Segregation is the most reoccuring theme I saw in this novel. The novel is set in the time of the Apartheid, a time in which Africans, in their own country, had fewer rights than the white men. Paton uses the constant struggle of living as an underprivileged black man to further exaggerate the purpose of the writing of the book.
The love of a parent is another major theme seen in the book. This is shown all throughout the book while Kumalo is searching for his son. Kumalo goes through endless measures to try and find Absalom. The love Kumalo has for his soon is never-ending. Kumalo also stands with his son despite the awful actions Absalom has taken. He stays with him and tries to help him despite what Absalom has done. The readers can see his everlasting love.
Besides segregation and the love of a Stephen Kumalo, fear of the unknown is another main theme. Kumalo goes into Johannesburg not knowing what he will find. He goes because he thinks good things will come out of it, although he is very frightened. He may not know what will come out of it, but he hopes for the best.
There were many prominent themes of the novel but the main ones were segregation, the love of a parent, and fear of the unknown. Segregation is seen all throughout which results in native crime. The love of a parent is seen as Kumalo goes through many heartbreaks for his son. Also, Kumalo faces fear of the unknown as he travels to different towns searching for his relatives. These were the prominent themes seen in "Cry, the Beloved Country."
