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.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
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.
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