Plot+Summ

//The beautiful and fairest valleys of south africa known for its lovely roads, its rolling and grass-covered hills, its rich-grass and matted soil has changed. Men neglected to keep it, guard it, care for it. Now the land itself turns its back from men. It's no longer keeps men, cares for men. It no longer guards men. The land is now devastated and forsaken by the people that lives in it. By the people that the creator made.//
 * Chapter 1(reynon)**

This chapter talks about the Ixopo which is the the town nerest Stephen Kumalo's village of Ndotsheni. It also talks about many natives leaving the land because they have lost thier basic contact with it and only the old men and women are leave in the valley. the younger peolpe went to the city which is supposed to be somewhat evil so one of thier needs is to restore it. this chapter also shows how sensitive Kumalo is.
 * Chapter 1(lenard)**

The Land that once guarded and cared for the men is destroyed. It no longer “keeps men, guards men, cares for men.” The titihoya doesn’t sing there anymore and the earth is torn away.
 * Chapter 1(Lorreine)**

On chapter 2, a child gives a letter to Reverend Stephen Kumalo. The reverend and his wife were hesitant to open it. They finally opened it. The letter was about Kumalo's sister, Gertrude Komalo, saying that they need to go quickly to Johannesburg because she is very sick. The reverend and his wife takes all their savings so he(kumalo) could go to Johannesburg to see his sister. (the savings were supposed to be for their son). The reverend was burdened about the situation. He goes to the church, kneels down and prays
 * Chapter 2(reynon)**

A small child walks in the house with a letter. Its been a long time since any of Stephen’s family wrote to him. He was surprised to find out that is wasn’t from his family but from an Umfundiri in Sophiatown. Msimangu wrote the letter to inform Stephen of his sister, Gertrude’s health. He immediately takes the money they have saved up to send Absalom to st. Chads. They were a bit upset to realize that everyore who goes to Johannesburg doesn’t come back. Stephen’s wife told him to bring all the money for hospital, doctors, and other troubles he runs into.
 * Chapter 2(Lorreine)**

Rev. Kumalo goes to Johannesburg on a train. From the great valley to the great city of Johannesburg. His greatest fear was not about his sister but about his son because they don't know where he is and he never writes anymore. He fears about his sister's sickness. The fear that "a man who lives in a world not made for him, whos own world is slipping away, dying, being destroyed." p.44. He reads his sacred book (bible) because it is the only thing that gives him peace within.
 * Chapter 3(reynon)**

This chapter talks about the world on the outside and the world in kumalos mind. He worries about his sister and about his son. As soon as kumalo is in the outside world he starts to change. IN his native land he would never try to trick anyone but on the train he tried to make it seem like he was a regular traveler.
 * Chapter3(lenard)**

 Kumalo waits for the Johannesburg train to take him to Carsbrooke. When the train arrived, Kumalo bid farewell to the people who helped him bring his bag to the station. As Kumalo was boarding in the train, one of his companion requests for Sibeko. He said he will do what he can. As the train leaves for the station, all his old fears came back. His worries about the city and his family came rushing through his head. The mist covered the path to Johannesburg but, Kumalo pays no attention to what was happening around his surroundings. He was too anxious to see his sister, Gertrude, and the expenses it would cost him to treat his sister. However, what concerned him most was Absalom.
 * Chapter 3(Lorreine)**

The forth chapter shows the life and fear that was fed by memories of the great Zulu wars of the past and how the blacks outnumbered the whites. As Kumalo travels from his native district to Johannesburg, things change in the speech patterns. The native Zulu names are replaced with Afrikaner names. Kumalo is faced with bringing his personal family back together. There can be no tribal unit until the basic family unit is restored or something like that.
 * Chapter 4**

As Kumalo rode on the train to Johannesburg, He discovered many unfamiliar things. He was baffled by the new environment; the cars, busses, tunnels, and buildings were all new to him. When he finally reached Johannesburg and stepped out of the train, a young man approached him. He offered to help him get on a bus to Sophiatown. Still confused and tensed with everything, Kumalo walked with the young man to the bus station. He told Umfundisi to wait in line while he gets his ticket. He waited patiently in line, moving closer and closer to the front of the line. He eventually left realizing that the young man is not coming back. He walks over to the corner where the young man went. It was just as he suspected, He wasn’t there. Then, Kumalo meets an elderly man. Luckily, he was going to Sophiatown as well, and he helped Kumalo get on the bus. At last, the reached Sophiatown and stopped at Msimangu’s place.
 * Chapter 4(Lorreine)**


 * Chapter5(Lenard)**

In this chapter kumalo is tries to put his personal life together. Msimangu will effect kumalos life more than any other person in the book. He stands for unselfishness, devotion to others, and service to humanity. It also talks about a black man being trapped in two worlds and niether the black man or the white man can replace what is lost.

