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Alan Paton Trivia Quizzes

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A South African anti-apartheid activist, Alan Paton published 'Cry, the Beloved Country' only months before the National Party came to power in 1948, and apartheid became official national policy for over 40 years. His other works, which did not gain as much international fame as his first, dealt with similar themes.
4 Alan Paton quizzes and 55 Alan Paton trivia questions.
1.
  Cry, the Beloved Country    
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
This quiz covers the totality of Alan Paton's classic cry for racial justice, "Cry, the Beloved Country." Expect questions relating to historical context, the author, and literary context in addition to more standard plot and charcter questions.
Average, 25 Qns, Lonagan, Jun 19 10
Average
Lonagan
345 plays
2.
  Cry the Beloved Country   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A brief quiz on Alan Paton's most famous novel "Cry the Beloved Country".
Average, 10 Qns, mrw90, Mar 18 08
Average
mrw90
219 plays
3.
  Alan Paton's "Cry the Beloved Country"    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
"Cry the Beloved Country" - a powerful novel about South Africa under apartheid.
Average, 10 Qns, Ramhc, Jul 08 05
Average
Ramhc
201 plays
4.
  Quotes from Alan Paton's 'Cry, the Beloved Country    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some quotes from Alan Paton's 'Cry, the Beloved Country.' I give you the quote, you tell me who said it.
Very Difficult, 10 Qns, SuperRo, Jul 08 05
Very Difficult
SuperRo
215 plays
Related Topics
  Contemporary Literature and Fiction [Literature] (23 quizzes)


Alan Paton Trivia Questions
1. What country does "Cry the Beloved Country" take place in?

From Quiz Cry the Beloved Country

Answer: South Africa

Alan Paton was born in South Africa and was aware of the turmoil it went through and conveyed that through his novels.

2. Who is the main character of this novel?

From Quiz Alan Paton's "Cry the Beloved Country"

Answer: Stephen Kumalo

Stephen Kumalo of Ndotsheni. It is through him that the story unfolds itself.

3. 'Sorrow is better than fear. Fear is a journey, a terrible journey, but sorrow is at least an arriving.'

From Quiz Quotes from Alan Paton's 'Cry, the Beloved Country

Answer: Father Vincent

Father Vincent is trying to comfort Stephen Kumalo.

4. What point of view is this novel written in?

From Quiz Cry the Beloved Country

Answer: third person omniscient

We are given insight into the character's thoughts by the narrator.

5. The first paragraph of the novel, beginning "There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills." is repeated in its exact entirety at a later point. Where does this direct repetition occur?

From Quiz Cry, the Beloved Country

Answer: the first paragraph of Book 2

This paragraph is a major element in tying the book together. The opening paragraph introduces us to the village of Ndotsheni, the people there, and their attachment to the land. It also introduces us to how far the land has been degraded. When we again see this paragraph, as we are introduced to High Place, the contrast from the opening chapter is telling. The land is not so red that when it rains the runoff flows like blood. The ground is in fact soft to the bared foot, etc.

6. In the first chapter, the reverend receives a letter from another reverend. Who is that person?

From Quiz Alan Paton's "Cry the Beloved Country"

Answer: Rev Msimangu

He writes a disturbing letter to Stephen Kumalao.

7. 'I am moved by something that is not my own, that moves me to do what is right, at whatever cost it may be.'

From Quiz Quotes from Alan Paton's 'Cry, the Beloved Country

Answer: Arthur Jarvis

From 'Private Essay on the Evolution of a South African,' which is a fictional essay from the novel, written by the slain Arthur Jarvis. Jarvis was a strong advocate of native rights, which makes his death at the hands of random native violence even more tragic.

8. Who are the two main protagonists of the novel?

From Quiz Cry the Beloved Country

Answer: Stephen Kumalo and James Jarvis

Books one and three are from Stephen Kumalo's point of view and Book two is from James Jarvis's point of view.

