On Friday the 20th and Saturday the 21st of November, the play 'School Bag', by Zara Airall became a reality. It was staged at the University Centre on both days. On Saturday evening, the attendance was very good. It was almost a full house. The performance first started out with the portrayal of difference scenarios separate to the actual play. It dealt with dilemmas prevalent in our society, expectations, lack of guidance, drugs and the like but being a school play, it focused around graduating.
Mikhail Matthias, in monologue, played the role of a young boy living the fast life. Like many young men, he loved women. Behind him were human props like a manikin in the form of Ariel Derrik, wearing a graduation gown, and frozen emulations of types of womem which he would occasionally turn and dance with or refer to. Sarah-Ann Gresham was a representation of every other woman in his eyes, being average and less than astonishing, easy, Then Alyssa Derrick was the woman he fell in love with. The contrast between the two, he tells us, is that Alyssa had ambition, class and pride, dignity and intelligence. However he as a young man was defeaten by this, for he had never been taught to be a real man whenever he came across a real woman. It ate at him inside and he turned to drugs and the fast lane. He never got to graduate.
Alecka Edwards and Zayne Airall froze out of tableau after Mikhail and his props exited. They delivered their story in the more conventional manner. They acted out a scene of an argument about their new born baby. Having to give up dreams and having to suffer ridicule and judgement from the society in which they live. Being a pastor's daughter there were expectations they she was to live by and being a street boy, there were several assumptions that were going to be made however they came to common grounds when they both decide to stay in their child's life. They never got to graduate.
Then, as they exit, up from the audience is a very angry young lady, spiteful and hurt. Arita Phillip portrays the character who has known no real love, who has neither a mother nor a father. No one respects her and society expects her to be the low life skank her mother was; to never graduate, and never have the capability to do something that would make someone proud of her. She compares herself to the characters before her, how they had everything they needed to succeed, while she had nothing. She says 'My mother could not even tell you what primary school I attended.' She, however displayed a lot of charisma. She 'showed them'. She learnt her lesson and did not become distracted, though she was angry at her fate, she took off the gown and wore the cap and proudly marched off the stage. She got to graduate.
This segment of the performance ended with a blackout. The play was so well thought through however, that a stage help had to lift and remove the manikin that remained on stage. During blackouts music was played to maintain the interest of the audience, however on various occasions, songs had to be repeatedly played and blackouts became too long. Another performance of a dance in ballet style to the song, 'When I ruled the world'.
The characters assumed their position on stage to begin the play. They are all in uniform and the setting and backdrop is of a classroom with a window and door that overlooked a field with a tree. The classroom was filled with many characters. This was evident through their walk, looks, hairstyles and dress. Kayla was the character who was most isolated. Her hair was wild and covered her face. She walked with her head hung. She is the first person on the set. She sits alone and buries her head in her elbow. Then she pulls out pills and an alcoholic beverage from her bag. The shimmer resembling tears is seen from her eye corners and on her cheeks and as she hides these things away, the lights come back on to full white and the other characters come on the scene. Leslie is seated upon a desk and her uniform shirt is tied across her stomach so that it is revealed. Then she walks with confidence to another girl and takes her book for no apparant reason. From her first action, one can conclude that she is the bully of the play. The victim of the situation is Arlene who displays great bravery and shows that she thinks very highly of herself. She confronts Leslie immidiately and does not back down even though she was frightened by as simple a sound as Leslie's yell 'BOO!' Tanya is at her side saying nothing about the situation so that one can conclude that she is friends with Leslie but she does not bully like she does. She, Michelle and Jace all are the peace makers. They each come from the different cliques. Jace however was the main character trying to make peace like in always encouraging Leslie to 'Jus cool'. Keysha was a mojor victim of Leslie's scorn. She was fat and she struggled hard to fit in. She carried with her, everywhere, some item of food to eat. She was quiet and carried a scared kind of facial expression, when Leslie got on her case she did not defend herself in the least. Teeshorn was Leslie's brother, he, however was very different, he was very frustrated and annoyed by his sister's behaviour. Kyle was just another guy in the play. He hung with the boys and believed in the fast life, he did not like to be involved in 'mix up stories' but he was subject to peer pressure. Malik is a young man who got kicked out of the school but obviously his heart or his mind is still there because he is always sneaking on to the property. He is called 'a nothing' and is violent and ignorant. The other characters included Mary, Stacy and Lisa.