Kumalo found refuge in a house of an old woman named Mrs. Lithebe. A good member of a church in Johannesburg. She is an Msutu but speaks Zulu well. He went into a room where a table was laid and met many priests, both black and white. They ate together. He was nervous because he saw lots of plates forks and knives and observed what the others did and used the things likewise. They started asking Kumalo where he was from and what it was like there. A black priest was from Ixopo too and asked him how is it there. Kumalo told them how the land is sick. "tribe is broken, and the house is broken and the men is broken." he told them how they went away and never came back. When they went to their private rooms...Msimangu and Kumalo talked about Kumalo's sister. Msimangu said shes very, very sick but its a different kind of sickeness. She is rich from selling liquors and from prostitution. She never found her husband. Msimangu told Kumalo that he will take him where she is staying in the morning.
 * Chapter 5 (reynon)**

Msimangu warmly welcomed Kumalo as he arrived. He had arranged a place for Kumalo to stay in with Mrs. Lithebe for three shillings a week. He also offered him to eat his meals with the mission people. Dinner was served shortly after Kumalo arrived, and the strangeness of the new world faced Kumalo once again as he enters this modern place. The white basin and the mysteriously flowing of the water amazed him. Then, they went into the dining room and sat down. He saw many priests, both black and white, but he sat next to a young rosy-cheeked, white priest from England. He grew scared of the knives, forks, and plates on the table. He observed how the others used it, and used it likewise. After dinner Msimangu talks to Kumalo about Gertrude. He told him how her life has been in Johannesburg. She kept her child in her house where many illegal events took place. She sold liquor and became a prostitute. Gertrude has also been in prison many times. Though he has plenty stories to tell him about Gertrude's life, they still remain clueless of Absalom's whereabouts.
 * Chapter 5(Lorreine)**

kumalo and Msimangu went to the place where his sister is staying. Kumalo knocks on the door and when she opened Kumalo noticed that she has fear in her eyes. "she draws back a step and makes no move towards him[kumalo]" He started talking to her...asking her why she hasnt written and if she found her husband. But she kept silence. She is disturbed and ther is discomfort in her eyes. Then finally Kumalo tells her what he knows. "You have shamed us,....a liqour seller, a prostitute, with a child and you do not know where it is?...how could you do this to us?" She began sobbing uncontrollably. "do you wish to come back?", said Kumalo. She nods her head and tells him that she doesnt like Johannesburg. that the city made her and her child sick. Later that afternoon, Kumalo takes her and her child back to Mrs. Lithebe's place and they found a room for her and her child. that night kumalo held prayers and was very happy that already, the tribe is being rebuild and the house and the soul restored.
 * Chapter 6 (reynon)**

Msimangu accompanies Kumalo to Claremont, where Gertrude lives. Claremount is a city in Johannesburg. It is filthy and has a high poverty rate. Msimangu points out that most children don’t go to school because there is not enough space in the classroom. They were approaching Gerturde house, and as they did fear grew more powerful in Kumalo. Shame and fear covered Gertrude’s face as he faces his brother. Intensity grew in the room as they began to talk. She cried hysterically, and Kumalo still remained hard. However, it didn’t last for too long. He eventually forgave her and they prayed for Gertrude’s soul. Though they had reconciled, Kumalo is left with yet one more problem.
 * Chapter 6(Lorreine)**

Msimangu brings Kumalo to his brother, john’s shop. His brother didn’t recognize him but he was glad to see him. Kumalo then finds out that his brother’s wife has left him and so he married another woman. John explains to kumalo that his experience in Johannesburg has made him see things differently. He says that living in Johannesburg has made him free because back in the village, he had to obey the chief and stuff. Hearing his brother talk to him hurt kumalo because most of what he said was true. Kumalo then asked him about absolom. John said he doesn’t know where absolon or his own son is. They went out to look for Absolom. They went to the textile factory where he was working but when they arrived at the factory, one of absolom’s friend said he hasn’t gone to work for 12 months and then he tells them that he lived with Mrs. Ndlela in sophiatown. When they went to mrs. Ndlela, she said that absolom moved to Alexandra.
 * Chapter 7(reynon)**

