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Paton included messages to his readers in three editions of the novel. He wrote an Author’s Note to the 1948, 1959 and 1987 editions. The purpose of these notes is to share information which will further increase your understanding and enjoyment of the novel. Read these notes to build your background knowledge about the novel before you start reading the text. A summary of the information provided by Paton in each Author’s Note follows.

The 1948 edition: fact or fiction?

Paton mainly distinguishes between historical facts and fiction in his first note to the reader. A road runs from Ixopo to Carisbrooke and one looks down on the valley of the Umzimkulu. This river is called a “great river” but it is a small river in a great valley. The village of Ndotsheni and the farm called “High Place” don’t exist.

The characters in the novel are imaginary, except for two persons. Professor Hoernlé, a Professor of Philosophy at the University of the Witwatersrand who fought for justice, and Ernst Oppenheimer, who, as the leader of a very important mining group, could use his influence to improve the conditions of the miners.

The author incorporates in his story events that really happened as a result of financial and social injustice towards black miners and workers. These events are: the bus boycott; the development of Shanty Town; the discovery of gold at Odendaalsrust and the miners’ strike. Seen from this viewpoint, the novel is a true record of social injustice.

The author explains that he has added a glossary at the end of the novel to increase the reader’s knowledge and pronunciation of unfamiliar words. He also adds statistics about the composition and numbers of the population in South Africa and in Johannesburg at the time.

Test your knowledge and understanding:

Are the following statements true or false? Write true or false in the space provided next to the statements below.

•The valley where the Umzimkulu River runs exists. ________________________________

•The Umzimkulu is a big river. ________________________________

•The village of Ndotsheni exists. ________________________________

•The farm called “High Place” doesn’t exist. ________________________________

•The characters in the novel are real. ________________________________

•The author uses events that really took place in South Africa in the 1940s in his story. __________________________

The Author’s Note below show Paton’s continued concern that his readers should receive updated information about the composition and numbers of the South African population. The signature at the bottom of the note indicates that he was living in the province of Natal in South Africa when he wrote it.

The 1959 edition: updated facts and statistics

Paton updates the statistics about the South African population and its composition. He comments on the tremendous growth of Johannesburg. This city now has one-and-a-quarter million inhabitants. He informs the reader that Mr Harry Oppenheimer has succeeded Sir Ernst Oppenheimer, who died in 1958.

In his last Author’s Note Paton gives information about the novel. He informs the reader where he had written the novel; he explains how the novel got its title, what kind of book it is and what value the novel holds for him and his family.

The 1987 edition: The title, format and value of Cry, the Beloved Country

The author explains that the novel is about South Africa, but that it was not written in this country. It was written in Norway and in America. It was sent to American publishers. Maxwell Perkins, Senior Editor of the publisher Charles Scribner & Sons, accepted the script at once. He told Paton that the land, South Africa, was one of the most important characters in the novel. The author uses questions and answers to structure the rest of his note.

How did the novel get its title?

Paton had a little competition about finding a title for the novel with Aubrey and Marigold Burns, who typed and sent the novel to publishers. All three of them wrote the same title Cry, the Beloved Country on a piece of paper!

Where did the title come from?

The title came from three or four passages in the novel that have the words “Cry, the beloved country”. The author quotes the text of one of these passages in his note. The passage is in Book 1, Chapter 12 (p. 69 in your school edition). Paton explains that he communicates his own love for South Africa in this passage. He explains to the reader that he has used the technique of poetic licence (the freedom of a poet to change rules in order to make a story more effective). The quoted passage offers no suggestions about how one could prevent oneself from loving the country too deeply.

What kind of novel is it?

Paton answers this question by quoting from another book of his: For you the Departed, published in 1969 by Charles Scribner & Sons. He answers that Cry, the Beloved Country is a love song for South Africa which expresses his longing for his country and for an ideal land where there will be no destruction, death, sorrow or crying. He continues to explain that it is a story of the beauty – and extreme fear – of human life.

The value of the novel to him and to his family lies in its worldwide success as a novel. It changed his family’s lives by opening up new opportunities, which they grasped. It has enabled the author to continue writing. He ends this note by expressing his gratitude for the empowering effect that the novel has had on their lives.

Test your understanding:

Answer the questions below. Remember to practise writing in full sentences and to communicate clearly what you want to say.

1.Paton wrote messages in the format of Author’s Notes to his readers. What is the purpose of these messages?

2.What kind of novel is Cry, the Beloved Country, according to the author?