copyright 1999, Sirpa Grierson

Absalom, Absalom Faulkner, William.  "Absalom, Absalom."  William Faulkner--Novels 1936-1940.  New York:  The Library of America, 1963. The Sutpen family inherits social injustices for the father.  As a result, Henry Sutpen kills his half brother to prevent him from marrying their sister, Judith.  This is useful for comparing Faulkner's use of the Absalom story with Paton's. An African Explains Apartheid Ngubane, Jordan K.  An African Explains Apartheid.  New York:  Praeger Publishing, 1963. Writings of an anti-apartheid activist in South Africa during the 1960's.  Black Boy:  A Record of Childhood and Youth Wright, Richard.  Black Boy:  A Record of Childhood and Youth.  New York:  Harper and Brothers Pub., 1945. This is a fictionalized autobiography.  Written in the US the same time as Cry, the Beloved Country.  It would be a good comparison with Paton's novel.  Black Liberation:  A Comparative History of Black Ideologies in the United States and South Africa Fredrickson, George M. Black Liberation:  A Comparative History of Black Ideologies in the United States and South Africa.  New York:  Oxford UP, 1995. This book talks about similarities in the forces which drove each Civil Rights movement.  It discusses the differences in the government and how they influenced the success/failure of each. Crime Justice and Race in South Africa "Crime Justice and Race in South Africa" (Oct 13,2000). http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/just/just490/ This website has links to many articles about South Africa and Democracy as well as reports on the current status of apartheid.   Cry, The Beloved Country http://www.gradesaver.com/ClassicNotes/Titles/cry This has a nice summary of the novel as well as major themes and plots. I really like the break down of chapters into sections. Cry, The Beloved Country http://teachwithmoviesguides/cry-the-beloved-country.html I included this site because sometimes it helps to see the story acted out. This site helps the teacher learn how to use the movie with the novel. Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton "Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton" Exploration of Historical and Contemporary Issues of South Africa www.washlee.arlington.k12.va.us/soAfrica/cry.html (Oct 13,2000) A history of events and ideas leading up to apartheid and contributing to Alan Paton's novel. Cry, the Beloved Country "Cry, the Beloved Country" www.fsu.edu/~CandI/ENGLISH/power/cry.htm (Oct 13,2000). A power point presentation about Cry, the Beloved Country. Contains pictures from the movie and many other helpful features. Hofmeyer Paton, Alan.  Hofmeyer.  Capetown:  Oxford UP, 1965. This is a biography on Jan Hedrik Hofmeyer, a great political servant of South Africa.  Paton greatly admired Hofmeyer and wrote it as a tribute to him shortly after his death. "Home is Where the Heart ...Lies" Parker, Kenneth. Transition, 59 (1993): pp. 65-77. This article includes information on as well as short poems by black authors. It would be useful (not full text) as an introduction to Black literature. Hope for South Africa Paton, Alan.  Hope for South Africa.  New York:  Fredrick A. Praegen, Inc, 1959. This is a series of essays explaining why South Africans act the way they do.  Paton uses history events to show what shaped their actions.  Kaffir Boy Mathabane, Mark.  Kaffir Boy.  New York:  Penguin Books, 1986. A true story of a black youth's coming of age in apartheid South Africa. "King Day marked with prayer, volunteerism" Cabell, Brian. CNN interactive. http://www.cnn.com This article talks about the lasting effect that Martin Luther King JR. has had on our nation. It explains why a day is set aside for this man and the ways to celebrate his life with acts of service. Martin Luther King http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/mlk This web site is great place to learn about Martin Luther King Jr. and to read many of his speeches. It also contains links to similar sites. Raisin in the Sun Hansberry, Loraine.  A Raisin in the Sun.  New York:  Random House, 1959. A play written by Loraine Hansberry, an African American, that tells the story of how a son betrays his family.  Some of the comparisons could be made with the themes in this play and Cry, the Beloved Country.  South Africa's Apartheid Era and the Transition to Multiracial Democracy "South Africa's Apartheid Era and the Transition to Multiracial Democracy" www.facts.com/cd/o94317.htm (Oct 13,2000). A chronology of events leading up to the development and eventually the crumble of apartheid. Survival in Justice: An Afrikaner Debate over Apartheid Giliomee, Hermann. "Survival in Justice: An Afrikaner Debate over Apartheid" Comparative Studies in Society and History. V 36 (July 1994): 527-48. A debate over apartheid from the view of an Afrikaner. This article may be useful in showing more than one side of the apartheid issue. Teacher Cyber Guide: Cry the beloved country by Alan Paton Larkin, Elizabeth. "Teacher Cyber Guide: Cry the beloved country by Alan Paton." 