March 25, 2009 at 6:58 pm
“There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills. These hills are grass-covered and rolling, and they are lovely beyond any singing of it.” (161)
I like this quote because it talks about a different type of Africa we have never seen
March 25, 2009 at 7:05 pm
The Letter on pg. 177
I think it is interesting because it shows that they are smart and he wants to learn alot more stuff and be a bigger “person”
March 25, 2009 at 7:14 pm
“The old tribal system was, for all its violence and savagery, for all its superstition and witchcraft, a moral system” (179)
I feel that its really interesting that they have all that stuff and they think that its moral i find it a little ironic.
March 27, 2009 at 2:59 pm
“I am determined.”
I can’t say that I am always determined, but when it comes to the crucial things in life, I am very determined and I focus on what my goal is.
March 29, 2009 at 7:55 pm
“It was permissible as an experiment, in the light of what we knew. But in the light of what we know now, with certain exceptions, it is no longer permissible.” (178)
Even though this is very true it is not always followed. People knew slavery was bad since the beginning, but no one stopped. It spread throughout the world into all different cultures. Those enslaved ended up enslaving others, you would think they know better since they experienced it themselves.
March 29, 2009 at 8:23 pm
“No second Johannesburg is needed upon the earth. One is enough.” (205)
Indeed no such place should exists in the world, where corruption and oppression runs loosely harming all in its way. Johannesburg has torn up Kumalo’s world. He lost all his self-respect due to all the sins of his family, the members of his family is being disrupted one by one, and his inner-struggle between his faith is faltering.
March 29, 2009 at 8:28 pm
I disagree with joel (February 25, 2009 at 3:41 am). Money is not everything in the world you can be successful without money. While you need money to survive there are things money cant buy. Whats the point of being successful if you cant share it with anyone. Money cannot bring you a successful family/relationship. It is also the main cause of corruption in the world.