Nelson Mandela's quote emphasizes that there is always time to do what is right and morally good. The document then lists different aspects of life in a city and village. It presents discussion questions about Kumalo's experiences at the mission house and learning about his brother and son's situations in Johannesburg, including their hardships, fears, and the corruption that has taken hold in the city. Msimangu expresses his deep faith but also fear about the challenges facing South African society.

2. We must use time wisely
and forever realize that
the time is always ripe to
do right.
Nelson Mandela

3. Physical
Social
Emotional
City
Relational
Spiritual
Other
Physical
Social
Emotional
Village
Relational
Spiritual
Other

4.  Explain some of the things at the Mission
House that were unfamiliar to Kumalo.
 How do you respond in new situations?
 Why was everyone silent when Kumalo
spoke about “that far country”?
 What is the new “sickness of the land”?
 Is there a modern example?

5.  Why did Gertrude go to Johannesburg in
the first place?
 What was her sickness?
 Why would this be especially painful for
Kumalo to hear?
 Who else was affected by her sickness?

6.  What does Kumalo learn about his
brother and his son in these chapters?
 Describe Gertrude’s neighborhood.
 What is “bad laughter”?
 Why is there no life in Gertrude’s hand?
 Explain Gertrude’s fear and Kumalo’s
anger.
 What is John’s “new” religion?
 What happened to John’s family?
 How is John’s “cunning and knowing
smile” the same as the “bad laughter”?

7.  Why did John’s voice change as he
spoke?
 Do you like John Kumalo?
 Why/why not?
 Why does John seem unconcerned
about the whereabouts of his own son?
 What does John Kumalo lack? Why isn’t
he a threat to the establishment?
 What do you know about Absalom and
his friends?

8.  Why did Msimangu and Kumalo walk to
Alexandra?
 Explain the trio of power in the
Johannesburg “new society”? (74)
 Why did Kumalo marvel at a ride from a
stranger?
 Explain the petition and the battle it
incited. (74-77)
 Why was the woman who had housed
Absalom so fearful?
 How had Absalom lived? (78)

9.  Where had Absalom gone and with
whom and why?
 Why do the police try to prevent
kindness?
 Why is it that a white man helping a
black man is something “not lightly
done’? (81)
 Why was this a “bitter journey” to
Kumalo? (55)

10.  What does Msimangu say that indicates
the depth of his faith?
 What is the bigger issue facing South
Africa beyond that the “house is
broken?”
 What does Msimangu say about power?
 Do you agree? Why/why not?
 What is Msimangu’s greatest fear? (71)

11. •How does forgiveness factor into this
section?
•How much truth is there, even today,
about the corrupting influence of
power?
•All buses lead to Johannesburg, all
roads lead to Johannesburg: why is the
repetition significant?

12. Read chapters 10-13
Create at least one discussion question per
chapter
E-mail the questions to me no later than 6 p.m.
Thursday (15 March) the
writingteacher@gmail.com
Create a tentative thesis statement for your
essay. We will discuss them in class and work to
strengthen them together.
Essay prompt: Which is more important to
society, mercy OR justice?