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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which character is angriest that Absalom has disappeared?

2. How does Kumalo torture Absalom’s girl at first out of his disgust for her previous lifestyle?

3. Why did Kumalo’s sister originally go to the city?

4. Which of the following is John’s main political agenda?

5. What is the phrase used to describe why the lawyer takes the case without payment?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the government like Msimangu as a preacher? How is he like John Kumalo in his oratory?

2. What does Kumalo tell Father Vincent worries or saddens him about the way Absalom is handling his arrest?

3. How does the first chapter describe the land of the Umzimkulu valley? How does this reflect on the state of the people who live there?

4. What happens to Kumalo as soon as he arrives in Johannesburg? How does this reinforce his feelings about the city?

5. Why does Msimangu apologize to Kumalo after they have met the pregnant girl?

6. Why is Kumalo upset that John Kumalo decides to get a lawyer to defend his own son in the trial about the murder?

7. Explain why Msimangu wants to see Mrs. Mkize alone rather than telling Kumalo after Mrs. Ndlela tells him the police are looking for Absalom.

8. Describe Kumalo’s initial physical reaction when the white reformatory worker comes to apologize. Why does Kumalo behave this way? What effect does it have on the white reformer?

9. How does Gertrude react to seeing Kumalo in Johannesburg? How does she feel about her own behavior, and the prospect of returning to Ndotsheni?

10. Briefly describe the life of the woman who is the protagonist of Chapter 9, living in Orlando’s Shanty Town.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast all the different generational relationships in the novel: James and Arthur Jarvis, John Harrison, Sr. and Jr., Kumalo and Absalom, Gertrude, and Napoleon. Can any broad conclusions be made about the older and younger generations? Why or why not? Based on the representation of the younger generation, is the outlook for South Africa’s future optimistic or pessimistic? Be sure to support your argument with examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the representations of gender and gender expectations in Cry, the Beloved Country. In what ways does inequality extend to gender? What are the impacts of gender inequality and oppression? How is this depicted in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Give examples of literary, religious, or pop-cultural allusions in Cry, the Beloved Country and discuss the importance of each. What is the root of this allusion? How does the work cited connect with the plot/characters/themes in Cry, the Beloved Country?

(see the answer keys)

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