In the plot, there are several different stories carrying on. Displaying how it really is in a classroom. The different situations faced by different children in the same classroom along with the pressures of staying focused and tolerating ridicule by fellow classmates. Most of the main characters undergo some form of change. Leading to the climax several things come to the forefront. Keysha becomes slim and Tanya starts to pay more attention to her, listening and acting more like a friend. Tanya gets involved with Kyle and engages in sexual intercourse. This is seen through her being at his side and leaving when he says to do so, and then the condoms fall out of her bag after it drops because of a well performed collision. Kyle is roughed up by Jace, who is hinted by some things that others say, and his gang tattoo is revealed. Leslie sinks deeper and deeper down into the wrong lifestyle. She too has the joined the gang and become Malik's 'property.' She begins to slanders all her friends and thus looses her relationship with all, even her brother, who wants nothing to do with the monster she's become. Jace's dilemma with his father is revealed also, his problem of never listening and he therefore turns out to be a listener. Suspense is upheld in the story over the book that Kayla was seen always writing in. At it's absense she becomes frantic, sad and more isolated. Jace confesses that he has been keeping it and reading it and wants to reach out to help her, but the audience is never informed as to what the book contains.
Keysha ends up putting her physical and emotional health into too much jeopardy. At her first outbreak, she is in a confrontation with Leslie but she faints and this is the end of her entrances and exits. Tanya began to stand on her own two feet and stick up for others and herself but she was too late, her mistakes were too far gone and she became pregnant and was sent away. Kyle became lost in his ways in the fast lane and he no longer continued with school. Leslie grew distant and dropped out of school aswell but she still had consciousness of what is right. As she comes into the school to commit a crime and instill fear in her past classmates at the side of Malik, the tables turn as he gets into a conflict with her brother and as she points the gun to a frightened Michelle on the floor, as Malik fight on the floor, she unexpectedly aims her gun at Malik and pulls the triggor. Malik died. After these chains of dramatic scenes, the class population is decreased by a large amount but no one genuinely cares, though as the audience there is a significant difference to the beginning classroom scene being an on looker, one recognizes the sadness of it, but the classmates just gather and gossip with one another, but Kayla is still separate to them, still writing.
There is one person who cares, Kayla. As in the first scene, the lights become dim and blue as she voices her last journal entry where she says that she just cant take it anymore, the sadness she sees around her that could have easily been avoided if only they noticed she was there to listen and care, but she was over looked. Then she commits suicide. She says 'In addition to my own pain, I felt theirs. Their pain became my own.'
It was of a great dramatic impact when, as she was seen writing in the background, all of the classmates came out with candles and spoke about their significance to the world because of their significance to Kayla according to the things she wrote about each and every one of them. She saw the positives and knew about their situations and genuinely cared. Then they blew out their candles and came down from the stage facing her, her lifeless body resting on the school desk and chair, and bowed their heads.
The sound effects, costume, disguises and backdrops were all very good. Sound effects like when Keysha puked, the gun shot, the phone ringing, and the voices over the phone were very effective and precise. The costume was of an original school uniform and the moderations that could be done to that type of uniform by the students in their self expression were slightly diverse so that dressing could reveal a bit about personalities. The backdrop was a well painted representation of a classroom so that did enhance the play. The effort and thought put into pulling off this play was evidently at a high standard. This was indeed an exceptional play.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Society of Shakespeare and Much Ado About Nothing
Within Shakespearean times, the society was very different to the 21st century in which we currently live. The constraints of their society was much more vast and strongly enforced. Men and women as well as social classes had set roles well outlined, that they were expected to emulate. The expectations were set by biblical example, morals and strengths.
Women in this society were not considered as vital as men. With respect to men, they were to portray a calm and respectful character; to be obedient and somewhat of service to their men. Women were the weaker sex not just because of physical strengths, but for emotional strength aswell. Hence it was important for them to always be protected. Not only this, it was important for them to have grace and humility, being the inferior gender. Their backgrounds and history were very important though, for example, she was always expected to be a virgin and pure in her ways. Women were to be seen and not heard, they were to nurture and encourage. The women were really only expected to be mothers and hosewives, or part take in domestic occupations. Consider their role to be 'behind the scenes'. This role was played well by Hero, the daughter of the governor, her character, in the presence of her men is consistantly quitet, graceful and pleasant. She does not object to orders and at times, she is heard softening the statements of her cantankerous cousin; Beatrice.
