In the first four chapters of the novel, Reverend Kumalo sets out for his first trip to Johnannesburg, but he never admits that it is his first time to the capitol city to anyone until he reaches the mission. Why doesn't he admit to people that he has never been to Johannesburg before? Is he embarrassed or is he afraid? I think that it is a combination of pride and fear. He is proud because he is an important memeber of his local society and he doesn't want to admit to people that he has never been to a city before because then their respect for him could lessen because they could see him as just a country priest, which is less respectable than being a priest who travels a lot to both the city and the country.
I also think that Reverned Kumalo is also terrified of the city because none of his family memebers who have gone to Johannesburg have ever returned. He is scared of loosing the little money he has that he needs to help his sister. Reverend Kumalo also is scared of the unknown, common thing for humans to be afraid of. He worries throughout his journey if the money he has brought will be enough, if he will get lost in the massive capitol city, and if he will return home to his wife and parish.
Both of these reasons: pride and fear are what I think causes Reverend Kumalo to boast and lie to the other passengers on the train to Johannesburg.
I think you bring up an excellent point about Reverend Kumalo's decision to lie to the people on the bus. I was very confused and at first I thought he was telling the truth, but further examination led me to believe that he was lying. You bring up a good point that fear drives him to lie about his journey. I think the fear of never returning to his wife terrifies him and, just like you said, he lies to try and protect himself.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tricia that you brought up an excellent point about Kumalo's dishonesty. Because of the fact that his family members never return as well as his statement that no one comes back from Johannesburg, I wonder if Kumalo will return to his home after taking care of the necessary business with his sister.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a good point about Kumalo refusing to ask for help. It makes no sense, not only has he never been to Johannesburg, but he is older, and this supposedly makes him slower to learn. I also think that pride is a part of it, but I also think that he is just so overwhelmed by the city, and so determined to find his sister that he doesn't even think to ask for directions.
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