Chapter 1

Characters –

Summary – This chapter talks about the geography of Ixopo and the
places around it.

Vocabulary log (unknown words) - forlorn = pitifully sad and

abandoned or lonely

Chapter 2

Characters – Stephen Kumalo, a small child, Gertrude, Stephen’s wife

Summary – Stephen received a letter. He and his wife were hesitant to

open it. When they opened it, they found out it was from Theophilus
Msimangu.

Vocabulary log (unknown words) – pence = a one-cent coin equal to

one-hundredth of a dollar

Chapter 3

Characters – Stephen Kumalo, Stephen’s friend,

Summary – Stephen begins his journey to Johannesburg by train.

Vocabulary log (unknown words) – arum = a North American and

European plant that has arrow-shaped leaves and a broad leafy spathe
enclosing a club-shaped spadix, and that bears bright red berries in
late summer

Chapter 4

Characters – Stephen Kumalo, a young man, Mr. Mafolo

Summary – Stephen arrived in Johannesburg. A young man robbed one

pound from him. He soon met Mr. Mafolo.

Vocabulary log (unknown words) – pilgrimage = a journey to a place

associated with someone or something well known or respected

Chapter 5

Characters – young rosy-cheeked priest, Stephen Kumalo, Msimangu,

Mrs. Lithebe
Summary – Stephen found a place to stay. He has found Msimangu.
Stephen is getting ready to go see is sister.

Vocabulary log (unknown words) – pardon = the action of forgiving or

being forgiven for an error or offense

Chapter 6

Characters – Stephen Kumalo, Stephen’s sister

Summary – Stephen found his sister and his nephew. They are moving
in to the same place as Stephen.

Vocabulary log (unknown words) – loafer = a person who idles time

away

Chapter 7

Characters – Msimangu, Stephen Kumalo, John Kumalo, Mrs. Nedlela

Summary – Stephen found his brother. He is trying to find his son.

Vocabulary log (unknown words) – somber = dark or dull in color or

tone; gloomy

Chapter 8

Characters – Stephen Kumalo, Msimangu, Dubula, a white man, Mrs.

Mkize, Hlabeni

Summary – Stephen is still looking for his son.

Vocabulary log (unknown words) – bewildered = cause (someone) to

become perplexed and confused

Chapter 9

Characters – Mrs. Seme, Mr. Dubula

Summary – Mrs. Seme tried to get a house but was denied by the
committee.

Vocabulary log (unknown words) – pity = the feeling of sorrow and

compassion caused by the suffering and misfortunes of others
Chapter 10

Characters – small boy, Stephen Kumalo, Msimangu, Gertrude, Mrs.

Lithebe, Nurse

Summary – Stephen Kumalo and Msimangu went to Shanty Town. They

then went to the Reformatory. They haven’t found his son.

Vocabulary log (unknown words) – petrol = British term for gasoline

Chapter 11

Characters – Msimangu, Stephen Kumalo, Father Vincent

Summary – Stephen and Msimangu listen to Father Vincent as he reads

a story about a man who got shot.

Vocabulary log (unknown words) – aye = exclamation archaic or dialect

said to express assent

Chapter 12

Characters – Mr. McLaren, Mr. de Villiers, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Scott,

Jackson, Mr. Msimangu, Mrs. Ndlela, Stephen Kumalo, Mrs. Mkize, Mrs.
Hlatshwayo,

Summary – Mr. McLaren gave a speech about social reform. There was
a big debate after the speech. The police were searching for Stephen’s
son.

Vocabulary log (unknown words) – idle = (esp. of a machine or factory)

not active or in use

Chapter 13

Characters – Msimangu, Stephen Kumalo

Summary – Msimangu and Stephen traveled to the Ezenzelini.

Msimangu preaches in the chapel there.

Vocabulary log (unknown words) - osier = a small Eurasian willow that

grows mostly in wet habitats and is a major source of the long flexible
shoots (withies) used in basketwork

Chapter 14
Characters – a young man, Stephen Kumalo, Msimangu, John, Father
Vincent, Absalom

Summary – Stephen finds out that his son is in prison for killing a white
man. John’s son was there when it happened. Stephen’s son and John’s
son were companions.

Vocabulary log (unknown words) – jest = a thing said or done for

amusement; a joke

Chapter 15

Characters – Stephen Kumalo, young white man, Mrs. Lithebe, Father

Vincent

Summary – Stephen decided to get a lawyer for his son. Father Vincent
speaks some words of encouragement to Stephen.

Vocabulary log (unknown words) – dispirited = cause (someone) to lose

enthusiasm or hope

Chapter 16

Characters – Stephen Kumalo, Young girl

Summary – Stephen set out to go visit the girl that Absalom is going to
marry.

Vocabulary log (unknown words) – solemn = formal and dignified

Chapter 17

Characters – Mrs. Lithebe, Stephen Kumalo, young girl, Absalom, father

Vincent, Warder, Mr. Carmichael,

Summary – Stephen made arrangements for the young girl to come

and live with him. A lawyer visits Absalom and interrogates him.

Vocabulary log (unknown words) – wailed = a prolonged high-pitched

cry of pain, grief, or anger