Paton, who grew up in Pietermartizburg, Natal, South Africa; always enjoyed the beauty around him. At the age of 22, he began a teaching career, first at a native school in the village of Ixopo, then at Pietermartizburg College. Years later he abandoned teaching to begin a career as a reformatory worker. He was appointed principal to the diepkloof reformatory, where he attempted to loosen the restrictions placed on the boys and emphasizes preparation for life outside the reformatory walls. He traveled extensively to study reformatories throughout the world. It was on one of these trips that he was inspired to write cry the beloved country, the novel that made him famous.

In the 1930's and 40's South Africa was a nation torn apart by racial segregation, enforced inequality, and prejudice. A wave of crime, mostly by

Paton created a major conflict in the novel, Cry the Beloved Country. He moves the readers to believe that there is an inner uncertainty within the main characters. He chooses to romanticize and put into perspective the conflict between the Europeans, and the native south Africans. This conflict is one of morality and an undeniable change from old tradition to new ways. As in any society, "change" in general promotes fear. The changing of customs and values created apprehension and fear for both the natives and the Europeans. Out of this conflict, the word and idea of "Apartheid" develops, making life for the native black people full of segregation and racial injustices. Apartheid is forced segregation; it is a form of keeping different racial groups as separate as possible. In this novel, Paton follows the protagonist, Steven Kumalo on a sort of mission to bring back his family from the corrupt influences of the major South African city of Johannesburg. Though afraid of the city, he overcomes his fears and makes a valiant attempt to bring his family back to their native homeland. The story follows the Reverend Kumalo on his journey to find his son. But when he finally finds him, it is too late. His son Absalom became involved in the murder of a white man, and must stand trial. The trial brings to light, and focuses on the injustice in the land. Paton uses this single fictitious event to illustrate the problems that were actually happening at the time of the novel's release. This "wave" of crime that was sweeping through the land was a cry out for help by black natives who only wanted to be given justice, to be treated as equals. Politics in South Africa, dominated by whites led to the extreme poverty of the nat

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Approximate Word count = 1161
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)