The play "School bag-what's in yours?" written by Zara Airall, was SPECTACULAR! It describes the average day at school amongst peers and how they act and react to each other. Also the different personality types that were present: there was the "snobbish" girl, the "gangster" guy, the overweight girl, the quiet, gothic girl, the easily swayed girl, the nosy girl, the "gangster" girl, the quiet, odd guy and so on.
The play emphasizes the point or issue of what is in the average teenager's bag, be it drugs, weapons, food, books, make up and accessories or a book of secrets.
Some major turn in events were: when the "fat girl" lost weight dramatically. The quiet girl standing up to Lindsey when she was trying to invade her privacy. Lindsey killing Malik and the quiet, goth girl committing suicide.
It was a real shock when we discovered one of the characters committed suicide, especially when she had so much talent (in writing poetry). It is truly a pity she did not get to develop her potential. It was rather sad that she went through such a life and had no one to talk to, no one who seemed to care or who she could trust. Yet she cared for everyone else and took on their problems. As she had said just before she killed herself.
This play brings to the forefront the struggles of teenage life: the "ups and downs", how important self esteem is, life in and out of school, peer pressure, friendships and relationships, discipline, finding and being yourself and understanding those around you.
Also, the sound effects, props, backdrops, setting and the usage of language all contributed to the success of the play and enhanced it. The classroom setting with a little greenery outside, illustrated the play well. Although there seemed to be a problem at one point in time with the sound it was good, overall.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Society's views in the time of Shakespeare
In Shakespearean time, the women in society were supposed to be seen and not heard. Their opinion did not count and was not asked for, especially in public meeting. The roles of women in society were very limited. The Elizabethans (people in Shakesperean/Elizabethan time) had well defined expectations of men and women, and generally, the men were expected to be the 'breadwinners' of the family and the women were the housewives and mothers. Also, a woman, in addition to being female, also had to be feminine.
This society was patriarchal, which means the men were considered to be the leaders and the women the submissive sex to the dominant male. Women were regarded as "the weaker sex", not just in terms of physical strength, but also emotionally. It was believed that women always needed looking after. If a woman was married, her husband was supposed to look after her. If single, then the father, brother or another male relative(such as a cousin or uncle) was expected to care for them.
Many women in this period were highly educated. Although, women were not allowed to go to school or to university, they could be educated at home privately by tutors. Women were not allowed to enter the professions, such as law, medicine, politics, but they could work in domestic service as cooks, maids. Women were also allowed to write works of literature, providing the subject was suitable for women, (mainly translations or religious works). Women were not allowed to act on the public stage or write for the public stage. Acting was considered dishonorable for women and women did not appear on the stage in England until the seventeenth century. In Shakespeare's plays, the roles of women were often played by young boys.
A woman, regardless of her social status, was not allowed to vote (however, only men of a certain social position were allowed to vote). Neither could a woman inherit the title of her father. All titles passed from the father to the son or from a brother to another brother, depending on the circumstances. The only exception to this was the crown. The crown could be passed to a daughter, and that daughter would then have all the power and Majesty of any king. In some of the cases where women could not inherit estates they could be heiresses to property.
It could probably be said that women had more freedom in the Shakespearean period than they have now (despite the limitations). However, in Shakespeare's time, women were not treated as proper humans but more like sex objects.
The role of a man in Shakespeare time was to head the household.The family life for the men of this time was one of power and authority. The men made the family decisions and the women had to submit and obey them. Also, he was expected to take care of his wife and household, and ensure that everything needed was supplied. Most important for a man to do was to love his wife and be a good father to their children. If a husband ever abused his wife he could be prosecuted or prevented from living with her (and sometimes even restricted from accessing their children). There was no divorce in Elizabethan times. Marriage usually lasted for as long as the partners in the couple lived. If a couple did want to separate, then they needed to obtain an annulment.
Men being seen as the superior sex had complete authority over women and could marry who they wanted. The women, on the other hand, had no say in who they had to marry. Obviously the two sexes were not equally treated. Men would also bet and gamble among each other about their wives' behaviour to see which wife was the 'tamest'. It was not enough for a man to be male; he also had to appear to be masculine.
