Cry Character Analysis - John Kumalo

Argumentative statement:

Fugard conveys through the character John Kumalo the idea that many villagers in South Africa are becoming unhappy with the traditional idea of their tribes. He is a representation of the other South African indigenous people who are going to Johannesburg and never coming back. It is clear that he has become corrupted by the greater sway he holds in the city and the power he has. Because he has power in Johannesburg, he does not want to write to or come home to his family and friends in the tribe and he will not embrace any aspect of the tribe, including the language of Zulu. He asks to speak in English when talking about his experience in Johannesburg to further emphasize that there is a huge disparity between the way of life in the tribe and his new way of life. When asked again to speak in Zulu he becomes enraged and only the peaceful efforts of Stephen calm him. His power and money in the city have changed him into a man who thinks he has it all but in reality has no family or friends to share his joy with besides a mistress who he is not even married to.

Quotes:

1. ¨You people in Ndotsheni do not understand the way life is in Johannesburg. I thought it better not to write¨ (35).
2. “Down in Ndotsheni I am nobody, even as you are nobody, my brother. I am subject to the chief, who is an ignorant man. I must salute him and bow to him, but he is an uneducated man” (35).
3. “‘Perhaps we should speak Zulu again,’ [Msimangu] said. The angry veins stood out on the great bull neck [of John], and who knows what angry words might have been spoken (37).

We chose this picture to represent John Kumalo’s state in life. The beautiful view from the high peak of a mountain represents his wealth and success, but like the man in the picture, he is alone and has no one to share it with. His wife left him, and he abandoned his family in order to earn more money and become more successful.