A tragic note is sounded in Chapter 11; the worst consequence of the oppression and consequent lawlessness is shown: the death of a man of goodwill, a man who was trying to help. It is only people like Arthur Jarvis who keep the blacks from complete despair and hatred. They are the bridges between the two races, but there are relatively few of them so the loss of even one is a great loss.
Stephen has been constantly depicted as a deeply religious man, and now his inability to pray represents the depths of despair to which he is rapidly sinking. Even the Reverend Msimangu must admit that sometimes this seems like a godless world.
The title of the novel, Cry, the Beloved Country, begins to take on deeper significance. As Stephen sinks into despair, and as the news of the death of Arthur Jarvis is presented, we have the moving passage: "Cry for the broken tribe, for the law and the custom that is gone. Aye, and cry aloud for the man who is dead, for the woman and children bereaved. Cry, the beloved country." The passage emphasizes again the passing of the old order, the old rules and the traditional values, which have not yet been replaced by something new. There is now a sense of impending chaos.
The first half of Chapter 12 interrupts the story of Stephen's search. Chapter 9 shows the problems of the blacks in finding a place to live, and this chapter shows the problems of the whites in dealing with the blacks. There is a conflict between fear and constructiveness.
Paton surveys white attitudes toward the trouble brewing among the blacks, handles the main points, and shows that there is little constructive action because there are too many differing views and that it is easier to use police and oppression than to solve problems.
One of the main problems presented in the novel is that of lawlessness and civil disobedience. The people live in fear because there is so much lawlessness, and they have no knowledge of what terrible event will occur next. The people are no longer able to enjoy the beauties of nature. Because of fear, man is left in a desperate plight.