1997. http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/cry/crytg.html (Oct 13, 2000). A teacher's guide to teaching and presenting the novel. The Africanders:  A Century of Dutch-English Feud in South Africa Hooker, LeRoy.  The Africanders:  A Century of Dutch-English Feud in South Africa.  Chicago:  Rand McNally, 1900. Documentation and explanation of specific conflicts between rival groups in South Africa. The Apartheid Reader McCuen, Gary E.  The Apartheid Reader.  McCuen Publishing, Inc.  Hudson, Wisconsin 1986. This is a collection of essays concerning the apartheid system, who and how it has effected them, the South African government, and the U.S. involvements with South Africa. "The Beleaguered Country" Hawthorne, Peter. Time, 11 Jan. (1999): http://www.Time.com Hawthorne has written a wonderful article that creates a setting for Cry, The Beloved Country. This article discusses the reasons for crime and how people respond. The Land and People of South Africa Paton, Alan.  The Land and People of South Africa. Philadelphia:  J.B. Lippincott Company, 1964.   Children's book.  Covers the sights and cities of Africa.  Also it discusses the racial tensions in Africa. "The Politics of Linguistic Apartheid: Language Policies in Black Education in South Africa" Reagan, Timothy G. Journal of Negro Education,56:3. 299-312. This article presents vocabulary words for the book and a political unit. It also brings up some questions about the mix of culture, language and race. The article is long, and a bit complicated. But the footnotes are fabulous! Their Eyes Were Watching God Hurston, Zora Neale.  Their Eyes Were Watching God.  New York:  Illini Books, 1978.  Hurston grew up in the rural black South, and spent her life struggling to keep her people's cultural heritage alive. The History of Apartheid in South Africa "The History of Apartheid in South Africa." http://www-cs-students.stanford.edu/~cale/cs201/apartheid.hist.html This website may be helpful in helping students understand the conditions of apartheid. It has some good pictures. "Why African Literature?" Rubardiri, David. Transition, 15. (1964): pp. 39-42. Many students ask why we must even have a "Black Literature" section. This article answers many questions that are still valid issues. It explains why there are different needs in writing (not just black and white.) South African Terrain http://www.sos-childrensvillages.org/cgi-bin/sos/jsp/wherewehelp.do?ci=y&ct=12173&lang=en&nav=2.3&site=ZZ This website gives a brief description of South Africa’s terrain, climate, fauna/flora, history/politics, economy, and culture. Students would find this information meaningful yet easy to take in. Cry, the Beloved Country Advertisements Cry, the Beloved Country. Advertisement. New York Times 2 May 1948: 219. Cry, the Beloved Country. Advertisement. New York Times 28 Mar. 1948: BR18. Cry, the Beloved Country. Advertisement. New York Times 15 Feb. 1948: BR11. These advertisements by Charles Scribner’s Sons for Cry, the Beloved Country ran the same year that the novel was published. Other ads surround the advertisement for Alan Paton’s novel; these ads can add context to the era that Cry, the Beloved Country belonged to. CIA Details of South Africa http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/sf.html This CIA website offers many details of South Africa. It contains some interesting facts such as the prevalence of HIV/aids. This site would give students a great idea of present-day South Africa. “The History Teacher”, by Billy Collins http://www.vasudevaserver.com/home/sites/poetseers.org/html/poet_laureates/bcollins/historyteacher This poem, “The History Teacher”, by Billy Collins would be a great introduction to a novel like Cry, the Beloved Country. The poem mentions the Boer War which would tie in wonderfully with the novel’s historical background. Speaking of Books--Cry, the Beloved Country Adams, J. “Speaking of Books.” New York Times 19 Sept. 1948: BR2. This newspaper article describes Cry, the Beloved Country as “pulling no punches.” This article was written the same year Paton’s novel was published. Students could better understand the context surrounding the novel with the help of this article. Fine Novel of a Present-Day Zulu Sullivan, Richard. “Fine Novel of a Present-Day Zulu.” New York Times 1 Feb. 1948: BR6. Sullivan reviews Cry, the Beloved Country in this newspaper article. This primary source would be a good introduction to the book or a nice way to finish the unit. Students could write their own reviews of the novel. Stranger Fictions: Trajectories in the Liberal Novel Morphet, Tony. “Stranger Fictions: Trajectories in the Liberal Novel.” World Literature Today 70 (1996): 53-8. This article compares a few “liberal” writers—including Alan Paton—and their writing. The teacher would find this information useful and might want to give his/her students an overview of it. Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/democrac/25.htm Although Abraham Lincoln’s writings play a prominent role in Cry, the Beloved Country, they don’t appear in the novel in full form. This website gives an introduction to Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and includes the full text of the address. As students read the novel with Lincoln’s views in mind, they will do so with a broader perspective. Some Aspects of South African Literature Kunene, Mazisi. “Some Aspects of South African Literature.” World Literature Today 70 (1996): 13-6. This is another article that would lend the teacher good background. Kunene summarizes the literary history of South Africa. From Veld to City: The Bantu Drama Sampson, Anthony. “From Veld to City: The Bantu Drama.” New York Times 22 May 1960: SM28. This newspaper article would provide a great introduction to the novel. Even though it was written twelve years after the novel was published, it documents the effects of the broken tribe. Sampson describes the flight or migration of South African natives to the country’s modern cities. Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres32.html Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address is also referred to in Cry, the Beloved Country. This website provides the circumstances of Lincoln’s inauguration and supplies Lincoln’s moving words. A reading of this address would help students to see more clearly the stance Arthur Jarvis takes in the novel. Mandela's educational videotapes http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/mandela/etc/tapes.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/mandela/teach/ The first website gives information on how to purchase educational videotapes of “The Long Walk of Nelson Mandela” (a video produced by Frontline). The second website offers a viewers’ and teacher’s guide to the video. This video would give more historical background and take the viewers a decade past the novel’s publishing. Students could try to predict the outcomes of apartheid after gaining the background which this movie provides. They would also learn about a South African who was a very influential world leader—Nelson Mandela. Albert Lutuli, Nobel Peace Prize http://www.nobel.se/peace/laureates/1960/lutuli-bio.html http://www.nobel.se/peace/laureates/1960/lutuli-acceptance.html Albert Lutuli, a South African, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1960. The first website sets forth his biography and his acceptance speech (for the Nobel Peace Prize) is posted on the second website. A class period could be spent on discussing the Nobel Peace Prize and in particular Lutuli. Albert Lutuli’s Nobel Lecture http://www.nobel.se/peace/laureates/1960/lutuli-lecture.html This website posts Albert Lutuli’s Nobel Lecture entitled “Africa and Freedom.” Lutuli’s powerful words give historical context and true feeling to the situation of his home country and continent. Parts of this lecture would be strong additions to the study of Cry, the Beloved Country. Letter to the Editor Essner, Jodi. Letter. New York Times 22 Feb. 1984: A22. A unit about writing letters to the editor could tie in well with the reading of Cry, the Beloved Country. This letter is an example which deals with some of the South Africa’s issues. Students could be asked to write letters concerning current events. Paton, Alan. “As Blind as Samson Was Paton, Alan. “As Blind as Samson Was.” New York Times 10 Apr. 1960: SM9. The secondary headline to this article reads: “That phrase [as blind as Samson was], says Paton, describes the South African advocate of apartheid. If his eyes are not opened for him, he threatens to destroy himself and others.” This is an impressive article because it is written by Paton. It would be interesting for students to compare and contrast Cry, the Beloved Country with this article. Call for a Dialogue in South Africa Cowen, Denis. “Call for a Dialogue in South Africa.” New York Times 17 May 1964: SM19. Denis Cowen, a fifth-generation South African, wrote this newspaper article. Cowen was the dean of the faculty of law at the University of Capetown, so he offers a political background to South Africa’s problems. He also suggests some solutions. Christianity and Apartheid Van der Post, Laurens. “Christianity and Apartheid.” New York Times 15 Jan. 1971: 43. This newspaper article would go along well with the novel. It states that “the dogma is doomed by an inner conflict of faith and doubt.” The novel deals heavily with Christianity and the themes of hope and fear. “Cry, the Beloved Country.” “Cry, the Beloved Country.” New York Times 10 Apr. 1960: E10. This newspaper article shows the tremendous effect Paton’s novel had. The article bears the same title of the novel. South Africa’s Liberals: Divided and Dropping Out Battersby, John. “South Africa’s Liberals: Divided and Dropping Out.” New York Times 