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Alan Paton drew heavily on his own experiences when he wrote Cry, the Beloved Country, for he had taught school in Ixopo and had been principal of a reformatory, too, where he had dealt with many young men like his protagonist, Absalom Kumalo.

 

It shows many of the problems with South Africa such as the degrading of the land reserved for the natives, which is sometimes considered to be the main theme, the disintegration of the tribal community, native crime, and the flight to urban areas.

Paton was a prolific essay writer on race and politics in South Africa. His Anglican faith was another factor in his life and work. Another literary form that interested him throughout his life was poetry.

Two cinema adaptations of Cry, the Beloved Country have been made, the first in 1951 and the second in 1995.

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