This Study Work Guide has been compiled according to the requirements of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement of the Department of Basic Education for the prescribed text Cry, the Beloved Country for Grade 12 First Additional Language.

This guide will assist learners in their understanding of the text and their preparation for examinations. It assumes that learners have a copy of the prescribed text at hand as it refers to this text and supplements it with additional literary concepts applicable to the genre and more contextual

This guide covers the following:

Section A: Making meaning of the novel as a whole

1. Pre-reading activities

1.1 Taking your first glance at the novel

1.2 Taking a closer look at the Author’s Notes before reading the novel

1.3 The purpose and format of the novel

2. Reading for plot and main ideas

2.1 Use plot to make sense of what happens in the story

2.2 Five plot elements

2.3 Reading for plot and main ideas in the story of the novel

3. Post-reading activities

3.1 Thinking about theme

3.2 Tracing themes in the novel

3.3 Motifs supporting the themes

3.4 Setting

3.5 Characterisation

3.6 Conflict

3.7 Imagery

3.8 Style

4. Summary

Section B: Delving deeper into the meaning of the message

1. Introduction

2. A closer reading of chapters and key passages

2.1 Book 1, Chapters 1 and 2

2.2 Book 1, Chapters 3, 4 and 5

2.3 Book 1, Chapters 6 and 7

2.4 Book 1, Chapters 8, 9 and 10

2.5 Book 1, Chapters 11, 12 and 13

2.6 Book 1, Chapter 14

2.7 Book 1, Chapters 15, 16 and 17

2.8 Book 2, Chapter 1

2.9 Book 2, Chapters 2, 3 and 4

2.10 Book 2, Chapter 5

2.11 Book 2, Chapters 6-10

2.12 Book 2, Chapter 11

2.13 Book 2, Chapter 12

2.14 Book 3, Chapter 1

2.15 Book 3, Chapter 2

2.16 Book 3, Chapter 3

2.17 Book 3, Chapter 4

2.18 Book 3, Chapter 5

2.19 Book 3, Chapter 6

2.20 Book 3, Chapter 7

Section C: Writing about the meaning of the novel

1. Introduction

2. Prepare to write meaningful answers

2.1 Deepen your understanding

2.2 Pace your preparation

3. Write meaningful answers

3.1 Before you answer the questions

3.2 When you answer the questions

3.3 After you have answered the questions

4. Practise writing answers to examination questions

a. Book One: Contextual questions

b. Book Two: Contextual questions

c. Book Three: Contextual questions

Section D: Exploring enrichment activities

1. Introduction

2. My communication checklist

3. Dip into the enrichment pool

4. Activities

4.1 Read a poem

4.2 View the film

4.3 Research

4.4 Speak and act

4.5 Write and publish