21 Feb. 1988: 15. Written in 1988, this newspaper article tells of the unfolding of South Africa’s history. Students interested in the events consequent to 1948 would find this article useful Cry, the Beloved Country,’ A New Voice from the Past Keller, Bill. “In ‘Cry, the Beloved Country,’ A New Voice from the Past.” New York Times 19 Dec. 1994: C11. This newspaper article offers a more recent view of the novel. It also discusses the film, “Cry, the Beloved Country,” produced by Miramax Films. The article shows how hindsight can put South Africa’s story in a different sort of light. The Legacy Project http://www.legacy-project.org/about/index.html http://www.legacy-project.org/lit/display.html?ID=38 The first website explains what The Legacy Project is. And the second website can link you to a South African poet who is a part of this project. His listed poem was written in response to the events of September 11, 2001. Oppression in Black and White Swarns, Rachel. “Oppression in Black and White.” New York Times 10 Dec. 2001: E1. This newspaper article describes the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. The museum opened in December of 2001. It recreates apartheid by splitting visitors into two different experiences—black and white. Roy Blumenthal, South African poet http://www.cope.co.za/Virtual/texts/blumenthal.htm http://users.iafrica.com/h/ho/hornpete/poems2.htm Roy Blumenthal is a South African poet. The first website contains two poems and a biography. The second website posts some more of his poems. Alan Paton, Author and Apartheid Foe, Dies of Cancer at 85 Mitang, Herbert. “Alan Paton, Author and Apartheid Foe, Dies of Cancer at 85.” New York Times 12 Apr. 1988: A1. “Alan Paton’s Great Fear.” New York Times 13 Apr. 1988: A26. These two newspaper articles salute Alan Paton at his passing. The first article is a detailed obituary, while the second gives a brief snippet of the effect Cry, the Beloved Country had. Maya Angelou Biography http://www.vasudevaserver.com/home/sites/poetseers.org/html/contemporarypoets/maya This website contains a biography of Maya Angelou. It also links to several poems concerning her views on humanity. The two poems I included, “Equality” and “Human Family,” go along well with the ideas and themes the novel puts forward. Quickening Change in South Africa Grothe, Peter. “Quickening Change in South Africa.” New York Times 29 Sept. 1985: A1. This newspaper article offers a journalist’s firsthand account of South Africa. Grothe describes two different visits to South Africa. He also mentions Cry, the Beloved Country in concluding his article. Ken Barris Biography and Poems http://users.iafrica.com/h/ho/hornpete/poems1.htm http://www.caineprize.com/Ken.htm The first website gives a biography of Ken Barris, a South African poet. The second site has posted many of his poems. Praising De Klerk, Bush Offers Help Friedman, Thomas. “Praising De Klerk, Bush Offers Help.” New York Times 25 Sept. 1990: A1. This newspaper article describes relations with the United States and South Africa in 1990. This could aid with an extension of what has happened since Paton wrote Cry, the Beloved Country. Peter Horn Biography and Poems http://faculty.washington.edu/jnh/vol2no1/horn.htm http://users.iafrica.com/h/ho/hornpete/poems3.htm A biography of Peter Horn can be found at the first website. He teaches at the University of Capetown and is a poet. The second website posts some of his poems. Reading Activities compiled by Meridith Reed |During Reading | After Reading | Before Strategies 1. Country Study Byrnes, Rita M. South Africa: A Country Study. Washinton D.C.: U.S.G.P.O., 1997 This book is a U.S. government study of South Africa. It contains the history and vital statistics of the country. The book would be a valuable resource for students and teachers to help them piece together an idea of the history and culture from which Cry, the Beloved Country emerged. 2. Wikipedia Entry: Cry, the Beloved Country “Cry, the Beloved Country.” 24 August 2005. Wikipedia. 16 September 2005. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cry,_The_Beloved_Country> A good starting place for research on the novel; this online encyclopedia entry contains a summary of the novel, background information, lists of film productions, a quotation from the novel, and links to web sites on related topics. 3. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Dir. Stanley Kramer. Perf. Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Sidney Poitier, Katharine Houghton. Stanley Kramer Productions, 1967. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, an intriguing film about interracial marriage, could be a good way to introduce a study of the novel. Students can begin thinking about racial issues and about the concepts of segregation and apartheid. After viewing the film, students can discuss or write about what has kept blacks and whites apart in society. 