In these times, the society was patriarchal; men were viewed as superior, particularly to the importance and upholding of society. They were given the tasks of going to war, or parttaking in voting or business careers. According to the laws of inheritance, a father always wished for a son even though daughters were loved just the same. A man would take his father's position and provide for a family and take a wife. He had the upper hand in terms of command and demand over his wife. All rights were his to chastise her. As the breadwinner of his houshold many pressures lay with him. He was expected to have a credentail background. If he did not, he was not deemed worthy of a woman who's father had great honour. As a father, he had all powers to choose who his daughter could or could not marry. A man always had to prove himself to the father and brothers or the woman he wished to wed. He also needed status and financial stability, seeing as how women always needed protection. Don Pedro displayed strong qualities and confidence. He, on behalf of Claudio, wooed Hero and used his connection with Leonato to gain Claudio a wife. He was respected and had status as a prince and being successful in the war. The role of a pan is played out well through Don Pedro's character.
Don John was a bastard. Being illegitemate, he was constrained in society. Illegitimate children were looked down upon with scorn. It was a shame to be brought into being without there being a legal and binding relationship between parents. It went against God's will and therefore, man's. This being so certain a child of this fate, was not afforded certain privileges. People constantly were convicting and bringing them down even though the child itself was not at fault. This being Don John's fate from his very beginning, Shakespeare may be accused of plaguing him as doomed to be evil from his birth. It may be because of the beliefs that went with children being born in illigitemacy, that they were of the devil or out whatever was not Godly, or it could be Don John became evil because of the pressures and scorns he endured for his life, being known as the Prince of Arragon's bastard brother.
Beatrice and Don John are two characters which went against their set roles in society. Beatrice went against everything a woman was set to be. Soft, quiet, obedient and respectful, on the contrary, Beatrice was talkative, rude, sarcastic, objective and unpleasant. She did not feel the need to be taken care of, but rather, believed in women carrying their own rights and having no need for love. It was never her intention to meet a man, and, unusually, she looked down upon men, saying as she felt and saying that there was none suited for her.
Don John went against his set role because he assumed a leadership role in the novel. He has two servants who report and scheme with him to bring others down. While he is better, and coniving, he goes against his role because bastards like him were to simply fall back in society and be grateful for the kindness he was shown. He was bitter and ungrateful.
Women in this society were not considered as vital as men. With respect to men, they were to portray a calm and respectful character; to be obedient and somewhat of service to their men. Women were the weaker sex not just because of physical strengths, but for emotional strength aswell. Hence it was important for them to always be protected. Not only this, it was important for them to have grace and humility, being the inferior gender. Their backgrounds and history were very important though, for example, she was always expected to be a virgin and pure in her ways. Women were to be seen and not heard, they were to nurture and encourage. The women were really only expected to be mothers and hosewives, or part take in domestic occupations. Consider their role to be 'behind the scenes'. This role was played well by Hero, the daughter of the governor, her character, in the presence of her men is consistantly quitet, graceful and pleasant. She does not object to orders and at times, she is heard softening the statements of her cantankerous cousin; Beatrice.
In these times, the society was patriarchal; men were viewed as superior, particularly to the importance and upholding of society. They were given the tasks of going to war, or parttaking in voting or business careers. According to the laws of inheritance, a father always wished for a son even though daughters were loved just the same. A man would take his father's position and provide for a family and take a wife. He had the upper hand in terms of command and demand over his wife. All rights were his to chastise her. As the breadwinner of his houshold many pressures lay with him. He was expected to have a credentail background. If he did not, he was not deemed worthy of a woman who's father had great honour. As a father, he had all powers to choose who his daughter could or could not marry. A man always had to prove himself to the father and brothers or the woman he wished to wed. He also needed status and financial stability, seeing as how women always needed protection. Don Pedro displayed strong qualities and confidence. He, on behalf of Claudio, wooed Hero and used his connection with Leonato to gain Claudio a wife. He was respected and had status as a prince and being successful in the war. The role of a pan is played out well through Don Pedro's character.
