"Keep It, Guard It, Care for It"

             Paton constantly describes the scenery of South Africa not only for the purpose of appealing to the senses, but also to identify and establish a point. Throughout the overview of the book, Paton presents the land from various viewpoints and situations. According to google.com, land is a country. Therefore, it can be said that the word country is intrinsic to land, and vice versa.  Hence, the title, "Cry, The Beloved Country" is making a direct reference to its land. Unquestionably then, the land is symbolic with regard to the story, for it foreshadows umfundisi’s journey, assist in creating a serious mood, identifies the major problems within South Africa, and addresses Paton’s overall messages.
         To begin with, the land is symbolic in relation to the story, for it foreshadows umfundisi’s future tragedies. “Below you is the valley of the Umzimkulu, on its journey from the Drakensberg to the sea; and beyond and behind the river, great hill after great hill,” states Paton (33). Shortly after this statement, umfundisi receives news that he would need to travel to Johannesburg due to an emergency. Previously, Umfundisi  resided in Ndotsheni which was quiet, calm, and settle, the opposite of Johannesburg. Therefore, it can be said umfundisi was “from the Drakensberg,” but he eventually took on a journey to Johannesburg, which was the “sea” of unknown and new discoveries. Just as a hill is an challenge to overcome, each “great hill after great hill” mentioned symbolizes the challenges and fights that awaited umfundisi in Johannesburg. Hence, the land foreshadows Kumalo's future circumstances.
           Next, the land is symbolic in relation to the story, for it creates a much needed serious mood throughout the entire book. Paton states regarding the land, “But the rich green hills break down. For they grow red and bare; they cannot hold the rain and mist, and the streams are dry in the kloof. It is coarse and sharp, the great red hills stand desolate, and the lighting flashes over them (33).” Immediately upon hearing this description of the lower valley, one gets a vision of a striped, ruined piece of land. Both the word bare and desolate often has a negative connotation. In fact, according to google.com, each word means “deserted of people.” Therefore, the fact that the land is bare and ruined creates a gloomy and depressed mood. This melancholy mood created by means of the land is necessary, for the overall injustice of the people, which is the one of many themes of the book, is a sad situation.
           Finally, the land is symbolic in relation to the story, for it symbolizes the major problems in South Africa. For example, "There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills,” states Paton, and “Where you stand the grass is rich and matted, you can’t see the soil. But the rich green hills break down. They fall to the valley below, and falling, change their nature.” No doubt, it’s evident that this statement is making a direct reference to the land of South Africa; however, a prevalent problem that exists in South Africa is addressed. As the “hills break down,” a change in society, or treatment of the people, occurs. Thus “the lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills” symbolizes an invisible line of division or segregation between the natives and whites. In this particular instance, the land is symbolic in relation with the primary problem in South Africa, segregation.
         Furthermore, the land is symbolic to Paton’s message, for it identifies and supports his message. For example, Paton states,"too many fires have burned it (34).” The people’s culture existed within the land, and the land had been build up according to their morals and goals. Yet, the fire burned and ruined all the culture that had been embedded within the land. It can be said, the fire symbolizes the whites, along with the injustice system they enforced. Thus, Paton's message here was to show that segregation wasn't effective, nor fair.
        In conclusion, the constant description of South Africa’s kingdom is beneficial. The description of the land foreshadows tragedies, evokes feelings, addresses problems, and support several messages. Both book one and two even open with a similar overview of the land. So, do you think the land is an important feature to the book?  Absolutely, the land of South Africa is not only important the development of "Cry, The Beloved Country," but also to the people of South Africa. Paton goes on to state, “the ground is holy, for it keeps men, guards men, cares for men. Destroy it and man is destroyed. (33).”