Some of the narrative techniques Roger Mais uses are dialogue, flashbacks, setting(the environment could be used to depict the socio-economic status of the characters) and religion.
How does Roger Mais develop characterisation?
Roger Mais uses the dialogue as a means of characterisation, whereby through the dialogue, the reader gets the direct perspective of the parties involved in the conflict. Here, as opposed to the omniscient narrative, the reader understands the characters emotions and experiences from a first hand stand point.
Secondly, Mais uses the town gossip to show a different or an outside point-of-view of the plot. However, this method of characterisation does not fully exploit the true nature of the character but it does put a reader at the advantage of understanding the conflict from an outsiders perspective.
Lastly, flashback is a crutial means of characterisation because this gives 'substance' or a more indepth understanding of the characters history; reputation or legend. For example, Brother Mans reflection of when he was a younger, living with Velta and the conflict between her and his best friend. This allows the reader to relate to the character in a more intimate fashion.
Where/What is the setting?
The setting is in Kingston, Jamaica, more specifically Orange Lane in the 1950's. Judging from the discriprion of the lane, it is in a low socio-economic region of the country.
Some themes in the novel 'Brother Man'.
- Love
- Deception
- Religion
- Insanity
- Desperation
- Abuse
- Hatred
- Greed
- Jealousy
- Insecurity
There were roughly 5 plots developing simultaneously in the novel 'Brother Man'.
Namely between the following persons: Girlie and Papacita; Papacita and Minette; Cordelia, Bra' Ambo and Brother Man; Brother Man and Minette; Papacita, Fellows and Corporal Jennings.
The plot between Girlie and Papacita was one of the most intriguing of the plots. Here is where two completely distinctive personalities clash in a common law setting. Papacita, an ungrateful, unfaithful, womanizing, greedy, self-absorbed man in a relation ship with a woman who was quite the contrary. She's faithful to Papacita, she is unconditionally in love with him, she basically devotes her body, soul and mind and is therefore submissive to Papacita who continually takes her for granted. All of Papacita's nasty attributes leads to his subsequent demise by the hand of his beloved Girlie.
Papacita and Minette. This plot lies behind the closed doors of Papacita and Girlies relationship. Papacita goes through many lengths to tear Minette away from Brother Man, even to the extent of black man. Shortly after Brother Mans arrest, Papacita bails him out of jail as a means of finding his way into the good graces of Minette. This plot, as opposed to that of Papacita and Girlie was short coming in the climax.
Thirdly, Cordelia, Bra' Ambo and Brother Mans plot was a bit more long winded than that of the others where it took longer to me resolved as well as the facts to the this plot wasn't completely clear. However, Bra' Ambo, who despised Brother Man and through Cordelia, framed Brother Man for possession of counterfeit which concluded in Brother Man going to jail.
Brother Man and Minette have an underlying romance that was not fully surfaced in the novel. Minettes submissiveness and beyond fatherly love for Brother Man which govern her faithfulness and actions towards Brother Man who did not display the same interest that Minette did. Nonetheless, the intimate affair between Brother Man and Minette left a puzzled atmosphere for the reader in the later parts of the novel.
Lastly, the plot among Fellows, Papacita and Corporal Jennings where Corporal Jennings was seeking out the source of the counterfiet dictribution with in Kingston, Jamaica, one of which was Papacita. This ploy had a interesting climax but unfortunately did not have theexpected out come.
Many, if not all, of the plots in the novel 'Brother Man' are intertwined with one another which was one of the key elements of the novel. Here, the reader would notice that each character played a role in every plot whether it be large or small.
How was foreshadowing displayed in the book?
Foreshadowing occured in several aspects of the novel. Some of which were: Papacita leaving Girlie, the disasterous relationship between Bra' Ambo and Brother Man and Brother Man's attempt execution (in Brother Man's quest to be like Jesus Christ, his life experience with the people of the village reflected that of the story of Jesus' life on earth).
How does religion play a huge part in bthe novel?
Religion mainly played a large role in the life of the character Brother Man. Religion was the drinving forced that govern Brother Mans actions. Religion also undeniabley was a manfestation in his life when the people of the village, people Brother Man helped in their time of need, turned against him. These people were the cause of his near death experience as their thunderous pelts of stone and anything harmful in hand struck him. He rose again in 3 days as the bibles teaching say of the story of Jesus Christ.
This novel also highlights the battle between believers and non-believers of the faith. The weak hearted and the easily lead astray versus the strong hearted and strong willed. One of the main lying ideas for this novel wqas religion and its effect on the lives of those who believed.
No comments:
Post a Comment