Don John was a bastard. Being illegitemate, he was constrained in society. Illegitimate children were looked down upon with scorn. It was a shame to be brought into being without there being a legal and binding relationship between parents. It went against God's will and therefore, man's. This being so certain a child of this fate, was not afforded certain privileges. People constantly were convicting and bringing them down even though the child itself was not at fault. This being Don John's fate from his very beginning, Shakespeare may be accused of plaguing him as doomed to be evil from his birth. It may be because of the beliefs that went with children being born in illigitemacy, that they were of the devil or out whatever was not Godly, or it could be Don John became evil because of the pressures and scorns he endured for his life, being known as the Prince of Arragon's bastard brother.
Beatrice and Don John are two characters which went against their set roles in society. Beatrice went against everything a woman was set to be. Soft, quiet, obedient and respectful, on the contrary, Beatrice was talkative, rude, sarcastic, objective and unpleasant. She did not feel the need to be taken care of, but rather, believed in women carrying their own rights and having no need for love. It was never her intention to meet a man, and, unusually, she looked down upon men, saying as she felt and saying that there was none suited for her.
Don John went against his set role because he assumed a leadership role in the novel. He has two servants who report and scheme with him to bring others down. While he is better, and coniving, he goes against his role because bastards like him were to simply fall back in society and be grateful for the kindness he was shown. He was bitter and ungrateful.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Much Ado About Nothing Quotations
1. BENEDICK:-"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."(I i)
The speaker here is Benedick. In this paragraph he is saying if he was to ever change his mind about marriage, then he shall disguise himself as a bull and 'bear the yolk' as Don Pedro says prior to his statement. By this he is expressing the unlikeliness of his ever getting married. Infact, he pretty much calls it impossible because being a dignified man, he would never disgrace himself to become as a bull and 'bear yolk.'
This statement bears so much significance because it brings forth evidence of the determination and confidence that Benedick declared in himself and his decision. It is a characteristic of Shakesperean plays for main characters to boldly declare that they will never do something, meanwhile, the plot entails great irony. In Much Ado About Nothing, Benedick falls in love and does marry, the very things he swears against.
2.BEATRICE:- "What shall I do with him, dress him in my apparel and make him my waiting gentlewoman? he that hath a beard, is more han a youth: and he that hath no beard, is less than a man: and he that is more that a youth is not for me and he that is less than a man, I am not for him," (II i)
The speaker in this case is Beatrice. In the paragraph she is trying to explain that there is no man suited for her. She has completely turned her eyes towards men that she does not accept them at all. Where they differ, she makes the excuse to say that they do not fancy her, or she does not fancy them.
This presents great dramatic significance because, it somewhat provides evidence of Beatrice putting up an emotional wall towards men. She declares that the fate of love will never cross her path. Through this statement, it appears that she believes that there is no man that can ever be her companion, men are simply not for her; but, as in characteristic of Shakespear, she contradicts herself and falls in love towards the very one man he professed especial hatred for, he being, Benedick, a man.
The speaker here is Benedick. In this paragraph he is saying if he was to ever change his mind about marriage, then he shall disguise himself as a bull and 'bear the yolk' as Don Pedro says prior to his statement. By this he is expressing the unlikeliness of his ever getting married. Infact, he pretty much calls it impossible because being a dignified man, he would never disgrace himself to become as a bull and 'bear yolk.'
This statement bears so much significance because it brings forth evidence of the determination and confidence that Benedick declared in himself and his decision. It is a characteristic of Shakesperean plays for main characters to boldly declare that they will never do something, meanwhile, the plot entails great irony. In Much Ado About Nothing, Benedick falls in love and does marry, the very things he swears against.
2.BEATRICE:- "What shall I do with him, dress him in my apparel and make him my waiting gentlewoman? he that hath a beard, is more han a youth: and he that hath no beard, is less than a man: and he that is more that a youth is not for me and he that is less than a man, I am not for him," (II i)
The speaker in this case is Beatrice. In the paragraph she is trying to explain that there is no man suited for her. She has completely turned her eyes towards men that she does not accept them at all. Where they differ, she makes the excuse to say that they do not fancy her, or she does not fancy them.