9. The Zulu word "Umfundisi" is used in many instances throughout the novel. To whom would this term be directed?

From Quiz Cry, the Beloved Country

Answer: a respected male

This Zulu honorific is used frequently in the book in reference to members of the black clergy. While translations vary from roughly 'uncle' to a member of the clergy, the title is used primarily for members of the Anglican clergy in the novel. In the brief glossary at the end of the most recent American edition the word is translated as 'parson.'

10. Why did the reverend go to Johannesburg?

From Quiz Alan Paton's "Cry the Beloved Country"

Answer: his sister was ill

Rev Msimangu has written from Johannesburg informing him that his sister was ill.

11. 'Pain and suffering, they are a secret. Kindness and love, they are a secret.'

From Quiz Quotes from Alan Paton's 'Cry, the Beloved Country

Answer: Stephen Kumalo

He has had a revelation after all that has happened to him, and this is his revelation.

12. What is the name of Absalom's lawyer?

From Quiz Cry the Beloved Country

Answer: Mr. Carmichael

He takes the case for God.

13. The Rev. Kumalo's son, Absalom Kumalo, is in prison awaiting trial for murder when we first meet him in the book (he is later convicted.) He has two co-defendants, one of whom is related to him. What relation is the co-defendant to Absalom Kumalo?

From Quiz Cry, the Beloved Country

Answer: cousin

Absalom killed Arthur Jarvis when attempting to rob him in his home. Of the two people with him at the time, one of them was his cousin Matthew Kumalo, the son of John Kumalo. Paton magnifies emotions in the novel by placing closely related characters in direct conflict. For instance, the meeting between the brothers Stephen and John Kumalo is obviously given severe weight with both of their sons being accused of the killing of Arthur Jarvis- and one son's defense coming at the expense of the other. This is further magnified by the fact that Absalom's co-defendants are let off and he is the sole recipient of punishment. The inherent conflict of interest adds another layer of complexity to what is already a wrenching situation.

14. Where did the reverend stay in Johannesburg?

From Quiz Alan Paton's "Cry the Beloved Country"

Answer: a room provided by Mrs Lithbe

Mrs Lithe, who is a good friend and caring person, provides a room for Stephen Kumalo during his stay in Johannesburg.

15. '...I have lived my life in destruction.'

From Quiz Quotes from Alan Paton's 'Cry, the Beloved Country

Answer: Stephen Kumalo

Stephen is mourning over the mess his son has made of his life and of the lives of the Jarvises.

16. Who is Stephen Kumalo's guide while he is in Johannesburg?

From Quiz Cry the Beloved Country

Answer: Msimangu

He is a very polite and nice man but he has a bit of a temper.

17. After arriving in Johannesburg, the Rev. Kumalo meets his brother, John Kumalo, who he has not seen for some time. While he figures most prominently as a firey orator against racial injustice, from what occupation does he make his living?

From Quiz Cry, the Beloved Country

Answer: carpenter

John Kumalo has a relatively proserous carpentry firm. Among the black population, he is a wealthy and successful man. He is further renowned in the black community for his politics. He is described as a large bullish man, and his oration borders on the militant as he calls for black equality and enfranchisement.

18. What are the new responsibilities of the reverend when he goes back to his village?

From Quiz Alan Paton's "Cry the Beloved Country"

Answer: looking after his nephew and daughter -in -law

While in Johannesburg, his sister runs away, leaving her son with the Stephen. Absalom, his son who is sentenced to death for murder, marries his pregnant girlfriend before his execution and Stephen ends up looking after her too.

19. 'It was the white man who took us away from the land to go to work. And we were ignorant also.'

From Quiz Quotes from Alan Paton's 'Cry, the Beloved Country

Answer: Napoleon Letsisi

Letsisi holds a strong grudge against the white man, but also against his own people for being too ignorant to effectively resist the takeover of their country by the European whites.

20. What was John Kumalo's job before becoming a politician?

From Quiz Cry the Beloved Country

Answer: carpenter

After he quit being a carpenter he became a wonderful speaker and politician.

