In Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton there is a protagonist and an antagonist. The protagonist is Stephen Kumalo, a Zulu priest, who lives in the village of Ndotsheni. He is not a perfect priest, but is good at his job. The antagonist is not a person but a place. It is the city of Johannesburg. Johannesburg is where Kumalo travels to find his son, Absalom. It is viewed by the protagonist as an evil.

            Kumalo, the protagonist, has the trait of faith. Throughout the novel Kumalo has faith in God. Although he strays from his faith occasionally, he always returns to God and repents for whatever he has done wrong. He goes through many challenges throughout his journey but through it all he is faithful. Johannesburg, the antagonist, has the trait of wickedness. When Kumalo goes to Johannesburg, he is overwhelmed by the wickedness of the city. His experiences of getting robbed and finding his sister in such horrible conditions, pretty much as soon as arriving, shocks him. He is surprised that his son could live in such a place, which completely goes against his upbringing by his father.

            Kumalo is the protagonist because he is the main character who goes on a journey to find his son. Johannesburg is the protagonist because the town is what goes against the main character. Kumalo first looses his son in the city then his sister and nephew. Johannesburg acts as an evil entity devouring parts of his family. Kumalo goes to save his family who had been lost in the wicked city. The city causes problems for Kumalo. It seems that the weak minded who enter the city are lost into sin, while only those with strong faith can withstand the temptations which lie within. Kumalo is one who withstood the temptations although had hardships at times. Johannesburg is the enemy of Kumalo.

            Outside forces affected Kumalo greatly. The fact that his son, Absalom, went to Johannesburg and did not keep contact with him worried him greatly. After his sister went to look for him and also did not send word back to him, his worries became even greater. He was affected by their decisions and went to look for them which. This changed his personality. While hoping they were doing well in Johannesburg, he realized that they were lost in sin. He also realizes the harsh truth that is Johannesburg when being outwitted by a child who took his money. The eventual hanging of his son causes him to mourn but also gives him peace. He knows that before Absalom died he had realized his wrongdoing and accepted his punishment.