This presents great dramatic significance because, it somewhat provides evidence of Beatrice putting up an emotional wall towards men. She declares that the fate of love will never cross her path. Through this statement, it appears that she believes that there is no man that can ever be her companion, men are simply not for her; but, as in characteristic of Shakespear, she contradicts herself and falls in love towards the very one man he professed especial hatred for, he being, Benedick, a man.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The title: Much Ado About Nothing
In prior plays by Shakespeare, a common trait is his twisting and manipulating of characters to support a complex and diverse array of intense drama. The same is very true of the play Much Ado About Nothing. Shakespeare is rather blunt with his intentions by entitling the play so cleverly yet straightforward. In mondern terms one can interpret it as 'Big commotion over no reason'. The main villain in the play, Don John is bitter from the beginning, we see him lurking and seeking ways for which to cause commotion within relationships which exist between characters.
The title gives way that the plot of the story, once thought through is really just a big mess coming out of no reason or true motivation.
The title gives way that the plot of the story, once thought through is really just a big mess coming out of no reason or true motivation.
Desperation
Desperation: A mother's love goes without saying, especially for their child.
Cordelia was a woman who, from her very introduction into the novel, was in desperate need of help. She appears to be a woman who has fallen prey to much misfortune. According to Jesmina, she had taken care of her in younger years acting more as a mother than a sister. This indicates that much responsibility was placed upon her at a very young age. The probability, therefore, of their being a lack of youth and joy in her life is very great. According to her dialogue with Jesmina, Cordelia has become depressed and even sick. On page 40, the author states, 'Cordelia's man had been taken up for peddling ganga, and it seems to change everything and bring a cloud over her life'. Cordelia was not an independent woman. She depended upon others for her happiness. Her 'man' Jonas, her sister Jesmina, Bra'Man, and her son. Her son became sick soon after she did. After this development, we see a change in her character to one of constant desperation and need. Cordelia is seen engaging in several different 'strange' acts even involved in Obeah. At first, she exhibits faith in Brother Man and his Christian beliefs, but after his 'faulter' in failing to heal her son, Cordelia turns 'crazy'. After consulting with the Obeah man in the village, Bra'ambo and he too fails, alternately, she kills both herself and her son. She loved her son very much and had a strong connection with him. His lack of health was the ultimate turning point in her life. On page 162, Cordelia has killed her son. At this point, she has become taken over with the pin and terror that she has become numb. While she lets negativity get the best of her, she resorts to killing her son to stop her pain and his. Immidiately afterwards, she contently kills herself, this is Cordelia's end.
Cordelia was a woman who, from her very introduction into the novel, was in desperate need of help. She appears to be a woman who has fallen prey to much misfortune. According to Jesmina, she had taken care of her in younger years acting more as a mother than a sister. This indicates that much responsibility was placed upon her at a very young age. The probability, therefore, of their being a lack of youth and joy in her life is very great. According to her dialogue with Jesmina, Cordelia has become depressed and even sick. On page 40, the author states, 'Cordelia's man had been taken up for peddling ganga, and it seems to change everything and bring a cloud over her life'. Cordelia was not an independent woman. She depended upon others for her happiness. Her 'man' Jonas, her sister Jesmina, Bra'Man, and her son. Her son became sick soon after she did. After this development, we see a change in her character to one of constant desperation and need. Cordelia is seen engaging in several different 'strange' acts even involved in Obeah. At first, she exhibits faith in Brother Man and his Christian beliefs, but after his 'faulter' in failing to heal her son, Cordelia turns 'crazy'. After consulting with the Obeah man in the village, Bra'ambo and he too fails, alternately, she kills both herself and her son. She loved her son very much and had a strong connection with him. His lack of health was the ultimate turning point in her life. On page 162, Cordelia has killed her son. At this point, she has become taken over with the pin and terror that she has become numb. While she lets negativity get the best of her, she resorts to killing her son to stop her pain and his. Immidiately afterwards, she contently kills herself, this is Cordelia's end.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Life and Times of William Shakespeare
The Life and Times of William Shakespeare (I cannot get unto the virtual tour but this is what I found)
The legendary William Shakespeare was a man of many talents. He was gifted in the literary arts; poetry, plays, acting and the works. He came from humble beginings in England, born in Stratford Upon Avon in April of 1564. His mother was Mary Arden and his father was John Shakespeare who was a very prosperous man. William was the third child for his parents out of eight but was the very first surviving boy.He grew to have a wife of his own at age 18, by the name of Anne Hathaway. With her, he had three children. Susana was his first child, then years following, in 1583, she bore him twins: Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet died at eleven years of age.
