Love:The Solution To Fear

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Mary Lyle Date: 2-21-12 Assignment: Essay for first essay question on Cry the Beloved Country test. Love: the Solution to Fear Throughout Cry the Beloved Country fear affects both white and black people. They both fear the consequences of their own actions as well as the actions of the other group. However, Alan Paton describes the solution to this fear, and a few of his characters start putting the solution into action. Mr. Carmichael, Stephen Kumalo, and James Jarvis all use love to overcome their fear. Mr. Carmichael is the lawyer that agrees to defend Absalom. Just the fact that a white lawyer was willing to defend a native suspected of murder is surprising to me, but Mr. Carmichael goes beyond merely defending Absalom. Normally, lawyers cost lots of money, but Mr. Carmichael agrees to take the case “pro deo” (123) which means for God. In other words, he won’t charge anything. Mr. Carmichael’s generosity exemplifies love: the antidote to the fear running rampant throughout South Africa. Another example of love successfully combating fear is Stephen Kumalo’s actions toward Absalom’s wife. Even though it could cost him his reputation, he doesn’t scorn her or leave her to her promiscuous lifestyle. Instead, he has compassion and takes her back to Ndotsheni with him where the villagers receive both the girl and him with open arms. Kumalo also goes back to Ndotsheni with renewed determination to improve the village’s situation. He prays diligently and works to promote the plans that the young demonstrator suggests. Although Kumalo isn’t perfect, he overcomes his hopelessness brought about by fear and allows love to transform his actions. James Jarvis is the most striking example of love overcoming fear. As you’d expect, Jarvis starts out very sad and kind of shocked at his Arthur’s death. He feels that he didn’t even know his son very well. However, he

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