A Good Man

James Jarvis and Stephen Kumalo lives in the novel Cry the Beloved Country are parallel. Both have sons that they haven’t entirely connected with.  Absalom and Arthur were involved with politics in a way that their fathers never would have been. Most importantly, both Jarvis and Kumalo lost their sons. Absalom killed Arthur and for this deed Absalom was sentenced to death. Still, Mr. Jarvis was civil with Stephen Kumalo when they met each other. It would have been very easy for James to blame Stephen for Absalom’s actions. He could have gotten angry and aggressive. Instead he was reserved but not harsh. I think this tells a lot of his character. He is a good man. His political beliefs prior to his son’s death may have indicated otherwise, but those I believe were formed out of ignorance. He was not fully aware of the situation. Like Stephen Kumalo, he was happy with the quiet life of the countryside. He liked the way things were. People fear change. They fear the unknown, and you cannot blame people for their thoughts born from this fear. James Jarvis is a good man.