He definitely would have made a productive life in some trade such as a carpenter, blacksmith or other such professions. He did not have any criminal activities before he came to the city to search for his sister Gertrude.

To begin with, he did not have a criminal background and came from a family where their father was a respect Pastor. If Abasalm had been released, then he would have definitely lead a more productive life. So it was Abasalom was found guilty and sentenced to death but he should have been given a lighter sentence (Chapter 12). The laws were made by white men to safeguard them against blacks. While Abasalom is ready to plead culpable homicide or accidental death, not amounting to murder as he had no intention of killing Arthur. He says nothing, however, because he feels that there is nothing he can possibly say to him”. The court adjourns, and outside Kumalo sees Jarvis. He meant to confess earlier, but he waited too long, and when the police arrived, he realized that waiting was a mistake. When the police found him there, they questioned him about Johannes, but Absalom told them that he himself shot Jarvis and indicated where the gun might be found. He spent the following day wandering around Johannesburg and ended up in a friend’s house in Germiston. He then says that he prayed for forgiveness. Mkize, Matthew, or Johannes-who denies this claim is lying.

Mkize’s house, where he met his accomplices, then buried his revolver in a plantation field. The fact is that Johanes has actually bought an iron bar, said it was blessed and he hit Arthur’s servant on the head with the bar but managed to run off.Ĭonsider the following statement “Absalom resumed his narration: after the murder, he went to Mrs.

Johannes belongs to a well off family who have hired a lawyer and the argues that his clients were no where near the shooting and that Abasalom is needlessly dragging his clients into the murder. The police actually suspect Johanes for the crime and feel Abasalom is innocent but they cannot do anything since he has confessed everything. But in his innocence, Abasalom confesses to the police that it was indeed himself who fired the gun. There are two other person with him named Johannes and Matthew who it seems are the real murderer. Young Absalom has also been given a gun and the gun unfortunately goes off killing Arthur Jarvis. Fresh from the country, he is young and impressionable and has fallen with criminals.

Like many other young people of his age and race, he had moved away from his native village and came to Johannesburg. There were two other accused who had actually committed the crime but they were acquitted because they had a good lawyer. To begin with, the guilt of Abasalom has not been fully proved. Learn more Discussion Was Abasalom Guilty?

The beloved country by alan paton