In Book 1 of Cry, the Beloved Country, Alan Paton uses descriptions of the land of South Africa in order to symbolize things such as themes and motifs of the story line. The imagery he uses helps the story flow and gives the reader a wonderful mental image of how South Africa was at that time. Also, the land symbolizes the quality of life in each part of South Africa. Paton uses diction and detail to not only give a mental picture, but to foreshadow future events and reflect the story. If Paton left out the descriptions of the land, the novel would not be as powerful as it is.
Alan Paton starts off the book with a whole entire chapter devoted to describing the land of South Africa. He contrasts different parts of the country using antithesis paragraphs. In one paragraph, Paton states that the land is “rich” and “well-tended.” In the next paragraph, he says the land is “bare” and that “too many fires have burned it.” These paragraphs represent the difference between the good and the bad people of South Africa. While some are broken and defeated, others are living in peace and happiness. This also foreshadows future events regarding the battle between good and evil.
Also in Chapter 1, while describing the “rich” land of South Africa, Alan Paton states: “Destroy it and man is destroyed.” This statement could possibly be foreshadowing the fall of South Africa’s nation through racism and Apartheid. By segregating the blacks from the whites, the land is being destroyed. Therefore, man is also being destroyed. Here the land is reflecting the people yet again. As long as the land is being taken care of and “guarded,” the people will be, too.
In Chapter 12, Paton talks about “fear in the land.” Yet again, the land is reflecting as aspect of the story line and emotion of the characters. Also, the appreciation of the land is being questioned. Paton asks, “Who can enjoy the lovely land… when there is fear in the heart?” If the Africans do not love the land, it will become destroyed. Going back to the earlier reference, if the land is destroyed, so are the people. This could be foreshadowing the people of South Africa turning away from their home and destroying their own lives and communities.
It seems to be that right before a significant event happens in the book, a part of the land is described by Paton. The land in general seems to be a foreshadow of the whole entire story line. Whatever the land is doing, the people will experience. If the land is wounded and broken, the people will reflect that. If the land is flourishing, so will its people. Paton’s descriptions of land are a prominent and important part throughout the whole Book 1, and probably will be throughout Book 2 and 3, also.
