Paton Develops Gender Roles

    In the book, Cry, the Beloved County, gender roles are displayed like water and soil. Men are treated as the head of the house. They work to earn money for their families and themselves. Each man makes all the decisions in the house hold. The quote, "Keep it, guard it, care for it, for it keeps men, guards men, cares for men" Pg 33, explains that the male is suppose to be strong, hardworking, and willing to stand tall and proud of his work and family. Throughout the whole book, Paton drops hints on how men are always treated differently than women. A woman's job is later showed to be a maid of the house. She must cook, clean, and take care of the children. Women do not get much of a say in how the money the man makes is spend. Their education is most likely not as good as any man's. From morning to evening a woman must do her work at home on getting the house the way it needs to be. Kumalo, an African American man, who works to support his family is very different than a typical white man. The difference which Paton shows in the book, is that an African American man takes a bit more time to care for his family. The reason being is because their work is usually hard, and they can not get a job such as owning a business that easily. In Cry, the Beloved County, Paton tells us that white men make more money than African Americans because of the racism factor. Working harder for less can teach a man to appreciate what he has more than someone who gets what they want more easily. An African American woman sees how her husband is affected more than a white woman because African Americans must work harder to make a living for themselves. They can see the stress their husbands are going through. Living far away from the city also helps in showing the difference between African Americans and whites. In the end, the African Society also has difficulty with sexism, however it is even more displayed in the White's community.