In the book Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton, many characters seek forgiveness. Absolom, Gertrude, and Arthur Jarvis all deviate from what they have been taught. Ultimately this is how they ask for redemption. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayAbsolom grew up in the valley with a parish priest for a father. He moves to Johannesburg and throws away all the morals he had grown up with. After shooting Arthur Jarvis, he said "I just have to say I like this man but I didn't mean to kill him, I was just scared." (Paton 202) Even though he shot a man, which was against everything he had been taught, he asked for forgiveness and redemption for his actions. He knew he did something wrong, and he knew he was better off not doing it and that's why he asks for forgiveness. Gertrud, being Stephen Kumalo's sister, grew up in the same family as him, so she had the same morals. Similar to Absolom, he let go of that moral when he moved to Johannesburg. When Kumalo went to the city to see his sister, the narrator said: "Nor could he expect her to talk to him of the deep things that were in Johannesburg; for it was precisely among these things that saddened and perplexed him, that she had found his life and his occupation." (Paton 92) This quote refers to the life Gertrude lives and the work she does. She is a prostitute and produces liquor. These are totally against the Christian morality she was raised with. He asks for forgiveness because the life he lives goes against his Christian education and the morality by which he lived. James Jarvis also went against what he learned as a child, but that was for the best. He had been raised not to associate with non-Europeans, but now he asks for forgiveness by acting against that idea. He sent a letter to an associate of Arthur who had worked with him for equal treatment of non-Europeans. The letter said, "Do all the things you and Arthur wanted to do. If you want to call the 'Arthur Jarvis Club,' I'll be happy." (Paton 247) Attached to the back of the letter was a large check. This is James' way of asking for forgiveness by giving back to a cause he once opposed. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Absolom, Gertrude, and James Jarvis all held for ransom. Furthermore, they had all deviated from what they had been taught, some for the worse and some for the better.