GRADE 12
ENGLISH FAL
CRY, THE BELOVED COUNTRY (NOVEL)
COMPLETE NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE QUESTIONS &
MEMORANDUMS
ALSO INCLUDED:
STRUCTURE AND PLOT DEVELOPMENT
THEMES
SYMBOLS
DIALOGUE
TONE & MOOD
, Structure and plot development
This section gives an overview of the main plot of Cry, the Beloved Country. The novel is divided into three books and
the plot is developed over the three books. There are other events that happen, such as the stories of John Kumalo,
Gertrude Kumalo and Arthur Jarvis (through his writings). These are called sub-plots. .
Exposition – Book One
• The novel begins with Reverend Kumalo receiving a letter asking him to travel to Johannesburg, as his sister,
Gertrude is ill.
• He decides to undertake the journey as it will give him the chance to look for his son Absalom,who has also
gone to Johannesburg.
• Some of the main characters in the novel are introduced.
Rising action – Book One
• Kumalo travels per train to Johannesburg and is taken to the Mission House where he meets Father Vincent
and Reverend Msimangu. Stephen Kumalo finds out that his sister is running a shebeen and is a prostitute.
John, his brother is involved in politics.
• Kumalo visits Gertrude and is able to convince her to return to Ndotsheni with her young son.
• The search for Absalom takes Kumalo through the streets of Johannesburg and he finds out that he was sent
to a reformatory for theft, where he did well and was released because his girlfriend is pregnant.
• Kumalo reads about the murder of the white activist Arthur Jarvis and is afraid that Absalom is involved.
• Msimangu and Khumalo follow the police as they also try to find Absalom.
Climax – Book One
• Absalom, along with Matthew and his friend Johannes, are arrested for murder. The climax is reached when
Absalom confesses to the murder.
• Kumalo and John visits Absalom in prison and an attorney is arranged for Absalom.
• The girlfriend of Absalom is visited by Kumalo and informed of the upcoming trial of Absalom. Kumalo
suggests the girl marries Absalom and returns to Ndotsheni.
Rising Action – Book Two
• The Jarvis family leave for Johannesburg, after receiving the news of the death of their son.
• James Jarvis reads the half-finished article on social injustice and realizes he did not know his son.
• Tension is created when Kumalo and Jarvis meet each other by accident and realise that they both come
from Ndotsheni. Both attend the trial of Absalom.
Climax – Book Two
• The judge finds Absalom guilty and he is sentenced to die by hanging. This is the main climax of the novel.
• Father Vincent, marries Absalom and his girlfriend in prison.
• Kumalo prepares to go home, but finds Gertrude has disappeared.
Falling Action – Book Three
• Kumalo returns to Ndotsheni with Absalom’s bride and Gertrude’s little son.
• Kumalo tries to get someone to teach farming techniques so that more people will stay in the village and
work the land.
• Kumalo makes friends with Arthur, Jarvis’ son.
• A letter arrives for Kumalo informing him that Absalom will be hanged on the 15th of the month.
• James Jarvis decides to be more involved in the community of Ndotsheni.
Denouement / Resolution – Book Three
• Kumalo goes into the mountain to pray for Absalom.
• The book ends with the dawn breaking and prayer for the country
ENGLISH FAL
CRY, THE BELOVED COUNTRY (NOVEL)
COMPLETE NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE QUESTIONS &
MEMORANDUMS
ALSO INCLUDED:
STRUCTURE AND PLOT DEVELOPMENT
THEMES
SYMBOLS
DIALOGUE
TONE & MOOD
, Structure and plot development
This section gives an overview of the main plot of Cry, the Beloved Country. The novel is divided into three books and
the plot is developed over the three books. There are other events that happen, such as the stories of John Kumalo,
Gertrude Kumalo and Arthur Jarvis (through his writings). These are called sub-plots. .
Exposition – Book One
• The novel begins with Reverend Kumalo receiving a letter asking him to travel to Johannesburg, as his sister,
Gertrude is ill.
• He decides to undertake the journey as it will give him the chance to look for his son Absalom,who has also
gone to Johannesburg.
• Some of the main characters in the novel are introduced.
Rising action – Book One
• Kumalo travels per train to Johannesburg and is taken to the Mission House where he meets Father Vincent
and Reverend Msimangu. Stephen Kumalo finds out that his sister is running a shebeen and is a prostitute.
John, his brother is involved in politics.
• Kumalo visits Gertrude and is able to convince her to return to Ndotsheni with her young son.
• The search for Absalom takes Kumalo through the streets of Johannesburg and he finds out that he was sent
to a reformatory for theft, where he did well and was released because his girlfriend is pregnant.
• Kumalo reads about the murder of the white activist Arthur Jarvis and is afraid that Absalom is involved.
• Msimangu and Khumalo follow the police as they also try to find Absalom.
Climax – Book One
• Absalom, along with Matthew and his friend Johannes, are arrested for murder. The climax is reached when
Absalom confesses to the murder.
• Kumalo and John visits Absalom in prison and an attorney is arranged for Absalom.
• The girlfriend of Absalom is visited by Kumalo and informed of the upcoming trial of Absalom. Kumalo
suggests the girl marries Absalom and returns to Ndotsheni.
Rising Action – Book Two
• The Jarvis family leave for Johannesburg, after receiving the news of the death of their son.
• James Jarvis reads the half-finished article on social injustice and realizes he did not know his son.
• Tension is created when Kumalo and Jarvis meet each other by accident and realise that they both come
from Ndotsheni. Both attend the trial of Absalom.
Climax – Book Two
• The judge finds Absalom guilty and he is sentenced to die by hanging. This is the main climax of the novel.
• Father Vincent, marries Absalom and his girlfriend in prison.
• Kumalo prepares to go home, but finds Gertrude has disappeared.
Falling Action – Book Three
• Kumalo returns to Ndotsheni with Absalom’s bride and Gertrude’s little son.
• Kumalo tries to get someone to teach farming techniques so that more people will stay in the village and
work the land.
• Kumalo makes friends with Arthur, Jarvis’ son.
• A letter arrives for Kumalo informing him that Absalom will be hanged on the 15th of the month.
• James Jarvis decides to be more involved in the community of Ndotsheni.
Denouement / Resolution – Book Three
• Kumalo goes into the mountain to pray for Absalom.
• The book ends with the dawn breaking and prayer for the country