Little is known of his early manhood after the birth of his children, the time period is called 'lost years' however, records from 1592 and thereafter are much more frequent. Robert Greene in 1592(a prominent writer) before he died wrote a letter of praise to Shakespeare's literary capability. Shakespeare became classified as a famous and exceptional playwright.
Shakespeare first published his poem in April of 1593 called Venus and Adonis which was a great success. His second poem was published in 1594 entitled The Rape of Lucrece. After a plague in London ceased, things returned to normal and Shakespeare had to chance to have a share in a big theatre company in London. Shakespeare, without rival writers at this time, wrote Richard III, Titus Andronicus, The Two Gentlemen of Verona to Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer's Night and The Merchant of Venice. The company separated and there was a new playhouse soon after that Shakespeare would use. By the summer of 1598 Shakespeare was considered the greatest of all English dramatists.
After 1601, Shakespeare began writing less. He did experiment with different styles in drama. After taking resting from his active career, Shakespeare lived in Stratford Upon Avon and was considered a very important citizen. Both his daughters were married and when he died in 1616, he was burried at the chancel of the church in Stratford before the high altar.
The legendary William Shakespeare was a man of many talents. He was gifted in the literary arts; poetry, plays, acting and the works. He came from humble beginings in England, born in Stratford Upon Avon in April of 1564. His mother was Mary Arden and his father was John Shakespeare who was a very prosperous man. William was the third child for his parents out of eight but was the very first surviving boy.He grew to have a wife of his own at age 18, by the name of Anne Hathaway. With her, he had three children. Susana was his first child, then years following, in 1583, she bore him twins: Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet died at eleven years of age.
Little is known of his early manhood after the birth of his children, the time period is called 'lost years' however, records from 1592 and thereafter are much more frequent. Robert Greene in 1592(a prominent writer) before he died wrote a letter of praise to Shakespeare's literary capability. Shakespeare became classified as a famous and exceptional playwright.
Shakespeare first published his poem in April of 1593 called Venus and Adonis which was a great success. His second poem was published in 1594 entitled The Rape of Lucrece. After a plague in London ceased, things returned to normal and Shakespeare had to chance to have a share in a big theatre company in London. Shakespeare, without rival writers at this time, wrote Richard III, Titus Andronicus, The Two Gentlemen of Verona to Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer's Night and The Merchant of Venice. The company separated and there was a new playhouse soon after that Shakespeare would use. By the summer of 1598 Shakespeare was considered the greatest of all English dramatists.
After 1601, Shakespeare began writing less. He did experiment with different styles in drama. After taking resting from his active career, Shakespeare lived in Stratford Upon Avon and was considered a very important citizen. Both his daughters were married and when he died in 1616, he was burried at the chancel of the church in Stratford before the high altar.
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Novel Brotherman as very Symbolic, Agree or Disagree
The Novel Brotherman was very symbolic - Agree
According to the Oxford dictionary, a symbol is whatever represents something else. To quote, it says '1. thing that represents something else . 2. A character with a fixed meaning.' Within the novel Brotherman, there are several evident pin-points to the story of Jesus Christ, an exceptional being, holy beyond all other and claimed as the Son of God. His story is a popular one; born into humble beginnings, growing up in a religious but poor community; grown to become a strong young man that is looked up to in every aspect, and looked down upon for the same; eventually betrayed to sad extremes by those close.
This piece of Jamaican literature first establishes the most evident signs of his symbol through the gossip of the people in the lane, he was held up as a prophet and sometimes was a topic of controversy. He was never violent or frustrated but excercised exceptional self control and understanding. He became known as a healer to the people and persons even began to claim that once you touch that which he touched, one would be healed. He even had a 'follower' Minette, who worshipped the ground he walked upon. Similarly, in the story of Jesus, he was talked about frequently and was a topic of controversy. He was a healer and just by crossing his shadow, people were healed. This man held steadfastly to his faith in God but was only lead to the worst form of betrayal.
