View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who reveals to the Jarvises that their son has been murdered?

2. What was the name of the paper Arthur Jarvis was writing about justice for blacks?

3. Who will the lawyer submit a final appeal for mercy to in Absalom’s case?

4. What is the agricultural demonstrator’s attitude toward white people?

5. Which of the following is NOT a reason the Bishop wants to send Kumalo away from Ndotsheni?

Short Essay Questions

1. Compare Arthur Jarvis’ son’s attitude toward Kumalo and by extension blacks, to the attitude of the generations above him.

2. What does Absalom give as his defense for owning a gun when the Judge asks him about it?

3. Briefly summarize Arthur Jarvis’s argument about the responsibility of whites to blacks in the papers James Jarvis reads.

4. Describe how Kumalo reacts when the Bishop tells him he wants to remove Kumalo from Ndotsheni.

5. Describe the incident Kumalo tells his friend about as a way of explaining his idea that James Jarvis is a compassionate man.

6. Describe Barbara Smith’s response to Kumalo’s question about her servant, and explain the significance of James’ translation of this answer to Kumalo.

7. Describe how Napoleon Letsitsi comes to be in Ndotsheni.

8. Describe the reactions of Kumalo, Msimangu, James Jarvis, and the police to John Kumalo’s speech about black mining laborers need to demand more pay for their work.

9. Describe the villagers’ reaction to Kumalo’s return to Ndotsheni, from the time he gets off the train until he reaches the church.

10. Compare and contrast Napoleon’s and Kumalo’s attitudes towards James Jarvis.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the character of Gertrude in the novel. How does Gertrude's character propel the plot of the narrative? What symbolism and imagery connect to Gertrude? What themes does Gertrude's character explore?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the historical context of Cry, the Beloved Country. When was this novel written? What real-life experiences influenced the author in this work? How does the novel reflect upon the political and social atmosphere of South Africa?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,244 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample