Stephen Kumalo Character Analysis in Cry, the Beloved Country

A black parson, and one of the novel’s protagonists. Stephen is a religious man who has spent his entire life in his rural community, for which he cares very deeply. He is humble, devout, and on a journey of understanding. His visit to Johannesburg – the first in his life – is overwhelming, but with the help of those around his, he makes his way through every step. Stephen suffers when he faces questions to which he cannot learn the answer, and finds his faith tested after his son’s crime, trial, and death sentence. In the end, Stephen comes to peace with his son’s fate and his own disquiet as he prays on the mountainside during his son’s execution.

Stephen Kumalo Quotes in Cry, the Beloved Country

The Cry, the Beloved Country quotes below are all either spoken by Stephen Kumalo or refer to Stephen Kumalo. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

The journey had begun. And now the fear back again, the fear of the unknown, the fear of the great city where boys were killed crossing the street, the fear of Gertrude’s sickness. Deep down the fear for his son. Deep down the fear of a man who lives in a world not made for him, whose own world is slipping away, dying, being destroyed, beyond any recall.

Related Characters: , ,

Related Symbols:

Page Number and Citation: 34

Explanation and Analysis:

What broke in a man when he could bring himself to kill another? What broke when he could bring himself to thrust down the knife into the warm flesh, to bring down the axe on the living head, to cleave down between the seeing eyes, to shoot the gun that would drive death into the beating heart?

Related Characters: (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 109

Explanation and Analysis:

The Judge rises, and the people rise. But not all is silent. The guilty one falls to the floor, crying and sobbing. And there is a woman wailing, and an old man crying Tixo, Tixo. No one calls for silence, though the Judge is not quite gone. For who can stop the heart from breaking?

Related Characters: , ,

Page Number and Citation: 226-227

Explanation and Analysis:

He had come to tell his brother that power corrupts, that a man who fights for justice must himself be cleansed and purified, that love is greater than force. And none of these things had he done… He turned to the door, but it was locked and bolted. Brother had shut out brother, from the same womb had they come.

Related Characters: ,

Page Number and Citation: 236

Explanation and Analysis:

… he prayed for his son. Tomorrow they would all go home, all except his son. And he would stay in the place where they would put him, in the great prison in Pretoria, in the barred and solitary cell; and mercy failing, would stay there till he was hanged. Aye, but the hand that had murdered once pressed the mother’s breast into the thirsting mouth, had stolen into the father’s hand when they went out in the dark. Aye, but the murderer afraid of death had once been a child afraid of the night.

Related Characters: ,

Related Symbols:

Page Number and Citation: 239

Explanation and Analysis:

Stephen Kumalo Character Timeline in Cry, the Beloved Country

The timeline below shows where the character Stephen Kumalo appears in Cry, the Beloved Country. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

A child brings a letter to Rev. Stephen Kumalo. She appears hungry, so Stephen sends her to his wife for some food. He... (full context)

Stephen hesitates to open the letter, and shows it to his wife. They ponder who might... (full context)

Understanding/Knowledge vs. Ignorance/Naiveté Theme Icon

After sending the child away, Stephen asks his wife to get the “St. Chad’s” money, so that he may go and... (full context)

Stephen reminds his wife that unlike most Zulus, they only have one son. His wife accuses... (full context)

When Stephen realizes how his anger is hurting his wife, he calms himself and gives in to... (full context)

People who are familiar with taking the train can tell when it will arrive. Stephen, however, arrives an hour early and is anxious about the upcoming journey – how difficult... (full context)

As the train finally approaches, Stephen thanks the man who accompanied him to the station for his help. The man asks... (full context)

Through the window, Stephen speaks to his companion. He asks him why Sibeko did not come and ask for... (full context)

Once the journey has begun, all of Stephen’s fears begin to rise up inside of him – fear for his sister, fear for... (full context)

...train passes through many towns and communities – some magnificent, some broken and sick. Then, Stephen changes trains and soon the names of the towns they are passing through become unfamiliar... (full context)

...train stops at the station, full of thousands of people. There is so much noise. Stephen sees a street full of cars, but remembering the child run over by the car,... (full context)

Suddenly, a young man approaches Stephen. The young man speaks to him in a language Stephen does not recognize. Then the... (full context)

Msimangu tells Stephen that he will be staying with Mrs. Lithebe, who is part of the church. Stephen... (full context)

Msimangu takes Stephen to his room, and asks him some questions about his sister Gertrude—why she had come... (full context)

Then, Stephen tells Msimangu that he is nursing a deeper sorrow. After struggling to get it out,... (full context)

After they are finished speaking, Msimangu brings Stephen to see Mrs. Lithebe, and they make plans to meet tomorrow morning. Stephen marvels at... (full context)

The next morning, Msimangu and Stephen head into Johannesburg to find Gertrude. Msimangu admits that though he is not for segregation,... (full context)

They arrive at Gertrude’s house. Msimangu tells Stephen that he’ll be visiting a parishioner next door, and to come find him when he... (full context)

