Repetition is the key to dramatic effect in Chapter 12 of Cry, the Beloved Country. Three important things are repeated: the title of the novel, the laws and separation. The repetition makes the point that the author, Alan Paton, is conveying very clear: the people of South Africa need help. The repetition of phrases, ideas, or themes in chapter 12 shows how the people of South Africa need someone to take action, create useful laws, and unite the black and white inhabitants in peace. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In chapter 12, the repetition of the title, “Cry the Beloved Country,” is an obvious demonstration of the desperation of the citizens of South Africa. “Cry, beloved country. These things are not finished yet,” Stephen Kumalo declares on page 105, towards the end of chapter 11. This is the first time the book's title is mentioned in the text, but it is not the last. “Weep, beloved country” is said often throughout chapter 12. Repetition is a powerful tool because it shows a strong desire to be heard. Many children, if they believe they were not listened to the first time, will repeat their question over and over until someone answers their request. As these children grow, they typically learn to be patient and repeat their questions only when absolutely necessary. The murder of an engineer, Mr. Arthur Jarvis, forces the natives of South Africa to return to their infantile state of repetition. Mr Jarvis was president of the African Boys Club, a churchgoing layman and a fighter for justice. This shows the desperation in the hearts of the indigenous people. When they revert to infantile tendencies, this demonstrates their great need for help, in the same way that children often need help. When Kumalo and other Africans repeat the phrase “cry, beloved country,” it is a call to the natives to act. Despite the discussions and disagreements of the vignettes in chapter 12, the repetition shows the common desire of the people of South Africa. Many of the vignettes in chapter 12 feature both white men from Johannesburg proposing ideas on how to prevent the violence that led to Mr. Jarvis's death. Although Jarvis' death is not explicitly mentioned in the cartoons, conversations suggest that it was his death that prompted them. One common thing mentioned is laws. On page 108 we see a conversation between a man, "Jackson", and another man who remains nameless. The unnamed man says, “They should enforce the pass laws, Jackson,” to which Jackson replies, “But I tell you, the pass laws don't work.” The recurring theme of laws and their inadequacy is evident. Without sufficient laws, people are forced to repeat a cry for action. At the beginning of the chapter, a man is giving a speech and asks his audience: “Which do we prefer, a law-abiding, industrious and determined native people, or a lawless, idle and aimless people?” This sentence shows that Jackson is not the only South African who believes that there is no real law governing blacks. Again, repetition is key in this chapter, as it shows how many people, despite their disagreements about how to get it, deep down all want the same thing. In this case, it is a law that will keep both blacks and whites safe and purposeful. The ignorance of some characters portrayed in chapter 12 shows the importance of peace between blacks and whites without the need for segregation. When a vignette in chapter 12 describes a conversation of a rich, white man or woman, they often view segregation as a,.