In Cry, The Beloved Country, the men and women are characterized in different ways. The men seem to be characterized by their job or occupation, such as priest or carpenter, and by how much power and authority they possess. Education and how accustomed they are to the white man's world also work to characterize the men. They are admired for their money and judged on how they live, whether it is in a tribe or in Johannesburg where they can speak more English.
The women seem to be characterized more by their loyalty and personality characteristics. They are either kind, open, good housewives who take care of their families or women such as Kumalo's sister who is sullen and "like an animal that is tormented" (61). Different household duties and hostessing type skills characterize the women more than their education or looks. The female characters do not appear to be main parts of the story but more background and supporting characters.
The difference is significant because it shows the historical viewpoint of the genders, as well as the author's viewpoint. I would expect that the difference in their characterization would effect the plot and change the meaning of the story.
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