Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton

Alan Paton displays a wide and open variety themes in Cry, The Beloved Country, such themes being the role of a parent and also the theme of religion. At this point in the novel, the role of a parent seems to be the one that is stressed the most. Absalom, the son of reverend Stephen Kumalo, leaves his home, soon after he weaved his way deeper and deeper into a criminal life. As his father, Stephen Kumalo, comes to this realization, he suffers from the guilt of failing his son, Stephen , being a reverend, has a very strong sense of religion and wants to support his son in every way and now is broken down by the thought of failing. Throughout the book Paton shows the ups and down that come with being a parent and how it can affect a child.

Paton eventually shows Stephen's true disappointment and shame to Absalom while he is speaking to Father Vincent. Stephen uses a harsh description, stating that his son is “the greatest evil known,”. This statement being ironic as Stephen is a reverend and does know of much more evil. Although Stephen is said to be an honorable man of God, the world’s trials regarding parenting are causing him to sway away from his beliefs learned throughout his life as a strong christian and also a faint fear of God’s will. Paton strongly pulls into this part of the story, that parenting is tough and a parent cant always be there for their child to show them wrong and right, they eventually end up on their own.

Another theme used by Paton is a theme of religion and also integrity.
A religous them is shown when Stephen os trying to gain his faith back. Vincent , another reverend, tries to push Stephen towards his faith he one had which is that “it is Christ in us, crying that men may be scorned and forgiven, even when He Himself is forsaken.” By Vincent's belief, it is the Christ being in a person that makes men feel they need to take the burden for the sins of others. That being pulled into the story shows that Paton is religious by pulling in obvious religious saying or themes from the bible.

Alan Paton displays many themes from that of a parent's role and also religion. The religious theme playing as a as a large part in the book. Paton brings in content from the christian religion many times in the book along with also displaying a parents role which ties in with the religion. Both themes are used by Paton in his book, both being very effective themes that are both very important matters in the modern society.