Illegitimate children were looked down upon in the time of Shakespeare. Illegitimate children were the unlawful offspring of unmarried parents; born out of wedlock. These chidren would either be accepted or rejected by their parents (mainly the fathers) depending on their (the parents) social status-place in society. They could not attain the title of their father (who usually carried the titles) and were hardly ever acknowledged in a will, which depended on the consideration of the parent.
An unfaithful woman, especially one who was of noble birth, was looked down upon by society, mainly because she had a place in society and compromised it by getting involved with a man who was not her husband. It was even more insulting to society if she gave birth to an illegitimate child. The men, however, never seemed to get the blame of impregnating a woman. They always seemed to get away scot-free when such a situation arised, (unless it was a reported situation of rape).
In the play, "Much Ado About Nothing", the characters Beatrice, Leonato, Don John, Claudio and Benedick go against the social norms and behaviour of society. Beatrice does this because as an independent thinker she does not support the belief of her male counterparts' high recognition in society. She sees men as narrow minded, haughty and self righteous beings and wish no relationship with them, especially in the marital context.
Leonato, against the norm, has Hero his daughter and only child as heir rather than his brother or some other male relative. Don John, the bastard/illegitimate child tries to counter Don Pedro his legitimate half brother, by war against him ( in the earlier parts of the play). Don John as the illegitimate child should just accept his loathesome position in the world, instead of trying to change somethng that cannot be changed.
Claudio, does not play the dominant masculine role he should be playing (as a man) throughout the play, aside from accusing Hero and rejecting her at the wedding ceremony. Claudio is seen as a meek, innocent and humble young man, when in fact he should be like a domineering masculine figure. Benedick, instead of being a gentleman and more astute person, keeps allowing Beatrice, a woman, to get the best of him and publicly insult him. He should really put her in her place and show her both of their places in society.
This society was patriarchal, which means the men were considered to be the leaders and the women the submissive sex to the dominant male. Women were regarded as "the weaker sex", not just in terms of physical strength, but also emotionally. It was believed that women always needed looking after. If a woman was married, her husband was supposed to look after her. If single, then the father, brother or another male relative(such as a cousin or uncle) was expected to care for them.
Many women in this period were highly educated. Although, women were not allowed to go to school or to university, they could be educated at home privately by tutors. Women were not allowed to enter the professions, such as law, medicine, politics, but they could work in domestic service as cooks, maids. Women were also allowed to write works of literature, providing the subject was suitable for women, (mainly translations or religious works). Women were not allowed to act on the public stage or write for the public stage. Acting was considered dishonorable for women and women did not appear on the stage in England until the seventeenth century. In Shakespeare's plays, the roles of women were often played by young boys.
A woman, regardless of her social status, was not allowed to vote (however, only men of a certain social position were allowed to vote). Neither could a woman inherit the title of her father. All titles passed from the father to the son or from a brother to another brother, depending on the circumstances. The only exception to this was the crown. The crown could be passed to a daughter, and that daughter would then have all the power and Majesty of any king. In some of the cases where women could not inherit estates they could be heiresses to property.
It could probably be said that women had more freedom in the Shakespearean period than they have now (despite the limitations). However, in Shakespeare's time, women were not treated as proper humans but more like sex objects.
The role of a man in Shakespeare time was to head the household.The family life for the men of this time was one of power and authority. The men made the family decisions and the women had to submit and obey them. Also, he was expected to take care of his wife and household, and ensure that everything needed was supplied. Most important for a man to do was to love his wife and be a good father to their children. If a husband ever abused his wife he could be prosecuted or prevented from living with her (and sometimes even restricted from accessing their children). There was no divorce in Elizabethan times. Marriage usually lasted for as long as the partners in the couple lived. If a couple did want to separate, then they needed to obtain an annulment.
Men being seen as the superior sex had complete authority over women and could marry who they wanted. The women, on the other hand, had no say in who they had to marry. Obviously the two sexes were not equally treated. Men would also bet and gamble among each other about their wives' behaviour to see which wife was the 'tamest'. It was not enough for a man to be male; he also had to appear to be masculine.
Illegitimate children were looked down upon in the time of Shakespeare. Illegitimate children were the unlawful offspring of unmarried parents; born out of wedlock. These chidren would either be accepted or rejected by their parents (mainly the fathers) depending on their (the parents) social status-place in society. They could not attain the title of their father (who usually carried the titles) and were hardly ever acknowledged in a will, which depended on the consideration of the parent.
