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).