Social Injustice in Cry, The Beloved Country: Racism & Inequality

Social Injustice in Cry, The Beloved Country

Social injustice is a central theme in Alan Paton’s novel, Cry, The Beloved Country. Paton, a white South African, grew up in a society deeply divided by race. Despite his father’s racist views, Paton became a strong advocate for social justice and equality.

He fought against discrimination through his work as a teacher and director of a reformatory, where he implemented more humane rules than those imposed by the government. He also used his writing to expose the injustices prevalent in his native country.

Cry, The Beloved Country is a powerful example of his literary efforts to highlight these issues.

Racism and Social Division

Paton’s main objective is to depict the social injustice, racism, and societal division in South Africa, where white people were the privileged class. The novel presents a seemingly objective view of both societies. Whites are portrayed as victims of crimes committed by black people, while black people are depicted as lacking purpose.

The labor conditions for black and white workers are vastly different, with black workers facing much harsher circumstances.

The Plight of Black Workers

Black workers migrated to Johannesburg from their villages, leaving behind their families and communities in search of better opportunities in the mines. They earned meager wages and lived in overcrowded compounds or shanty towns on the city’s outskirts.

White men profited greatly from this system, becoming wealthier while exploiting the labor of black workers. As the novel states, their wealth is ‘based on our backs, on our hard work’.

Examples of Injustice

Gertrude, a black woman and sister of the protagonist Stephen Kumalo, exemplifies the struggles faced by many. Her husband disappeared after going to the mines, leading her to search for him. She eventually resorts to selling liquor and prostitution, highlighting the desperation and lack of opportunities for black women.

Education and Social Control

Initially, Europeans saw no value in educating black people. However, they later realized that it was difficult to live with an uneducated population. Arthur Jarvis’s statement that ‘society must educate its children so that they obey the society’s laws’ reveals the intention to use education as a tool for social control.

Kumalo is shocked to see children not attending school during the day. Msimangu explains that while some children do not care about education, many are unable to attend because the schools are full. This highlights how social injustice deprives children of their right to education.

Economic Inequality

Economic inequality is another significant issue. Arthur Jarvis’s documents reveal the unfair distribution of land, with black South Africans only allowed to occupy certain areas. The land in Stephen Kumalo’s village, Ndotsheni, is depleted due to overgrazing and unsustainable farming practices, further exacerbating the economic hardships faced by the black population.