An unfaithful woman, especially one who was of noble birth, was looked down upon by society, mainly because she had a place in society and compromised it by getting involved with a man who was not her husband. It was even more insulting to society if she gave birth to an illegitimate child. The men, however, never seemed to get the blame of impregnating a woman. They always seemed to get away scot-free when such a situation arised, (unless it was a reported situation of rape).
In the play, "Much Ado About Nothing", the characters Beatrice, Leonato, Don John, Claudio and Benedick go against the social norms and behaviour of society. Beatrice does this because as an independent thinker she does not support the belief of her male counterparts' high recognition in society. She sees men as narrow minded, haughty and self righteous beings and wish no relationship with them, especially in the marital context.
Leonato, against the norm, has Hero his daughter and only child as heir rather than his brother or some other male relative. Don John, the bastard/illegitimate child tries to counter Don Pedro his legitimate half brother, by war against him ( in the earlier parts of the play). Don John as the illegitimate child should just accept his loathesome position in the world, instead of trying to change somethng that cannot be changed.
Claudio, does not play the dominant masculine role he should be playing (as a man) throughout the play, aside from accusing Hero and rejecting her at the wedding ceremony. Claudio is seen as a meek, innocent and humble young man, when in fact he should be like a domineering masculine figure. Benedick, instead of being a gentleman and more astute person, keeps allowing Beatrice, a woman, to get the best of him and publicly insult him. He should really put her in her place and show her both of their places in society.
Monday, November 9, 2009
The Dramatic Significance of the Quotes
1)"The savage bull may, but if ever the sensible Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull's horns and set them in my forehead, and let me be vilely painted, and in such great letters as they write 'Here is good horse to hire' let them signify under my sign 'Here you may see Benedick the married man'."
-The speaker is Benedick, (as he speaks to Don Pedro and Claudio). The meaning of this quote is that Benedick is saying what is to be done to him if he ever marries, for he sees marriage as a distasteful matter to commit to. Also he believes like the wild horse (he compares himself to), he will be tamed by his wife (when married), which, seemingly, he doesn't want. The dramatic significance is the great emphasis in which he shows what he thinks of marriage. He is also making a significant point in which he states he'll never marry, this is contradicted later on in the play when he and Beatrice fall in love, (and do indeed marry).
-Beatrice is the speaker of this quote. The meaning of this quote is that Beatrice can find no man to agree with, to suit her. She states that if he does not have a beard, he will be too young for her and she would not be a suitable match (wife) for him. However, if he is too old, he is not a suitable match for her. The dramatic significance is that she can find no man to suit her and so she is to be left a maiden, (which she, seemingly, is satisfied with).
-The speaker is Benedick, (as he speaks to Don Pedro and Claudio). The meaning of this quote is that Benedick is saying what is to be done to him if he ever marries, for he sees marriage as a distasteful matter to commit to. Also he believes like the wild horse (he compares himself to), he will be tamed by his wife (when married), which, seemingly, he doesn't want. The dramatic significance is the great emphasis in which he shows what he thinks of marriage. He is also making a significant point in which he states he'll never marry, this is contradicted later on in the play when he and Beatrice fall in love, (and do indeed marry).
-Beatrice is the speaker of this quote. The meaning of this quote is that Beatrice can find no man to agree with, to suit her. She states that if he does not have a beard, he will be too young for her and she would not be a suitable match (wife) for him. However, if he is too old, he is not a suitable match for her. The dramatic significance is that she can find no man to suit her and so she is to be left a maiden, (which she, seemingly, is satisfied with).
Thursday, November 5, 2009
"Much Ado About Nothing"-Titles are very significant
"Much Ado About Nothing" means basically what the title suggests: a lot of worry, arguing and fuss overthe things that do not need to be fussed about.
The plot of the story revolves around the warring major characters, Beatrice and Signior Benedick, who are obviously in love with each other, but are too blind, stubborn and proud to note it. Also, the other characters such as Claudio and Hero seem to have a little misunderstanding that can be easily resolved by them talking things out and listening to what the other has to say rther than listening to everyone else. However, they seemingly prefer to jump to conclusions and be "macho" or manly (in Claudio's case) about it. As the plot progresses various schemes are initiated. But as the end nears, it seems that a majority of the things that the characters might have been fretting about were really trivial.
