In the book Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton, many characters seek forgiveness. Absolom, Gertrude and Arthur Jarvis all stray from what they have been taught. This is ultimately how they seek redemption. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayAbsolom grew up in the valley with a pastor for a father. He moves to Johannesburg and abandons all the moral values ​​he had learned growing up. After shooting Arthur Jarvis, he said: "I only have this to say that I love this man but I didn't want to kill this man, I was only afraid." (Paton 202) Even though he shot a man, which went against everything he had been taught, he asked for forgiveness and redemption for his actions. He knew he did something wrong, and he knew he knew he shouldn't do that and that's why he asks for forgiveness. Gertrud, being Stephen Kumalo's sister, grew up in the same house as him and therefore had the same morals. Similar to Absolom, she abandoned these moral values ​​when she moved to Johannesburg. When Kumalo went to town to see his sister, the narrator says: “Nor could he expect her to talk with him about the deep things that were happening in Johannesburg; for it was among those very things which saddened and perplexed him that she had found. his life and his profession. (Paton 92) This quote refers to the life Gertrude leads and the job she has. She prostitutes herself and brews alcohol. This goes completely against the Christian morals in which she was raised. She asks for forgiveness because this life she leads goes against her Christian upbringing and the morals by which she lived. James Jarvis also went against what he was taught as a child, but it was for the best. He was raised not to associate with non-Europeans, but now he asks for forgiveness by acting against that idea. He sent a letter to a partner of Arthur's who had worked with him for equal treatment of non-Europeans. The letter said "Do whatever you and Arthur wanted to do. If you would like to call upon the 'Arthur Jarvis Club', I would be delighted." (Paton 247) On the back of the letter, there was a large check attached. It’s James’ way of asking for forgiveness by giving back to a cause he once stood against. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Absolom, Gertrude and James Jarvis all sought redemption. They had also all strayed from what they had been taught, some for the worse and some for the better..