Blog Journal 8

The use of setting in Alan Paton's Cry, The Beloved Country creates an extended metaphor that connects Kumalo's family with the land. At first, both Kumalo and the setting are described as strong, "Where you stand the grass is rich and matted, you cannot see the soil" (1). However, "[t]he rich green hills break down"(1). Relating to Kumalo, he becomes emotionally and physically frail while learning of his son's wrongdoings. Soon, " [t]he great red hills stand desolate, and the earth has torn away like flesh"(2).

Cry Journal 7

Carlo Petrini is a former food writer who started the organization, slowfood.com
Through slowfood.com, Carlo is trying to change the way the world makes, eats and enjoys food. Community by community all around the globe, Carlo and his company strive to do four major things: defend food biodiversity, develop networks, educate about food and taste, and to connect producers and consumers

The Children of Hope Foundation, founded by Yusuf Kulca, provide kids on the street with food, shelter and much more. In the major Turkish city of Istanbul, many homeless children were neglected by the government, until Yusuf Kulca came along. Although there is much work to be done, Yusuf has created a greater tolerance for the children, and encouraged many other Turkish people to help.

Megan Iskander set up the Care with Love foundation in 2003. Basically, Megan and her team set up houses to train personnel to provide healthcare to the people of the community. The workers go through a 4 month training course. The workers that go to Iskander's courses are from all walks of life, and some even deemed un-employable by other people.

Cry Journal 6

Alan Paton names the characters of Cry, the Beloved Country wisely. For instance, he only relates to the son of Gertrude as Gertrude's son, or the boy. In doing this, you only relate to the boy with Gertrude, so whatever characteristics you associate Gertrude with, you also do with the son. This creates the effect that the boy is a petty or minor character, even though he is related to numerous times. You can assume by doing this, that the boy will be a static character.

Cry Journal 5

Separating the novel into different books has many different effects. First, it adds a new perspective to the story. This allows to see the plot from a different light, showing other opinions, emotions, and maybe completely different parts of the plot. Secondly, it adds more emphasis to the second book. By making it a new book, rather than a chapter, it shows that something important will happen, or that there is a shift of some sort. Finally, it makes the book more interesting. Telling the story from a different point of view is greatly easier to read than from one's perspective the whole book.

Cry Journal 4

Oppression of African-american people:

http://jbs.sagepub.com/content/35/6/802.abstract

Darfur violence:

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Rebel-Group-Urges-Security-Council-to-Help-End-Darfur-Violence-104386584.html

Cry Journal 3

The author uses repetition to make points of emphasis throughout the novel. He repeats the phrases, "have you a room to let?" and "have you a house for me yet?" in chapter 9 (85,86). In doing this, it shows how persistent the people are. They need to be persistent to survive, however. The determination eventually pays off, when a new city is formed by the people, after they take the leftover supplies. Alan Paton also repeats the image of a mother by the sick child. The mother symbolizes hope, protection and peace. The child dies even with the support of the mother. Although tragic, the author accurately portrays the life of the South African people of the time. Reading this, I felt greatly empathetic to the people, who were greatly less fortunate than I am. Thirdly, repetition is used describing the idea that all roads lead to Johannesburg. This is obviously literally not the case, but it shows how greatly important the city is to the culture. It is drawing most of the people in, promising a new life. The population as a whole shifts from living in rural areas to living in the cities. This shift of culture may be significant part of the plot.

Cry Journal 2

Alan Paton characterizes the two genders differently. This has a significant impact on the story. Firstly, he does not even name the females, only Mrs. Name, mother, or wife. The only woman he names is Gertrude, but it is the umfundisi's sister, so that makes sense. The females are also of less importance to the novel. Their role is mainly to keep the household in order. The men are the main characters of the story. Nearly all of the book so far has been about Kumalo and Msimangu's travelings.