Cry, the Beloved Country: Book I, Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis

The next morning, Msimangu and Stephen head into Johannesburg to find Gertrude. Msimangu admits that though he is not for segregation, the downside to having blacks and whites packed so tightly together is that it brews confrontation between each group’s young hooligans. He also points out the Bantu Press, a local newspaper, and the roving, truant children, and a woman who sells liquor and is said to be one of the richest black person in Johannesburg.

They arrive at Gertrude’s house. Msimangu tells Stephen that he’ll be visiting a parishioner next door, and to come find him when he is ready. Before he even knocks, Stephen can hear “bad” laughter on the other side of the door. Then he knocks, and she answers. She looks afraid. She turns around and says something unintelligible to someone that Stephen cannot see. There is a flurry of activity in the house, and then silence. Only then does she invite him inside. She shakes his hand, and it is limp and icy.

When they sit down and begin to speak, Gertrude is reluctant to give her brother a lot of information. She admits that her husband is still missing, that she did not write. She confirms that she has been to prison but denies that it was her who committed the crime, and blames it on a woman that she had been living with. She also seems uncertain about the location of her child. Her voice is no longer kind, but full of an unpleasantness that reminds Stephen of the “bad” laughter he heard outside the house.

Gertrude tells Stephen she has sent for her child. Stephen provokes her by asking her where he can sleep for the night, and when she looks fearful, he explodes in anger, telling her that she has shamed the family with her liquor and her prostitution and not keeping track of her child. She begins weeping, and says that Johannesburg has made her sick and she does not want to be there anymore, though she doesn’t deserve it. Stephen says that God forgives everyone, and so she can be forgiven. They kneel down and pray.

After they are finished praying, Stephen asks if Gertrude knows where Absalom is. She says she is not sure, but their brother John will know. Stephen says that he will ask if Mrs. Lithebe has room for Gertrude and the child. The missing nephew finally appears, and Stephen tells Gertrude how much better for the boy things will be in Ixopo. Stephen leaves.

That afternoon, Stephen goes with a truck and fetches them. He is glad when the task is done. At Mrs. Lithebe’s, Gertrude and the boy are given a room. Stephen feels overjoyed and accomplished, that after only a single day of being in Johannesburg, he is putting right what is broken.