Study Guide

Cry, the Beloved Country Chapter 22

By Alan Paton

Chapter 22

The narrator reminds us that judges have to carry out the law, even if those laws aren't fair. That's the way it works, Shmoopers.
The three burglars (Absalom, his cousin Matthew Kumalo, and a third guy named Johannes Pafuri) appear in court.
Absalom pleads not guilty to murder, since his defense is that he shot Arthur unintentionally, out of surprise.
Then the prosecutor asks Absalom a bunch of questions about how they came to rob the house on that particular night.
Absalom makes it sound like most of this was Johannes Pafuri's idea, but he does admit that he was the one who was carrying the gun, to scare the servant.
He also says that he, Matthew, and Johannes all went to Mrs. Mkize's house after the killing to figure out their next move.
The prosecutor tells Absalom that the other two swear they were nowhere near Absalom during this whole thing.
But Absalom sticks by his story. He is sincerely sorry for everything that has happened, and we totally believe him.

Ask questions, get answers, and discuss with others.

Join today and never see them again.

Get started