4. The History of Apartheid “The History of Apartheid in South Africa.” 16 September 2005. <http://www-cs-students.stanford.edu/~cale/cs201/apartheid.hist.html> This website gives a brief history of what the apartheid was all about. Teachers can use this to give students a background on apartheid before reading the novel. Reading through this history with the class could help launch them into a discussion about racism and civil rights. 5. Teacher Cyberguide: Cry, the Beloved Country Jewell, Mary and Elizabeth Larkin. “Teacher Cyberguide: Cry, the Beloved Country.” 1997. San Diego Country Office of Education. 16 September 2005 <http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/cry/crysg.html> Teacher Cyberguide is a thorough and interesting help for teachers which provides a number of activities and assignments for use in conjunction with teaching the novel. The most intriguing activity asks students to explore the similarities between South Africa's apartheid and the racial tension in the Southern United States. This activity would help American students connect personally with Paton's novel. 6. Mother to Mother Magona, Sindiwe. Mother to Mother. Boston: Beacon Press, 1999. Mother to Mother, by South African author Sindiwe Magona, is a fictionalized account of the real-life story of Amy Biehl, a young white American who fought for black rights in South Africa. Biehl was killed by a group of black teenagers. The novel is written from the mother of one of the black teenagers to the mother of the white girl. Exposure to this story will help prepare students for the events in Paton's book. 7. Alan Paton Biography Marais, Etienne. “Special South African Biographies: Alan Paton.” 2003. 16 September 2005 <http://zar.co.za/alan.htm> This web site offers a brief overview of Paton's life. Students can begin to understand what issues and experiences were important to Paton. After reading about Paton's life, students can make predictions about the themes and events of the novel. 8. Teaching Unit: The Family and Identity Marshall, Jane K. “The Family and Identity.” 2005. Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute.16 September 2005. <http://www.cis.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1986/1/86.01.04.x.html> An excellent unit on family and identity makes Cry, the Beloved Country one of its central texts. Teachers can utilize this theme in their teaching of the novel and/or use some of the supplementary texts and activities outlined by Jane Marshall. 9. Out of Bounds: Seven Stories of Conflict and Hope Naidoo, Beverly. Out of Bounds: Seven Stories of Conflict and Hope. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 2003. Out of Bounds is a collection of short stories about the apartheid written for young adults by South African author Beverly Naidoo. Reading one or more of these stories could be a good way to lead into the novel, introduce its central issues, and make it more accessible to adolescents. 10. Amy Biehl “Peacemaker Hero: Amy Biehl.” 11 June 2004. The My Hero Project. 16 September 2005. <http://myhero.com/myhero/hero.asp?hero=a_biehl> This web page briefly tells the story of Amy Biehl, the white American who was murdered by black South Africans she was fighting to help. Teachers not wishing to use the longer, novelized version of the story (Mother to Mother) could use this brief outline to introduce their students to a story that parallels the themes and events of Paton's novel. During Strategies 11. Vocabulary “Vocabulary from Cry, the Beloved Country.” 2005. Vocabulary University. 16 September 2005. <http://www.vocabulary.com/VUctcrybeloved.html> This web site gives a list of vocabulary words that appear throughout Cry, the Beloved Country. Teachers could use these lists in order to teach vocabulary in context. 12. Teach With Movies: Cry, the Beloved Country Teach with Movies: Cry, the Beloved Country. 2004. Teach With Movies. 23 September 2005 <http://www.teachwithmovies.org/guides/cry-the-beloved-country.html> Teach With Movies is a guide which provides in-depth information on how to most effectively use the 1995 film version of the novel in the classroom. Although only a small sample of the teaching guide is available on the website, teachers can order the teaching guide for a low cost. The movies guide could also prove useful in preparing the presentation of the novel itself. 13. Penguin Readers Fact Sheet: Cry, the Beloved Country Hall, Diane. Penguin Readers Fact Sheet: Cry, the Beloved Country. 2000. Pearson Education. 23 September 2005 <http://www.penguinreaders.com/downloads/0582419468.pdf> Penguin Readers’ excellent reading guide is designed for teachers to use in their classrooms. It provides a summary of the book, biographical information on the author, a discussion of the background and themes in the novel, and a glossary. It also includes some ideas for before, during, and after strategies (although mostly during strategies). This teaching guide would prove an excellent resource for teachers. Acrobat Reader is required. 