Chapter 17 is divided into several sections: first, we listen to the thoughts of Mrs. Lithebe as she reviews the situation and states how sympathetic she is toward Stephen. She views Kumalo as an example of silent suffering and realizes that he has fallen into a "mold of suffering." This idea of suffering emphasizes again the relationship between Stephen and St. Stephen, his namesake. Next, we see a contrast between two wanton women — Gertrude and the young girl. Mrs. Lithebe, who respects Stephen so much, rebukes Gertrude for so much bad laughter and then tells the young girl that she must do nothing that would hurt Stephen. The girl is still young enough to be molded into a respectable member of society and takes Mrs. Lithebe's advice seriously.
Stephen undergoes another crucial experience when he meets with his son Absalom again. The scene is similar to the first scene in which the father spoke to Absalom and the son answered reluctantly. The relationship is at first very strained and distant, but by the end of the interview, there is some hint of communication and the relationship begins to deepen. By the end of the scene, he has given his son some hope. As he takes his son's hand, there is a feeling of some spark of life. This situation is the same type that occurred between Gertrude and Stephen in their first meeting; that is, at first Gertrude was cold and distant, but when Stephen took her hand, there was the beginning of communication.
Again a man of charity and goodness — this time Mr. Carmichael — is presented from among the whites of South Africa. His concern, as well as that of Father Vincent and the young man from the reformatory, shows us once more that there is a great deal of decency, concern, and constructiveness among the whites, but it is often overshadowed by the government's attitude.
