The woman of the family, Gertrude, symbolizes how unholy and full of poverty South Africa can be. She is poor with an illegal occupation and a child that she cannot support. This resembles problems such as the natives' inability to live off of the land, their crime, and their lack of jobs. She is selfish and ungrateful, and which could be a reason that the natives are being looked down upon. Gertrude, along with Absalom and the fellow that stole Stephen's money, demonstrate what is holding South Africa back from being equal.
John Kumalo, figuratively speaking, is South Africa's pride. He has many accomplishments but secretly feels below. The fact that he once had a chief dictating his every move scared him. This is revealed when he says"...( )." John is well know around his community and he is sort of a mid-class citizen, so he refuses to let most people know the pain he feels because of how accomplished he is.
The most dynamic character that we know of is Stephen Kumalo. He represents all the good and religiousness of South Africa. He is somewhat the average citizen that struggles with famiy, questions his faith, and questions himself. By representing the good portion of South Africa, he fits in right along with people such as Msimangu and Arthur Jarvis. They represent the good that balances out the rest of the country.
Together these characters were balanced, happy, and they all were religious people. Separated they each chose a path much different from each other. Their family was destroyed. The country of South Africa was once a divine place itself. Now it is the low life natives and the racist whites(Gertrude), the proud refugees(John), and the ones trying to fix it(Stephen). Let us hope that Stephen getting his family back together also symbolizes the reunion of the country!