...her child. Her voice is no longer kind, but full of an unpleasantness that reminds Stephen of the “bad” laughter he heard outside the house. (full context)

Gertrude tells Stephen she has sent for her child. Stephen provokes her by asking her where he can... (full context)

After they are finished praying, Stephen asks if Gertrude knows where Absalom is. She says she is not sure, but their... (full context)

That afternoon, Stephen goes with a truck and fetches them. He is glad when the task is done.... (full context)

Stephen buys Gertrude some new, respectable clothes for herself and her child. He inwardly mulls about... (full context)

It’s a beautiful day, and Stephen is writing a letter to his wife about his adventures in Johannesburg, and how successful... (full context)

...locate John’s carpentry shop. Though he is fatter than when they last saw each other, Stephen recognizes his brother, though not the men with him. John does not recognize Stephen at... (full context)

Stephen inquires after John’s wife Esther, but John says that he hasn’t been married to Esther... (full context)

...and seems to be addressing a crowd that is not there. He tells Msimangu and Stephen that the mines are where all of the money is coming from, but the black... (full context)

Stephen asks John why his wife left. John is vague about the reason, but Msimangu interprets... (full context)

Stephen explains that he has come to fetch Gertrude and to take her back with him... (full context)

...He is not there, but a woman gives them a forwarding address for Absalom. After Stephen has stepped outside, the woman reveals to Msimangu that Absalom was running with a bad... (full context)

The next day, Stephen and Msimangu continue to search for Absalom. They catch a bus after Msimangu assures Stephen... (full context)

A man approaches Stephen and asks him and Msimangu to reconsider taking the bus, because they are trying to... (full context)

As they walk through Alexandra, Msimangu tells Stephen about it, and how it is a place where black men can own property, but... (full context)

...of them may have been too many to question her, making her nervous. He leads Stephen away, and then returns to the house. (full context)

...he is not from the police. He presses her for more information, telling her that Stephen is an old man who is suffering, and that they are only seeking Stephen's son.... (full context)

...dissuade white people from giving the black people rides, which some do. As they drive, Stephen thinks about the kindness of these white people and smiles. Msimangu is also taken with... (full context)

Before they go to the shantytown to find Absalom, Stephen spends some time with Gertrude’s son. Stephen plays with the little boy, telling him stories... (full context)

They visit the shantytown. Stephen is struck by how normal it appears, though he, too, worries about the rain and... (full context)

In Pimville, they locate the girl. She seems wretched and miserable. She tells Stephen that Absalom has been missing for days. Msimangu flies into a rage, telling Stephen to... (full context)

Msimangu tells Stephen that he should rest for the next few days, while he and the man from... (full context)

...mourn his loss. They say that he was a good man. Father Vincent suggests to Stephen that he may know the dead man’s parents, for they live in Carisbrooke, near Ixopo.... (full context)

As he walks back to Mrs. Lithebe’s, Stephen confesses to Msimangu that he is still full of fear. Msimangu offers to pray with... (full context)

...him the police were looking for Absalom. Msimangu tries to deal with this without telling Stephen, but Stephen sees him going out. Msimangu hesitates, but then tells Stephen what he knows.... (full context)

Stephen goes with Msimangu to a home for the blind. As Stephen waits for Msimangu to... (full context)

As he thinks, Stephen comes to the realization that the tribe truly is broken, and cannot be fixed. When... (full context)

Stephen spends the rest of the afternoon with the blind patients. He listens to Msimangu’s service... (full context)

Stephen goes to visit John. John jokes around with Stephen before he hears the news. He... (full context)

When they arrive at the prison, Stephen and John are separated, and each son is brought to them. Stephen tells Absalom that... (full context)

Finally, Stephen asks his son why he chose to do these things. Absalom blames it on his... (full context)

As he is leaving the prison, Stephen finds John. John says that he is going to hire a lawyer for his own... (full context)

When Stephen arrives back at Mrs. Lithebe’s, the young man from the reform school is waiting for... (full context)

Stephen confesses to Father Vincent the range of emotions he is experiencing – a small amount... (full context)

Stephen responds to this bitterly—how could his son not be lost? Father Vincent reminds him that... (full context)

The next day, Stephen goes to visit his son’s pregnant girlfriend. He finds her, and breaks the news of... (full context)

Stephen asks the girl about her parents. As she regales him with the sad story of... (full context)

She promises. Stephen says that he will find her a place to live, not in this place. The... (full context)

...never had any children and so the rooms were empty. She is happy to have Stephen there, because he is a good man, and to have Gertrude and the child there,... (full context)

Stephen asks Mrs. Lithebe if she would also be willing to take in Absalom’s pregnant girlfriend.... (full context)

Stephen brings the girl to Mrs. Lithebe’s. Mrs. Lithebe is pleased with the girl’s manner, and... (full context)

Stephen returns to prison to visit Absalom. Stephen asks after his health, and then asks him,... (full context)

