Bibilical Illusions With The Novel Cry Essay

biblical reference at bottom the story Cry the lovemaking unsophisticated Many times in literary pieces, allusions argon put in novels, utilise to foreshadow the ending of a book. The c nod off to common types of allusions be those from the bible. This is p imbueably because galore(postnominal) are familiar with the bible and its stories. The object of foreshadowing is to provide a course for the reader to think more nearly the big picture, rather than what is happening page by page. In the novel, Cry the Beloved County, allusions to the Bible are very obvious and hold high significance in the story. The character Absalom channelises trework forcedous similarities to the Biblical Absalom and well-nigh face to be made bring out of the equal mold. Steven Kumalo from the novel and the simple while problem from the bible are tried and true in the same way and nonplus out in the end in the same way.Biblical Absalom is essentially wronged by his half- associate Amnon, when his half brother labored his sis Tamar to sleep with him. Similarly Absalom Kumalo is wronged by his fathers, brothers, son, Matthew, when he leave behind not admit to the court that he was an accessory to slaughter. Basically, both(prenominal) are wronged by a c stomach family member, Biblical Absalom by his brother, and Absalom Kumalo by his cousin. In both stories, though not sh protest in depth, the military personnelpower show a close trusting kinship with the one whom cede wronged them.Before Amnon slept with his sister Tamar, Biblical Absalom would have no ground not to trust his brother, just as Absalom Kumalo would not doubt his cousin whom assist him in the murder. Later on, both workforce find out that, Amnon and Matthew are in it for themselves, not unlike both Absaloms. Absalom Kumalo beam Arthur Jarvis with the intentions of becoming richer. Even though Biblical Absalom k afflictioned his brother for sleeping with his sister, with Amnon dead, Absalom w ould inherit his fathers throne.(Bible p372-380) (Ward pp.188-189) In retrospect, both men were ultimately drive to commit the murder. Absalom Kumalo probably felt that if a albumen man can underhanded him, and deny him money, then he deserves both(prenominal) of his fortune. So because livids men, kept blacks unskilled and did not allow them the same rights, many rebelled against the whites. In the same frame of mind, biblical Absaloms hatred for his brother was built up until he decided to go by with his murder. Even though Absalom Kumalo piquancy the white man on accident, he was doing it for his own gain. He went into thehouse with the intention of larceny and instead shot a white man out of fear. Though it whitethorn chatterm that he regretted what he had done, which he in some ways did, his abuse could not be fully repented. more than any topic he probably wishes for Arthur Jarvis to be alive. He doesnt feels worse about sidesplitting him, he simply does not de mand to deal with the consequences. Biblical Absalom plans out the murder of his brother when he has him over for dinner. uncomplete men regret killing a man that was as family to them. (Bible p372-380) (Davis p184) Biblical Absalom hit his brother Amnon for raping his sister Tamar two years in the premier place.Absalom Kumalo, on the same note, accidentally kill a white man, while attempting to rob him. Absalom Kumalo, like biblical Absalom essentially off his own brother. Arthur Jarvis, the man Absalom Kumalo shot, was like a brother to the black men. He disposed his smell to make a dissimilitude in blacks rights in South Africa. For both men, the act of murder on their part, ultimately led to their own demise. Biblical Absalom killed his brother Amnon and when king David found out that Absalom had thusly killed his brother Amnon. After the murder, both men flee the scene. Absalom Kumalo, runs because the price for killing a white man is high. Biblical Absalom flees bec ause he also knows, that if he stays, hash consequences bequeath be enforced. (Bible p372-380)Eventually, both man are captured and die in an unusual direction against both their fathers wishes. Absalom Kumalo is hung for his crime, so as to compulsive an example. Though, the hanging of Absalom is not so unsung in itself, its almost foretold in the biblical story of Absalom. After biblical Absalom flees his floor on a horse, his head gets caught in a tree while release under. This act is almost too familiar. As biblical Absalom dies with his body off the ground, seek to get down, Absalom Kumalo dies with his head in a noose, and body dangling above the ground. (Bible p372-380) (Davis p184) In the bible, conjecture is developed as a man whom would never speak ill of god. ponder is tested by daimon, who believes that subcontract will curse God if his prosperity is taken away(predicate).Satan kills airs children and all of his livestock, provided Job does not lose his fa ith. Satan then takes away Job health by place boils all over his body. Job at long last become very disappointed with his life and curses the day he was born. This is a holy example of how no man is amend and whenSteven was introduced into Cry, the Beloved Country, he seemed to strive for matinee idol just as Job had in the bible. Job in theory seemed arrant(a) but, Satan turn up Job not to be, just as Stevens family proved him not to be. (Davis pp.265-272) (Bible p572-600) When brought into the story, both Steven and Job seem to be perfect and upright men. Steven, as a simple black minister and Job, as a upright man whom has shown no flaws. Though Stevens flaws are shown early on the novel, Cry, the Beloved County, he is still seen as a undecomposed man.Both men are examples of how bad things sometimes happen to good people. They both try to be the best men they can be, by fixing others mistakes and seek to be good people. Job offered burnt offerings to god everyday for his children who may have cursed god in their wagon and Steven prayed everyday to repent the sins of others and his own. The main thing that made these men eligible to lose so much, was because they had gained so much earlier in life. Though Steven want a rich man, he was far violate off than any man in his village, and Job was a very comfortable man and looked well upon by god. (Davis pp.265-272) (Bible p572-600) Since Job was thought so highly of by God, he was tested by Satan in order to see if he would lose his faith. Steven Kumalo is tested in the same way as Job. Steven receives a garner from a priest informing him with the give-and-take that his sister, Gertrude, is sick.He leaves his normal life in the valley and travels to the city, with the intentions of bringing her home. When he arrives there, he is confronted with the horrifying bracings that she is selling herself to men. Steven goes in search of his son Absalom, and eventually finds him. Absalom had shot a whit e man and is objurgate to be hung. Everything that went on in Jhonnaneburg bear Steven and just like Job, he is tormented to the point where he will get by if anything else were to happen. (Bible p572-600) (Ward p.222) In the end, though both men had lost practically everything they cared about, Steven his son and sister, and Job all his children and his prosperity, but then things got significantly better. Steven loses a son but gains a daughter carrying baby, and his sister Gertrudes son. Job loses all his children but gains ten new children and all his livestock back.Its an enkindle coincidence how both men lose their child or children, but as they regain faith, new children are restored to them. (Davis pp.265-272)(Bible p572-600) Paton employ the name Absalom as an allusion in the story. His aim was probably to allow people to see into the future of Absaloms mortality. When I first read the story of Absalom, I didnt any definite similarities but as the stories start inte rtwining, I understood why he used the name Absalom for Stevens son. Absalom in general was a parsimonious boy, who really thought he merit more and makes the mistake of killing a man which ultimately leads to his own death. Job and Steven, on the other hand, are by and large men who strived to be good men. They were tested with their faith and both men failed, but they do gain their faith back, and their triumph along with it.