Judas Escariot was a friend of Jesus' who followed, prayed and ate with him. Greed and envy started to tempt him and he became changed into a different person, lead blindly by ignorant hatred into want. The same was seen in Cordelia's situation; a good woman suddenly overcome by the negatives of her situation and eventually lead blindly by hatred into want. As Judas Escariot became known as the betrayer for the great injustice he did to Jesus, so does Cordelia commit the unthinkable to a man he had once called upon to pray for her child.
After such a development, another point is the sudden change from the crowd of people who once followed Jesus around to hear his teachings and wise words in times of trouble and dissettlement, the man worthy of praises and blessings, had become a crowd so full of directed hatred. It was non-sensical and the same fate befell Brotherman. He was wanted for his wisdom, prayers and healing followed around the village as the man worthy of many thanks and too much generosity, then the people turned against him in a split second. They casted rocks even at the helpless people who went to help him, he was teased, abused and hurt, the same fate that fell upon Jesus.
There were many other instances within the novel that can be directly linked to the story of Jesus. This was not coincidential. There will be differences in characters for the purpose of the book being original and also to incorporate other good characters that the world has known and rejected. The author thought of using more modern symbols through characters to bring across the story as it would be more relative to his people. In any piece of literature, the author bases characters on something real and live in their experiences. Therefore, any character in a fictional narrative, is a symbol. Brotherman is a very symbolic piece of literature.
According to the Oxford dictionary, a symbol is whatever represents something else. To quote, it says '1. thing that represents something else . 2. A character with a fixed meaning.' Within the novel Brotherman, there are several evident pin-points to the story of Jesus Christ, an exceptional being, holy beyond all other and claimed as the Son of God. His story is a popular one; born into humble beginnings, growing up in a religious but poor community; grown to become a strong young man that is looked up to in every aspect, and looked down upon for the same; eventually betrayed to sad extremes by those close.
This piece of Jamaican literature first establishes the most evident signs of his symbol through the gossip of the people in the lane, he was held up as a prophet and sometimes was a topic of controversy. He was never violent or frustrated but excercised exceptional self control and understanding. He became known as a healer to the people and persons even began to claim that once you touch that which he touched, one would be healed. He even had a 'follower' Minette, who worshipped the ground he walked upon. Similarly, in the story of Jesus, he was talked about frequently and was a topic of controversy. He was a healer and just by crossing his shadow, people were healed. This man held steadfastly to his faith in God but was only lead to the worst form of betrayal.
Judas Escariot was a friend of Jesus' who followed, prayed and ate with him. Greed and envy started to tempt him and he became changed into a different person, lead blindly by ignorant hatred into want. The same was seen in Cordelia's situation; a good woman suddenly overcome by the negatives of her situation and eventually lead blindly by hatred into want. As Judas Escariot became known as the betrayer for the great injustice he did to Jesus, so does Cordelia commit the unthinkable to a man he had once called upon to pray for her child.
After such a development, another point is the sudden change from the crowd of people who once followed Jesus around to hear his teachings and wise words in times of trouble and dissettlement, the man worthy of praises and blessings, had become a crowd so full of directed hatred. It was non-sensical and the same fate befell Brotherman. He was wanted for his wisdom, prayers and healing followed around the village as the man worthy of many thanks and too much generosity, then the people turned against him in a split second. They casted rocks even at the helpless people who went to help him, he was teased, abused and hurt, the same fate that fell upon Jesus.
There were many other instances within the novel that can be directly linked to the story of Jesus. This was not coincidential. There will be differences in characters for the purpose of the book being original and also to incorporate other good characters that the world has known and rejected. The author thought of using more modern symbols through characters to bring across the story as it would be more relative to his people. In any piece of literature, the author bases characters on something real and live in their experiences. Therefore, any character in a fictional narrative, is a symbol. Brotherman is a very symbolic piece of literature.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Reflection1Brother Man
So far as I've read, in my opinion, it would be somewhat of an understatement to not call this book a masterpiece. The author, Roger Mais, appears to be a creative man of mystery. He starts off with an abstract, yet forefront introduction into the story and plot. He engages the reader in the dialogues of the people in the society in which the story is based. He exposes the reader cleverly to the way of life of the people, their cultural background through dialogue, their customs and moral ideas. The writer, however, brings forth the stories of the main characters as disconnected one from another; the only constant thus far, is a relation to brother man.
