Arthur Jarvis’ Recognition of Love

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Arthur Jarvis was a man of great importance to South Africa because his fear and sorrow developed into a deep love and caring for the country. Though the reader does not receive a direct narration from the position of Arthur Jarvis, Jarvis’ character is developed through his essays. This effect is great on the reader because he or she can observe the society’s thoughts on his writings after he is gone. Also, the reader discovers what an influential man Jarvis was. Jarvis devoted himself entirely to South Africa and the betterment of the land. He was especially concerned with the apartheid, and called for social justice for natives. He notes in his manuscripts about his childhood and how he had learned nothing of South Africa from being with his parents in the sheltered village of Ndotsheni. Jarvis’ other various writings are compelling because the reader understands Jarvis’ deep and genuine love for South Africa because of the intelligence and courage he possesses, enough so to write these manuscripts. Most importantly, Jarvis recognized his indifference to South Africa, his blindness to its happenings, and instead of sitting with that indifference and that apathy, he was able to promote change and develop a deep love for the people of South Africa and for the land of South Africa itself.
Arthur Jarvis is extraordinary, for in his “Private Essay on the Evolution of a South African,” he admits that he knew nothing of South Africa. “From them [his parents] I learned all that a child should learn of honour and charity and generosity. But of South Africa I learned nothing at all.” (pg 207) As a young boy, he was blind and sheltered from the entirety and the truth of his so-beloved land. “One can read, as I read when I was a boy, the b...

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...the country. Jarvis’ initial fears and sorrows aligned with those of the Europeans, because his parents in Ndotsheni sheltered him. Although as Jarvis goes to Johannesburg, he is more aware of the truth of South African problems and issues of apartheid and decides that change must be instituted. The ideals and concepts outlined in Jarvis’ essays demonstrate his passion and love for South Africa. Due to that love and passionate emotions towards Ndotsheni, Jarvis musters enough courage to address the apathy, or indifference, and fear that the European’s possess, concerning native crime. Overall, Jarvis had initial love and care for South Africa, but was blind to its real issues. It was only once Jarvis was able to go to Johannesburg and learn of all the bad of the country was he able to replace the fears and sorrows he possessed about natives, with his love and care.

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