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Quote by Alan Paton

“Indeed, mother, you are always our helper." "For what else are we born?”

Work

Set in South Africa, the story follows a black man who returns home to find his son involved in a tragic crime. The narrative delves into the complexities of racial tensions and the impact of apartheid on individuals and communities. more

Author

Alan Paton

Alan Paton, born on January 11, 1903, and died on April 12, 1988, was a renowned South African author and human rights activist. He is best known for his novel 'Cry, the Beloved Country,' which focuses on the social issues of South Africa, particularly the lives of black people under the apartheid system. more

“Have you a room that you could let?" "Yes, I have a room that I could let, but I do not want to let it. I have only two rooms, and there are six of us already, and the boys and girls are growing up. But school books cost money, and my husband is ailing, and when he is well it is only thirty-five shillings a week. And six shillings of that is for the rent, and three shillings of that is for the rent, and three shillings for travelling, and a shilling that we may all be buried decently, and a shilling for the books, and three shillings is for clothes and that is little enough, and a shilling for my husband's beer, and a shilling for his tobacco, and these I do not grudge for he is a decent man and does not gamble or spend his money on other women, and a shilling for the Church, and a shilling for sickness. And that leaves seventeen shillings for food for six, and we are always hungry. Yes I have a room but I do not want to let it. How much could you pay?" "I could pay three shillings a week for the room." "And I would not take it." "Three shillings and sixpence." "Three shillings and sixpence. You can't fill your stomach on privacy. You need privacy when your children are growing up, but you can't fill your stomach on it. Yes, I shall take three shillings and sixpence.”

South Africa Africa Cry The Beloved Country Alan Paton

Book:Cry, the Beloved Country

Source: Cry, the Beloved Country

“It was to the small serious boy that he turned for his enjoyment. He had bought the child some cheap wooden blocks, and with these the little one played endlessly and intently, with a purpose obscure to the adult mind, but completely absorbing.”

Cry The Beloved Country Alan Paton

Book:Cry, the Beloved Country

Source: Cry, the Beloved Country

“Who indeed knows the secret of the earthly pilgrimage? Who knows for what we live, and struggle, and die? Who knows what keeps us living and struggling, while all things break about us? Who knows why the warm flesh of a child is such comfort, when one's own child is lost and cannot be recovered? Wise men write many books, in words too hard to understand. But this, the purpose of our lives, the end of all our struggle, is beyond all human wisdom.”

Life Cry The Beloved Country Alan Paton

Book:Cry, the Beloved Country

Source: Cry, the Beloved Country