Cry , The Beloved Country

 Paton makes Stephen Kumalo a round character throughout book one. He demonstrates this in many ways. He makes the character realistic, and has a good personality.

                Kumalo is an elderly man who has lived all his life in the village of Ndotsheni. He makes Kumalo realistic by giving him flaws that most people have. Most authors give characters weird flaws if any. Kumalo will give in and lie if he has to even though he is a priest. He has a good heart also. Even though it was his son that got caught and admitted that he killed father Jarvis in chapter 14 he told Father Vincent that his son would not need a lawyer because he has already confessed. He also erupts in anger occasionally. He erupted in anger when he figured out it was his son who killed Jarvis.  He erupted in anger at father Vincent but on the other hand he showed his good side later by apologizing for his harsh words toward Father Vincent. So although he erupts in anger occasionally By praying to god  he always repents whenever he speaks unfairly to others.

                Kumalo is also realistic because he has a good side too. Like every human we all have a good and a bad side to our personality. This just makes Paton’s character even more realistic.  He is a quiet, humble, and gentle man with a strong moral sense and an abiding faith in God. He is not perfect, however, and occasionally gives in to the temptation to hurt others with harsh words or lies. Kumalo and his wife are middle class and live in a house with many rooms. They also struggle to pay for their sons schooling and try to afford a new stove. Even though all of this is going on in Kumalo's life he still manages to take care of the people in the modest church of the village he calls home. His determination to help his people in spite of his limitations, make him the moral center of the novel.

                The experience of his son’s wrong doings also changed his character. Kumalo questioned his belief in god. This was his rock bottom point that most people go through in life. That made him more realistic. He questions his belief in god because he claims he hasn't answered his prayers and questions, But later on notices that he was just at a low point in his life. So just like other real people he questions his beliefs and why he thinks certain ways.

Paton does a great job making Kumalo a round character in Cry, The Beloved Country. He gives him characteristics both good and bad he makes him humble and despite his limitations he tries to help other people even though his living isn't that good either having to try to pay for his sons schooling and afford a new stove. He even lets the character hit  a rock bottom in the story when he questions his belief in god. Overall Stephan Kumalo is a great round character.