who lives in Johannesburg and sends letters to his parents periodically. In his letters Arthur informs his father of his involvement in the black community. Arthur is well known for speaking out against apartheid, and for opening a Boy’s Club for young natives to help better their lives. "It had been his wish that his son, the only child that had been born to them, would taken it after him, but his life was his own, and no other man had the right to put his hands on it"(Paton 163-4). Jarvis does not understand why his son chooses to help the natives, but he does not question it because it is his own life. Jarvis holds a very narrow minded view toward the natives. "White men defend interests of the white. Black men defend the interests of blacks"(Jamba 313). This statement is most definitely not true, it just provides another example of what kind of attitude is preventing desegregation. James’ only relation to native people is through his farm. "And there was another system whereby a native could get land from the farmer, providing that he and his family gave so much labor each year to the white farmer"(Paton 163). So, in fact, Jarvis really looks at natives as servants living off his land, to whom he owes nothing, especially respect. "I’m not a nigger-hater, I try to give’em a square deal. But the natives as a whole are getting out of hand"(Paton 183). Jarvis ignorantly directs this statement toward the natives who are starting to stand up against apartheid. Little did Steven and James know that a single action would change both of their views forever.Steven’s racial views are taken through a very rough time of transition. Another way Steven tried to rebuild the "tribe" was by finding his son, Absalom, from whom he had not heard from in several months. When Kumalo did find his son, in jail, his transition began. "And yet again, and the fear smote him as griev-ously as ever, that he should kill a man,...