Kumalo and his brother John was thinking of away to save their money for eight months. So the next day John was to send his wife a greeting, Kumalo ask his brother well since I do not know her can you tell her that I said hello. Kumalo ask his brother did he know the Reverend Msimangu. Jonh told his brother that everyone knows him, Kumalo began to ask his brother did he re marry and john began to explain that they did not get married in a church. Then John started asking him about his life. Kumalo jump to defense and told his brother that he would never understand how his life work. John starts telling his brother that he make alot of money he make about ten or twelve pounds a week.
 * Chapter 7( Roslyn**)

Gertrude came with Kumalo to Mrs. Lithebe’s house while Kumalo searches for Absalom. The next morning, Msimangu visits Kumalo to begin their search for Absalom. They start by paying John a visit at his shop. Surprised to see his brother, John still welcomes Kumalo. They began to talk about John’s loss of faith in their religion. He said he felt like the chief back in Ndotsheni held him back from what he wants to do. In Johannesburg, he is the chief of his life and no one else controls it, and also he has the power and influence in the society. Kumalo diverted from the conversation and asked if he has seen Absalom. He told him the he doesn’t even know the location of his own son, but he heard news that both of them worked in a textile factory inAlexandra. As they head to Sophiatown, Msimangu tells Kumalo that John was right. In Johannesburg, he is one of the most powerful and influential black men. When they reach the factory, the manager told them that Absalom has not worked there for 12 months, but he used to live in Alexandra with Mrs. Ndela.
 * Chapter 7(Lorreine)**

The next morning Kumalo and Msimangu woke up and wanted to catch the bus to Johannesburg. So they got on a bus, Then two guys saw they and deicide to stop them. One of the guys ask them was they going to Alexandra. Both of them told the guys " yes". Then One of the guys turn to Kumalo and stated explaining to him that they could not catch the bus there because of the boycott. Then the two men went away. Kumalo and Msimangu has a long journey ahead of them, they have to walk eleven miles to get to Alexandra. THey walked alot til they got to a place called European City, up Twist Street to the Claredon Circle and down Louis Botha towards Orange Grove. so some white guy stop and saw they walking and ask they did they want a ride to where they was going, so they hopped in. Then they got to a place were they was talking to the guy about why they was traveling to find Kumalo son. Then out of no were Msimangu got into it with one of the guy and they had to leave and the taxi Msimangu was upset about something. In the taxi Msimangu was hitting himself a cross the chest yelling tell the truth and take me to court as he was hitting himself.
 * Chapter 8 (Roslyn)**

Msimangu and kumalo got on the bus to Alexandra. They are stopped but Dubula, who is an important black leader. He tells them that all the black people are boycotting the bus and persuaded them to walk. As they walked they accepted a ride from a white driver who gladly took to them to their destination. Msimangu explains that in Alexandra, the black people are allowed to own property but its crime rate is very, very high. He continues on, explaining that everyday white people are being killed and stuff. When they arrived at absolom’s knew house, the land owner, Mrs. Mkize was afraid of them and tells them that absolom moved a year ago. Kumalo sensed that something was wrong. When they went to question her again…kumalo swears on his bible that she will be safe and that they will not harm her. Mrs. Mkize then tells the two that absolom and John’s son often come home with tons of money, food, clothes, etc. Taxi driver, Hlabeni tells msimangu that they are living in shantytown in the city of Orlando.
 * Chapter 8(reynon)**

Msimangu and Kumalo rode a bus to Alexandra, but they were stopped by Dubula, a powerful black leader. He informed them of the bus boycott because the fares were raised and becoming very expensive for the lower class people. They then began their 11 mile walk to Alexandra from Johannesburg when stopped by a white driver. He went out of his way to help out two black men. They finally reach the house where Absalom stays. Mrs. Mkieze then tells them that he has not stayed there for a year, and she tell Msimangu the troubles that both boys got into. She hires Hbleni to drive them back in Johannesburg, and during the ride, they asked him questions of Absalom's whereabouts.
 * Chapter 8(Lorreine)**

