Gertrude Kumalo's son is the nephew of Stephen Kumalo who also hears the sad news with no warning.
This is known as a person, animal or figure represented in a literary work.
Hence, we can see that in Cry, the beloved Country, Gertrude Kumalo's son hears the news of the trouble his uncle Stephen faced and returns to Ndotsheni to bring comfort to the trouble his uncle faces.
This situation affects him as he had to leave his own home to stay and provide succour for his uncle.
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