The plot of the story revolves around the warring major characters, Beatrice and Signior Benedick, who are obviously in love with each other, but are too blind, stubborn and proud to note it. Also, the other characters such as Claudio and Hero seem to have a little misunderstanding that can be easily resolved by them talking things out and listening to what the other has to say rther than listening to everyone else. However, they seemingly prefer to jump to conclusions and be "macho" or manly (in Claudio's case) about it. As the plot progresses various schemes are initiated. But as the end nears, it seems that a majority of the things that the characters might have been fretting about were really trivial.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Brother Man- a symbolic novel
The novel Brother Man is a very symbolic book. I agree with this statement, mainly because a majority of the novel containes a biblical allusion towards Jesus Christ' life and experience here on earth. Although, the biblical allusion was most concentrted towards the end of the book there are various sections in the book which make references to Christ.
Brother Man, (the main character) said to be a 'Ras Tafirite' allows his choice in religion to be symbolic also, because he allows it to influence what activities he engages in. Also, it plays a part in determining howhe speaks and acts. His way of life is symbolic in the story, as he is set apart as the 'holy man of God'.
Other symbols that are present in the book that support the statement that Brother Man is a symbolic book, (especially for superstition). For example, the owl which flew over Cordelia's house (page 9), the dog which stood on its haunches and bayed at the moon(page9), the sighting of 'Old Mag' (pages 70-72), the various sections that pertain to the other significance of the flashback for Brother Man(on pages 154-156), the man who walks around naked to the waist and carries a knife is also a significant symbol to the plot.
The author of this novel recognizes different symbols and symbolic behaviour and portrays them to his readers in such a way to encourage our interest and broaden our knowledge, especially of the (Jamaican) setting andof some of the themes, such as superstition and obeah, and love, lust and the types of abuse.
Brother Man, (the main character) said to be a 'Ras Tafirite' allows his choice in religion to be symbolic also, because he allows it to influence what activities he engages in. Also, it plays a part in determining howhe speaks and acts. His way of life is symbolic in the story, as he is set apart as the 'holy man of God'.
Other symbols that are present in the book that support the statement that Brother Man is a symbolic book, (especially for superstition). For example, the owl which flew over Cordelia's house (page 9), the dog which stood on its haunches and bayed at the moon(page9), the sighting of 'Old Mag' (pages 70-72), the various sections that pertain to the other significance of the flashback for Brother Man(on pages 154-156), the man who walks around naked to the waist and carries a knife is also a significant symbol to the plot.
The author of this novel recognizes different symbols and symbolic behaviour and portrays them to his readers in such a way to encourage our interest and broaden our knowledge, especially of the (Jamaican) setting andof some of the themes, such as superstition and obeah, and love, lust and the types of abuse.
The Desperation of characters in Brother Man
Desperation, the state of being desperate, rash and without care, as from despair which is to lose or give up hope (according to the Webster's Dictionary).
The following characters each reached a state of desperation at one point in the novel, Brother Man: Girlie, Minette, Jesmina, Bra' Ambo, Papacita and last but most definitely not least Cordelia.
Girlie's state of desperation came from the unhealthy relationship she fostered with Papacita. On page116, the desperation in which she craved for death by Papacita's hands was very extreme. The amount of times Papacita hurt her both physically and emotionally was suddenly too much for her to bear.
As for Minette, she has come to the conclusion that she is in love with Brother Man and she is very anxious about whether he feels the same way. She keeps fighting between boldly confronting the matter or just to take things calmly and slow. Inother words, she is desperate for his intimate love, attention and recognition of her as a woman.
Jesmina, though not crazy like her sister, Cordelia, has a bit of desperation also, as a result of the many struggles she has to go through with her crazy, half-cracked sister, her ill nephew, her relationship with her boyfriend, Shine (who she feels guilty about because she has a man and her sister's own is in prison) and her job (which does not seem to be much of an issue). Fortunately and unlike her sister Jesmina seeks help and refuge in Brother Man's care. In addition to that she prays.
Brother Ambo (Bra' Ambo), in pages 52-53 comes to Brother Man in urgent, desperate fear as though he is running from someone- the police. He practically begs Brother Man to hold unto some of his "equipment"with which he uses for obeah. Brother Man nicely refuses and states that if it was anything else that he would have happily kept it for him. He also tells him that if he (Bra' Ambo) doesn't want to get caught then simply throw the stuff away.
