Cry, the Beloved: Book Review

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Cry, The Beloved City serves not only as the title, but as a symbol for South Africa having to “cry” for both sides (blacks and whites) to see the inequalities that were prevalent in their daily lives. They would use that to progress towards a segregation and racism free country. I believe that the title was appropriate because it was not fear, hatred or rage that enthralled the black population; instead, they are simply fighting for their self-respect and rights as human beings. In my mind, Misimangu had the most meaningful quote in the book when he said, “I see only one hope for our country, and that is when white men and black men . . . desiring only the good of their country, come together to work for it. . . . I have one great fear in my heart, that one day when they are turned to loving, they will find we are turned to hating” (Patton, 36). Not only was Msimangu reffering to whites abusing power, but also black men as well. Essentially he is cautioning John that the power of corruption can take over any man. I believe in that point in time, both the white and black South African’s hated one another because of a malicious circle of inequality. The black population was often persecuted and disrespected and left uneducated and under waged by the minority white population. Racism and inequality was what sparked the black population to resort to crime. Patton depicts the cruel reality of crime and hatred in South Africa through Absolam and his trial. Patton describes the reality of life during that time was extremely progressive for a white author. Patton points out numerous key issues about racism, segregation and crime that few people during that day would dare to write about. Patton shows how the consequences could be detrimental to their society through the likes of Gertrude, Absolam, John and Arthur. Throughout the story we learn that the whites are
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