Through a Childs Eyes

At the end of Cry the Beloved Country a change is made among the people of Stephens home. For some time the land had been struggling. There had been little rain and the people were close to death. This children were dying and there seemed to be little hope for those who were meant to go after them. This is an interesting development in this time of need. Due to the changes going on among the people it is clear that their children will help the work of this new world move along. If this generation was to be lost, so was the world that could be possible for the people of South Africa.

          In my family childhood is still a huge part of all our lives. This is not to say that we are childish, but it is true that we hold on to the childish way of seeing some things. I hold on to my childhood very tightly because it was such a simple way of life. I was very lucky to have a wonderful childhood and have very fond memories of it. I find that I love being around children because of the way that they look at the world.

          It is shown in the book that children see differences, not as a bad thing, but as something to explore. This is shown by Jarvis’ grandson. This boy sees that the people around him are suffering. He does not care about the color of their skin, or the riches that they lack. He only sees a problem that he can fix with what he has been given in life.  

          That is the hope that children show us. Seeing a need and wanting to help in any way they can, even if they do not understand the entire problem.   I believe that this is why Stephen wanted so badly to teach the children about the land in school once more. By giving them the means to care for themselves, they could show that the way that things were changing could be a good thing for every one that lived in South Africa. The importance of the land in this case is that those who would take the place of the leaders before them, would have a love for the land, not the riches that it may bring to them. They would see the land, not as something to own, but something that cared for them, and something that they were to take care of.