14. A Raisin in the Sun Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. New York: Random House, 1987. This 1959 play centers around the struggles and heartaches of one African-American family after the death of their patriarch. Some of the themes include family, betrayal, and racism---all of which feature prominently in Cry, the Beloved Country. Students could read this play in order to compare and contrast this author’s treatment of these themes with Paton’s treatment of them in his novel. 15. Lost in the Stars Kurt Weill. “Lost in the Stars.” Musical Heritage Society, 1994. Lost in the Stars is a musical based on Cry, the Beloved Country. The composer also wrote The Threepenny Opera (which is famous for the song “Mack the Knife”). After listening to the recording, students could discuss issues of adaptation. 16. Lincoln’s Writings Lincoln as Writer. National Park Service. 23 September 2005 <http://www.nps.gov/liho/writer/writer.htm> This website provides excerpts from the writings of Abraham Lincoln, which play an important role in the novel. Teachers may want to allow students to read the entirety of some of the speeches only quoted in the novel. Students could then compare and contrast the philosophies of Lincoln with those supported by the book. 17. Afrikaners: Biography of a People Giliomee, Hermann Buhr. Afrikaners: Biography of a People. Charlottesville: University of Virginia P, 2003. This comprehensive and detailed book chronicles the entire history of the Afrikaner people. Because Paton’s novel makes frequent mention of the Afrikaners and their culture, it would be important to provide students with a background on these people, their origins, and their history. 18. Cry, the Beloved Country Cry, the Beloved Country. Dir. Zolton Korda. Perf. Canada Lee, Sidney Poitier, and Charles Carson. London Film Productions, 1951 The screenplay of the original film adaptation of Paton’s novel was written by Alan Paton himself. The film is quite faithful to the book and features some excellent performances, particularly by Canada Lee as Stephen Kumalo. Showing excerpts from this film could help students understand the reality of the novel’s grim setting. 19. Cry, the Beloved Country Cry, the Beloved Country. Dir. Darrell Roodt. Perf. James Earl Jones and Richard Harris. Miramax Films, 1995. This 1995 film version of the novel stars James Earl Jones and Richard Harris. It is probably a more accessible version for students than the longer, slower-moving 1951 production. Showing the film in parts or in its entirety to students could help them develop better visualizations of the settings and characters in the novel. 20. Paton’s Beloved Country Paton, Jonathan. “Paton’s Beloved Country.” 30 April 2000. Sunday Times. 23 September 2005. <http://www.suntimes.co.za/2000/04/30/lifestyle/travel/travel04.htm> An intimate travel article written by Alan Paton’s son, Jonathan, in which he describes the land where his father grew up. Jonathan Paton gives background on Alan Paton’s life and work, details on the making of the 1951 film version of Paton’s novel, and some insights and background on Cry, the Beloved Country. This article would be a good, personal way to situate the novel in context for students. 21. Reading Group Discussion Points: Cry, the Beloved Country Reading Group Discussion Points: Cry, the Beloved Country. Simon & Schuster. 23 September 2005. <http://www.simonsays.com/titles/0684818949/RG_0684818949.html> Simon & Schuster provides a list of in-depth questions for the novel. These questions could be used by teachers to start class discussion or as an assignment for students to think about and answer individually. The questions could also be used for essay tests on the novel. 22. Alan Paton’s Cry, the Beloved Country Camara, Arthur. Alan Paton’s Cry, the Beloved Country. 23 September 2005 <http://homepages.wmich.edu/~a1phill1/cry_the_beloved_country_1-3.html> This website provides an extensive list of study questions for students to answer as they read the novel. It also has an idea for a journal entry about the novel that could be assigned to students. Assigning these questions as homework could help keep students focused and on-track during their reading of the novel After Strategies 23. The Civil Rights Movement Raff, Tish. “The Civil Rights Movement.” 2005. Discovery Channel. 30 September 2005. <http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/freeatlast> After reading Cry, the Beloved Country, teachers could ask their students to explore the Civil Rights Movement and compare it to the racism of South Africa. Although this lesson plan was written for a history or social studies class, it could easily be adapted for use in an English classroom. It includes discussion questions, vocabulary words, and other enrichment resources. 24. Civil Rights: An Investigation Raff, Tish. “Civil Rights: An Investigation.” 2005. Discovery Channel. 