In Cry, the Beloved Country, Alan Paton displays a variety of attributes through the well-rounded main character, Steven Kumalo, and utilizes symbols that represent greater things. Throughout the story, Steven Kumalo, a spiritual and genial man, is faced with numerous dreadful situations where he is pushed to his limit and shows several sides of his personality. He is considered a dynamic character because he endures events where he is at a loss of words, at a loss of faith, and at a loss of hope. Steven Kumalo represents more than just a two dimensional persona; he mirrors the characteristics that we, as humans see in ourselves.
Steven Kumalo also is a man of virtue and generosity. Even though he does not agree with his sister’s promiscuous past and his spending money is scarce, Kumalo “bought [Gertrude] a red dress and a white [turban]”. By letting virtue and God lead him in life, Kumalo accepts Gertrude’s past flagitious choices, and helps provide for her future. In another instance, his merit is shown by his refusal to let Msimangu for their taxi ride. Again, although money is scarce, Kumalo appreciates the offer that Msimangu made, but insists “no one must pay but [him]”. This shows that Steven Kumalo is generous not only with his kin, but with others around him.
Although Steven Kumalo is a priest who trusts the Lord to guide him through his path of life, he also loses faith. This shows yet another side of his character. Though God serves as Steven’s support system, “There’s no prayer left in [him]” after he goes through the travail of his son being placed in jail. As a priest, one's faith is always assumed to be intact, even when one's life is falling apart. However, Kumalo lets this bond that he has with God crumbled completely in this one instance, making their relationship forever changed. This is not only a contradiction of himself, but also his faith, the very thing that he stands for the most.
At the beginning of the novel, Steven Kumalo is represented as a good-hearted man of faith and virtue. As his character ventures on through the book, the drastic change of course does not only change Absolom's life, but also his father's. After hearing a sermon by Msimangu, Kumalo is spiritually "recovered". In contrast, by the end of Book I, Kumalo is quite the opposite, Kumalo is "ashamed" for his "cruelty" against Absolom's bride to be. Not only is Kumalo vulgar, he is inconsiderate of her fragile state. People looked towards Kumalo as someone to trust in, someone they could rely on. Now, he is nothing but cruel. The awful circumstances that he has been put in have made his heart cold to people and the world. Though he may feel resentment against himself for his harsh actions, there is no going back. All that Kumalo represented is but a contradiction.
By utilizing symbols that represent greater things, Alan Paton is able to display Steven Kumalo as the well rounded and dynamic character that he is. His struggles with faith and hope contravene with his occupation and life style. Through the toil in his private and personal life with not only his son, but himself; the audience is able to see their own characteristics mirrored.