People are migrating to the great city of Johannesburg. The book says that people look for homes but the listing are long and it’s impossible to get them. Families with homes take in people who are looking for a place to stay. But the rooms fill up. The rooms often contain more than a dozen people. With these many people, there is no privacy. Husbands and wives are seduced by the landowners. There are no guarantees.
 * Chapter 9(reynon)**

People from all over different lands come to Johannesburg. The waiting list to get a house is incredibly long. Shanty town, a place too crowded for families to be raised but it at least provided a roof over their heads. Near Orlando, a new city is build over night to compensate the overly crowded city of Johannesburg. However, new people will come and builds a makeshift houses that angers the state.
 * Chapter 9(Lorreine)**

In shanty town, kumalo and msimangu asked a nurse where absolom is staying and the nurse sends them to this woman named mrs. Hlatshwayo. Mrs. Hlatshwayo says that absolom was sent to the reformatory (juvenile prison). It turned out that absolom isn’t there anymore. They said that absolom was release because he was a good student, his age and good behavior and because of the frequent visits from his pregnant girlfriend. Kumalo and msimangu continued on searching for absolom. They went to this place called Pimville, where absolom’s girlfriend lives. Absoloms girlfriend told them that he left and hasn’t come back.
 * Chapter 10(reynon)**

Before going to Shanty town, Kumalo tries to talk to Gertrude but there was little or nothing to say. He began telling his nephew about Natal.
 * Chapter 10(Lorreine)**

Kumalo and Msimangu make their way to shanty town and was told to go to Mrs. Hlatshyo. She then tells them that Absalom was sent to the reformatory.

At the reformatory, a young white man tells them that Absalom was discharge a month early for good behavior and because his pregnant girlfriend always visited him. The young man takes them to Pimville where Absalom stays while trying to save money to marry his girlfriend. When the got to Pimville, they were welcomed by Absalom's girlfriend. She tells them that he has left a few days ago and he still hasn't come back.

In this chapter Kumalo goes to the town called Shanty Town. In the first part of the story they go and see Gertude and her son. They see how they live and Kumalo do not like the way they are living. After meeting up with his sister ther he meets upi with a friend named Mrs. Lithebe. Kumalo find meets a pregnant girl and he sat down to talk to her. Then Kumalo and his Msimangu go to see Absalom's house.
 * Chapter 10 (Roslyn)**

Arthur Jarvis, a white engineer **and** a crusader for the rights of black south Africans was murdered while he was writing a paper called “the truth about native crimes”. He was shot. He left a widowed wife, a nine year old son and a five year old daughter. Msimangu tells kumalo that the odds that the murderer is absolom are slim.
 * Chapter 11(reynon)**

Msimangu convinces Kumalo to take a few days off while he goes Ezenzeleni. Kumalo was spending a nice, quiet evening in the mission house when the still night was shattered with a news. Artjur Jarvis has been murdered and there is no lead in the case.
 * Chapter 11(Lorreine**)


 * Chapter 11(Roslyn)**

In this chapter Kumalo is thinking about taking a few days from finding this son. The first place they want to go is to see Father Vincent so he can help find his son with him. Kumalo saw this paper and read that Arthur Jarvis was mudered and he had a wife and two kids one nine and five.

South africa has so much voilence that no one can really enjoy the beauty of creation around it. Violence is so rampant that people demand more police and more schools be built in black districts to. More people are fighting for more rights for blacks because they think that it will decrease the violence. others are fighting for more education and oppurtunities. Disagreement between these people hasnt change a thing. the whites are still captive by their fears. In this chapter, Mrs. Ndlela tells msimangu and kumalo that the police came to her looking for absolom. They retraced their steps trying to find out where is absolom and why they are looking for him. The popo also went to absoloms pregnant girlfriend looking for absolom.
 * Chapter 12 (reynon)**

In this chapter Kumalo si talking to himself about how nice is South Africa and what he love the most abotu the place. Then he starts talking abotu that he have to find Absalom so he can find his son. Kumalo first stop is to Mrs. Mkize place then they was going to Shanty Town. Then there last stop is to Alexandra They remembere thay Absalom girlfriend was telling them that the police had visted her.
 * Chapter 12 (Roslyn)**

