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  • Essay / Stephen Kumalo's Faith Journey Amidst Apartheid

    For thousands of years, people believed deeply in an omnipotent spirit who watched over them, cared for them, loved them, protected them . A modest priest, sheltered from the world in the South African countryside, finds himself confronted with the glaring reality that permeates the urban jungle when he travels to Johannesburg in search of his son. Surprised by the harsh truths of the ravaged and segregated city, he relies solely on his Christian faith to resist the brutalities that the city welcomes. In Alan Paton's novel, Cry, the Beloved Country, in light of his life as a black South African under apartheid and grief over how his son went astray, Stephen Kumalo's Christian faith l helps him overcome his difficulties by bringing him comfort in his darkest hours. .Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayWhen Stephen Kumalo discovers his son's moral transgression and apparent lack of conscience, he turns to Tixo (the word Xosa for “God”) for comfort in difficult times. After learning of his son's immorality, Kumalo sinks into the depths of despair; however, Msimangu's preaching to the blind at Ezenzeleni restored Kumalo's faith. The tone is hopeful; the Lord “will open the eyes of the blind” and “make darkness light before them” (Paton, 124). By using the contrasting words “darkness” and “light,” the passage expresses the idea that the Lord can cast out evil that encroaches on the truth. From the phrase “hold your hand” and “don’t forsake them,” we can see that in times of trouble, the Lord will not abandon His people and will instead guide them through their difficulties, which Kumalo sorely needs. The atmosphere is inspiring, because even in “darkness”, the Lord does not abandon people; he will “hold your hand” and “lead them in paths,” showing us that the Lord will leave no one behind. Kumalo is “silent,” impressed by the “golden voice” of the man “whose heart was of gold, reading from a book of golden words.” This emphasis on the word "gold" shows that Tixo is the only source of pure truth and light for Kumalo in his "darkness". There are many pauses, reflecting Kumalo's introspection and reflections. At one point during the sermon, he asks numerous rhetorical questions without a clear answer, revealing his search for truth. He finally comes to the conclusion that life is full of mystery and that all that matters is that he is not "abandoned" by Tixo. The saints “will lift up the heart in the days of our distress” and he is “thankful” for this. Reaching this conclusion, he tells Msimangu that he is “cured” of the crippling “darkness” and sees the “light” again. Not only does Kumalo see that Christian faith provides consolation, but he also learns from Msimangu that the only way South Africa can defeat apartheid is through the Christian value of brotherly love between white men. and black. The tone of Msimangu's revelation is serious, as he is aware that apartheid in South Africa led to an imbalance of power between white and black men, which gave way to discontent. This discrimination resulting from the unjust division of power encourages black men to desire to “fix what is wrong” by taking “revenge” (Paton, 71) on white men. The mood here is rather optimistic despite the dark atmosphere. Msimangu presents a solution to compatriots’ “corruption” and thirst for “power”: “love”. There remains “a hope for our country”; Christian love between “white and black men”, while they.