Jbari BonnerMrs. GregoryAP English23 March 2014Period 6General Text Summary: Cry The Beloved CountrySection One: Author and History FactsThe author of Cry the Beloved Country Alan Stewart Paton was born in Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu Natal on 11 January 1903. He is the son by James Paton and Eunice Warder. Neither of his parents had a high level of education, but his father James was deeply religious and used the Bible, and especially the Old Testament, as a basis for knowledge and inspiration. This had a profound impact on Alan as he was encouraged to pursue a quality education. Growing up, Alan admired the works of Walter Scott, Charles Dickens and Rupert Brooke. Paton began his studies at the University of Natal. In 1935 Paton was chosen as director of the Diepkloof Reformatory where he served for thirteen years. This particular experience had a considerable impact on his political growth. During the 1940s, Paton traveled to Sweden, Norway and North America to study prisons and reformatories. Paton began writing his first, and perhaps Paton's most important, novel, Cry the Beloved Country in 1946 in Trondheim, Norway. He concludes the novel on Christmas Eve of the same year in San Francisco. In April 1988, Paton was diagnosed with inoperable throat cancer. He died in Durban on 12 April 1988, writing until his death.Section Two: GenreThe genre of the novel Cry the Beloved Country is obviously a drama, but it has three diverse aspects. The aspects that this novel offers are those of a tragedy, a coming of age and a family drama. Cry the Beloved Country can be turned into a drama because of the constant struggle between Kumalo and his family. Kumalo must face his middle of paper ......gonist at the bottom. The main character of the parallel story to Christ was Arthur Jarvis. Arthur Jarvis was someone who tried to spread his knowledge and influence everyone he met and was considered a missionary. His goal is to spread peace and ultimately leads to his death, just like Christ. Section Sixteen: Letter to the Author Dear Mr. Paton, How are you, Mr. Paton? Where do you currently reside? Well, I won't be long before you; I just wanted to ask a few questions. I always wanted to know, coming from a relatively poor country and family, how to let these things inspire you rather than becoming a product of your environment. I have always been curious! What was it like to see Nelson Mandela rise, fall and return, must it be amazing to witness history fully before your eyes? Well those are all my questions, thanks for the time RegardsJbari Bonner