Alan Paton introduces Stephen Kumalo in Cry, The Beloved Country as a well-known priest in his town in South Africa whose close family long ago ventured to the infamous town of Johannesburg, where many go but none return. Over the course of events presented in the novel, Kumalo faces many trials and tribulations that let his personality traits pierce through the pages, such as his his inability to remain rational in times of shock but also his strong morality. Paton's display of the different sides of Kumalo makes him a round character to the reader. In Book 1, Kumalo inevitably succumbs to the corruption of city of Johannesburg and metamorphoses from a man firm in religion who laughed in the face of the Devil to one without a trace of hope or belief in God. This transformation makes him a dynamic character.
Kumalo is a character most of humanity can connect with because he has encountered the universal trials of having a broken parent-child relationship and feeling the intensity of all the emotions today's society also does. Upon meeting his son, Absalom, after years and years of absence in each other's lives, Kumalo discovers he "is a stranger" whom he "cannot touch" or "reach". Though we do not know the extent or strength of the relationship between the father and son prior to Absalom's departure to Johannesburg, we do know that it has deteriorated significantly over time. A loss of relationship is a difficulty most people have struggled through at some point in time. The broken tribe and country, as well as his son committing a homicide, spurred "sadness and fear and hate" that "[welled] up in [Kumalo's] heart and mind". Although the events that caused the variety of feelings are not very common, the feelings themselves are shared by everyone. The experiences and emotions of his character make Stephen Kumalo a real person that everybody can relate to.
Kumalo's main hamartia is focusing his energy on the intense emotions he feels rather than trying to use reason to solve the issues at hand. The accumulation of the shock and hatred and fear welling inside of him saying and doing things to people he otherwise would not say or do, such as the "wish to hurt [his son's girlfriend]" which caused him to ask her if she would accept his marriage if he proposed. Kumalo's head was not in the right place at the time, and an impious act was the result. However, almost instantaneously, Kumalo crumpled with "deep pity" "for his cruelty" and "covered his face with his hands" in shame. Even though it was too late to undo it, he realized his fault and immediately was remorseful and apologized. His conscience was still a driving force in his life. A positive and negative trait of his is seeing the good in everybody and giving people the benefit of the doubt. Upon arriving in Johannesburg, he was "cheated" by a young man who "took [his] pound" promising a bus ticket in return. His naive thinking made him a victim early on in the town. Believing all of man is as generous and sincere as he is not always a good thing. However, seeing the good in people such as Msimangu helped him survive in Johannesburg. Sometimes, the benefit of the doubt can lead you to the right places.
After everything Kumalo has seen and faced, his faith has suffered the most as it is now no longer in tact or existent. Throughout the second half of Book 1, Kumalo's loss of faith is expressed in direct phrases such as "no prayer left in me" and "God has turned away from me". His firsthand experiences with the corruption, crime, and effects of this town in South Africa have pushed his religion to its breaking point and left it in tatters. The many toils that have occurred since he first trekked to Johannesburg have changed him forever, and even if his faith returns, it will not be anything like it once was, be it stronger than ever or demolished forevermore. His heart was much too full of "fear" and "apprehension" to feel anything. His hopeless mentality came from his inability to think or feel in any other way. When one is so consumed with fear and hatred, one cannot function in hope and faith because even that is too much more of a burden to bear.
Stephen Kumalo is a multi-dimensional character that lost his head and his footing in Johannesburg. At the end of Book 1, we are not informed whether or not he finds his way back or not. As of right now, it is up to the reader to infer whether he has the strength and motivation to rediscover a relationship with the Lord, or if he will continue on without Him.
Very nice!
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