30 September 2005. <http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/civilrights> Like the previous selection, this lesson plan was designed for a history class, but it could prove to be a valuable resource for English teachers. It is aimed at grades 9-12. Students are asked to conduct an in-depth exploration of the meaning of Civil Rights. Exploring civil rights in America would be a good way to foster better understanding of the ideas which occur in Paton’s human rights driven novel. 25. A South African Storm Howard, Allison. “A South African Storm.” January 2005. Peace Corps: World Wise Schools Educators. 30 September 2005. <http://www.peacecorps.gov/wws/cybervol/2004-5/howard_Jan_Letter.html> “A South African Storm” is an essay written by a young woman who joined the Peace Corps and worked in South Africa. She talks about racism and how we can strive to change the way things are now in South Africa. The Peace Corps website also includes a lesson plan with ideas on how to present and teach the essay to students. 26. Cry, the Beloved Country Braundmeier, Debra. “Cry, the Beloved Country.” 30 September 2005. <http://www.help4teachers.com/crymybelovedcountry.htm> This teaching guide is designed for use with advanced tenth grade students, but could be adapted for use in other grades as well. It includes several ideas for projects students could complete after reading Cry, the Beloved Country. The projects could be completed individually or adapted for use in groups. 27. Power Lines Carter, Jason. Power Lines: Two Years on South Africa’s Borders. Washington D. C., National Geographic Society, 2002. The grandson of Jimmy Carter wrote this book after serving for two years in the Peace Corps in South Africa. He reflects on post-apartheid South Africa as it struggles to rebuild. This would be a good follow-up to a reading of Paton’s novel. 28. Teaching Tolerance “Teaching Tolerance.” 2005. The Southern Poverty Law Center. 30 September 2005.<http://www.tolerance.org/teach_tol/lessons/memorial.jsp> The lesson plan asks students to consider America’s apartheid. This is a good way to review the events of the Civil Rights Movement, and to bring Paton’s novel home to students. Teachers may want to explore other areas of the site in preparing their lesson as well. 29. Martin Luther King Jr. Speeches “Frequently Requested Documents and Audio Clips.” 2004. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project. 30 September 2005. <http://www.stanford.edu/group/king/popular_requests> A list of King’s most frequently read speeches with links to PDF and audio versions. After reading the novel and listening to and/or reading these speeches, students can compare the ideas behind both works. Students could then consider the ways in which Arthur Jarvis’ ideas compare and contrast with King’s ideas. 30. Lesson Plan: Letter From Burmingham Jail “Lesson Plan: King’s Letter From Burmingham Jail.” 2004. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project. 30 September 2005. <http://www.stanford.edu/group/King//liberation_curriculum/index.htm> The lesson is based on “Letter From Burmingham Jail” and asks students to explore King’s nonviolent movement. Included in this lesson plan are discussion questions, activities, handouts, teaching resources and links, and a final project for students to complete. Teachers can use this lesson to help students think about the best ways to bring about changes in society. 31. Swiss Ed “Paton, Alan.” 11 September 2005. Swiss Education Team. 30 September 2005. <http://www.swisseduc.ch/english/readinglist/patona/cry.html> Swiss Ed includes many links and sound clips that could be used to enrich a unit on the novel. It has background on the book, movies, and the musical (including a sound clip from the musical), and it has links to some helpful teaching resources. 32. Nelson Mandela’s reaction to 1995 film Mandela, Nelson. “Cry, the Beloved Country.” 1998. Open Book Systems. 30 September 2005. <http://archives.obs-us.com/obs/english/films/mx/cry/speech4m.htm> Nelson Mandela gave this speech at the premiere of the 1995 film version of Paton’s novel. In it, he discusses some of the major ideas behind the novel and he touches upon some of the issues still facing South Africa. After reading the speech, students could discuss how Paton’s novel is still relevant to the future of South Africa and the world. 33. Too Late the Phalarope. Paton, Alan. Too Late the Phalarope. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1981. Alan Paton wrote this novel after Cry, the Beloved Country, and it explores similar themes. It centers on the tension surrounding an affair between a white Afrikaner officer and a black native of South Africa. Students could read this novel to gain deeper insight on the apartheid; after reading, they could make comparisons between this and Paton’s earlier novel.

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Reading Resources and Unit Guide for this Novel