Papacita's acts of desperation come later in the story, when in an effort to get Minette he secretly frames Brother Man and then bails him, hoping to impress her by looking out for Brother Man's well-being. Also by handling the counterfeit money. If he wasn't so against getting a proper job he wouldn't have turned to such an illegal method of getting money... or maybe he still would, since he's just lazy.
Cordelia, the queen of insanity and paranoia.... Cordelia's desperation mixed with her state of depression is in itself overwhelming. This is so because she starts meddling with obeah, locking her sister in her room, hiding things, murmuring to herself, seeing things in her mind, becoming even more superstitious, becoming paranoid of Jesmina leaving and of Brother Man trying to steal Jesmina away, she also becomes a second hand partner to framing someone innocent (someone she used to trust) and finally committing infanticide and suicide. This all occured as a result of her not being strong enough to handle all her struggles and trials, which came one after the other cumulating upon each other. She also lacked faith, courage and trust, in God, (who seemingly is portrayed through the medium of Brother Man).
The following characters each reached a state of desperation at one point in the novel, Brother Man: Girlie, Minette, Jesmina, Bra' Ambo, Papacita and last but most definitely not least Cordelia.
Girlie's state of desperation came from the unhealthy relationship she fostered with Papacita. On page116, the desperation in which she craved for death by Papacita's hands was very extreme. The amount of times Papacita hurt her both physically and emotionally was suddenly too much for her to bear.
As for Minette, she has come to the conclusion that she is in love with Brother Man and she is very anxious about whether he feels the same way. She keeps fighting between boldly confronting the matter or just to take things calmly and slow. Inother words, she is desperate for his intimate love, attention and recognition of her as a woman.
Jesmina, though not crazy like her sister, Cordelia, has a bit of desperation also, as a result of the many struggles she has to go through with her crazy, half-cracked sister, her ill nephew, her relationship with her boyfriend, Shine (who she feels guilty about because she has a man and her sister's own is in prison) and her job (which does not seem to be much of an issue). Fortunately and unlike her sister Jesmina seeks help and refuge in Brother Man's care. In addition to that she prays.
Brother Ambo (Bra' Ambo), in pages 52-53 comes to Brother Man in urgent, desperate fear as though he is running from someone- the police. He practically begs Brother Man to hold unto some of his "equipment"with which he uses for obeah. Brother Man nicely refuses and states that if it was anything else that he would have happily kept it for him. He also tells him that if he (Bra' Ambo) doesn't want to get caught then simply throw the stuff away.
Papacita's acts of desperation come later in the story, when in an effort to get Minette he secretly frames Brother Man and then bails him, hoping to impress her by looking out for Brother Man's well-being. Also by handling the counterfeit money. If he wasn't so against getting a proper job he wouldn't have turned to such an illegal method of getting money... or maybe he still would, since he's just lazy.
Cordelia, the queen of insanity and paranoia.... Cordelia's desperation mixed with her state of depression is in itself overwhelming. This is so because she starts meddling with obeah, locking her sister in her room, hiding things, murmuring to herself, seeing things in her mind, becoming even more superstitious, becoming paranoid of Jesmina leaving and of Brother Man trying to steal Jesmina away, she also becomes a second hand partner to framing someone innocent (someone she used to trust) and finally committing infanticide and suicide. This all occured as a result of her not being strong enough to handle all her struggles and trials, which came one after the other cumulating upon each other. She also lacked faith, courage and trust, in God, (who seemingly is portrayed through the medium of Brother Man).
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare, the phenomenal playwright of the 16th and 17th century. Mr Shakespeare is not only the greatest playwright of the literary world but also is an inspiration to current and future playwrights, poets, authors and actors. William Shakespeare is known mainly as an actor and writer of plays. He had a full life in maturity and is the perfect role model for any all-rounded scholar of the Arts.
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford, England on the twenty third day of April, 1564. He was the third child and eldest son born to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. Joan and Margaret were William's older sisters. His younger siblings were Gilbert, Joan (named after the first Joan who was a victim of the plague), Anne, Richard and Edmund. William attended the Stratford Grammar School between the ages of 6 and 13. In this educational institute he enjoyed learning English and Latin and also enjoyed reading stories written by Latin authors. In addition to this, Shakespeare worked for a butcher.