As the crime rate goes up, people became more and more desperate to find a solution to their problem. Some advocates propose that a better education will help kids stay out of trouble. Others argued that if Blacks had more rights in the society then the crime rate will go down. There are others that say more police are required to help the community stay safe. However, whatever the reason may be, whites still remain behind their fears. The police begins to look for every possible place of Absalom’s whereabouts. After hearing about this, Kumalo begins to retrace his steps back to Alexandra to find his son.
 * Chapter 12(Lorreine)**

Kumalo and msimangu travel to Ezenzeleni, a colony where white South Africans care for blind black South Africans. Msimangu finds Kumalo in despair because we had a lot of things in his mind. He was worrying about his grandson's birth and his own son being a theif and the thought of the murder. His despair erases his hopes and persuades him that the ways of the tribe is forever gone.
 * Chapter 13 (reynon)**

In this chapter Kumalo and Msimangu goes to some town called Ezenzeleni. In this town it has alot of white people and Kumalo was thinking that they will not be welcome in this town. They stop and take a break during this break Kumalo finds himself meditating. Then hes start to think about his grandson (maybe my grandson is being born out of wedlock or something). Then Msimangu started talk to God and asking for help.
 * Chapter 13(Roslyn)**

Kumalo goes to Ezenzeleni with Msimangu to help care for the blind black people. He steps to the side and began to think of all the things that has happened during his journey to the unknown land. His son’s misconduct, his brother’s loss of faith, and the humility of coming back to Ndotsheni with all these thoughts in mind puts him in depression. However, Msimangu quickly reminds him that is a sin.
 * Chapter 13(Lorreine)**

Kumalo finds a man from the reformatory at Mrs. lithebe;s house. the man from the reformatory said that absolom was responsible for the murder of Arther Jarvis. He was the one that pulled the trigger. John's son was also there where the murder took place. kumalo goes to the prison where his son absolom is. Absolom cannot look his father in the eyes because of what he did.
 * Chapter 14(reynon)**

In this chapter Msimangu wants to go to Mrs. Lithebe's house to speak with her. Msimangu founds out that Absalom is in jail for mudering Arthur Jarvis but does not believe it true. The someone told him that Absalom and John son was together when jarvis was muder. Kumalo told Msimangu that he have to go break the news to his brother but he do not know how to do so. Kumalo went to go and vists Absalom in prison and they sat in this room were Absalom told Kumalo that he was afrid of Jarvis trying to get with is girlfriend.
 * Chapter 14 (Roslyn)**

Gertrude’s furnitures are being sold, and Kumalo is covered with fear as he sees Mrs. Lithebe, Msimangu, and the young man at the reformatory approached him. The young man tells Kumalo that Absalom is now indeed in jail for the murder of Arthur Jarvis. They said he was the one who fired the shot but John’s son was with him as well. Absalom and Kumalo were once again reunited in prison’s visiting room. The room grew tenser when they began to speak to each other. Absalom admits to his father that he did shot Jarvis only because he was frightened, but he still wants to marry his girlfriend. John hired his son a lawyer but not Absalom. He said to Kumalo that Absalom is guilty and will not be saved anymore.
 * Chapter 14(Lorreine)**

Kumalo is grievs about the fact that his son is a murderer and that he lacks remorse. He seeks father vincent because he is his only hope.
 * Chapter 15(reynon)**

In this chapter Kumalo wants to go see Father Vincent but before seeing him he wants to go and see a lawyer about cleaning John's son name. Kumalo think to himself that John will not help his son out so he have to do it himself. The first stop that he make is to go and see Father Vincent**
 * Chapter 15 (Roslyn)

Chapter 15(Lorreine) The young man gives Kumalo an advice to seek a lawyer that will defend his son. They need a good lawyer to make sure that John’s son’s statement about not being present at the scene of the crime doesn’t hurt Absalom’s defense, and that he did it for self-defense. Kumalo goes to see Father Vincent. He has a lawyer in mind for Absalom. He will even help arrange their wedding.

kumalo goes to absoloms girlfriends house and tells her that her baby daddy is in prison for murder. Kumalo asks her if she still wants to marry his son. She says that she does but she seemed confuse. She explained why shes the way she is. Her father left her mother because shes a drunkard and her mother obtained a boyfriend. Absoloms girl didnt like her new stepfather..so she left. Kumalo asks her again if she would like to marry his son and she says yes. And then Kumalo asked her if she would liek to live with him and his family to Ndotsheni. She said yes because her wish is to have a quiet life.
 * chapter 16 (reynon)**