Mr. Carmichael, the lawyer, arrives at Mission House. He talks to Stephen about the trial, and offers to take it pro deo, for God—that is, for no... (full context)

...the day, and after the judge leaves, the whites and backs file out separate doors. Stephen notices that James, the father of the man Absalom killed, is there in the court.... (full context)

...he is reading, there is a knock on the door. Outside is an elderly black minister—Stephen. James does not recognize Stephen, but Stephen recognizes James, and immediately begins to shake. They... (full context)

After the servant departs James presses Stephen, insisting that there must be something else between them, based on Stephen's reaction on seeing... (full context)

The mistress returns. James explains to her that Stephen is looking for the daughter of Sibeko. The mistress says that she had indeed come... (full context)

In the back, Stephen and Msimangu have been listening to John. Stephen is impressed with his brother’s words, telling... (full context)

...she does not wish to be so weak, that she wants to do right by Stephen. She says that she hates Johannesburg and understands it to be toxic, and wants to... (full context)

...suggests that this does not bode well for Absalom, and Mrs. Lithebe agrees. Msimangu and Stephen return home, and Mrs. Lithebe hides the newspaper from him. When Stephen is in his... (full context)

...the ground, weeping. Msimangu and the young white man from the reformatory lead a weak Stephen from the courtroom, breaking the custom of whites and blacks leaving separately. (full context)

Father Vincent, Stephen, Gertrude, Msimangu, and Absalom’s girlfriend go to see him in prison. Absalom seems to believe,... (full context)

...prison chapel. Father Vincent performs the marriage. After it is over, the others leave, and Stephen and Absalom have a talk. Stephen assures Absalom that he will take care of the... (full context)

After they leave the prison, Stephen goes to visit his brother at his carpenter shop. John agrees that it is good... (full context)

That night, there is a going-away party for Stephen. Stephen is distracted, but gives a small speech. Msimangu tells Stephen that he has given... (full context)

Stephen, Gertrude’s son, and Absalom’s wife return home. Gertrude’s son inquires after his mother, but Stephen... (full context)

As they walk, people see Stephen and begin to cry out in happiness that he has returned, that he has been... (full context)

Stephen goes to the church, where many parishioners are waiting for him. He begins to pray... (full context)

Stephen returns home and talks to his wife. He shows her the money from Msimangu. She... (full context)

Stephen knows that Ndotsheni needs help. He prays, but he knows that it’s not enough, so... (full context)

When Stephen speaks with the chief, Stephen explains that he thinks it would be best for their... (full context)

Next, Stephen visits the school’s headmaster. The headmaster politely gives Stephen a perfunctory lecture about why people... (full context)

Stephen hears the sound of a horse, and when he goes outside, he sees a small... (full context)

...eating dinner, a man comes by with milk for the children, sent by James Jarvis. Stephen is beside himself with astonishment and happiness. (full context)

Letters arrive in Ixopo for Stephen. One of them is from Mr. Carmichael. It explains that there was to be no... (full context)

When Stephen goes outside, he sees a strange scene—the magistrate, James Jarvis, and other white men are... (full context)

...children play games around them. The man with the milk makes his delivery, and asks Stephen what they are for, but Stephen says that he does not know. (full context)

...been gone from Ndotsheni for some time. One day, the young boy comes riding by Stephen’s home again. He tells Stephen that soon he will be going to live in Johannesburg.... (full context)

Stephen hears the sound of the horse outside. The boy is outside again. He has ridden... (full context)

Stephen learns from the man who brings the milk that James Jarvis’ wife has just died.... (full context)

...the children are confirmed, rain pours through the roof. After it’s over, everyone goes to Stephen’s house to eat the communal meal. Afterwards, the bishop tells Stephen that he has heard... (full context)

Stephen is overjoyed, and explains that the note is from God. The bishop is skeptical at... (full context)

...developments. The man whose land is eaten up by the damn is resentful, but since Stephen had given him milk that had saved his nephew, he had done it. The dam... (full context)

Napoleon gives Stephen a tour of the developments. He tells him that once the dam is working, Stephen... (full context)

Stephen reflects on this. He asks Napoleon who it is that he does this for, and... (full context)

The day before Absalom is to be executed, Stephen tells his wife that he needs to go into the mountain. She understands. Stephen has... (full context)

...for the new church will be coming shortly. He asks after Napoleon, and then tells Stephen that he is going to be leaving Ndotsheni for Johannesburg. When James asks Stephen where... (full context)

Stephen continues up the mountain. Because he is old, he climbs slowly. He eventually reaches the... (full context)

Stephen falls asleep again, and wakes just before dawn. He wonders about his son, about what... (full context)

Everything you needfor every book you read.

Everything you need for every book you read.

Everything you need for every book you read.

Stephen Kumalo Character Analysis

Stephen Kumalo Quotes in Cry, the Beloved Country

Stephen Kumalo Character Timeline in Cry, the Beloved Country

Everything you need
for every book you read.