Home Assignment 29/09/2010

The Biography of Rogers Mais

This Jamaican born novelist, journalist, painter, poet and playwright was born in 1905 to a Middle Class family. His development as a successful writer was evident in his 10 top place positions in Literary Competitions. Subsequently, Mais became deeply involved in journalism and he wrote strong social critque pieces in addition to poetry and short stories for his local weekly newspaper People's National Party, Focus and the Daily Jamaica Cleaner. An article, namely Public Opinion in 1944 landed Mais a six year jail time sentence. This terrible period in the artists life inspired the novel The Hills Were Joyful Together in 1953 which was proceeded by Brother Man in 1954 and Black Lightening in 1955. Brother Man being the most popular of the trio. Prior to his novel successes, Mais published his play George William Gordon in 1940. In Roger Mais' writing, he incorporates and by entension reflects his strong biblical and spiritual beliefs as well as political standing and inequlity. In 1978, Mais was presented with the Order of Jamaica, as the nation demonstrated its repect and appreciation for Mais' work.

What does the Critiques say about 'Brother Man'?

 The concensus of the reviews of Roger Mais' Brother Man consider the book to be strongly religious with regards to the indepth nature of rastafariamism. Critque Annie Paul states in her review that "It’s interesting to read Brother Man today, when Rastas and things Rastafarian have acquired such cultural charisma that their image". She exaggerated the fact that rastafarianism has become a very prominent religion in society as it is was triggered in song by Bob Marley and the forms varied along with their founders but it was refreshing to have this religion in particular being exhibited in book, namely by Roger Mais.

 Other critiques note that the novel depicts a contrast from what culture in Jamaica had once been like in comnparison to what it is now. Imani claims in his review "(Brother Man) is not a mere historical artefact providing a window into Jamaica’s past, but shows an improvement in style, a sophistication in the development of themes and exploration of human character". He further explains that Mais' way of developing his characters also reflects the change or the growth into a new fashion.

Rastafarianism

 In the 1930's Marcus Garvey prophecied that a King would raise out of Africa to free the black race from the restrains of white colonialism and so the Rastafari movement was born. In the mid-1930's Hailie Selasse I

rose to power in Ethopia. He was believed to be the prophecied King. Selasse I was, however, not his original name, and the religion adopted his given name which was 'Rastafari', who they believed was a mdern day saviour of the colonialised oppressed blacks. Selasse I was over thrown in later years during a marxist revolution in Etheopia. He later died mysteriously which rose him to the status martyrdom in the eyes of Rastifari followers. The most popular sacrement of Rastafarianism is enbodied in ganga. A very potent form of marijuana which is used for entertainment, clarity, relaxation and to induce communion with a higher entity.

 Critiques of Rastafarianism state that rastafarianism is a very young religion which does not stress group worship or an orthodox organised relgious structure; there are no set rules of values and therefore no insistence on the protocols. Though it does not display the characteristics of traditional religion, Rastafari does insist that each person is not apart from but has a constant connection with God, which is evident in the use of 'I and I'. Critique Daemona Young states that "the use of a hallucinagenic substance was a form of sacriment for many 'heathen' religions through out the ages. While Rastafarians heavily defend the practise there is little eveidence to prove it's legitemacy."