Character Analysis Of Absalom Kumalo

Private life:

Coming from a village like Ndotsheni, I would think that Absalom was a good man and who appreciated family. When he came to Johannesburg he was lost and totally socially dislocated. He involved himself with bad company and thus became involved in crime. In his private life though, I think he regrets his actions and is too embarrassed to go back home.

Public life:

Publicly Absalom was known as a burglar and a murderer. He didn’t have a good reputation as he stole and took a life. He was known as a criminal to all, however, that is what he was, even if he might regret his actions and wishes he hadn’t done them. He will still remain a criminal in the eyes of the public, for the public does not know how the move from rural to urban may have affected him.

Peoples perceptions:

As mentioned above, people saw him as a criminal. This perception is based on his actions which are factual; therefore such a perception of him is accurate. Considering that he is the son of a reverend, people could think that he is rebellious, by leaving his home and coming to the city, were he gets involved in all these illegal activities, with bad companions. This makes one think that he is going against the ways of his father, his church, and is just trying to be different. To be the rebel of Ndotsheni.