21. Though the most significant event on his trip to Johannesburg is the discovery of his son, Stephen Kumalo was actually summoned there for another reason. What was it?

From Quiz Cry, the Beloved Country

Answer: his sister Gertrude is sick

In the opening chapters, the Rev. Kumalo receives a letter from the Rev. Theophilus Msimangu in Johannesburg. It states that his sister is ill and his attention is required. While the letter does not address Absalom, his situation is foreshadowed when the Kumalos agonize over how to pay for the trip. Stephen's wife suggests he take money that had been set aside for Absalom's education on the grounds that he will not return - those who leave for Johannesburg do not come back. Stephen is initially angry at the suggestion but relents, letting the reader know that something bad involving Absalom will likely occur.

22. What was the main theme of this novel?

From Quiz Alan Paton's "Cry the Beloved Country"

Answer: the workings of apartheid

Apartheid is a policy of racial discrimination.

23. 'I have seen a man who was in darkness till you found him. If that is what you do, I give it willingly.'

From Quiz Quotes from Alan Paton's 'Cry, the Beloved Country

Answer: James Jarvis

It is not clear whether he is referring to himself or not.

24. Stephen Kumalo comes from the village of Ndotsheni, populated by Natives (black people.) Above the village there is a farm owned by a white family. What is this farm called?

From Quiz Cry, the Beloved Country

Answer: High Place

The farm High Place is owned by the Jarvis family. James Jarvis is the eldest male in this family, and his son Arthur was killed by Stephen Kumalo's son during an attempted robbery. Arthur's son comes to befriend the Kumalos and the other Natives in the village of Ndotsheni after the characters return to Natal province. The white farms, on the hilltops and possessing good land that has not been overused, stand in stark contrast to the black villages below, whose land is overgrazed and worn out. In one of the novel's many instances of reconciliation, the Jarvis family comes to help the villagers below at the end of the novel.

25. What is the language of the village where the reverend comes from?

From Quiz Alan Paton's "Cry the Beloved Country"

Answer: Zulu

The village spoke Zulu while the city folks spoke Afrikaners.

26. 'That shall be my desire, that is the desire that will be upon me.'

From Quiz Quotes from Alan Paton's 'Cry, the Beloved Country

Answer: Absalom's girl

All the girl wants is a family to love her, and she finds her heart's desire with Kumalo and his wife.

27. Whom does Stephen Kumalo leave his home to find?

From Quiz Cry the Beloved Country

Answer: Gertrude

He is sent a letter saying that Gertrude is ill.

28. Afrikaans, one of the two official languages of South Africa at the time of the novel's writing (English being the other) is most heavily concentrated in the northern region of the country. From which European language did Afrikaans develop?

From Quiz Cry, the Beloved Country

Answer: Dutch

There were two groups of Europeans who came to South Africa in the colonial days, the English and the Dutch. Eventually the English (who occupied the southern parts of South Africa) came to defeat the northern Dutch (Boers) and gain control of the entire area. Afrikaans evolved out of an older form of Dutch, and it is still possible for speakers of modern Dutch and Afrikaans to make one another understood with relative ease. There is a similar, though older, relationship between English and German. In fact, Dutch, English, Afrikaans, and German are all Germanic languages. Italian is more distantly related to all the other named languages, being one of the Romance landguance, descended form Latin, though they are all Indo-European languages.

29. What did the reverend's brother do while he lived in the village and in Johannesburg?

From Quiz Alan Paton's "Cry the Beloved Country"

Answer: he was a carpenter but became a politican in Johannesburg

He was a carpenter but in Johannesburg he becomes a political speaker for the black people. He is good at it but is considered only as a noise maker.

30. 'You save souls, but I save souls also. You see people come into this world and you see them go out. And so do I.'

From Quiz Quotes from Alan Paton's 'Cry, the Beloved Country

Answer: the young man from the reformatory

He is talking to Stephen.

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