The faith and bonding between father and son is weakened by the attraction of Johannesburg. As for Stephen Kumalo and James Jarvis, they are both from Ndotsheni, and both share the prospect of their own traditional ways. Their sons, however, live in Johannesburg because of the city’s wide range of opportunities; Absalom will be able to acquire more money, and Arthur Jarvis will be able to help a wider range of people. When Stephen Kumalo receives the letter regarding his sister, his wife wants him to take their only pounds to Johannesburg. Stephen Kumalo feels that he is obligated to not use the money; he says “How can I use i

t? This money was to send Absalom to St. Chad’s.” (p.38) This quote shows that Stephen Kumalo still expects Absalom to grow up to his standards although not having heard from Absalom for years since he left for Johannesburg. Because of young people’s affinity for Johannesburg’s various opportunities, Absalom abandoned his homeland in pursuit of a new life, to acquire more money. In Absalom’s new life, he must commit crime to be able to survive. In the robbery of Arthur Jarvis’s house, Absalom demands clothes and money. Clothes are a basic necessity; by demanding clothes, it displays that Johannesburg does not ensure the fulfillment of people’s basic needs. Money is Absalom’s desire in Johannesburg, his only way of acquiring it is through robberies. Absalom lacks the proper guidance because he does not want to follow his father’s advice. Absalom is caught and sentenced to death for his crime, along sentencing Stephen Kumalo’s faith in Absalom to an endpoint. Separations of father and son are not always caused by harshness of Johannesburg. James Jarvis and his son Arthur Jarvis are distanced because of their distinct viewpoints. After being informed about Arthur’s death, James Jarvis says, “My son and I didn’t see eye to eye on the native question. In fact, he and I got quiet heated about it on more than one occasion.” (p.170) Like most white people, James Jarvis is not educated about Africans. He shakes hands with a black person for the first time, and he acquiesces with John Harrison’s racist comments. Many white people, including James Jarvis, are taught wrongly about Africans. Arthur Jarvis is different from most white people and his father, Arthur seeks to understand the real story between black and white. Because of this, Arthur Jarvis is more understanding towards the blacks. James Jarvis wishes for his son to be like him and most white people. South Africa’s misguidance creates people with different view, even for fathers and sons.

Johannesburg is a place where Christian values are lost. Afte

Some topics in this essay:
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