Msimangu’s Letter

Msimangu’s letter is addressed to Kumalo. It asks him to come to Johannesburg to look after his sick sister. There is an ominous feeling about the letter, as both Kumalo and his wife expect it to have bad news. It has been so long since they heard from any of their family in Johannesburg that they can only believe any news from the city will be bad. The letter is the inciting incident of the novel. Without Msimangu’s words exhorting Kumalo to travel to Johannesburg, the rest of the novel would not happen.

Revolver

A revolver is the weapon Absalom uses to murder Arthur Jarvis. Though it is loaded with a single bullet and he only carries it as a diversionary measure against actual violence, the revolver leads to Absalom’s undoing. Without thinking, he accepts anonymous advice that guns are necessary in...