The "I do's"; these matrimonial vows were taken by Shakespeare and his wife to be, Ann Hathaway in the year 1582. Ann and William had three lovely children in total: Susanna, born in 1583, Hamnet and Judith, the twins born in 1585. Sadly, in 1596, young Hamnet passed on. It is often said that one of Shakespeare's famous characters (of his plays) stemmed from the name of his only son-Hamnet.
In the year 1592 and onwards, Shakespeare is a more recognized figure in the English society. The years before that, ranging from 1578-1582 and 1585-1592 are termed as the "Lost Years", that he did not acquire the skills of a playwright and actor. Nevertheless, he accumulated great wealth in the few following years and was soon able to assist in the financing of the Globe. The Globe was to be the new playhouse, since the old theatre was demolished. Shakespeare wrote a numerous number of plays, some popular ones including: A Midsummer's Night's Dream, The Merchant of Venice, The Tempest, Macbeth, King Lear, Othello, Hamlet, the three parts of Henry VI and last, but most definitely not least, Romeo and Juliet, which was the first of his greater plays. Two of his few poems include: “Venus and Adonis” and “Sonnets”.
On the 23rd of April, 1616 Shakespeare died at Stratford. After Shakespeare's death, two of his fellow actors, Heming and Condell made the interesting observation that Shakespeare's “hand and mind went together, and what he thought, he uttered with that easiness that we scarce received from him a blot in his papers”. These two men put together a Folio volume of thirty-six of William Shakespeare's plays in honour of such a greatly talented man.
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford, England on the twenty third day of April, 1564. He was the third child and eldest son born to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. Joan and Margaret were William's older sisters. His younger siblings were Gilbert, Joan (named after the first Joan who was a victim of the plague), Anne, Richard and Edmund. William attended the Stratford Grammar School between the ages of 6 and 13. In this educational institute he enjoyed learning English and Latin and also enjoyed reading stories written by Latin authors. In addition to this, Shakespeare worked for a butcher.
The "I do's"; these matrimonial vows were taken by Shakespeare and his wife to be, Ann Hathaway in the year 1582. Ann and William had three lovely children in total: Susanna, born in 1583, Hamnet and Judith, the twins born in 1585. Sadly, in 1596, young Hamnet passed on. It is often said that one of Shakespeare's famous characters (of his plays) stemmed from the name of his only son-Hamnet.
In the year 1592 and onwards, Shakespeare is a more recognized figure in the English society. The years before that, ranging from 1578-1582 and 1585-1592 are termed as the "Lost Years", that he did not acquire the skills of a playwright and actor. Nevertheless, he accumulated great wealth in the few following years and was soon able to assist in the financing of the Globe. The Globe was to be the new playhouse, since the old theatre was demolished. Shakespeare wrote a numerous number of plays, some popular ones including: A Midsummer's Night's Dream, The Merchant of Venice, The Tempest, Macbeth, King Lear, Othello, Hamlet, the three parts of Henry VI and last, but most definitely not least, Romeo and Juliet, which was the first of his greater plays. Two of his few poems include: “Venus and Adonis” and “Sonnets”.
On the 23rd of April, 1616 Shakespeare died at Stratford. After Shakespeare's death, two of his fellow actors, Heming and Condell made the interesting observation that Shakespeare's “hand and mind went together, and what he thought, he uttered with that easiness that we scarce received from him a blot in his papers”. These two men put together a Folio volume of thirty-six of William Shakespeare's plays in honour of such a greatly talented man.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Reflection1 on Brother Man
Brother Man. A very interesting book. So far, this book has caught my attention span for quite a good while, which I honestly didn't think will happen.
At first I had assumed that it would be an on and off kind of thing, but surprisingly it kept me reading longer than I thought I would be. Aside from the mindboggling language and grammar the plot is quite distinctive to many others that I have had the privilege of reading.
In the earlier stages of the novel, we learn of various characters and their baseline/fundamental personalities. Papacita, for example, the typical player, who never seem to get enough (of money or women). Brother Man, on the other hand, is like another Ghandi. Just black and more elemental.
The relationship between Papacita and his girl, Girlie is quite queer, yet one can relate because it is very common in these modern times, especially in the Caribbean. This relationship in contrast to that of Brother Man and Minette is like the lion and the lamb situation... guess who's the lamb?
The relationship between Brother Man and Minette is very father and daughter like, but it seems as though Minette wants a little more affection and intimacy thrown in. It also looks like Brother Man knows and, is trying for the life of him, to keep it from happening.
