Cry, The Beloved Country. Gender Roles

    The author uses gender roles consistently throughout the novel. He appoints traditionally female tasks to the women in the book, such as taking care of children, "She went to the kitchen and came back with the child." As a less developed country, South African society continues to view the female role as a mothering, nurturing, stay at home, role. Also, when Stephen Kumalo goes to Johannesburg, he goes because his sister is sick, "This young woman is very sick, and therefore i ask you to come quickly to Johannesburg." Paton creates a situation in which out of two siblings, Stephan's brother and sister, his sister becomes sick because she is the weaker gender. In third world countries, especially over 50 years ago, females are viewed as inferior and expected to raise children, stay home, etc. The effect of these gender roles are to aid us in understanding the time period and why everything happens like it did.