He had come to tell his brother that power corrupts, that a man who fights for justice must himself be cleansed and purified, that love is greater than force. And none of these things had he done. God have mercy on me, Christ have mercy on me. He turned to the door, but it was locked and bolted. Brother had shut out brother, from the same womb had they come.
In Alan Paton's "Cry, The Beloved Country," a man seeks to impart critical truths to his brother about the nature of power, justice, and love. He understands that power can corrupt individuals, and a genuine fight for justice requires personal integrity and moral purity. Unfortunately, he feels he has failed to convey these important lessons, leaving him burdened with his shortcomings and seeking forgiveness.
As he attempts to leave the conversation, he discovers the door is locked, symbolizing the emotional and physical separation between him and his brother. This moment highlights the tragic division between kin, who share the same origin yet are now estranged. The brotherly connection, once sacred, has been severed by their difference in beliefs and actions.
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