Girlie is a young woman in a troubled relationship. Trust and respect cause major conflict because of a lack of communication, she resorts to violence to solveher problems and vent her frustration with his behaviour, and it affects their regular routine to a point where animosity or tension is evident; from communication to physical contact. Papacita, her lover, has too much urge to have his way with many other women while still trying to hold on to Girlie, who he has strong feelings for. He has problems, however, with reaching out to her while she finds too much fault with his actions, meanwhile he is in a struggle balance that with maintenance of a big ego. he relies on external factors and when, for example, he was not able to satisfy Girlie sexually, he becomes devastated and submits to the violent behaviour aswell, until it goes too far.
Cordy appears to be a hurt character who has grown very angry and depressed about her life's misfortune. She was used and abused by a man who was taken over first by drugs and then taken away by police. In her misery, the reader is lead to believe through her conversation, that this man, Jonas, was greedy and selfish, and her purpose was only for his benefit, yet now he was gone, she had nothing but her sister to lean on. The male perspective, Jonas, is not introduced to the story.
Minette is an interesting, young character. To me, no doubt, the most intriguing. She seemingly grew up an a very lacking environment. Lacking in terms of love and care. She was invited, when she had no place to go at the age of seventeen, to live in the comforting home of a kind, honest and young man. He came to be her 'saving grace'. She was well taken care of and never used. She finds herself in an internal struggle with having to face and deal with the feelings which have erupted within her for this gentle man, and his lack of feeling of mutual affection towards her. Brother man, a rastafarian whom the book is named after, is the constant in each visit to another character's life in the novel. From the get go the author makes it clear that this man is regarded as somewhat of a prophet to the people in the village. He, however, is the hardest to figure out. His are the only thoughts that are not disclosed to the reader. Regardless of this, however, he is the 'purest' character, although not much is stated about his history.
Thus far, the book is very intriguing. It has a much different feel that many other books read previously. Since it refers to the Caribbean culture and people, themes can be easier identifiable with, one is compelled to read more
Girlie is a young woman in a troubled relationship. Trust and respect cause major conflict because of a lack of communication, she resorts to violence to solveher problems and vent her frustration with his behaviour, and it affects their regular routine to a point where animosity or tension is evident; from communication to physical contact. Papacita, her lover, has too much urge to have his way with many other women while still trying to hold on to Girlie, who he has strong feelings for. He has problems, however, with reaching out to her while she finds too much fault with his actions, meanwhile he is in a struggle balance that with maintenance of a big ego. he relies on external factors and when, for example, he was not able to satisfy Girlie sexually, he becomes devastated and submits to the violent behaviour aswell, until it goes too far.
Cordy appears to be a hurt character who has grown very angry and depressed about her life's misfortune. She was used and abused by a man who was taken over first by drugs and then taken away by police. In her misery, the reader is lead to believe through her conversation, that this man, Jonas, was greedy and selfish, and her purpose was only for his benefit, yet now he was gone, she had nothing but her sister to lean on. The male perspective, Jonas, is not introduced to the story.
Minette is an interesting, young character. To me, no doubt, the most intriguing. She seemingly grew up an a very lacking environment. Lacking in terms of love and care. She was invited, when she had no place to go at the age of seventeen, to live in the comforting home of a kind, honest and young man. He came to be her 'saving grace'. She was well taken care of and never used. She finds herself in an internal struggle with having to face and deal with the feelings which have erupted within her for this gentle man, and his lack of feeling of mutual affection towards her. Brother man, a rastafarian whom the book is named after, is the constant in each visit to another character's life in the novel. From the get go the author makes it clear that this man is regarded as somewhat of a prophet to the people in the village. He, however, is the hardest to figure out. His are the only thoughts that are not disclosed to the reader. Regardless of this, however, he is the 'purest' character, although not much is stated about his history.
Thus far, the book is very intriguing. It has a much different feel that many other books read previously. Since it refers to the Caribbean culture and people, themes can be easier identifiable with, one is compelled to read more
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