Jesmina's relationship with her sister, Cordelia has a lot of love flowing. When Cordelia takes ill, Jesmina not only takes care of her but also her nephew (Cordy's son). Real love and consideration is only found in here and also in the relationship between Jesmina and Minette, Jesmina and Brother Man, and Jesmina and Shine. (It seems like all the love is revolving around Jesmina, certain characters should get to know her. They will learn a thing or two.)
It seems as though I am focusing wholly on relationships. This is so because it is one of the novel's major themes, along with deception, superstition (paranoia), obeah, the religion of the rastafari, the roles of women in society, and the moral values of each character in the novel.
I definitely must say that this is a good read, for both literature students and for anyone who loves books.
I must go back to the relationship between Brother Man and Minette, in where Brother Man offers her guidance and love, when she obviously wants "love" in a totally different context. What say you on the matter?
I also wonder what has become of Cordelia's state of mind. Has she fully recovered from her fever or is she just becoming more paranoid by the second? She is not only scaring the people in the book, but me as well. I believe it could be depression, desperation or both. Although I don't agree with her abandoning Brother Man and going to see Brother Ambo all I can say is she has got to start somewhere. The best, of course is prayer.
Have you ever wondered where the little boy comes in? First, we are informed of his existence in the earlier chapters when he is stopped by a plain clothes police man and asked questions, about his errand and sling shot, the second is when he asks Brother Man for the bird to eat, the third time is when Brother Man offers him money and teaches him a biblical lesson, as he was going to cook and eat the crab. Does he necessarily play a significant role? Just curious.
This novel is truly a Jamaican book to the heart. The use of language, the obeah, the characters' appearance and behaviour. Quite good and recommended for all literature students.
At first I had assumed that it would be an on and off kind of thing, but surprisingly it kept me reading longer than I thought I would be. Aside from the mindboggling language and grammar the plot is quite distinctive to many others that I have had the privilege of reading.
In the earlier stages of the novel, we learn of various characters and their baseline/fundamental personalities. Papacita, for example, the typical player, who never seem to get enough (of money or women). Brother Man, on the other hand, is like another Ghandi. Just black and more elemental.
The relationship between Papacita and his girl, Girlie is quite queer, yet one can relate because it is very common in these modern times, especially in the Caribbean. This relationship in contrast to that of Brother Man and Minette is like the lion and the lamb situation... guess who's the lamb?
The relationship between Brother Man and Minette is very father and daughter like, but it seems as though Minette wants a little more affection and intimacy thrown in. It also looks like Brother Man knows and, is trying for the life of him, to keep it from happening.
Jesmina's relationship with her sister, Cordelia has a lot of love flowing. When Cordelia takes ill, Jesmina not only takes care of her but also her nephew (Cordy's son). Real love and consideration is only found in here and also in the relationship between Jesmina and Minette, Jesmina and Brother Man, and Jesmina and Shine. (It seems like all the love is revolving around Jesmina, certain characters should get to know her. They will learn a thing or two.)
It seems as though I am focusing wholly on relationships. This is so because it is one of the novel's major themes, along with deception, superstition (paranoia), obeah, the religion of the rastafari, the roles of women in society, and the moral values of each character in the novel.
I definitely must say that this is a good read, for both literature students and for anyone who loves books.
I must go back to the relationship between Brother Man and Minette, in where Brother Man offers her guidance and love, when she obviously wants "love" in a totally different context. What say you on the matter?
I also wonder what has become of Cordelia's state of mind. Has she fully recovered from her fever or is she just becoming more paranoid by the second? She is not only scaring the people in the book, but me as well. I believe it could be depression, desperation or both. Although I don't agree with her abandoning Brother Man and going to see Brother Ambo all I can say is she has got to start somewhere. The best, of course is prayer.
Have you ever wondered where the little boy comes in? First, we are informed of his existence in the earlier chapters when he is stopped by a plain clothes police man and asked questions, about his errand and sling shot, the second is when he asks Brother Man for the bird to eat, the third time is when Brother Man offers him money and teaches him a biblical lesson, as he was going to cook and eat the crab. Does he necessarily play a significant role? Just curious.
This novel is truly a Jamaican book to the heart. The use of language, the obeah, the characters' appearance and behaviour. Quite good and recommended for all literature students.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
