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Why does Stephen Kumalo go to Johannesburg?
Stephen Kumalo goes to Johannesburg because he receives a letter from Theophilus Msimangu informing him that Gertrude is ill and needs his immediate assistance. Kumalo also hopes that while in Johannesburg he’ll be able to find his son, Absalom, and his brother, John, neither of whom have written him since they left for Johannesburg. In addition to his worries for the safety of his relatives and the amount of money he will need to spend, his trip to Johannesburg is daunting because the people who go there seem to disappear.
What does it mean that John Kumalo is the voice but not the heart or the brains?
In the trio of activists John Kumalo is a part of, John is called the voice because he is extremely good with his words and a very powerful speaker. However, there is an implicit insult in this nickname. Amongst his friends, Tomlinson is called the brains because he comes up with excellent ideas, and Dubula the heart because he has commitment and sincerity in his actions. John’s words are persuasive, but they are empty and require the cleverness and commitment of the other two to accomplish anything worthwhile.
Why is Arthur Jarvis so respected across different populations in South Africa?
Arthur Jarvis is respected by many different groups of South Africans because he had a sincere interest in the country as a whole. While many South Africans isolate along ethnic and racial lines, Jarvis wanted to communicate with his fellow countrymen, learning Afrikaans, Zulu, and Sesuto [sic]. His interest in Abraham Lincoln, who famously decreed that “a house divided cannot stand,” hints at Arthur’s motivation to bring the country together. Thus, even when his ideas are divisive, his ultimate goal is unification, sowing respect instead of discord. His respect for others makes him popular even amongst those who disagree with him.
Why is only Absalom sentenced to death?
Absalom is the only one of the accused sentenced to death because he is the only one who is honest about his crime. Matthew and Pafuri deny participating, and their lawyers raise legal doubts. They bring in a false witness and dispute the fairness of the lineup that identified Pafuri. Therefore, the judge deems that he has nothing concrete with which to place them at the scene of the crime. Because Absalom and his lawyer insist on telling only the truth, the judge treats Absalom as the sole culprit.
Why does James Jarvis give money to help Ndotsheni?
James Jarvis tells Stephen Kumalo that his wife’s compassion and the memory of their son, Arthur, are the driving forces behind his donations to Ndotsheni. But James Jarvis has also changed his mind on South African politics. While in Johannesburg, James reads Arthur’s writings even when they hurt him and he keeps returning to them. Before parting, he gives money to John Harrison to further the efforts of his and Arthur’s club. Therefore, it seems he is attempting to enact and support Arthur’s beliefs.
